"My child. I must give it to my child." She said frantically, as he tried to remove the talisman.
"There is no need. We have more," Elara then gently placed another talisman on the sleeping child.
Just as before, the infant's fretful whimpering subsided into a more peaceful, even breath.
For fifteen minutes, a fragile peace settled in the small, dim room. The young couple held hands, watching their child sleep without pain for the first time in days.
"That will be it for now,"
Riku gently indicated it was time, and the young man's face crumpled.
"Please, Master Healer," he begged Riku, his voice thick with emotion, "can't we keep it longer? Or… or buy it? We don't have much, but we have a few silver pieces saved… our wedding rings… take it all! Just let us have this!" He was already fumbling in his worn tunic.
