Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin-Chapter 47: Heading Out

Sam quietly walked into the room, being careful to watch where he stepped. "I brought some burn cream that Oliver made for you," he said, settling beside me. He opened a rough stone jar and revealed a light green concoction that looked more like sludge than anything else. The smell coiled around me—spicy, bitter, and oddly reminiscent of damp earth and decaying leaves, with just a hint of mildew. It was far from inviting.

He dipped his fingers into the jar and yanked out a handful of the gooey slime, which stretched out just like those tubs of slime that kids adore.

"What exactly do you intend to do with that?" I asked, my eyes locked onto the disturbingly stretchy green slime he was gripping tightly in his hand. A surge of revulsion coursed through me as I struggled to wrap my mind around the utterly strange scene that was playing out right in front of me, all the while feeling a nagging sense of suspicion creeping in.

"Lay back and this will all be over quickly," said Sam.

"What will be over quickly?" I said while staring at the slimy substance.

"This obviously needs to be put on your burns right away so that you can heal more easily and it can prevent scarring."

"No! That won’t be necessary!"

"This is for your own good," he said while reaching out and before I could pull my arm back he slathered a large glob of the slimy, cold, and smelly stuff on my arm and I started to gag. It was so nasty!

"Does no one ever listen to me?!" I had been patiently waiting for my migraine to ease up before I attempted to tap into my magic again. But the thought of him continuing to drench me in that revolting, stinky slime was enough to push me to the edge. I just had to muster the strength to give it a shot, even if it felt like my head might split in two from the effort. Desperation can drive you to do the wildest things, can’t it?

As he plunged his hand into the jar, not even bothering to pause in his actions for a moment, I channeled every ounce of my magical energy, pouring it into a radiant yellow light that enveloped me. It was as if the very essence of healing surged through my being, illuminating the space around me. I clutched my head in agony, a scream escaping my lips, and then everything faded to black.

After a while I felt the gentle rocking of being carried in someone’s strong arms while he walked, trying not to jostle me too much.

"What’s wrong with her? Why did she black out?" said Oliver.

"She expended a significant amount of mana while battling a headache, unsure of how much to channel through her body for her magic. It’s far simpler for someone with healing abilities to mend another person than to heal themselves," said Titus.

It was clear from the sound of his voice above me that he was the one currently carrying me.

"I didn’t know that she had healing abilities," said Oliver quietly.

"I didn’t know either, and it isn’t your fault. If we had a clue back then, I sure as heck wouldn’t have been trying to smear that gross slime you whipped up on her. And while we’re at it, how about you think up a different remedy that doesn’t make people gag? It’s no surprise she wanted to get better fast before I had to slop more of that junk on her," said Sam.

"It’s quite evident that this entire debacle could have been sidestepped entirely if you two had simply paused to actually listen to Perla instead of dismissing her insights, convinced that your own opinions were superior. How utterly uncouth!" said Ira.

"There’s no point in the lot of us fighting while we need to get back to Duarte Village as soon as possible and we need to keep an eye on our surroundings," said Titus.

"I can hardly wrap my head around the fact that you actually packed everything, even those clearly broken items and the ones caked in mud, into her bag. It’s simply unbelievable," said Ira.

"It was all my fault from the start, all of it," said Oliver.

"I trust you have a plan but honestly, you appear absolutely ghastly," said Ira.

"I’ll manage, I just have to quit letting her down," Oliver said, with a tremor in his voice.

I lay there with my eyes shut tight, utterly drained and feeling like a rag doll. It felt like everything was under control for the moment, and all I craved was a little peace and quiet. My body felt like lead, and the gentle sway of being carried was oddly comforting. Just a bit more rest, and I’d be back on my feet. I could talk with Oliver once I felt more like myself, and everything would be right as rain.

As I drifted back into slumber, lulled by the gentle sway of being cradled, my mind wandered to a distant memory from my childhood. I recalled a time when I was just a small girl, nestled in my father’s strong arms, feeling safe and cherished. It was a moment that seemed to belong to another lifetime, a time before the weight of disappointment settled between my parents and me, casting shadows over our once-bright connection. This rocking sensation was something I had missed.

A while later, I found myself waking once more, a wave of relief washing over me as I realized I felt infinitely better. There was just a faint, peculiar pressure lingering in my head, reminiscent of that sensation you experience after battling a cold for several days, coupled with an unusual amount of rest. As I slowly opened my eyes, I was greeted by the sight of myself nestled on a pile of furs, the warmth of a crackling fire flickering below my feet. The night enveloped me, and the sky was breathtaking, with more stars than I had ever seen before. Their brilliance was untainted by clouds or trees, a stark contrast to the familiar skies of my childhood. A gentle warm breeze danced around me, carrying the soft murmur of voices engaged in quiet conversation. Nearby, Oliver was peacefully snoring, while Ira’s soft giggles floated through the air, a sweet sound of dreams.

The night sky unfolded before me like a magnificent tapestry, its vastness enveloping me in a serene embrace. I found myself gazing upward, captivated by the sheer beauty of the stars twinkling like diamonds scattered across a deep velvet canvas. In that moment, I yearned to hold onto the magic of this experience, to freeze time and immerse myself completely in the brilliance of the cosmos. It was as if I had transcended the earthly realm, suspended in a boundless expanse where the sky was my only companion, and I floated effortlessly within its infinite depths.

As I surrendered to the gentle embrace of slumber once more, my mind whisked me away to a celestial realm where I floated among the stars. In this enchanting dreamscape, I was unencumbered by worries or responsibilities, gliding effortlessly through the vast expanse of the universe. The stars, my only companions, twinkled with a joyful brilliance, their shimmering lights dancing playfully in the cosmic tapestry as if they were celebrating my presence with their radiance.

As the first light of dawn gently kissed my eyelids, I found myself roused once more, enveloped in the warm embrace of a new day. The tantalizing aroma of something delicious wafted through the air, mingling with the comforting sounds of food sizzling over a crackling fire nearby. It was a symphony of morning delights that beckoned me to rise and embrace the day ahead.

As I slowly emerged from sleep, a faint stuffiness lingered in my head, yet I couldn’t help but notice that I felt significantly improved overall, albeit with a touch of stiffness in my limbs. With a gentle flutter, I opened my eyes to the sight of the guys bustling about, collaborating in a makeshift kitchen to prepare some fish and brew a pot of tea. I regarded the tea with a mix of suspicion and a hint of nervousness after getting boiling tea splashed on me.

Meanwhile, I spotted Titus skillfully crafting rolls, using a small green stone oven perched over the fire. A frown creased my brow as I sat up, my vision swaying slightly as I took in the scene. Where on earth had they found a stone oven? Even if it wasn’t particularly large, it seemed cumbersome enough to transport. It reminded me of those charming stone pizza ovens that are typically set up over an open flame.

My bewilderment deepened as I took in the sight before me: a quaint square table perched atop a luxurious mound of furs, with a delicate blanket draped over its surface. Above it, a charming canopy made of sheer white fabric was elegantly secured to four towering wooden poles, creating a serene oasis that shielded me from the relentless glare of the sun. I couldn’t help but wonder, where the heck did all of this come from?

Coming Next Time: Space and Portals