Read Online [Lanen Kaelar 03] - Redeeming the Lost by Elizabeth Kerner - Free Book Online

surprise me that males of both our Kindreds have this in
common,” she said. Aral grinned up at her before getting back to work.
    It was clear in a moment when we saw the
healthy muscle—we had to look deep, but there is something unmistakable about
bodies that are working as they should. The deep tissue of the unused muscles
still had that silver glow of health about it, though the bloodstream was
carrying the fatigue poisons throughout the body.
    “Well, Vil, I can see what needs done,” said
Aral shortly. “You?”
    “Yes. It looks easy enough.”
    I felt another jab of Aral’s elbow, but I’m
not stupid. I was just about to speak in any case.
    “Our thanks, Lady. With your assistance, I
think we can help Shikrar.”
    Idai dipped her head and a sinuous wave
followed down her long neck. Very odd indeed, but she seemed happy enough.
    Aral is right. I do tend to lose track of the
social graces when I’m working.
    We moved back to Shikrar’s side. “We’ll do it
as usual, eh?” I said. “You compress and provide the pain relief, I’ll shift
the inflammation.”
    I looked up at the vast form now above me.
Truly, things could be easier.
    “My lord Shikrar,” I said, not knowing if they
used such titles. Better than nothing. “Will it please you to come closer?”
    His head was suddenly very, very close to mine
and I couldn’t help but flinch. Goddess, he was huge. “Have you any hope,
truly, of healing me?”
    I almost laughed. Honestly. Everyone always thought
they were different. The Lady’s power heals all, my lord, rich and poor alike.
I cannot think why it should not heal you.”
    “But we do not worship the Lady of the Gedri,”
he said.
    “Maybe you should start,” said Aral, grinning.
“Have we your permission to try, Shikrar?”
    He lay right down then, putting his wing
gingerly upon the ground. It was still going to be hard to reach that affected
shoulder, but—first things first.
    “You may try, Aralishaan,” he said kindly.
     
     
Aral
    We moved together to the wing joint, getting
it clear before our eyes, seeing exactly what needed to be done. We joined
hands and sent our power forth.
    At least, we tried to. I felt Vil increase his
own strength until he glowed even in broad daylight, but it wasn’t going
anywhere. Our power went no farther than the ends of our fingers.
    Shikrar, watching closely, closed his eyes. “Alas.
I feared it might be so. In all our history, there have been few of the Gedri
who could help us to heal.” He sighed. “Perhaps it was too much to hope that the
two of you might have been among them.”
    “Don’t move!” I yelled angrily to Shikrar. “Don’t
give up yet, Vil! We healed Salera’s people, I know we can—wait—wait, of
course!”
    I had felt a slight burning for the last few
minutes, where the pouch around my neck touched my chest, and it had finally
occurred to me that when we had healed Salera and her kin, I had held the gem
in my hand. Perhaps that would do it.
    I let go Vil’s left hand and fumbled with the
pouch and finally managed to get out the large gem. I held it tight in my hand.
    I wish someone had told me. That kind of thing
shouldn’t happen to the unprepared.
     
Shikrar
    The Kin-Summoning is a ritual among our
people, requiring days of fasting and
preparation and the burning of special herbs and leaves. As a part of our choice at the dawn of Time, we were given a way to remember all that has gone before.
The soulgems of our ancestors allow
us, when necessary, to speak to those who have died.
    Or so it had ever been before;. Though on
those occasions, it has always been the Keeper of Souls who gave way to the
Ancestor being summoned.
    Aral, with her Healer’s power about her, drew
forth the soul-gem she had in her keeping. I spared a moment’s thought to
commend that unknown Ancestor to the Winds, and to pledge silently that I would
soon rescue her from this Gedri child who held her all unwitting, when Aral
suddenly stood