Hand of Fire (The Master of the Tane) by Thomas Rath Page A

certain abilities, as were those of the other four Tane. The VerSagn Tane had a purifying affect on those who were sick and, in most cases, could cure illnesses by simply mixing their own blood with the one who was ill. Often, the patient returned  to full health within hours.
                  TaqSagn made a small cut on DelVen’s arm similar to the one on his own and then, after a short prayer to TehraMae, placed the two cuts together allowing the blood of both to mix together. DelVen responded immediately. His body jerked slightly for a brief moment before he quickly fell into a sound sleep.
    TaqSagn turned to Thane and lifted his arm, “Can you take care of these?” he asked referring to the cuts in his and Del’s arms.
                  “Sure.” Thane stepped forward grabbing Taq’s arm and placed his hand over the cut. Taq grimaced in pain as a wisp of smoke rose between Thane’s fingers. The wound he had inflicted upon himself only moments ago was now scabbed over nicely and would be completely gone in a few days. This was a gift of the QenChe Tane that allowed those of its members to bring fire out of anything that was dead or without spirit. Because a cut in the flesh left a dead space that was void of spirit, as in DelVen’s case, the QenChe could draw fire from that space and cauterize the wound allowing the spirit to return to the once empty space and heal it quickly.
                  Thane did the same for DelVen, taking advantage of his deep sleep, and then rose to thank Dor’s father.
                  “I was happy to assist,” Taq said with a smile. “I think the blood was all that was needed. It appears to be working already so I wouldn’t worry about your father. I’m sure he’ll be back to his old self in an hour or two.”
                  Lyn and Thane looked at each other and smiled weakly as if communicating the same wish. Both wanted Del to recover but neither liked the idea of him being his “old” self.
                  “Well,” Lyn said trying to appear cheerful, “I guess you both need to return to the fields and continue with the planting. So I won’t keep you. Thank you again, TaqSagn.”
                  “My pleasure,” he returned with a slight bow. “Come along, Thane,” he said grabbing the boy’s shoulder. “Your mother’s right. We need to get back to the fields. Your father will be fine now.” 
    With a nod from both, Lyn watched as they exited the hut before she turned back to Del. “I hope someday you can change your thoughts towards your son,” she sighed placing a cool cloth on her mate’s head.
                  Taq and Thane quickly made their way back to the fields situated just north of town. The area was perfect for growing crops. The soil was rich and dark and close to the river. This especially pleased the MarGua Tane since it rested on them to keep the crops watered. The Chufa grew three main crops; wheat, corn and cotton. The forest provided other vegetation to supplement and give variety to their meals. Mushrooms, pine nuts, wild beans and berries were in plentiful supply throughout most of the Ardath as were onions and other tubers.
                  The Chufa considered all life sacred and therefore did not kill animals for meat or clothing. The trees of the Ardath were also considered sacred and were never cut down or trimmed for firewood. Dead branches that were scattered about the forest floor provided enough wood for cooking fires and to provide heat in the cool months. By collecting and setting fire to scattered deadwood the Chufa also fulfilled one of their sacred duties. The Chufa held that all things contain spirit. The rocks, trees, animals, the sky, all things are full of life because of the spirit within them. When something dies, that spirit is trapped within the body and cannot escape to the next world where it will be reborn to