Nearby, Wookid, a Forest Guardian, was out collecting the special herbs and plants she needed for her magical potions. She flitted from rock to tree, quietly reciting some of the sacred incantations to help her memorise the phrases that would make her spells come to life. As she gathered her ingredients, she sorted them into her various bags and pouches for safe keeping.
She was about to head back to her homestead, when she heard a soft whimper that sounded so plaintive, she could not ignore it. Searching beneath bushes and trees for whoever was making the sound, she came around the trunk of a large willow. From the tree, she could see the remnants of a dried-up pool and a few rocks scattered about. On the ground next to the largest rock, was a young wolf, battered, bleeding and passed out of all consciousness.
Wookid knew that wolves did not live in the Forest and from his injuries, she understood that he must have been fleeing from something terrible to cross the boundary alone. Wookid knelt down by the cub and gently put her hand over his heart. She felt a heartbeat and let out a sigh of relief – but it was very faint and she knew that if she didn’t help him quickly, he would not see the dawn.
It was not safe for them to stay so close to the edge of the forest and Wookid knew this all too well. She gently lifted the cub off the ground, which took all her strength, because although he was still young, he was more than half grown and it was like carrying a big furry rock. She tried to lift off, but he was too heavy for her to fly with and so she needed to find somewhere safe nearby where they could rest and treat his wounds.
Wookid stood there in the dark, the cub in her arms, desperately trying to think of where they could go. Then, through the trees, in the distance, she could see moonflies dancing and swirling, wings glowing bright white in the moonlight. ‘Moonlight’ she whispered – ‘The Maidens Pool!’ The Pool got its name from the way the rushes grew into the water, creating the shape of the waxing moon (representing the young Maiden Goddess) and the brightness with which it reflected the moonlight. It was not far away and the water was known to have restorative properties. The pup was already getting heavy and although she could still feel his heartbeat, it was getting weaker as his body grew colder with every passing moment. She stumbled through the ancient trees, using all her strength just to get to this sanctuary.
At last, she came to the edge of the clearing where the tall rushes grow. The tips glowed a fiery orange and as she made her way through, little seed pods escaped into the air, glimmering like embers on the breeze. At the edge of the Maidens Pool she sank to her knees, gently placing the wounded cub on the ground. She looked at the water which was as clear as the night sky, a light ‘Whispering Mist’ hovered and swirled above the surface, revealing glimpses of the Ishka - water spirits that dwell within. The water was powerful – even a small sip could heal the sick and wounded, but the cub was completely unconscious and wasn’t able to drink.
‘I can’t wake him.’ Wookid thought. ‘What am I going to do with him now?’ Wookid knew she would have to try another way to save him, but he was running out of time.
She conjured a small fire to warm him. Examining his body in the firelight, it was clear that most of his injuries were surface scratches. The gash on his shoulder, however, was so deep that Wookid was afraid to attempt to heal such a serious wound. Wookid had seen the healers in her tribe heal all kinds of injuries - and she knew the incantations – but she had never done it herself as she was only 483 - young for a Sha-han-toc. These spells were only for use by the most skilful and experienced mages - for to heal another being, draws on the life-force of the spell weaver - cast incorrectly, the healer risks draining their own life entirely.
Wookid sighed as she stroked his ears and face. ‘Come now my little friend, just hold on a little longer’ she spoke softly.
Determined to save the life of this wolf, Wookid took hold of her wand. This was to be a great challenge for Wookid. She had dreamed of becoming a healer, so was both excited and extremely nervous to attempt such ancient and powerful magic.
From one of her pouches, she took a clear blue Safire crystal, a rare stone, imbued with the healing energies of the Ishka. She placed the crystal in the end of the wand; the strands of Willow curled around the stone as it began to glow with a soft blue light. Holding the wand above the wound on his shoulder, Wookid took a deep breath and began the incantation.
Colain, Feowil, Anam – Tiernaeg!
(Heal the Body, Heal the Flesh, Heal the Spirit, Recover)
The wand glowed brightly. Wookid closed her eyes and chanted over and over. Her words seemed to echo, joining with the voices of the healers who came before her - giving power to the incantation. She could feel the wand vibrating in her hands, forging the connection between herself, the wand, and the spirits.
There was a flash of blue light and then - nothing. Wookid opened one eye in anticipation, then the other. The pup lay motionless in front of her. Why had it not worked? Why was this happening? Was he too weak to save? ‘NO!’ she cried ‘Please, by the will of the spirits, Work!’
Wookid started the incantation again – chanting with all her might, but her wand light was fading and the spell was failing. ‘Why?’ she sobbed. Am I not ready for this magic?’
‘You can’t die!’ she wept. Wookid sat back on her heals, tearful and deflated. She chided herself for being so vain and foolish to attempt such high magic. She looked down at his body and longed for the cub to just open his eyes. Tears streamed down her face ‘I’m so sorry little one - I tried.’ She leant down and wrapped her arms around him. She buried her face into his beautiful, soft fur and prayed for something to save him…..
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