The Wheel of Time

Rand returned to his room with quick steps, his mind still swirling with thoughts about the child he had found and the disturbing dreams that haunted him. He called his house-elf, Lili, with a low whistle. The small creature appeared instantly, her pointed ears and large eyes filled with concern.

— Lili, bring the potion kit and prepare everything for the treatment — Rand ordered, kneeling beside the bed where the child lay. He cast a series of diagnostic spells, his hands trembling slightly as magical symbols glowed in the air, revealing the extent of the girl's injuries. Severe burns, a broken foot, deep cuts, and signs of malnutrition. Rand took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

Lili returned with the potion kit, carrying a small leather bag filled with colorful vials and magical ingredients. Rand opened the bag carefully, selecting the necessary vials. He began working with the precision of an experienced healer, his hands moving swiftly as he mixed and applied the potions.

First, he grabbed a vial of Instant Relief Ointment, a pale green mixture that glowed softly in the candlelight. He applied the ointment to the child's burns, spreading it gently with his fingers. The red, inflamed skin began to calm immediately, and the pained expression on the girl's face softened slightly.

Next, Rand prepared an Advanced Healing Potion, mixing ingredients like diluted dragon blood, powdered bicorn horn, and skin smoothers. He held the vial carefully, letting the mixture simmer for a few seconds until it turned a bright golden hue. With a smooth motion, he poured a few drops of the potion onto the deep cuts on the girl's face and body. The wounds began to close slowly, the skin regenerating as if time were being reversed.

For the broken foot, Rand decided to use a Bone-Healing Spell, a complex enchantment that required total concentration. He pointed his wand at the injured foot and whispered: "Ferula!". A bright white light enveloped the child's foot, and the broken bones began to realign and fuse. Rand held the spell for a few seconds, ensuring the healing was complete.

Finally, he prepared a Revitalizing Potion, a mixture of magical ginseng, mandrake root, and phoenix nectar, to restore the girl's energy and vitality. He gently lifted the child's head and made her drink the potion, drop by drop. Her breathing, once weak and irregular, became steadier and deeper.

— She'll need a few hours to recover — Rand said, more to himself than to Lili. — Keep an eye on her and let me know if anything changes.

The house-elf nodded, her eyes filled with determination. — Lili will take care of her, Master Rand. You can trust me.

Lili began cleaning the child with a damp cloth, removing the dirt and dried blood. She used a cleaning spell, "Scourgify!", to remove the tougher stains and then dressed the girl in clean, comfortable clothes Rand had pulled from his magical trunk. The child now looked more at ease, her expression serene as she slept.

Rand watched for a moment, feeling a mix of relief and worry. He knew magic could heal physical wounds, but he wasn't sure how to deal with the trauma the girl might carry. For now, though, she was safe and in good hands.

Rand left the room, his mind still a whirlwind of thoughts. He needed to talk to someone, to vent about the dreams and the child he had just found. Without thinking, he headed to Mat and Perrin's room, knocking on the door before opening it and poking his head inside.

Perrin was lying on his bed, still undressed, with his eyes closed and an arm covering his face. He turned his head on the pillow to look at Rand and then closed his eyes again. Mat's bow and quiver were leaning in a corner, but Mat himself wasn't in the room.

— I just wanted to talk — Rand began hesitantly. — And… — He didn't know how to bring up the subject.

— I don't know if I'll ever sleep again — Perrin sighed, without opening his eyes. — I had a bad dream, if you must know, and I couldn't get back to sleep. Mat will tell you as soon as he can. He laughed this morning when I said I was too tired to go out, but he dreamed too. All night I heard him tossing and muttering, and don't tell me he had a good night's sleep. — He threw his thick arm over his eyes again. — Light, I'm so tired… Maybe if I stay here for just an hour or two, I'll feel like getting up. Mat will never let me hear the end of it if I miss seeing Baerlon because of a dream.

Rand sat down slowly on the bed next to Perrin. He licked his dry lips before speaking quickly:

— Did he kill a rat?

Perrin lowered his arm and stared at Rand, his yellow eyes shining with a mix of surprise and concern. — You too? — he finally asked. When Rand nodded, he continued: — I wish I were home. He told me… he said… What are we going to do? Did you tell Moiraine?

— No. Not yet. Maybe I won't. I don't know. What about you? — Rand hesitated but decided to share his concerns. — For some reason, this thing managed to follow us into our dreams. I tried a potion, but it might not work. I have something else in mind, another potion that will help block my mind for a while. It should help us sleep.

Perrin was silent for a moment, processing Rand's words. — I'm relieved you have a possible solution — he said finally. — Do you think Mat had the same dream? He laughed, but it sounded forced, and he seemed strange when I said I couldn't sleep because of a dream.

— Maybe — said Rand. Though he felt guilty, he was relieved not to be the only one. — I was going to ask Thom for advice. He's seen a lot of the world. I think we should tell Moiraine, even if she hides things from us. She must know about this.

Perrin leaned back on the pillow, covering his eyes again. — You've heard the stories about Aes Sedai. Do you think we can trust Thom or Moiraine? If we can trust anyone at all… Rand, if we get out of this alive, if we ever make it back home, and you hear me say anything about leaving Emond's Field, even if it's just to go to Watch Hill, you kick me. Deal?

Rand smiled, trying to appear more confident than he felt. — That's no way to talk. Of course, we're going home. Listen, I have something to tell you. I found a little girl who has the same gift as me. She was hurt, so I treated her and let her rest in the tent inside the room.

Perrin stared at him without saying a word, still trying to process what Rand had said. — Are you crazy? How could you just take someone's daughter? Do you want the guards to come after us?

— That's not going to happen — Rand replied firmly. — The girl was living in the alley behind the inn, and she was badly hurt. If I hadn't helped her, she would have died today. Her name is Helena. I couldn't see her clearly because she was covered in dirt, burns, and had a deep cut on her face, but that will fade soon. She asked my elf to bathe her and change her clothes.

— What do you mean, an elf? — Perrin asked, confused.

— I forgot you hadn't seen her yet — Rand said, remembering that Perrin didn't know Lili. — But let's go out and see the city a bit. Later, I'll introduce you to her. Where are your clothes?

— You go ahead. I just want to lie here for a while — Perrin replied, putting his arm over his eyes again. — Go on. I'll catch up in an hour or two.

— Suit yourself — said Rand, standing up. — Think about what you might miss. — He paused at the door and looked at Perrin. — Baerlon. How many times have we talked about seeing Baerlon one day?

Perrin lay there, his eyes covered, and said nothing. After a minute, Rand left and closed the door softly.