Ignite: The Archangels Chronicles

The humidity had Azreal rising before the sun and sweat beading over her face and arms. She sat up and carefully swung out of her hammock to land silently on the dewy grass of the river bed. The camp was still asleep at such an hour but Azreal was wide awake, ready to check the traps that had been set the previous day.

Her stomach grumbled, and she rummaged through her pockets for the spare tree nuts she had stashed away for this particular early morning scavenger hunt. As she plopped one in her mouth as she came upon her first set of snares. One was empty, but in the second was a long fat red and gold snake that would make good soup.

Azreal wanted the snake as fresh as possible so she picked up the snare and put the snake in the wicker basket she had made from some of the leftover bamboo. The third trap was a pit the others and had dug five feet down and four feet across and covered with the large canopy fronds. In it was a live boar.

Azreal was surprised to find such a large creature stuck in such a simple trap and couldn't believe their good fortune.

After recovering the trap and hiding the boar's scent trail, so no other large predators came along and decided to take their hunt from her, she continued to her next set of snares.

After collecting all the traps Azreal took the animals that needed to be cleaned and skinned over to the river bed. These pelts weren't very soft but could be used for a dense leather once cured and dried. After cleaning the animals and laying the pelts out to dry she took the meat and the live animals over to where the fire pit had been made, and placed them out to be cooked for breakfast for the camp.

Azreals hands were aching, cramped, and stiff from making precise cuts with a dull knife. She needed a whetting stone to sharpen the blades, but Azreal needed to bathe more than anything. She collected some amol roots to use as soap on her way to the river bed in the clearing Nadie had brought her to the previous evening.

Azreal started a small fire with bark and stone, since she couldn't use her magic and risk setting the whole field on fire. Azreal threw the remaining fabric of her bloody tunic into the fire, then her pants. Everything except the boots that she had washed in the river and left out in the sun to dry. There were lots of leather pelts and they could make more than a few pairs of boots, but most of us were still barefoot and she couldn't stomach the thought of making herself new boots when some of the others were still barefoot.

The river was warm and crystal clear, as she put a soot stained foot in Azreal tilted her head back and m.o.a.n.e.d at the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e of the cool water running against her hot skin, and didn't waste any time before she began vigorously scrubbing at herself.

The beautiful blue hue to the water turned a murky brown color as she washed all the blood, sweat, and dirt from her body. This is this first and closest thing to a bath she had had since entering the slave camp three years prior. Well, except for the quick wash up she did in the river before going to the clearing with Nadie. Such a simple luxury to have, such a basic necessity felt foreign.

After she had scrubbed her skin raw she dressed in the new simple tunic the weavers had made. The bamboo left the fabric a light cream shade and without the luxury of dyes we would all be wearing the same style and color, but anything was better than the scratchy burlap sack most of us had grown accustomed to at the slave camp.

Her boots had dried in the early morning heat and she could hear the sounds of their little company coming to life. They had decided to leave a few small fires burning that the night patrol would stoke as a reminder to those of us who woke in the dark from screaming thinking it had all been a dream, and were still wasting away in a black cell forced underground never to see the light of the sun again. These people, Azreal's people, still had a long way to go before they could even begin to heal from the atrocities that happened inside the Death Dealers borders

As she entered the camp she could smell the pimenta and coconut used to flavor the tough texture of the wild rice and fresh tambaqui fish smoking in a wicker box the flame casters were heating. Food was in abundance in such a tropical climate. If they hadn't been so close to the Death Dealers boards Azreal would build a city in the trees right here.

But this land wasn't safe, and you could see the anxiety in the faces of the people, the fear that they would soon be taken back to die as slaves mining underground for precious stones that would cut flesh and dust that would infect our lungs and suffocate us in our sleep, coughing bloody clumps into our filthy hands.

After foraging for anything that would last in the suffocating dessert and drying slabs of boar and cutting it into a million pieces of jerky to be distributed amongst us. Azreal started sharpening any blades they had on a decent stone Azreal had found by the river bed that was smooth enough to use.

Camren flopped down next to her and grabbed for one of the dirty machetes out of the pile and wordlessly started cleaning it.

After about three blades he couldn't take the silence and blurted, "The girl with the leg wound is healing nicely..",

he started trailing off and Azreal rolled her eyes at him. He obviously wanted to talk to her about something, but was trying to circle around the subject by making useless banter; and he was doing a terrible job at it.

Azreal let loose a deep breath, not wanting to snap at him. He was the only person besides Nadie that didn't loathe her or look up to her as a saint. "I hope she recovers quickly."

Carmen looked surprised that Azreal had even answered, and lifted an eyebrow and saying "Well aren't you just a ray of sunshine today?"

Azreal growled and snapped "Is this what you came to discuss? My chipper attitude?"

Cameron chuckled a light rasp "I don't think I would ever describe you as chipper."

Azreal glared at him, "get to the point.".

He set aside the spear he was whittling and met my glare with those midnight ocean eyes, a stern look settling over his features "I brought up the girl in the sick bay because she has been asking if you will visit, and she isn't the only one."

Azreal paused her cleaning, but didn't look up as she asked "why?"

Cameron cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable as he said, "Healing isn't all about mending the body, the soul and willpower to fight infection is necessary. If you stop caring about getting better your body will deteriorate, even without a wound." He shook his head "they need someone to believe in, to know that you are willing to fight for them."

Azreal's grip tightened on the machete. She had no hope, how was she supposed to inspire others to live when she didn't even want to. She would try though, she vowed to herself that she would see these people to the Eternal Gardens so they could prosper. You can't live a full life in despair.

Azreal glanced back at Camren and said "Take me there."

She wasn't sure if she could help, but she was damn sure going to try.

Approaching the side of camp that had been designated for those of us who were too injured and had to stay on the ground, was dismal. Tents had been made out of the bamboo cloth to protect the injured from the heat and biting insects buzzing around open wounds.

They had used thick pieces of carnauba palm shaft and wound rattan vines around them, making the tents structure strong enough to build cloth beds off of it. The tent was large enough to have four rows of six beds a piece. The center wall was split into two different sections; one off to the left leading to the more deadly wounds, or to the right with the recovery ward.

Camren lightly placed his fingers on Azreal's elbow and quietly said "I was lying when I told you that girl was making progress. I overheard you speaking with Nadie before you left the camp site yesterday, and I know you can't access your powers but," he stopped short and took a frustrated breath. "It is so hard not being able to save everyone and I have to try every possible angle before I give up on a patient. I don't think I could live with myself 鈥?#34;

he was fidgeting with his hands and staring at the ground. Azreal would be lying if she said she didn't feel betrayed; he had listened in on a very private conversation. But some ancient part of her soul whispered his intentions were true.

Azreal swallowed thickly and took a deep breath trying to center herself as Nadie had shown her. 'I can do this.' She thought, as she straightened her spine and raised her chin, replying "I have never tried to heal anyone before, but I will do the best I can."

Camren seemed to loose the breath he had been holding and said "she's this way.".

Azreal followed him into the tent and looked at the twelve cots; only four were empty. Out of the eight injured the girl he had led Azreal to was by far the worse off.

"Her name is Lena, she's from the Northern pass. She will only wake for a few moments; always in and out of consciousness." Cameron whispered.

At the sound of her name the young girl of about nine stirred in her bed. Lena's hair was the color of golden wheat, thick long lashes, and a full round face that spoke of youth. She was flushed and sweat soaked through her tunic.

"What is wrong with her?" Azreal asked.

Camren gently pushed aside the light sheet that was wrapped around her lower torso.

Her upper right t.h.i.g.h had a thick cloth wrapped around it. The wrap looked freshly placed, yet dark blood was seeping through.

"Is the wound sealed? Why is she still losing so much blood?" Azreal wondered aloud.

Camren shook his head, "she was being tortured on the other side of the camp when your magic disintegrated the Death Dealers. She was caught when they ambushed her small gathering in the woods. The Death Dealers wanted to know how many people were in her group, when she wouldn't talk they started cutting her. She would be healed by now if it weren't for the poison they used on their blades."

Azreals hands curled into fists nails sharpening into claws as she closed her eyes. "How can I help her? Show me what to do." She breathed.

Camren placed Azreals hands over the wrap and asked "Can you feel her energy? It's a low pulse."

Azreal brows knitted together in concentration. Feeling her magic slowly rising to the surface like a slumbering beast prodded from its den. The cool darkness of her powers slowly rippled off her, testing it's surroundings, Azreal focused on those dark tendrils, felt the inky shadows weave across her hands and envelope Lena's leg.

Azreal s.u.c.k.e.d in a sharp breath and said, "I can鈥? I can feel her pulse." As swallowed the lump forming in her throat.

Camren calmly replied "now use your magic to find the poison."

Azreal didn't really understand what he meant but she had to use all her focus to keep the connection to her magic stable, so she just dipped her chin and dug her powers deeper into Lena.

Azreal could immediately feel the poison. Lenas pulse was light and fluttering but the poison felt like oil; sluggish and seeping, slowing and stopping everything it passes. Sweat was dripping down Azreal's neck as she ground out, "Now what?"

Camren swallowed, "my magic can mend broken bones and stop gushing arteries. Poison is different only the strongest healers can extract a poison from the bloodstream. All i can do is identify the poison and use a tonic to treat it.." he paused "you are an Angel, I've never seen it done, but in all the volumes I've read say that the Angel performing the treatment pulls the poison into themselves and their blood destroys it."

Azreal almost lost the grip on her powers as she began to panic,

'he wants me to poison myself? I'm not even a full angel' Azreal thought, but while her mind raced in circles Azreal could feel the child dying, her life pulse slowing.

'F.u.c.k, alright, I can do this.' Azreal forced herself to think as she sent all her magic into pulling the poison slithering over her pulse out and into Azreals darkness. As soon as the poison touched Azreals skin, the horrible ripping pain shot across her shoulder blades as her wings ripped free. Canteens, bandages, and all kinds of medical supplies went flying; Camren gasped in shock and stumbled over his feet and crashed into the makeshift cot across from Lena.

The poison was a blinding pain covering Azreals soul, but she couldn't stop the magic as it kept pulling the poison from Lenas pulse.

Azreal couldn't hold her pain in any longer and exploded in a screaming vortex of twilight mist. Her feet lifted off the floor as the darkness pushed Azreal towards the sky.

Still, she clung to that connection, to lena's pulse, purifying it. As the last of the poison was ripped from Lenas life force and pulled into Azreal's darkness she slammed into the ground and returned to the blissful abyss.

*************************************

Azreal awoke to Nadie hovering a few inches from her face, Azreals immediate reaction was to sit up straight and defend herself. Like a fool, she almost slammed her forehead against the bridge of Nadie's nose, but luckily Nadie had backed up fast enough to miss Azreal's defensive reflex.

Nadie had a stern look on her face as she said "Healing with no experience can be as deadly as it is helpful. You could have killed that girl and everyone else in that tent."

She shook her head looking away from me. "You have been given a great power, now you must choose how you wield it. Today you acted out of desperation, didn't think of the consequences your magic might have. "

Azreal didn't know what to say. She wanted to yell back that she had saved that girl and that she was going to heal everyone else in the tent too; but Nadie was right.

Azreal needed Nadie to show her how to properly use her magic to heal. She didn't want to be the naive girl trying to show off her powers getting everyone killed. Azreal stood and crossed over to where Nadie was standing and said "You are right, I was desperate to use my powers to heal them. I still want too, but I need you to guide me. These people will not suffer if I have the power to stop it."

Nadie seemed surprised. "You should have come to me first, child. I told you there were many things I can show you. Meet me at the clearing when the sun is two positions past mid day."

Camren was waiting outside the tent for me when I walked into the humid and sticky air. "Nadie gave me quite the reprimand after you passed out. I'm sorry, I didn't know that things could have gone so poorly so fast...I.. I was just trying to help."

Azreal stepped up to him, much closer than she has gotten to anyone yet, at least anyone conscious, that is.

"I wanted to use my magic to help them just as badly as you." Azreal said as she rested her hand on his shoulder and met his gaze, "Nadie is going to show me how to wield it without the risk of hurting someone else."

Camren's brow scrunched. "You say that like you don't care what happens to you."

Azreal held his gaze steady as she said "I would willingly give my life helping my people." He looked sad as he dropped his gaze to the dirt

"You can't think that way, too many people are counting on you."

Azreal pulled her hand back and stepped away.

"I will do whatever it takes to see my subjects make it to the eternal gardens.", and walked away towards the clearing to meet with Nadie.

Azreal took the long way through their makeshift tree city, wanting to pass by the weavers tents first and drop off all the fresh pelts. The thick foliage and broad trees hide us from the rain and any wandering patrols. Deep enough in to keep us protected, but not far enough where the wild beasts would prey upon us.

We had cut four main paths through our makeshift home. All in a big square so the hammocks could be close together in case any wild things did decide to come upon us, they might think twice once seeing our numbers not knowing most of the people here were half starved and injured. Azreal walked down the long bordering path she could see small heads popping in and out of the brush giggling.

It was nice to see that at least the small children could still laugh and smile after what they had been through, what we had all been subjected to. Thinking of the Death Dealers and what had happened sent red hot sparks off her fingertips and burned some of the dryer leaves scattered across the path she had gotten too close to.

Azreal let out a little squeak as she started stomping the leaves out hastily trying to cover her mistake. As she's kicking dirt on top of the still smoldering pile she hears giggling and slowly turn in place.

A gap toothed girl not yet into her first bleed wearing the same nondescript white tunic as everyone else, except hers was stained brown on the sleeves and knees. The little girl was covering her mouth trying to keep her laughter in. Azreal lowered her head and started to mumble something like " it was a mistake"

when the girl replied in a very tart manner "you shouldn't start a fire if you don't know how to put it out."

Azreal looked up and tilted her head to the side "and you are so great and extinguishing fires?"

The little girl made a confused face and said "Well I don't know how to start a fire, so I don't really have to worry about putting them out."

That almost made Azreal laugh, but instead she gave the girl a half smile and asked "what's your name kid?"

The girl put her hands on her h.i.p.s and said "I am not a kid, I am a lady of almost eleven!" Her mess of curls blowing into her face as she bats them away two young boys scramble out from the forest brush and stop her from saying anything else.

"REN" they exclaimed, "What are you doing? Ma is expecting you to be scavenging for berries and vitris flower roots."

The older boy of the two looks over his shoulder at Azreal and quickly looks back to Ren, dropping his voice "and of all the people here you have to be with the one person Ma told you to stay away from, She is not to be bothered." Gripping what Azreal assume to be his younger sister and pulling her by the elbow into the uncut brush back toward the canopy of safety with the others.

The younger of the two boys scoffs "Tren calm down.."

"No." The older boy Tren shoots a daggered look at his younger brother and harshly whispers "We can't just be out here wandering around, Ma told us to stay off the paths."

Feeling like Azreal wasn't really supposed to be apart of this conversation she turned to let them squabble amongst themselves. "It was nice meeting you Ren, you should listen to your Ama and stay off the paths."

Azreal waved an arm in a mock salute. As she started walking away Azral could hear Ren grumbling to her brothers about embarrassing her in front of the Queen and stuttered a step, but quickly regained her balance and started moving even faster, desperate to get away from the child's words and a destiny drenched in blood.