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4. HEALING THUNDERBOLD
Thunderbold lay quietly.
Izgosh and Balancea soaked the large man’s hands in cool, fresh aloe vera pulp.
Aloe was a healing plant found almost everywhere on Photopia. It was a treatment for burns if a person was unconscious, and unable to heal the injury with his mind.
Even though Thunderbold appeared to be as strong as always and wide awake, he needed help. The 150 year old Izgosh, Medicine Worker, was the most knowledgeable in the tribe for healing.
“This happened because of me, didn’t it?” asked Freegirl, who had come down to her parent’s sleeping chamber to help. She loved her father so much she was now feeling uncomfortable about how she’d always wanted to leave her father and mother.
“All things happen for a reason, Freegirl,” replied Izgosh. “We are never to blame or credit ourselves for what happens in life.”
The Medicine Worker was a lean, short man, with hair falling down his shoulders, and a beard streaming over his chest. The color of the massive flow was snow, and black streaks were drawn in unexpected places. He was wise and quiet—he only spoke when something important needed to be said—and was direct with his imparting. “Your father has had this experience for reasons of his own, although he may have no idea, at present, what those reasons are.” The old man gently flicked his forefinger into her gaze. “Just as you had your fall last month and had a difficult time healing, so Thunderbold has burned himself.”
“He said he was not doing anything with fire, Izgosh,” explained Balancea, “this is why it seems so strange.” She was rubbing her husband’s feet and wondering about the powers of the universe, things that made no sense, and why her daughter and husband were having impossible events.
Although Healing was automatic, Children of the Glimpse understood the power of Pain and were grateful it did not linger long in their bodies. However, their minds and hearts remembered its sensation—and they always had compassion for any creature that hurt.
Freegirl was amazed at the sight of her father. Never in eighteen years had she seen him injured to the point of helplessness. Yet, there he was, unconscious to the world, for Izgosh had given him a strong herb to help him sleep. Though she felt concerned for him, she found herself thinking, “If I slip away and head to the Lore Halls he will not know, and cannot stop me.” And then she thought, “Is this why he was hurt? To help me leave?”
But her father did not know her thoughts. As soon as Izgosh had given Thunderbold his powerful potion, the leader of Mount Gold lost physical awareness and fell into a deep Dream. It seemed he slept forever, as his family stayed nearby.
Someone was rubbing his head. He could feel soft breathing tickling his hair, as fingers worked into his scalp. Then his eyes started to blink. He opened them and saw his daughter, Freegirl, face to face, looking at him so sweetly. His wife, Balancea, was behind him massaging his head. After a breath of deep air, still watching Freegirl, he whispered to her, “We will get you to the Lore Halls, child. One way or the other, we will get you to the Lore Halls.”
Freegirl was stunned at his words and wondered if she had really heard them. She smiled, unsure of what her response should be to her father’s unbelievable declaration.
These unusual tests were realized with a puzzled heart. The girls remained with the Medicine Worker in a quiet state—watching for a long spell. They were totally bewildered at why their beloved man was not healing.
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