This Above All; to Thine Own Self Be True

"I am very sorry I brought you distress," Galen said finally looking up to Althea very much dreading the sight of tears in her eyes. But to his surprised he saw her curiosity. Maybe he was the first Leoporem she had ever met, he thought. He was at least glad he could coax her beyond her barriers to release the energy inside her clearly needed to be faced and accepting if she were ever to move past the oppressive weight it brings. He had seen too often the slow decay of inner torment and the blackened beast inside the feeds on the pain and grows in the heart's agony.

"Thank you," Althea whispered, "but it's not your fault. And in a way, I guess I should have known."

"Still, I understand that this could not be an easy thing to hear. Out loud, I mean." Galen was still looking at Althea, and she at him. They were both too curious about the other to have any time for distrust. And they were surprised to find that once they took the faith to lower their guard, they could see much more clearly. Althea saw more of the attractive features in his face, and he saw the beauty in hers.

"So," Althea said with obvious apprehension in her voice, "who is looking for me?" Cold sweat began to make itself apparent on her head and the palms of her hands. She had an answer she feared, but she had to know.

"Well, everyone really." Galen said rather simply. Seeing that she didn't quite understand, he continued. "What do you know about the Purple Mist? If you've been away for as long as you imply…" He didn't want to insinuate that she was completely ignorant, but he couldn't be sure what she knew or even how far the reach of the Mist had become.

"I know it came about a year ago. I know that it descended from somewhere Ancient, moves with malice, and raises the dead. It's what brought the Immortuos. It is the blanket of sorrow." Her mind seemed to trail off mixed in the now and the scenes of the last year. "I know that it moves like a beast, prowls and hunts, feeding but not consuming. It doesn't seem to have a purpose to fill, and nothing stops it."

"That's what we are hoping is wrong." Galen said also seemingly far away. "No one knows for sure how or why it came. And it's true that we don't know how to stop it, but that doesn't mean there is definitely no way to stop it. The Queen on the Hill has called for a powerful Healer and the magic she may have. It is said that one Ancient Song of a Healer may bring an end to this. And that's good enough for everyone to look everywhere for a Healer to try. But as the days went by and the number of Immortuos grew, Healers started disappearing. They stayed behind with the sick and wounded, and when we came around to find that we should have been protecting those who protected others…"

Galen's words trailed off. He was filled with a guilt he owned but not entirely his own. When the Immortuos came, he ran too. Just like everyone else he ran all for himself and left everything behind. He knew his gifts would keep him safe in the Woods and even places unseen. But the Healers, they all stayed behind because their hearts and sense of duty wouldn't let them leave the defenseless behind.

"By the time those in barricaded towns and those on the run still in touch with the civilization and the castle from time to time heard the words of the Queen, that a Healer could be the answer, we finally found the courage to venture out in some numbers to bring them all back. But there were none left that we could find. None…"

This time the tears that came were from Galen, not Althea. He was so terribly ashamed of himself, of all of them. And now he found himself in front of a real-life Healer, and his shame was overwhelming. He suddenly felt not worthy to be in the presence of the Blood of the first to fall to the horrors of Immortuos. And Althea, seeing the bare purity of his heart, suddenly had no trace of doubt even after swearing long ago to never fully drop defenses again.

Althea reached out her hand to Galen's shoulders and suddenly saw a glow at the touch. Not gold in the way she was used to, but blue and soft.

Shame upon shame baring forth seeking help. Forgiveness seeking behind the oppressive chains of guilt and remorse.

Innocent Heart meet Innocent Heart.

"Please come back with me," Galen said carefully s the glow died away. "I don't know what it is you're running from, but I could escort you, keep you safe. For all our sakes, please."

Had she any right to deny the frighten cries of all the world? She was a Healer, and the entire earth may need healing. But to go back…

Althea's head started to hurt at all of her fears coming together where she couldn't run from them anymore. She had been running from them ever moment since the day she escaped. Though she told herself that day she was stronger for fleeing and disappearing away from all the pain and terror she lived, she realized now that her cowardly hiding only made her weaker. There was no denying that now. And now she was being given the chance to show true courage, to fully realize the strength that she was hoping for in herself a year ago. As much as she wanted to, and as much as the though or turning to fight truly frightened her to her core, she knew she couldn't hide anymore. There was no one else in her bloodline left. She knew deep down this day would come, where all her sins she had in running would come back to possess her soul, and the only way to free herself was to do all she could that was right.

"I will go," Althea said, her voice wavering as she tried to swallow her obvious distress. She looked up suddenly at Galen. She knew what she was walking into, and she knew that it was no place for a gentle soul. "You do not have to come with me."

Galen rose from the ground with a determined look. He extended his hand and said, "Healer, you are not going alone. I'm not going to run anymore either. I have a second chance now, and this time I won't let a Healer down."

Althea took his hand which wasn't soft but strong and hardened like leather. She liked it. Honest hands.

......…..

"You've studied so long, Althea. Don't you want to play outside just a bit before the light leaves? You can't study all day; you'll hurt yourself."

"But Momma, what if I forget? What if I forget these songs and let you and grandma down?"

"Althea, baby, never in all the ages of all the world would you ever disappoint us. We love you so much."

"Still…I have a job to do, Momma. Playing isn't important. Remembering the songs is what matters."

"Althea, as long as your heart is gentle and good and your love is deep, you will always be able to reach into yourself for the songs. Your bond with the Healer magic is very special. You are uncommonly strong, sweetness."

"Do you really really think so Momma? Truly?"

"I know so."