The usual chatter and laughter of the orphans was noticeably absent, replaced by hushed whispers and muffled sobs. Kai had just returned from burying another child, his usual playful demeanor completely gone. His fists were clenched at his sides, dirt still under his fingernails from digging the small grave.
"Damn it!" Kai cursed, his voice. "This isn't right. It's not fair!" He kicked at a nearby pile of animal bones, remnants of past meals, sending them clattering across the dirt floor of the shelter.
Arin approached him cautiously, her calm exterior masking her own turmoil. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Kai..."
He shrugged it off, turning to face her with eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and grief. "Don't, Arin. Don't tell me it's going to be okay. It's not okay. That's the third kid this week. They're dying, and we can't do anything about it!"
"You're right, it's not okay. But we need to stay strong for them," she nodded towards the younger orphans. "They're scared too."
Kai followed her gaze, and some of the fight seemed to leave him. He ran a hand through his hair, leaving streaks of dirt across his forehead. "I know, I know. It's just... I feel so helpless."
The mysterious illness had been ravaging the village for weeks now, targeting the most vulnerable - especially the children. The orphans in the shelter, already weakened by hunger and harsh living conditions, had been hit particularly hard.
There were no hospitals, no antibiotics, no advanced medical knowledge to fall back on. The villagers relied on herbal remedies and what little understanding they had of healing, passed down through generations.
Arin had been doing her best to apply what modern knowledge she could. She had insisted on boiling water for drinking and cleaning, knowing it could help prevent the spread of waterborne illnesses.
Arin had also introduced the concept of quarantine, separating the sick from the healthy as much as their limited space allowed. She knew it wasn't a perfect solution, but hoped it might slow the spread of the illness.
Arin and Kai stood in the shelter, a new figure appeared at the entrance. Her slender build and graceful movements caught their attention immediately.
The girl had long, dark hair intricately braided with small flowers and herbs woven throughout. Her deep, thoughtful brown eyes scanned the room, but they seemed distant, as if looking through rather than at the scene before her. Her skin was slightly paler than most tribe members, and there was a weariness to her posture.
Around her shoulder hung a worn animal satchel, filled to the brim with what appeared to be medicinal herbs and supplies. She stepped into the shelter silently, her movements careful and deliberate.
Without a word or glance towards Kai and Arin, she made her way directly to the sick orphans. Her hands moved with practiced ease as she began to pull herbs, applying to ailing children.
Kai and Arin exchanged confused and curious glances. They watched as the newcomer worked, her face a mask of concentration tinged with an underlying sadness.
"What is she doing?" Kai whispered to Arin.
"I'm not sure, but it looks like she's trying to help. Those herbs... they might be for treating symptoms."
Kai frowned, his protective instincts kicking in. He approached the girl, his voice cautious but firm. "Hey, who are you? What are you doing to them?"
The girl didn't respond or even acknowledge his presence. She continued her work, gently tending to a young child with a fever.
Frustrated by the lack of response, Kai reached out to touch her shoulder. "Hey, I'm talking to you—"
His hand made contact, the girl finally turned to look at him. Her deep brown eyes met his, and Kai was struck by the depth of sorrow he saw there. There was also a flicker of determination, a silent plea to let her continue her work.
Then, without a word, the girl turned back to her patient, resuming her careful ministrations.
Kai stepped back, his hand falling to his side. He looked at Arin, uncertainty clear on his face.
Arin moved closer, her voice low as she spoke to Kai. "Let her work. How about we go find something for them to eat? These children need food to fight off the illness."
Kai hesitated for a moment, his gaze shifting between the mysterious girl and the sick children. Finally, he nodded, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Yeah, you're right. They haven't had a proper meal yet."
"Do you think she'll be okay here alone with them?"
"I think so. She seems to know what she's doing, and right now, that's what these children need most. We can help best by making sure they have food to keep up their strength."
"Alright, let's do this. I know a few spots in the forest where we might be able to forage some edible plants and maybe even catch some small game."
By the time Kai and Arin returned to the shelter, the sun had dipped below the horizon. They carried with them two small game animals caught in their traps, a welcome bounty.
They entered the shelter, they were greeted by the peaceful sight of most of the children sleeping soundly. The air was less tense than when they had left, a small but noticeable improvement.
Arin's eyes scanned the room, finally landing on a curled-up figure in the corner. It was the mysterious girl, exhausted from her efforts to care for the sick children. Arin felt a pang of sympathy, recognizing the toll that constant caregiving could take.
While Kai began to prepare the game, Arin quietly started a fire, the warm glow casting flickering shadows across the shelter's walls. The aroma of cooking meat soon filled the air, a comforting scent that seemed to breathe life back into the somber space.
Once the food was nearly ready, Arin approached the sleeping girl. She knelt down beside her, speaking in a soft, gentle voice. "Hey," she whispered, careful not to startle her. "We've brought some food. Would you like some?"
The girl stirred slowly, her eyes fluttering open. For a moment, confusion clouded her features, but as awareness returned, she gave a small, tired nod.
"Come on," Arin said, offering her hand. "Let's get you something to eat. You've been working hard, you need to keep up your strength too."
The girl hesitated for a moment before accepting Arin's hand, allowing herself to be guided to the fire where Kai was portioning out the meal. They settled around the fire, Arin couldn't help but notice how the firelight softened the girl's features, making her look even younger and more vulnerable.
"I'm Arin," she said gently, passing a portion of meat to the girl. "And this is Kai. We didn't get a chance to introduce ourselves earlier. What's your name?"
The girl accepted the food with trembling hands, her gaze fixed on the flames. For a long moment, silence stretched between them, broken only by the crackling of the fire and the soft breathing of the sleeping children. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she spoke.
"Lena. My name is Lena."
"It's nice to meet you, Lena. Thank you for helping with the children earlier."
Kai cleared his throat. "Yeah, um, about that... I'm sorry for how I acted before. I was just worried about the kids, you know? But what you did for them was really great."
Lena looked up from her food, her eyes meeting Kai's for a brief moment. "It's okay. I understand. You were just trying to protect them."
A slightly uncomfortable silence fell over the group. Kai, eager to break the tension, suddenly perked up. "Hey, did I ever tell you guys about the time I accidentally stumbled into a nest of Glowbug Beetles?"
"No, I don't think you have. What happened?"
"Well, it was about a year ago. I was out in the forest, looking for some herbs Chief Lys had asked for. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and suddenly, I tripped and fell face-first into this hollow log."
He gesticulated wildly as he spoke, nearly knocking over his food. "Turns out, it was full of Glowbug Beetles. They all started flying around, and I was covered in this glowing dust. I looked like a human firefly!"
Arin couldn't help but chuckle at the mental image. She glanced at Lena and was surprised to see a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"I had to sneak back into the village after dark because I was too embarrassed to let anyone see me. But of course, being a glowing beacon in the night, everyone saw me anyway. The kids in the shelter wouldn't stop calling me 'Glow Boy' for weeks!"
Kai finished his story, a soft sound caught their attention. It took them a moment to realize it was coming from Lena - a quiet, gentle laugh.
"So, Lena," Arin said gently, hoping to keep the conversation going, "have you lived in the village long? We haven't seen you around before."
Lena's eyes lowered, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her worn animal skin tunic. "I've... always been here. I just don't go out much. My mother kept me close, teaching me the healing arts. This is the first time I've really ventured beyond our hut since..." She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
"Wait, you're Healer Mira's daughter?"
"Yes, I am."
Arin shot Kai a warning glance. She could see the questions bubbling up in his eyes, but now wasn't the time to pry.
"Well, we're glad you're here now," Arin said softly. "Your help with the children today was invaluable."
"Yeah, you were amazing! I mean, I was a bit suspicious at first, but that's just because I'm naturally charming and cautious."
"Charming? Is that what you call nearly tackling her earlier?"
"Hey, I was guarding the children!"
Lena's lips twitched, the ghost of a smile appearing for a brief moment.
"Oh sure, very protective," Arin teased. "Nothing says 'guardian' like wearing your dinner as a face decoration."
Kai crossed his eyes, trying to see the meat on his nose. His tongue darted out, attempting to lick it off. The resulting expression was so ridiculous that Lena couldn't contain herself. A soft giggle escaped her lips, surprising even herself.
"See? Lena appreciates my unique charm. Unlike some people I could mention."
"Oh yes, you're a regular comedian. Tell me, do you practice those moves, or do they come naturally?"
"Natural talent, of course," Kai boasted, puffing out his chest. "It takes years of dedicated not-practicing to achieve this level of skill."
Lena's giggles grew stronger, her eyes darting between Arin and Kai as if unsure which one to focus on.
"So, Lena," Kai said, leaning in conspiratorially. "Since you're new to our little group, you should know that Arin here is the responsible one. Which means it's our sacred duty to drive her absolutely bonkers."
"Oh really? And here I thought your sacred duty was to see how many twigs you could get stuck in your hair during a single hunting trip."
"That was one time! And I'll have you know, I set a village record."
Lena's laughter rang out, clear and bright. The sound seemed to surprise her, and she quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
"It's okay to laugh, Lena. We could all use a bit more of that around here."
"Absolutely. Laughter is the best medicine. Well, that and whatever herbs Lena's got in that bag of hers."
"They're not just random herbs. They're specific remedies my mother taught me."
"Even better," Kai declared. "Herbal remedies don't give me hives like some of the weird stuff we find in the forest. Did I ever tell you about the time I accidentally ate a handful of glowshrooms thinking they were regular mushrooms?"
"Oh no, not the glowshroom story again."
"The what?"
"Oh, you're in for a treat. Picture this: me, wandering through the forest, hungry as a bear..."
Kai's stomach grumbled loudly, interrupting his story. He looked down sheepishly. "Guess all this storytelling is making me hungry again. How about we check on those little ones and make sure they get some food too?"
"Yes, they need nourishment to fight off the illness."
Arin and Kai followed suit. They quietly approached the sleeping children, careful not to wake them. Lena gently roused each one, coaxing them to eat a few small pieces of the cooked meat Kai had prepared.
Arin watched as Kai patiently helped a particularly weak child sit up, supporting their head as he helped them eat. His earlier bravado was gone, replaced by a tenderness she rarely saw.
Lena moved from child to child, checking their temperatures and placing cool, damp animal skins on their foreheads. Her hands were gentle, her voice soothing as she murmured words of comfort.
She caught Lena's eye across the room, offering a small smile of gratitude. Lena returned it, a silent understanding passing between them.
Kai stretched, his joints popping. "Well, that's all of them. Now, I think it's time for the healers to get some rest too. You both look exhausted."
"I should stay with them, in case they need anything."
"Kai's right, Lena. You need rest too. We can take turns watching over them."
Lena looked like she wanted to argue, but a yawn escaped her lips before she could speak. She sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Okay. But wake me if anything changes."
Arin and Kai assured her they would, and watched as Lena settled down near the children, her satchel serving as a pillow. Within minutes, her breathing evened out, her face relaxing in sleep.
"Guess I'll take first watch. You should get some rest too, Arin."
"I'm okay for now. Too much on my mind to sleep anyway."
Kai studied her for a moment, then shrugged. "Suit yourself. But don't think too hard, you might hurt yourself."
"Very funny. I'll wake you in a few hours."
The hours passed slowly, the only sounds the crackling of the fire and the soft breathing of the sleeping occupants. Arin kept watch, her senses alert for any sign of distress from the children.
The first light of dawn began to filter through the cracks in the shelter walls, Arin gently woke Kai. He blinked sleepily, taking a moment to orient himself. "Everything okay?"
"All quiet. The kids seem to be resting well."
Kai sat up, rubbing his eyes. "That's good. Really good." He looked over at Lena, still asleep. "She's pretty amazing, isn't she? I mean, the way she just jumped in to help, no questions asked."
Arin smiled softly. "She is."
They sat in companionable silence for a while, watching the shelter slowly fill with the soft light of morning. It felt like the start of something new, a fragile hope taking root amidst the struggles they faced.
"Well, I guess I better check the traps, see if we caught anything for breakfast. You should try to get some sleep, Arin. I'll wake you if anything happens."
Arin hesitated, but the exhaustion of the night was catching up with her. She nodded, settling down near Lena and the children.