Dreamwalker's Bride - Chapter 177

Chapter 177: A child’s cries
Trace let the knowledge the doctor had just revealed settle in. He’d had some inkling when Calvin had said he’d been a prisoner for many years that Barnabas hadn’t been the only one involved in the plot, but he didn’t suspect Anaisa’s father to be involved.

It was clear from her face that she was shocked, but not surprised, by this news.

Her mouth was a grim line, and her eyes downcast. He squeezed her hand, not really sure how to comfort her.

His own family had faults and shortcomings, but always meant well even when they didn’t follow through. Though he gathered from her nightmares that her father had been abusive and full of rage, he’d had no idea the man was a murderer and traitor to the kingdom.

It hurt his heart that his wife was not more taken aback by this news. She shrugged at him, and turned the conversation back towards the baby.

“Trace’s powers get much stronger near the tree. I’m sure you’ll be able to heal Ewan,” She said with a strained brightness.

Trace nodded in agreement, but cringed at the reminder of his own discomfort. As they entered the great room, he noticed the two other magic users tense. Clearly they also felt the presence and power that permeated here.

Neither one used their powers immediately, perhaps afraid, like Trace, of what that might do, or simply waiting for the right moment when they reached their destination.

When the tree came into view, Deborah froze and the doctor gaped. Of course, Trace had known what it looked like from Sanders’ vision, and he’d shown Anaisa a little in his dream, but neither of the new visitors had adequate warning about the beauty of what they would observe.

And honestly, Trace admitted that a person would likely be struck with awe no matter how many times they had seen it before.

Slowly, they ascended the small hill the tree stood upon, and Deborah took a deep breath.

“Do you want to go first?” She asked the doctor. The old man nodded slowly and took a deep breath.

“My power has always been manifested in imbuing concoctions with my power, but this feeling makes me wonder if that’s necessary at all here.” His lips pressed into a firm line as he concentrated. “I… does anyone have any minor affliction? A cut or scrape or anything I can try first, before I unleash unknown power onto the heir to the throne?”

Anaisa made a small, thoughtful sound, and then turned and kicked a rock the size of her fist towards the wall of the cavern.

“I stubbed my toe on a rock,” She declared, wincing and holding out the offended foot. Trace was amused and displeased in equal pleasure.

“Please don’t hurt my wife,” He told her seriously, and she stuck out her tongue at him in response, prompting a light chuckle.

The doctor, meanwhile, was looking down at his hands. He clasped them together, and then knelt on the ground.

The soft glow of the tree’s golden branches made the lines in his face appear more sharply, aging him beyond his years. Yet, he still held a strange sort of vitality that Trace couldn’t quite pin down.

“If this hurts in any way, or does something strange, please let me know immediately,” The doctor glanced up at Anaisa’s face and waited until she slowly nodded.

The man inhaled and placed his hands on either side of the injured foot before closing his eyes. A strange sort of hum filled the air, and Anaisa gasped.

Trace leapt forward, taking hold of her waist and ripping her away from the doctor’s hold on reflex.

“No,” She winced, “No, it was fine, it didn’t hurt, it was just surprising is all!”

“What was?” The doctor stood and looked at her warily. “Please describe everything you experienced in as much detail as you can.”

Anaisa thought for several moments, making Trace anxious. Was she really all right, or was she trying to choose her words carefully so that he didn’t know how badly hurt she was?

“First, there was a sort of tingle in my foot, where your hands were placed. Then, it sort of expanded, and became warm. Almost hot, but not in an uncomfortable way. It was a very strange sensation, but as it spread it erased all these little aches and pains I didn’t even realize I was feeling! My lower back was tired, one of my shoulders was a little sore, and I had the slightest crick in my neck.

“But all of that’s gone now! Every bit of unpleasant feeling is absolutely better. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever felt better in my life!” Anaisa shook her head and looked down at her hands, flipping them over this way and that. “I think I might be stronger than before. Not magically overpowered or superhumanly strong, certainly, but I do feel as if I’m in the very peak of health!”

Her wide smile made the doctor brighten hopefully, and Deborah step forward with the baby.

“He’s not doing well,” She whispered, and Trace peered at the infant.

Ewan’s breathing was rapid, and shallow. His body was not quite the proper shade, with grey fingers and bluish lips.

“Quickly, then,” Anaisa whispered. “Save him.”

“I hope this works,” The doctor looked on the verge of tears, the most emotion Trace had ever seen from the elderly man.

“He will die without you. Anything you do can only help,” He encouraged, hoping it was true.

The doctor closed his eyes for a moment and brought his hands together, waiting several seconds in silent contemplation before opening them again.

“Hand him to me,” He said with a slight waver in his voice, but Deborah did not hesitate to release the infant into the man’s arms.

“Please, please survive, little Ewan,” the doctor whispered. Cradling the baby against his chest, he hesitated only a moment before the hum of his magic permeated the air.

The child let out a cry.