Wallkery slumped deeper into her pillow feeling even sadder and depressed. Even knowing what happened, having seen it, and experienced it. She sat dumbfound grasping for anything resembling hope, only to find a pit of despair; she had wanted to believe that there was someone in her family that had been missed, that she could see. Tears streamed down her face as she remembered how Jack had teased her just the other day about being manlier than most men. Of all her brothers Jack was the oldest and wisest, he had stood by her dream and very angry when she was kicked out of the village. Jack and her twin sister Tina were the only ones who seemed to care that she was leaving.

Wallkery smiled as she remembered how just last week Jack had snuck Tina out of the village and the three of them went out to visit the fox cubs that had taken a liking to Wallkery as she was out hunting one day. She had always had a special place in her heart for those cubs, always bringing a bone for them, ever since she found them while hunting.

Maradith sat unsure what to do, for all of her healing ability she had never known what to do with a person who was crying. She sat there watching Wallkery cry in agony knowing that this was hard for this young girl. Moving closer so that she was beside the bed instead of the fire she desperately wanted to comfort her but had no idea what to say. Finally, she decided to say something comforting, after all, she had lost her family too. First her parents and then, the rest.

“Careful or you will hurt yourself more,” Maradith said.

The room became silent as both of them heard what was said. “I am so sorry I was wanting to say I know how you feel, but it just slipped out. I am so sorry. I never wanted to offend you. I lost someone a long time ago. I shouldn’t have said that.”

As Maradith tried to explain herself Wallkery couldn’t help but smile at her despite the tears, Wallkery knew that she meant no harm and that she was a healer first. Setting a hand on Maradith’s knee, Maradith stopped suddenly and stared wide-eyed at the hand.

“I know that you were not trying to be rude, you are a healer and I was hurting myself. No need to apologize.” Wallkery said as soon as Maradith looked at her again.

Turning to stand Maradith faced away, “It was insensitive.” she said shaking her head, “I am a healer, I should know how to deal with people who have lost.” she added throwing up her hands. as her hand came down they rested on the back of her neck, “Me most of all” she finished in hushed whisper.

Suddenly a loud knock sounded on the door causing them both to jump.