Training Under Sirus [Part 2]

"Where did Iris go?" he wondered.

"Back to Triage," Sirus replied.

"Triage? Where is that?"

"Outside."

"Outside?"

"Despite this building being vast, we have limited space. So we do most of our healing outside. Only the most severe cases are brought in here where someone is around 24-7."

"Do you ever work Triage? Or are you always in here?"

"I work Triage also," Sirus replied. "Helping patients calm down isn't the only thing I do. But it is the one thing I am to train you on."

"Are you not going to train me on the others?"

"I could, but you would learn better, and far more, from the healer whose forte that is."

"So then how long am I working with you?"

"That depends on you and how confident you become at being able to do this technique without any coaching or suggestions from me. You have a good start. We'll see what happens over the next couple days." A new healer came into the wing and stood on the other side of the man Terrano had just finished helping. "Rebecca is here to replace us. We can go to the dining hall for supper and then retire for the night. We'll be starting before sunrise tomorrow."

Terrano nodded to Rebecca.

She nodded back.

Then he followed Sirus out of the Intensive Wing to the dining hall.

He could not help but scan the many faces to see if Iris was here. He followed Sirus to get a plate of food. They approached a long dining table. Iris was sitting near the end, conversing with the healers around her. Terrano sat nearby and listened for a moment.

"I don't know that I would have offered the girl my finger," one woman said. "ESR support would likely have worked just as well."

Iris nodded.

"What did Greg put on her burns?"

"St. John's Wort," Iris replied. "The red extract was unmistakable."

"Aloe might have been a better choice."

"Chamomile and Calendula might have worked also," Terrano put in.

Iris turned to him, her expression neutral. "Those might have been more soothing than the St. John's Wort, for sure. How was your first day of training with Guided Imagery?"

"Good. I think."

"Better than most," Sirus replied. "You handled that last patient with no coaching. Some of those I've trained would not have been able to do so."

Iris nodded. "Sounds like it will become second nature very quickly."

"Thank you, Iris," Terrano replied. "How was Triage?"

"Busy. But I was grateful that we did not have many complicated cases."

"The complicated ones are the ones brought to the Intensive Wing?"

"Most of them," the woman that had been speaking to Iris said. "Sometimes we bring them inside where there are supplies not readily accessible in Triage."

"Makes sense."

She and Iris nodded.

"Can I ask what your specialty is, Iris?"

"Something that cannot be replicated by others," she replied before she stood. "Excuse me, I am needed elsewhere."

Terrano felt confused as he watched Iris walk away. Then he turned back to Sirus. "A healing technique that cannot be replicated by others?"

He shrugged. "Though her answer gave you more information than she gave us."

The woman Iris had been talking to leaned forward. "When we inquired about her specialty three months ago she would not respond."

"Apologies, Terrano," Sirus said. "This is Marge."

"Pleasure to meet you, Marge."

"Same, Terrano."

"Has Iris opened up to anyone in the three months she's been here?"

Marge and Sirus looked at each other.

"I think you are the first," Sirus replied.

"I think so, too," Marge nodded.

Terrano sighed and rubbed his face.

"Get some rest Terrano," Sirus said. "Try not to get too caught up in Iris' way of being."

"I'll try not to, Sirus."

Terrano took his dishes into the kitchen then retired to his room. A bucket, sponge, and towel had been left next to the chair. He looked around, wondering if Iris had come in. But there was no one. Terrano washed then retired.

The dual colors of Iris' eyes hovered in his mind. Were it not for her dark hair, he would have thought her Ponderosa's—Rosa's—twin. But would she even tell him how old she was? Or was that a personal enough question that she would change subjects or ignore him? Was she training anyone? Had she trained anyone? How long had she been without a trainer? How had she learned the other techniques proficiently in half, or less than half, of the time Headmaster Perditio expected the training would take?

He rolled onto his side, trying to set his questions for and about Iris aside. But there was a draw about her. A puzzle that he wanted to figure out. What was she hiding? And why? She had to know no one here meant her harm. So then why did she refuse to open up? To share things about herself that would allow her relationships with the other healers to grow? He sighed and did his best to sleep. He had no idea how early early was here at the compound. But having grown up on a farm, he was no stranger to early starts. In fact, he preferred them.

Terrano woke before anyone knocked on his door and dressed. He stepped out of his room as Sirus was coming down the hall.

"An early riser, I see," Sirus smiled.

"Cows and chickens don't care for themselves," Terrano smiled back.

"That they don't. Come. There is much to do."

Sirus led Terrano outside into the twilight. Several other healers were already outside waiting on the caravan that made its way into the bowl. Moans and cries of discomfort reached him before the first travelers were near enough to approach. Sirus stepped forward. Terrano followed. They circled around the caravan seeking those in the most distress. Sirus guided a couple to their peaceful place, before stepping back to observe Terrano try and do the same. Terrano felt it was harder to do in this setting, where their wounds were not yet being treated, than it had been in the Intensive Wing.

But after many attempts, much correction, and contemplation, Terrano was able to get a few calmed. Sirus had to step in a bit more—trying to speed up the process some since there were many others they could be helping as well. Assess and treat the most critical first. That is what Terrano was trying to do, but without Sirus' proficiency it was difficult. Terrano watched and listened closely as Sirus attended to several more. By this time, the caravan was spread out in front of the building. Many of their members had already been taken inside to the Intensive Wing.

Sirus brought him to another patient. Terrano tried again with the guided imagery. The man responded much quicker than the last. Sirus pointed out a few more then watched from a distance while Terrano did his best to help them. Only when he struggled did Sirus approach to see what else Terrano might try to help soothe the patient. His thoughts were getting muddled. He was getting hungry. They had worked longer than he was used to without eating something first. But with some encouragement from Sirus, he was able to get this patient in a calmer place.

Other healers came out to take over. Terrano and Sirus entered the dining hall to get food. He did not look for Iris this morning. He wanted to eat. He was glad to see that breakfast was much larger than dinner or lunch had been. He ate everything. With his stomach full and his head clearing, Terrano was ready for more. He waited for Sirus to finish. The two of them entered the kitchen. They washed dishes, prepared and stored the food that had been brought by the caravan, and served lunch to many in the caravan.

Terrano expected to go back to the Intensive Wing or out to Triage again after lunch, but Sirus brought him to another part of the compound. A laundry area. They washed and folded clothes, cloths, and bandages. Many female healers were sitting in the far corner sewing and chatting. Iris was with them, but her stool was set apart from the other women. Set at a distance where she wouldn't be asked to participate in the conversation. Her expression was serious as ever. Did she never smile? He didn't recall even the slightest of smiles when she talked about enjoying her work here at Kientol.

"Can't let it go, can you?" Sirus asked.

"Sorry?" Terrano asked, turning back to Sirus.

"Your curiosity about Iris."

He shook his head.

"We're working in Triage again after this. I believe she is, too. So, go ask your questions, because I need you focused and not distracted because she's nearby."

Terrano nodded then crossed to where Iris worked. Her head remained bowed as she mended the hem of a skirt. He crouched in front of her.

"Hello, Iris."

"Good afternoon, Terrano."

"How are you?"

"Working."

"I see that. How are you feeling?"

Iris shook her head and tied a knot in the thread she was using. "Is that all you came over here to ask me?"

"No. I want to get to know you. Where you are from, how old you are, how many there are in your family. Your hobbies. What things you like/dislike."

"All things that have nothing to do with why you are here and what you are here to accomplish."

"Iris…," he tried, lightly touching her hands.

She stood, knocking over the stool she had been sitting on. Her eyes narrowed some as he stood as well. "You have a job to do and training to complete. I suggest you get back to it."

"Why is it so hard for you to open up?"

"Why can't you leave me alone?"

"I…."

He stopped when Iris held up her hand. She turned her head away and pointed to where Sirus was waiting by the door.

"…I really do what to get to know you, Iris. I hope someday you will give me that chance. …I'm sorry for interrupting your work."