Magus Sonshel volunteered to sacrifice herself, and it didn’t matter how much I tried to convince her that there was no sacrificing involved, she still played up the sacrifice to her people. It took another two days before the life celebrations concluded and she boarded the shuttle. I spent those days reading her body scans and also watching the Orc tribe approach slowly from the north.

I came to rely on Zeus to monitor everything and while Theia was probably more aware of the movements of those within a hundred mile radius, she never once mentioned their approach. Zeus was with me from birth and knew what and when to tell me things. Theia acted like we were playing a game and wasn’t as helpful as I’d have liked.

DNA analysis of Magus Sonshel informed me that she was nearly eighty years old, although one look at her and you’d swear she was almost thirty years older. She had arthritis, glaucoma, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, gum disease, and according to Theia a half a dozen other ailments including parasites. The later so, bad she barely had a half a dozen teeth left in her mouth. Honestly? I couldn’t understand why she was even still alive. Her health was distressed, and I couldn’t decide if the Mana would cure her or kill her.

Theia and the Mana helped me learn the language, and unlike learning Orcish, no pain came from the sudden upload of knowledge. Theia theorized that the changes the Mana made during the transition optimized my brain chemistry for data entry.

I felt nervous as the shuttle bay doors opened and the craft came into a gentle landing in front of me. Theia handled the flight controls and every other automated function I needed to be done. It was hard to remember she wasn’t a person or a woman but rather an artificial intelligence. I took so much of her actions for granted since they happened without me doing anything.

The door opened, and a scared Magus Sonshel stood at the entrance.

“I don’t feel dead.”

I smiled. “Magus Sonshel, do you have many experiences to tell you how that would feel?”

She licked her lips and tentatively stepped out of the shuttle. Her gaze darted around the room with a nervous twitch. After a minute or two she slowly approached me and sniffed. Her eye’s narrowed.

“You’re—” she paused struggling for the right word, and I wasn’t sure if she didn’t know the word or afraid to say it. “Forgive me,” she said and started to lower herself to the ground.

“Stop. Magus Sonshel, you’re here as my guest I won’t have you falling to your knees every time we meet.”

I caught movement out of the corner of my eye as DJ came bounding into the room carrying a tennis ball in his mouth. He dropped it to my feet and ran up to Magus Sonshel sniffing where dogs are so apt to inhale. She didn’t shriek or run away, but her body quaked as she got the once-over from DJ.

“DJ! Come here.”

Sick

“I’m sorry for DJ, Magus Sonshel, he’s very friendly.”

Sick

I looked down at DJ and acknowledged his statement while giving his head a good rub. When I looked back up at Magus Sonshel, her mouth was gaped open, and her tongue was playing with her remaining eye tooth. I smiled but didn’t laugh at her shock. All things considered, I was impressed she controlled her bladder. I doubt I would have been so composed had Don ran up to me. I suppose DJ wasn’t nearly as scary as a golden retriever. They’re the most family-friendly dog in the world. Well, my world. I guess his breed doesn’t exist here.

“Great Spirit, I’m confused.”

“Yes. I’m not a spirit but flesh and blood. The same as you.” She looked dubiously at me, so I took a step closer and held out my hand.

Magus Sonshel hesitated but a mere moment before reaching her hand out and lightly touched my palm with her fingers. The skin was rough and weathered, and I refrained from clasping hands with her. She pulled away and gave me a nod.

“You spirit walk?”

I wanted to correct her and explain the technology behind holoprojection but stopped myself. It wouldn’t have made any sense to her, so I tilted my head in acknowledgment. We stood for a few more minutes before she spoke again.

“I’m old and ready to meet the Great Spirit.” She frowned. “I’d hoped you’d be it.”

“I’m sorry.” And I was. “I’d like to help you and your people. To be honest, I’ve struggled with where to start. I can teach you how to grow plants and raise animals for food. I can teach you how to stay healthy and so many things. I don’t want to keep you captive, however. Once I heal you, you’re free to go back to your old village site. The damn broke and flooded the area so it’ll be hard, but you’ll be safe from the water.”

Magus Sonshel watched and studied me while I spoke either looking for deceit or at a let’s leaf stuck between my teeth. Even after I finished speaking, she stared without saying anything until she finally let out a grunt.

“You say much.”

“Please follow me,” I said while turning to leave.

She followed without further conversation. Theia had warned me, and I guess deep down I knew these people wouldn’t know what I was talking about. It was worth a try.

We entered a sitting room, and I asked Magus Sonshel to sit on a love seat I had made for this moment. No sooner did she sit down that, an audible sigh escaped her mouth and a smile stretched across her face for the first time.

“Magus Sonshel, what I’m about to do may cause discomfort.”

“What is discomfort. Great Spirit, you use words that have no meaning.”

“Caden. My name is just Caden, not Great Spirit. The word means…you’ll have some pain.”

“Why not just say pain then? Never mind,” she waved her hand, “Just Caden, I’m mated to pain. Do what you must.”

I could hear Theia laughing in my mind, and I squeezed my eyes closed in frustration before opening them again. “Magus Sonshel, I’m going to heal you of your many illnesses. You may not survive the process due to your age.”

“Just Caden, I’ve lived many seasons and am ready to meet the Great Spirit,” she said then took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

I shook my head at how ready or willing she was to lay down her life. I closed my eyes again and thought about what needed to be fixed in her body. Then, willed the Mana to repair her body. I jumped up when she screamed in pain as I heard her bones pop and crackle like popcorn on a skillet. My mouth dropped open, and I took a step back in shock and horror of what I’d just done to her. Magus Sonshel passed out within the first ten seconds, but my ear rung from her screams.

Theia entered the room, at least visually, and gave a low whistle as she watched Magus Sonshel’s body break then mend bones and torn muscle. The sight was disturbing and unbelievable all at the same time. Her skin, which once hung on her frame like a tarp began to restore itself to a younger healthier state. I tried not to stare even after the clothing was consumed and parts of my couch began to dissolve.

“Wha—”

“It would look like the Mana needs materials she wasn’t able to provide.”

I swallowed as I watch a now naked younger woman take shape. I won’t pretend to understand the science behind her transformation, but Magus Sonshel was a beautiful woman. Based on the conditions of the villagers down in town, I doubted Magus Sonshel ever looked this healthy or beautiful in her life and said as much to Theia.

“I don’t have an answer to that, but perhaps you could stop staring at her like that?”

I blushed and turned away. “I’m not—”

Theia started laughing, and I once again found myself the subject of her teasing. “I’ll make her some clothing and have Robbie move her to your bedroom. I’m sure you won’t mind.”

“Where will I—No. I don’t mind, but I’ll need to have a room made up for her. How long before we can move her? I doubt she’d appreciate waking up on the floor in a pile of,” I gestured to the remains of my couch, which now resembled little more than powder, “whatever that stuff is that once was my favorite seat.”

“I thought you liked the Zero-G?”

“Well, yes, but…” I stammered trying to find the words but eventually gave up.

I’d turned back when talking about my couch and watched as Magus Sonshel stopped writhing and finally slept peacefully. Her hair was still thin and grey but otherwise didn’t look too much older than me. Scars and wrinkles had faded, and if I hadn’t seen it happen myself, I wouldn’t have believed she was the same old crone who offered herself up as a sacrifice to protect her people.

Robbie entered the room with a blanket and paused next to Magus Sonshel. After standing there for a few seconds, Theia cleared her throat.

“Master, when you’re done gawking perhaps you could wrap her up in a blanket and lift her off the ground for Robbie. I’m sure he could manage, but you seem enthralled, so maybe you’ll get off on it.”

Hot blood flushed my face, and I turned in anger to Theia. “I’m not getting off on anything. I’m confused and fascinated with her transformation and nothing more. I’ll tolerate this line of teasing no more! You go too far.”

I grabbed the blanket from Robbie and began wrapping Magus Sonshel up by rolling her on one side then the other, careful to not touch her inappropriately. I barely registered Theia’s apology as I performed the task and lifted her off the ground. I was too embarrassed and angry admit I may have been attracted to Magus Sonshel’s body. With that said, I had not given any reason for Theia to imply I had improper thoughts and intentions.

As soon as I handed her off to Robbie, I left the room to get some fresh air. Theia spoke a few times but knew I wasn’t hearing her and finally departed, leaving me time to cool down.