Ren watched, wide-eyed, as the crystal-clear tear dissolved into her skin.
A cool, tingling sensation washed over her ankle, chasing away the hot, throbbing ache of the sprain. It felt like sticking her foot in a bucket of minty ice water.
"Whoa," Ren breathed.
She watched in disbelief as the angry purple bruising faded before her eyes, turning from violet to yellow to normal skin tone in seconds. The swelling deflated like a punctured balloon.
She wiggled her toes. No pain. She rotated her ankle. No resistance. She poked the spot where the bone had definitely almost snapped. Nothing.
"Phoenix tears," Ren whispered, staring at the bird with awe. "You're like Fawkes from Harry Potter! But...an eagle!"
The Golden Eagle, having dispensed its magical medical treatment, simply turned around and waddled back to the entrance of the hollow. It sat down, spread its wet wings again, and resumed its silent vigil.
Ren sat there, flexing her foot. She was healed. Completely.
