Chapter 14 Part 1: Training and Connections

“Hold out your hand.” 

Solara’s eyes flicked between his outstretched hand and his steady gaze. Eventually she put hand in his. Jun let only his fingertips brush against hers. He could feel her rapid pulse and ignored the heat rising in her cheeks. Not willing to roll his eyes, he continued with the instruction.

“Now, pay attention to where the prayer is concentrated.” As an afterthought, he added, “It may help to close your eyes.”

He circulated his prayer and slowed his breathing. With a bit of effort, he pushed the prayer into her and moved it around as he spoke.

“Do you know what a muscle is?” He asked.

He peeked as she tilted her head, brow furrowed.

“How are you doing that?” She asked. Jun let his prayer sit by the bicep in her arm. Eventually she itched at the spot, eyes open.

“Perhaps you should start. Help me understand what your foundation for healing is.” Jun let out a weary sigh as he imagined the work coming.

This field trip was nothing if not a miracle. Somehow Amalie’s disciples pitched in to make it work, even with her absence shortly after announcing her intentions for them. But, knowing Amalie, perhaps it shouldn’t be so extraordinary.

Solara kept him grounded as they raveled out here, constantly teaching him about faith. He still couldn’t see a reason to be hateful for the destruction and split of his family, but for now, he could be grateful to be alive. He was also slowly becoming aware how many were watching out for him. Even those in the discipleship whom he hadn’t interacted with. Amalie had asked for them to watch after him as he studied with Solara and they were going above and beyond, over and over.

Then again, a small part of him wondered if it was because they had revealed he was learning about healing. Some seemed eager to have a fellow disciple who was a healer.

He dashed the cynicism aside for a moment. Some really seemed to worry about him and Mei for no apparent reason. As for why they had revealed his learning of the healing arts, well…. They couldn’t reveal why he would be sticking close to Solara, to teach her and to learn about faith.

Solara explained the prevailing doctrine of the healing arts. That with enough faith, you could restore limbs and so on. Those sorts of miracles were relegated to the age of myths, back in the days of the founding. Jun wondered if Arnold would know more about it. 

He clarified that what he did was assist the body’s natural abilities. At least that was as far as his experiments had led him to do. He wasn’t allowed to showcase his healing ability and it was for the best since he was now crippled in his faith.

Solara’s brows raised.

“You’re no cripple. I may not know why your faith suffered, but,” she hesitated and then plowed through. “What I know of you and what I have seen… you care a lot about others and find ways to help. Chances are… your care caused you to be hurt.” Jun felt a tug at the corner of his mouth. She was growing more observant as they traveled. It wasn’t accurate, but it was close enough that he frowned. Her eyes flew wide and she apologized. Jun sighed and placed his hand on her head. Her brow raised at this.

“Why don’t we focus on the lesson.” She nodded at his suggestion.

Jun took her hand again and started to explain the human body as he understood it. He let his prayer linger on the muscles as he explained what they did, and then moved to the blood veins. Her brow furrowed as she tried to follow. As a bit of lightheadedness set in, Jun retracted his prayer and stuffed what he could away.

“I can keep going!” Solara cried out. Jun shook his head and she blinked a few times. “Are you alright?”

“I’ll be fine.” While he had grown to be a yellow, he was still struggling with control. “How about this. You teach me about faith and I’ll recover-“ he stopped as she came behind him and put her hand to his back. Jun looked back at her and she closed her eyes, exhaling. Jun felt her prayer enter him. It washed over, instead of circulating. There was a general warmth that eased his fatigue, but more than that, he felt his extra organs stimulated. He tried to concentrate on what she was doing, but was baffled as he felt his vision fade out before returning with clarity. The air felt fresh, the temperature more comfortable.

“How does that feel?” She asked. Jun moved his hand and then answered.

“Better. Thank you.” She smiled and then started to draw on the ground. Jun watched as she drew a human body. Jun took it from there and pointed to different parts and explained what he knew of biology. Eventually she collapsed with groans.

“My head can’t take it anymore.” Jun laughed as she mumbled something unintelligible.

“Well, it’s advanced science where I come from. I only know a little.”

Solara groaned. The staff’s apparition appeared and urged him to continue, much to Solara’s chagrin. Jun obliged, though focused his attention on the staff. The field trip would only last so long, so he would teach them the best he could. In turn, he hoped to rekindle his faith.

Returning to the others, Jun was greeted by some of them.

He found the food warm and ready. Mei sat by Arvad and enjoyed the company. It warmed his heart to see her enjoying the company. These little moments stirred his prayers of gratitude. While back at the estate, he had been grateful to watch her and protect her. Now he found he enjoyed seeing her come into her own.

‘And what of you? Who do you have?’ The Silver Flame tickled his ear. He breathed out his nose. The keeper of the world was right. He hadn’t paid much attention to those around them. Keeping them away had felt right. He didn’t want to cause them troubles with the Jinshari. But, that only fueled the image of a high and mighty persona, one his wife had fallen for.

He grabbed a plate and looked for a place to sit, Amalie’s last information firm in his mind.

Elain originated from his home country, Oranalas. A small town just a few days from the estate is where she was born and raised till the Jinshari pursued her family. They fled to Nauthire, nearly loosing their lives.

Jun looked out as a fellow disciple raised their hand, inviting him to join their group. His thoughts were clouded as he still tried to process the full extent of Amalie’s investigation.

When the Church realized she was an Alinta, they took her in, and protected her family. In the meantime, they learned from her that there were other Alinta.

Jun felt like an idiot. When he had healed the people back on the boat, some spoke to the church about him. It was then that they decided to convince her that the people she had come with were killed by the Jinshari. It wasn’t a stretch and since they proved it was possible to steal memories, she full heartedly believed her family was dead.

“Hey, Jun. How was it? Can you heal now?” He stopped his thoughts and looked into the faces around him.

“I think I’m getting the hand of it,” Jun answered.

“So, when do you think you could try it on others? I stubbed my toe on the way here,” Justice asked. At least Jun tried to remember his name.

“Mi lady, your food.” A tall and still clean shaven man said as he set a plate down in front of the girl who had started the conversation.

“Thanks, Carl.” Anise offered a genuine smile. “I have to say, it will be a relief once you can put it to practice. Solara is good, but she has her limits.”

Jun nodded. He had the inkling that her limits were smaller since he began teaching her. She certainly didn’t seem to have a knack for science and biology. And the subject was not for the faint of heart. However, she was determined to be an excellent healer.

“Wondered if you might be here.” On cue, Solara appeared with her own plate of food. Jun greeted her and she in turn thanked the others for their help. When he asked what they had done, she informed him that they sat guard to make sure the Jinshari hadn’t disturbed them. Jun blinked as he registered that, then thanked them.

“Don’t sweat it. Not everyone has a happy family, so we have to watch each other’s backs while we can.” Justice leaned on the table.

“Right. As disciples of Amalie, we are a family, and family takes care of one another.”

Jun tried not to snicker. It was the sort of dogma he would expect from an inspirational speech, not dinner conversation.

“Say, I’ve been meaning to ask…” Anise chimed in-between bites. “You were taught by Bernard. What was that like?”

Jun found himself in a whirlwind of questions at that change in conversation. So many eager listeners would make it tricky to back out of this one, so he answered truthfully.

“At first it was pretty rough. Well, it was painful. It didn’t matter how much my body screamed to stop, he made us push through.”

“So even Mei had it rough. Yikes.” Anise shivered. Jun nodded.

He quickly became lost in the conversation till he realized his food had grown cold. He ate it, in spite of its lack luster warmth and found Solara waiting for him, eager for another lesson.