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Lucidia walked through the forest beyond the village looking for herbs she needed for her healing practices. Suddenly she came across a figure in the distance. As she approached she began to hear a whimpering from the figure laying on the ground.

“Little girl.” She called over softly as she looked upon the child collapsed on the ground, “are you okay?”

She looked up at Lucidia and sat up to dry her light blue eyes with the skirt of her dress. She had wings unlike those who lived in the village. They were light brown-feathered wings like those of a bird. As her tears continued to fall small rays of light seemed to radiate.

“Do you have healing tears, my dear?”

“I-I don’t kn-know.” She sobbed.

“What’s wrong? Are you lost?”

“I don’t know!” She sobbed louder, “I can’t remember anything!” She collapsed against the ground again her wings pressed down against her body.

Lucidia knelt down and smoothed the girl’s soft brown hair and stayed with her as she cried.

As the sun started to set Lucidia she led the girl back to the village.

“Do you know where you’re from?”

“No.”

“What’s your name?”

“I can’t remember.”

“Did you hit your head or something?” Lucidia asked frustrated.

“Not that I know of.” The girl answered innocently.

“Hmph that’s not reassuring. I’ll try to see any signs when we get back.”

“‘Get back?’”

“Back to the village. You can stay there until you remember where you came from.”

“No, wait I can’t!” The girl stopped stepping away from Lucidia.

“What’s wrong?”

“I can’t leave here.” She stepped back into the forest.

“Why not?”

“I have to wait for him.”

“I thought you didn’t remember anything.” She pointed out confused.

“I don’t. But he is all I have that’s even close to a memory.” The girl said, “I have always stayed in this wood for as long as I can remember. If I go too far he won’t be able to find me! I need him to find me! I don’t know what he looks like or anything but he is the only piece of hope I have left.”

“You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.” Lucidia told her, “The village is right down this path. Wouldn’t it be easier for your friend to find you if you were in a village than wondering around in the woods?”

The girl considered this for a moment before agreeing. “I’ll come. But where can I stay?”

“With me.” Lucidia offered kindly.

“I’ll try not to be too much trouble.”

They walked together as Lucidia pointed out herbs and their uses. The girl stumbled along speaking the names quietly to try and remember them.

“I need a name for you.” Lucidia said suddenly as she picked some cassia twigs from a tree. “This plant reminds me of you in a way.”

The girl looked at the tree confused.

“The essence I mean. For some reason your essence seems healing.” Ludidia the sprig in her hand, looking at it from different angles. “More than just your tears. Your whole presence seems to heal in some way.”

“What is cassia?”

“Cassia is an herb that heals . . . “

“A plant that can heal people . . . can it heal me?” She asked frantically. “I want to remember. Everything! Who I am, where I’m from, that boy!”

“My dear, memory is a very delicate part of a being. No plant can heal memory. People can sometimes heal memories.”

“The girl grabbed Lucidia’s hand that held the cassia. “I’ll do anything!”

Lucidia knelt down facing the girl, eyes level. “I don’t have that power. That boy would probably spark your memory. If he gets hurt I will probably be the one he comes to-” The girl’s eyes started to water causing her sparkling tears to well. “He could come to town for other reasons too! I’m just saying that if you stay in town there’s a greater chance he will find you if you stay in the middle of the woods.” She encouraged, “I’ll teach you to heal like cassia. Then you can help him when the time comes.” The child smiled at the idea. “Do you mind if I call you Cassia? At least until you remember your name?”

“I’d like that.”

Lucidia walked Cassia back to the small village that sat among the trees. The house was small and mainly used to store and dry herbs that were collected. Cassia gazed in wonder at all the jars that stored the faded plant clippings. Some held liquids that sparkled in the light from the large open windows.

“What are they for?” She asked pointing to the rows of jars that adorned the packed shelves.

“Healing. They have many different purposes but they all heal.” Lucidia explained.

There was a knock on the heavy wooden door. “Miss Lucidia? Are you home? It’s Flora.”

“Yes. Come in.”

The door opened and a young girl came in. She had straight brown hair that just grazed her shoulders. “My mother was hoping you could teach me to heal. If it’s not too much trouble.”

“As long as you stop calling me ‘Miss Lucidia’ I’ll agree.”

“But Miss Lucidia is the polite way-”

“You don’t need to be formal with me. I young enough to be your sister, Lucidia is fine.”

“Lucidia.” Flora tried it out.

“Right.”

The light caught Flora’s transparent butterfly like wings. Cassia tilted her head to get a better view. Flora and Lucidia’s wings looked similar but in the light small designs could be seen in their textures. She bent her thickly feathered wing and for the first time felt the actual weight against her back. The other’s wings seemed so delicate and light like a piece of fabric. She sighed letting her wings go limp.

“Who’s that?” Flora asked looking over at Cassia curiously.

“This is Cassia. She will be staying with me. She seems to be suffering from amnesia.”

“Amnesia? Well I’m sure you’ll be able to cure her. You always do.”

A smile spread across Cassia’s face.

“I’m afraid not.”

The smile faded.

“Why not?” Flora questioned.

Lucidia answered quietly. “No cure can bring back memories. Only time will tell if she’s able to. All I can do is give her a place to stay. Other than that she may never remember.”

Cassia twisted her fingers in her hands holding back her tears.

“Flora you should go tell your mother I agreed to teach you. Do you mind showing Cassia around. It might trigger some memories.”

“Sure!” Flora went to Cassia and grabbed her hands. “I may not be able to bring back your memories but I can help you make new ones!”

Lucidia watched as they ran excitedly into town. “I don’t know what happened to that girl. It may be better if she doesn’t remember.”

The town was small. Each house had it’s own business. They provided a service on the bottom floor and the floor above served as a home. There was only one inn in the town since travelers usually just passed through. Cassia looked into the windows and looked up at the fancy signs above each door. Under the name Flora explained was the family name of the people who lived above. There were produce stores, bakeries, shoemakers, and many other services. They helped each other out to help the town prosper. Smiling faces from owners and shoppers greeted the girls as they passed.

“Well, who’s this?” A woman who ran the bakery asked.

“Her name is Cassia.” Flora answered as her friend peeked out behind her. “She’s staying with Lucidia.”

“Oh? Hello there, Cassia.”

“H-hello.” Cassia answered softly.

“You’re an ethereal aren’t you?” The lady pointed out seeing the feathered wings.

“Ethereal?”

The woman looked alarmed.

“Lucidia says she’s lost her memories.” Flora explained.

“Oh I’m sorry, dear.” She apologized, “I didn’t mean to bring up something so painful.”

“No.” Cassia smiled, “I’m going to try my best to remember. Flora said she’d help me make new ones too!”

The lady gave them both pastries to eat on their way. The town was friendly and nurturing to the children. Cassia was happy to find a place that finally felt like home.