"And thus I see among these pleasant things

Each care decays, and yet my sorrow springs."

-Thomas, Lord Vaux, "Of a Contented Mind."

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Soundtrack of the chapter: Dream by BrunuhVille

Media: Geranium flowers

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Chapter Six: Son of Oracles

Eli cogitated outside the dormitory of the female Oracles, tapping his staff on the ground in deep thought. The voices inside were argumentative, urgent. The female Healer was probably debating to the other Oracles.

He felt a twinge of annoyance. He was the High-Priest-in-training, and soon to be the Master Healer in a few years. Yet, the current Head Healer-Mistress Carina refused to let him treat Cady because he happened to be a boy.

Eli pressed his ear against the door, trying to catch their conversation.

The door suddenly swung inward and he almost stumbled. He caught the door frame and steadied himself.

A pair of brown eyes narrowed, he bowed.

"Mistress Carina, how's Cady?"

The old Mistress shook her head. "Stubborn lass you got there, Master Sanguinis. She won't let me examine her, for Star knows what reason."

She drew out a vial from the folds of her robes and handed it to Eli. He held it up to the light, swirling the smoky green contents. He recognized the ingredients at one glance -Coriander, Rue and a hint of Knotwood; strong healing herbs, perfect for Oracles.

"Make sure she drinks this every night. It'll improve her Celestial Energy channels. Two of them seem to be blocked. I don't know what kind of training you're giving her but she is exhausted."

Eli scrunched up his brow.

"I don't understand. Every other Starlet undergoes similar training."

The Healer shook her head. "Like I said, she refused to let me examine her. I cannot free her blocked Celestial Energy unless I am allowed to. However, if she takes the potion as prescribed, she will be healed in a week."

Eli bowed again. "Thank you, Mistress Carina."

"My pleasure." The Mistress returned Eli's salute and walked off, her head shawl bobbing in the breeze.

Still clutching the vial, Eli entered the dormitory. The Oracles scattered at once, making way for him. Jo, however, stood by Cady's bed, her face sunken with worry and guilt.

"Elijah, it was an accident. I swear. The bee-"

Eli waved her down. "Oracles do not hold grudges. Don't worry."

He grabbed a chair and sat down before Cady, a small breath escaping his pursed lips. She was wrapped up like a cocoon in blankets. Her face was flushed with fever, and her flaming hair was plastered upon her sweaty brow. Little spasms came and went, but she seemed to be fighting hard.

Eli scrutinized her face. She was really beautiful. From the moment he spotted this Oracle by the gates, he was drawn to her like a firefly to light. The exotic tilt of her eyes, her fiery hair, everything called out to him. He never knew there would be a girl so fair in Esvanira. All the time during his training, his grandfather had warned him against the destructive power of love. Raphine swore that love would demolish everything he cares for, and loves. But the moment Eli set his eyes on Cady, he doubted someone so beautiful would wreck havoc.

Could this be what Raphine warned me of? He thought. Could this be love?

This isn't love, you idiot. His inner self chided. You care for her only because she looks like your dead cousin.

Arialle Sanguinis has been dead for sixteen years. I don't even remember her. I was only a child back then. Eli rebuked.

But those eyes, you cannot deny the similarity.

Eli shook his head, shaking himself out of his thoughts. His mind flickered back to the old photograph of his uncle's family. The image of his cousins was faint, like smoke obscuring a part of his memory. He remembered his cousin Regulus, however. They used to play hide and seek all the time, before the Walkers attacked. Eli couldn't suppress a bitter smile.

It was sad, really, that a war could tear a blissful family apart. The Great War took his entire family away, his uncle Tithonus, his aunt Capella, his two cousins...and his father.

His eyes landed on the sleeping Cady. No matter how much she resembled Arialle Sanguinis, she wasn't her. Both Regulus and Arialle Sangunis lie under the crystal tombs of the Hall of Spirits. Eli sighed. He needed to sort himself out and stop the flashbacks from dominating him.

"Jo." Eli signaled at the dark haired girl. "Take this."

He pressed the vial into the girl's hand. "Make sure you give a dose of this to Cady every evening after sundown. And tell her she is excused from training until she is well."

"I will," she promised.

He rose and felt the familiar pain of lacing his leg. Eli gritted his teeth. That blasted ankle, if only he could find a way to heal it, if only.

Eli felt the eyes of the Oracles flicker to his staff and anger washed over him. He hated how everyone looked at him with sympathy. He did not need their pity. He can walk and manage everything on his own. Eli straightened himself and walked out in a huff, going as fast as his ankle would allow him to.

The familiar breeze from the Savage Seas lifted his spirits. He liked the sea a lot. He liked how the sun disappears beneath the waves and how the moon cut into the darkness, making the sky bleed, like now. He propped himself against the window and allowed the wind to wash away his troubles.

"Eli?"

The familiar voice of his grandfather broke Eli out of his temporary reprieve.

"Grandfather," Eli greeted him. "It's so late, you should rest."

Raphine laughed, the heavy wrinkles around his eyes creased as he did so. "I may be old, but I do not need bed confinement."

Eli flushed. "You know I don't mean that, grandfather."

The High Priest laughed again. "You've got a quick tongue, just like your father. How's that leg?"

The ocean breeze caught the hem of Eli's robes and brought it sailing, exposing his injured ankle. He hurriedly caught it and forced it down, feeling self-conscious.

"It's fine. No worries."

Raphine's brows creased so much a deep line appeared in his forehead.

"All the best Healers and Stelliums here are trying their very best to find a way to mend that ankles of yours. Whatever dark magic the Walkers inflicted on you, we will banish it. I give you my word."

"Thank you, grandfather," Eli said. "I have to go now. I still haven't finished sorting out the new herbs."

Raphine snorted. "You and your herbs. Only Nala knows what they mean to you. Get some sleep, you need it."

"Yes, grandfather. I will once I finish my work."

The High Priest turned to leave, but he wheeled back.

"Speaking of work, how's training going? I hope the new rascals aren't giving you a headache."

Eli grinned. "Training is going well." His mind flickered to Cady. "But one of the new Oracles fell ill."

Raphine waved a hand at Eli. "Make sure he or she gets treated. We don't want to get infected now, do we?" He winked before marching off, his large cloak billowing behind him.

After a few turns, Eli reached his room and conceded to his own business. Baskets of fresh herbs lined his worktable where his supplies and equipments stood. He gave his flasks and scales a fond pat as he passed and threw himself into his favorite chair. With his hands behind his head, he surveyed his workplace.

No matter how long he lived in the stone chamber, he would never get bored of the view. Eli cathected every herb that grew, and marveled at the wonders that came with every new remedy he brewed. His eyes wandered over his supplies-a large array of flasks, an old brass scale, cauldrons, athame and a cabinet full of herbs and almanacs.

He picked up the nearest herb and sniffed at the bluish root. Geranium, wonderful.

With a smile etched on his face, Eli grabbed his athame and started chopping up the herb, preparing a new concoction for his student-Cady.

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A/N

A chapter from Eli's POV! :D Sorry if this chapter didn't contain much action, but it is important for the story to progress from another's POV. Apparently he is developing a curious "feeling" for Cady, but we don't know what that is yet! What do you think the "feeling" maybe? :D

For the next update, we meet a very new and curious character who will play a MAJOR role in the story. Stay tuned! <3

M&Ms,

Stef