Chapter 90: The game of chicken.
If not for the dark brown color and drier looking leaves, Lee would've been certain that batches of aloe were growing around the pond. It wasn't some kind of divine panacea, but the plant was one of the best known remedies against, well, almost anything.
At least that was what Lee remembered from Alan's notes.
Both Freeda and Tess also used it, and if the plant Lee was currently looking at had similar characteristics, it would be silly to pass the opportunity.
Strangely enough, after cut in halves, the leaves were rather succulent and gave a refreshing sensation after rubbed on the skin. The bitter taste had similar effect, and Lee decided to make another experiment.
After telling the two brothers to rest for a while, under their curious eyes he began to clean the aloe leaves, cut them in small pieces, and throw in the waterskin. Contrary to the brothers, he didn't intend to eat the remaining stew, but prepared a drink that would refresh him for the remaining time he had to spend in Inferno Wastes.
When Lee was satisfied with the amount of aloe he gathered, he remembered about Jiraxa. The girl slept there, without making a sound, and Lee went over to her and rubbed aloe's juice on her forehead, neck and shoulders. He wasn't sure if it was going to help, but since it couldn't get much worse, he decided to try to see if it would.
Then he glanced at the two curious pairs of eyes, thought for a bit, and went over to Thorax. The guy's leg looked worse than yesterday, and it was obvious he was in pain, but believing it was some kind of punishment for his own foolish behavior, Thorax suffered in silence.
Rubbing the plant directly on an irritated skin was probably not the best idea, therefore Lee chopped one of the leaves and put the rough paste he made on the leg. Then tore a piece off Thorax's trousers and bandaged the wound with it. The job was crude, but this surely was better than tortoise's fat.
"Alright! Now we can leave." Lee said, and got up, only to get another interruption.
This time a serious one.
From the side of the valley the squad arrived earlier, a person was running. And they were incredibly fast – from the looks of it they possessed a wind spark. It was also possible they ran so fast because of the beast that showed up few moments later.