5 It’s Tiring

The light from the brass oil lamps kept the hut warm as the continouos cold rain makes the night more chilly. I placed the basket of fruits and nuts on the table as our family's grace to the strange owner of the hut. I was about to proceed to the livestock quarters when I heard the boy cough severely. I tried my best to ignore him, for I know that my mother would be distraught if I heal the child. Besides, I'm starting to feel uncomfortable with the heavy wet layers of clothes I have on, better have a warm bath and change to nice clean clothes instead.

My hands were literally full as I held a bunch of clothes, a couple water receptacles and my carry-on bag. However, when I stepped away from the table, I accidentally tipped over the basket of nuts and fruits. "Great", I uttered. I immediately put down all of my stuff, picked up the fruits and nuts and placed them back in the basket on the table.

While doing so, the young boy kept coughing persistently. He's calling for his mother repetitively. I took a deep breath and furrowed my brows. Can I resist what a healer should do? My mind and heart greatly debated between the call of duty and an obedient daughter. Thereafter, I am already walking myself to his room.

Of course, I gave in. In the room where the young boy is lingering, I felt an ominous vibe that covers the child. I suppose it is the illness that is stealing his life away.

"Hello", I slowly approached the young boy hidden under the crimson covers of the large straw bed with his face peeking out. He's younger than I thought. "I'm Helena.", I crouched down beside the bed to see him clearly. "How are you?", I whispered as I touch his forehead. He tried to open his heavy eyes, yet he's too weak to do it. His skin is hot, and he is terribly sweating. Breathing deeply and wincing like he's in unbearable pain, I'm sure no amount of any medicinal herb would cure his very serious condition. "What's your name?", I asked.

"Ar..gus", he quavered weakly, even saying his name is a struggle for him. He whimpered pitifully as he clutch tightly on his blanket.

"Okay Argus, I will help you", I said. "Let's take the pain away", I lifted my hand and moved my palm over his chest. In a matter of seconds, the dark cloud over his small body disappeared like a passing gleam. However, the ominous vibe is still there. Minimal, but there.

Argus immediately fell back to sleep. His face became calmer, and more relaxed. No more fever, no more pain. Standing on my two feet, I held on the window pane as I feel instantly dizzy. I sniffled many times as my throat started to itch. If I had my crest with me, I wouldn't absorb any of the sufferers symptoms. Clearing my throat softly upon leaving the room with a mild cough, I made my way out of the room as quiet as possible.

I looked back for a one last look, and I could still sense a threateningly inauspicious atmosphere even after I healed him. However, the sky rained a lot more that I was able to sense it little by little until it's barely there. I walked out thinking maybe he's just really sick. As I reach the dainty kitchen, I saw Argus' mother stirring the potful of stew. "Pardon me", I said but she didn't bothered herself to even look at me. She didn't even speak a thing and just let me pass. How disturbing.

I went to the livestock quarters which I thought was bigger that the main hut. More than four lamps would be needed to lighten up the entire quarters, yet we only have one, enough to see where to sleep. There were a lot of stacked hay-filled crates that reaches the ceiling. There were scattered hay in the wooden flooring, and empty buckets arranged neatly on the side. There's a couple of wooden windows that opens and closes at the gush of the winds. I'll ask father to fix those later so we can sleep better.

Then, I saw my mother drying her drenched hair, and looking cozy on the bed made of hay, covered with a clean grey fabric. She have already changed to a more silky and fancy looking clothing that's possibly lent to her. The horses are now cuddling in the corner, and seems like they are already used to the sky's blunder and light shows.

I undressed my top velvet tunic, and dropped it on the floor leaving my two layers of white chemise as I wait for my turn to wash in the chambers. I tend to cover my mouth as much as possible every time I feel like a cough will blurt out. Nervously, I drank a bit of water from my water receptacle to soothe down my itchy throat. "Where's father?", I asked mother hoping she would not notice what I just did to Argus.

"In the privy chamber, cleaning himself", my mother answered as I notice the privy chamber in the corner glowing from inside. I could feel my mother's prying eyes giving me a death stare. Refusing to make eye contact, I continued preparing my change of clothes. I just can't wait to get in the chamber. Then, one tickle in the throat made me forcibly bark. I gave myself away with a continouos cough I can no longer control.

"Did you heal the boy?", my mother asked as I replied with a guilty smile. "Why don't you ever listen to me?", she said in a lowly angry voice.

"The poor boy won't survive the night.", I explained. Without my help, I'm sure Argus will grow weaker and might perish any time.

My mother stood up and came upclose. She gently gathered my soaked hair and dried it her piece of cloth. She exhaled sharply and said, "You don't need to heal everybody. Do not put that burden on your shoulders..". "Look at you, pale and sickly. What are you going to do without me?", she said as she warm my face with the palm of her hands, then kissed my illness away. I smiled tenderly at my caring mother. Actually, her kindess make me feel more sorry for not obeying her.

"Mother, have you noticed something different in this place?", I whispered. "Different.. with her?", I asked.

"We will just stay until the rain stops", my mother answered immediately as if she knew what I was talking about. She held my hand and squeezed it tightly, giving me an assurance that we'll be out of her hair at the last raindrop. "Her name is Celeste", my mother said.

"Supper is ready", Celeste said as she stood by the door.

I had to bathe quickly in the wooden tub of warm water to make it for supper. Soaking and scrubbing in lavender and rosemary scent oils and soap was the best few moments of luxury and highlight of my life. The moment I went out of the quarters, Celeste, father and my mother were already seated on the table with their half full bowl of delectable stew. It's impressive how a good-smelling soup can be made in the middle of nowhere where we could only find mixed nuts and a few fruits. We're lucky if we find jackrabbits.

I wonder what's in it.

My father stood to let me sit but, Celeste swiftly offered her seat instead. "Please, you are my guests", she said as she stood up and went over the sink with her bowl. I grabbed her kind offer as my father hand me a bowl of stew.

"So.. where are you heading?", Celeste asked as she empty her bowl leaning back on the sink.

"We're just roaming. Our family likes travelling. Seeing different places, watching the sun set in various views, gazing at the diamonds in the sky.. we just prefer a bond with nature", my mother answered. I rolled my eyes and exhaled sharply at her response. Stirring the soup with my spoon, I have lost my craving for food with this comversation.

"Isn't it tiring?", Celeste asked.

"Not really, every day is quite an adventure. There's so much to see, out there ", my father answered.

Adventure? It's nothing like that at all. Everyday is torture. The nights are short - you can barely sleep in the scorching heat along with the noisy crickets and blood-lust mosquitoes. The days opposes idlenes - for I am actively engaged in reading and writing lessons, disarming techniques for healers, stitching and weaving.. and every life lessons for survival.

I stood up like my legs had a mind of its own. My ears doesn't want to hear things that's hard to agree on. "Please excuse me", I said and immediately stepped out of the hut.