"We should be in Lynons in a minute. He's an Iota, also called a Healer. He is highly known for his knowledge of herbs and medicine, but I help him in sickness whose cures are hard to find." Aaliyah said to Tasha, who was beside her, as they walked along the busy street.
"It feels so alive here," Tasha said.
"It does. Lynons is a part of Aisle and it is good at many things. People find peace coming here."
"Then why do you live alone, in the woods? Didn't you fit in?" Tasha said again.
"I've been living like that for over seventeen years now. It was not a matter of fitting in," she said.
"You did something bad, didn't you?" Tasha said.
"Somethings are left unsaid, Tasha." Aaliyah turned along another corner, walking ahead of Tasha.
The laughter that echoed not too far away made her freeze in her steps. It drove her attention and she found herself staring at the wild gate that demarcated the village.
The wailing of a woman was now prominent in her ears. It seemed far away for a moment, making her turn around to see if she caught anyone crying, but then, it stopped.
"Tasha," her breath hitched in her throat as if she had been caught doing something she wasn't supposed to do.
"You are going to make me late," Aaliyah said.
"What's beyond the walls?"
Aaliyah walked up to her to look at what she had her attention on.
"It's another world over there. Mainly where the Alpha lives, what about it? Did you see something?" Aaliyah asked.
"I think I heard something," Tasha said.
"Your hearing is good then. I wasn't able to do that when I was your age." Aaliyah told her. "You must have heard the students."
"Students?"
"There's an academy in there, mostly for wolves, but you may or may not find our kind in there." Aaliyah said. "Come on, I'll tell you more on the way."
"The hierarchy starts from Alpha Scott as the leader," Aaliyah said to her.
"So Scott is-"
"Sshhh," Aaliyah hushed. The man that just passed them, turned to glance at them absentmindedly before moving on. "It's Alpha Scott to everybody and Luna Aisha too."
"Who is she?"
"His mate. They've been together for years now." Tasha nodded. "It's a crime to call them by their first name, they see it as a sign of challenge."
They both finally entered Iota's shop.
"Aaliyah, it's so nice to see you again," The healer commented, taking the bag from her shoulders. "I hope everything you promised is in here. There are a lot of people injured these days by attacks."
"Of course. I always do my best for Aisle."
"Very well," Ben said as he gave her coins that were sealed in a small bag. Tasha watched the exchange silently.
In a short while, Tasha found herself walking beside Aaliyah further away from the shop.
"Where are we headed now?"
"I'm going to show you what it's like beyond the gates." Aaliyah said. "The Alpha's son is sick and I can heal him."
"What happened to him?"
"Silver is deadly to a wolf, Tasha, but when it becomes laced with poison, it's 90-10 percent he survives."
They reached a small door that looked unnoticed by people who walked past. The door was covered in thorns but a slight push left it ajar. She grabbed a stick that was next to her and tied her scarf around it. Tasha watched carefully.
"Come on, light it." Aaliyah requested of her. "Fleorte, say it."
Raising her hands over the wood, "Fleorte!" Tasha hissed and the torch lit immediately.
"Come on, we shouldn't be caught here." They both went into the passage. With Aaliyah entering last after ensuring that nobody was looking, she shut the door behind them.
---
The doctor's breath hitched in his throat. Immediately, he turned and caught the Gamma leaning beside the door of the room, staring at him.
"Gamma Logan,"
"How is he?" Logan asked. The doctor turned back to the unconscious body and raised the blanket to Luca's waist stealthily before letting go.
"His vitals are not good. I'll be honest with you, he's not going to survive this."
Logan nodded in understanding. "You did all you could. It's a pity that sometimes our best isn't always enough."
"Where's the Alpha?" The doctor asked.
"Where should he be? Slaughtering all who were involved in his son's condition," Logan said.
"But don't you think it'll lead to war?"
"You aren't part of the supreme Isaac, you have no say in this matter!"
"I didn't mean to offend-"
"If your son was lying on his death bed instead of my friend, wouldn't you do everything to make sure he gets the justice he deserves?" Logan asked.
"I apologize. I talked irrationally, Gamma, it won't happen again." Isaac said.
"I need to be alone with him."
"Of course," without wasting much time, Isaac left the room.
Logan walked to stand besides his friend. He shoved his hands in his pockets.
"You shouldn't have to feel this pain, Luca. Hang in there, alright?"
When Gamma heard the door shut again, he felt the presence of someone, it felt feminine and with a familiar smell of roses. He realized who was with him immediately. This was not good. She wasn't supposed to be here. He turned.
"Aaliyah," Logan called. "What are you doing here, what if someone sees you?" He got a little closer to her but stopped.
"How is he?"
"Bad," he replied. Aaliyah went to Luca. It was then the Gamma's eyes locked on her, Tasha.
"Who's she?"
"A friend. She's like me. Don't worry." Aaliyah said.
"But you really shouldn't be here," Logan said.
"I can heal him, Logan. He's not going to survive it if magic doesn't come in." Logan contemplated for awhile before walking to the door to keep watch.
"Do what you can," he said before heading to the door.
Aaliyah took out the small pot that was in her hand bag and a small book that was always with her.
She took the leaf that she had plucked earlier and mashed it on it.
Opening a page of the book, "Suem de forte," she whispered and the water from the leaf began to foam. She did nothing but waited till the liquid stilled once more.
Letting open Luca's lips, she made him swallow the contents. The left over spilled over his cheek.
"So euphom vi guentum, nos guora lusciante!" She said as her hands which she planted slightly above his chest ran down to his stomach where he was stabbed.
At that moment, her Iris flashed its hazel colour. She let out a sigh of relief before standing.
"Why isn't he waking?"
"The medicine is still working, give it a little time." Aaliyah said. She walked closer to Logan, who hadn't moved from his spot on the door. This gave Tasha the chance to get a closer look at Luca.
"The poison was going to kill him eventually. I stopped that from happening. I did what I had to do."
"At the expense of what? We have treated you badly and yet you've come to help us. I know that you want something." Logan said to her.
"What I did here was an honest act but I do want something. Do it as a favour for me instead," Aaliyah said and Logan listened. "It's about her," they both turned to look at Tasha, who had suddenly taken an interest in Luca.
"She found me two days ago. I believe her destiny lies inside Aisle, Logan." Aaliyah said. "I need you to earn her a spot here."
"You know I do not have that power," Logan replied.
"Say she got herbs from me as soon as she heard that Luca was sick. Just tell him anything to keep her here. It's the only favour I ask of you. I will go back to the woods before he gets back."
Logan nodded with hesitation. "I'll do my best." Their attention turned to the girl that had her hands placed on top of the unconscious body.
Tasha had a frown on her face, confused about why the state of this boy made her restless. She couldn't decipher the emotion she was feeling. Her attention darted to where her fingers held his and she recoiled from his in shock.
"What's wrong, Tasha?" Aaliyah asked.
"He moved," she stated in shock.