Winds of Fire

Chapter 19

The weather was good at Lateran City. The sky was completely clear, without any clouds, and the rays of the Sun fell on the white skycrapers, reflecting on them and creating a truly breath-taking sight. On the streets, there was a lively air among the passer-byes, who went on with their daily lives as usual.

"What a lovely day". Thought a bed-ridden Leumen to herself as she contemplated the outline of Laterano through her hospital ward's window. Her room was very neat and well illuminated. There were a couple of bookshelves, dressers and other furniture scattered around, and the plants on the corners gave it a welcoming touch.

The sankta continued to gaze at the landscape, but at that moment a knock on the door was heard. She diverted her gaze towards it and said.

-Come inside, it's open.

The person on the other side complied and turned the knob. The door silently opened, giving way to a red-haired liberi woman clad in her usual uniform and with a bouquet of flowers between her hands.

-Oh, Fia! – Exclaimed Leumen smiling wholeheartedly at her. – What a surprise to see you around today.

Fiammetta was momentarily taken aback by her attitude, but soon she regained her composure.

-Ehm... I had to attend some business at St. Michael District, and since the hospital was near, I decided to pay you a visit. – Without lifting her eyes off her, she approached Leumen's bed and deposited the bouquet on her lap. – Here, I bought some flowers for you.

Picking up the bouquet, the pink-haired sankta brought it to her nose.

-Hmn... These petunias smell very good. – She refocused on her friend. – Thanks for the gift.

-I'm glad they're of your liking.

She simply answered with a smile. An almost imperceptible silence settled between the two, yet after a brief while the liberi spoke again, her expression more subdued this time.

-Leumen... How it is going? The recovery, I mean.

-Well, the doctors say that I'm doing a good progress so far, but to be frank with you, I still haven't gotten used fully to the wheelchair. It feels very strange to live without being able to walk or move your legs.

-Yeah..... – Fiammetta couldn't help but lower down her gaze. Noticing her friend's downcast expression, Leumen put a hand over her shoulder.

-Hey, don't put that face, Fia. I'll eventually get over it, I assure you.

Upon hearing her words of reassurance, the gloom on her eyes vanished. Looking up at the sankta, Fiammetta smirked a bit.

-Heh, you haven't changed in the slightest, Leumen.

-Nah, I'm simply someone who cares for her friends. – She humbly responded.

It seemed like their conversation had died out, but then Fiammetta had an idea.

-Now that I think of it, the weather is good today. Why don't we go out for a walk?

-Ehm... yes, I would be glad to, but... - Leumen's cheeks adopted a faint shade of pink. – Could you help me get out of the bed?

Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Fiammetta remained calm and proceeded to lend her friend a hand. She slid one of her arms under the sankta's legs while Leumen rested her back against the other one, and like that the liberi lifted her from the bed. Immediately afterwards she carried Leumen to the wheelchair and helped her to settle down.

Almost as soon as the maneuver had finished the pink-haired sankta dropped on the wheelchair's back and sighed in relief.

-Thank you, Fia.