Kletasuah packed up the last of her medication in her cloth bag. She'd tried everything she could think of to help Celisae, but it was all in vain. The girl had not woken up. Kletasuah stared down at Celisae resting peacefully on the floor, covered by a mound of animal skins. There were now long pauses in between each breath she took. The starlight had managed to keep vital organs moving, but it couldn't cleanse her of the poison she had ingested. It wouldn't be long before she breathed her last.

This was one of the most difficult times for Kletasuah. She'd been good friends with Kansara, Celisae's mother, before she died. Now, her daughter was about to pass on too. She had failed as a healer, she had let Celisae slip away. The healer placed her hand on Celisae's arm, shaking her head sadly.

"Is Celisae going to be OK?" Leu inquired from the opposite end of the room, biting her lip.

Kletasuah took in a deep breath. "She's breathing, but she still hasn't woken up," Kletasuah reported. Her gaze flipped between Gea and Leu. "I.... I don't think she'll make it." She stood to go to her cave, wanting to shrink into a ball. She hated to bear such terrible news. It was hard enough when an elder passed on, let alone a youth, let alone Celisae. 

"No," Gea whispered. Tears welled her eyes. Celisae was like a daughter to her. To lose her - Gea couldn't bear to think about it.

"She's in here," the voice of Nal m'se said. Kletasuah saw Nal m'se enter with Chiza, the healer of the Eredst tribe. Outstretched in Chiza's hand was a small bowl. Kletasuah tilted her head, curious as to what Chiza had brought.

"Hello, Chiza," she greeted. She couldn't make eye contact. It was humiliating to have the healer from another tribe see that you failed at your one job.

Chiza knelt beside Celisae. She smiled warmly at Kletasuah. "All hope is not lost yet, Kletasuah," she encouraged. "We now know that she was poisoned with Xeoil, which I have the antidote to. Celisae just has to drink this tea here." She lifted a steaming bowl filled with a faintly green liquid.

"What is it?" Kletasuah asked.

"Creosote," Chize told her. "It has many different medicinal properties, including the treatment Xeoil poison."

"She's asleep right now. I'm not sure if she can swallow," Kletasuah worried.

Nal m'se brought forth the starlight dress. "Try to heal her enough so she can wake up with the dress. Then give her the tea."

Kletasuah received the dress, and draped it over Celisae's torso. With all her might, she willed its energy into Celisae. A few, tense seconds passed. All watched Celisae, begging her to wake up. Then, one of Celisae's eyes cracked open.

"Celisae!" Leu cheered. Kletasuah placed a finger to her lips, and Leu hushed.

Celisae glanced around the room. Everything was muddled and hazy, like she was in a dream.

"Drink this, dear," Chiza instructed, raising the bowl to Celisae's lips. Gently, she tilted it, allowing some of the tea to spill into her mouth. Nal m'se motioned for Gea and Leu to leave the cave. The three exited so the healers could do their work.