Cecealye instantly ran over to Ean. "Ean!"
His breathing was heavy. She began to feel faint as she slowly removed the bloodied garment.
He grabbed her by the arm and spoke in a somewhat hoarse voice, "Don't worry. Most of that isn't mine." He slowly sat up and helped her remove it. "See, it's only a few cuts."
Holding the garment, she stammered, "Then who's...?"
"Supreany's," Blaizen said as he sat beside Supreany's fading body.
Cecealye and Ean both rose and went to her. She was lying on her back on the ground. Her skin was flushed, and her breath was shallow. Her shirt was spoiled with much of her thick blood.
Blaizen leaned down and sat her up in his arms. He ran his fingers down her face. His eyes dropped and lifted up over to Cecealye, who had knelt down on the other side of her. Tears began to form in Cecealye's eyes as she pulled back the garments to reveal the wound. It was fatal, and the sight of it made her stomach knot up. Their eyes lifted to see Igna standing behind them.
Cecealye wiped the tears from her cheek. "Is there anything you can do?"
Igna shook her head. "No."
They exhaled sharply.
"Because I am not the one among us to whom such power has been given."
They looked at each other confused. What did she mean by that?
She leaned down to Cecealye. "Such a power is the one you have been gifted with."
Cecealye shook her head. "But I ..."
Igna grabbed Cecealye's arm. "Do you want your friend to live?"
"Yes ..."
"Do you believe Theos has the power to do so through you?"
"Ye...Yes."
Then Igna placed Cecealye's hand on the wound. "Then in his name, heal her, for he has given you this gift, and he will not fail you." With that, she let go of Cecealye's arm.
Cecealye's eyes were wide, her pulse quickened. 'Save her? I can't save her ... I ...' She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. 'I don't have to save her, because I know I can't; not on my own. You must ... I know you can.' She opened her eyes.
"Oh, Theos, please … please save Supreany." She began praying over Supreany. In the moment after that, something miraculous happened. Supreany took in a deep breath as her color came back to her. Cecealye lifted her hand to reveal that, with the exception of the lost blood, there was no sign of the wound.
"Praise Theos!" Ean began clapping his hands, giving out a shout of joy.
Cecealye reached up and wrapped her arms around Supreany.
Supreany hugged her back. She didn't know what to say.
Ean leaned down towards Supreany, a smile wide on his face. "Hey, do us all a favor and don't ever do that again."
"I shall try."
The three continued in their celebration.
Blaizen couldn't believe it. He'd seen a lot of weird things, but nothing like this. Perhaps there was something to this Theos after all. Something then caught his attention behind Igna.
"Orckle?"
"That is my name," Orckle answered as he approached the others. He seemed to be moving a bit stiffly.
"You all right? You looked like you took quite the hit."
"I am fine, and I see our little dragon-eyed girl is fine too, thanks to Theos." Orckle then turned his attention to Igna. "So tell me, water guardian of Theos, why am I the only one who knows?"
"Knows what?" Ean questioned.
"That our late icy friend was not an ice witch; she was a guardian just as Igna." Orckle leaned forward. "I could have dealt with a mere witch, but a guardian?" He shook his head.
"What?" Ean looked up at Igna.
"Oh, Orckle, truly the world lost something great the day your people were no more, for now, such knowledge is a fleeting vapor." The pale woman turned her attention to everyone. "Now is not the place to discuss such matters. You will follow me, and I will tell you all you need to know."
Blaizen gave Supreany a helping hand as she climbed to her feet. "You feeling okay?"
"Yes, I think I'll survive," she said with a smile as she looked down. Her fingers ran along the large bloody spot in her clothes. "However, I can't say the same for my shirt."
Igna smiled and began to walk away, causing everyone to follow. Everyone, that was, except Supreany. She stood there looking down at her hands, her blood drying on them.
'You saved me ... me. Cecealye was right. You have been watching over me, something I've taken for granted for too long. Who am I that you take notice of the likes of me? ... I haven't given you enough praise for all you've done, and in many instances, I've taken the credit for your works ... No more. I give it to you. All that I am, I give it to you. May I never forget all that you have done for me.'