June 19, 1996. 1300 (1pm), Aleksinac/Bosphorus, Serbia. Evan was dismantling the truck for whatever materials would help them when he felt a tug on his pants. He glanced around and, seeing no-one, squatted down. "Hey Dobby. You got something for me?" Dobby handed him the sheaf of papers Hermione had given him. "Thanks, Dobby. Listen – I just want to let you know what we are going to be doing – we're going to be going down river. At some point we are going to have to get back on land…" Evan went on to outline their general path back to HQ. "Another thing, Dobby – I've sensed wizards and vampires nearby." "Yes, Master Birdy. Dobby senses them too." Dobby said. "I am not sure why they are here. That's why we have to go by the river. I would rather avoid them altogether than use magic to get through this." Evan said. "Master Birdy now has other magic to use, not wizarding magic. He has Goblin steel. Master has wood to make wooden stakes." Dobby reminded him. "Yes, but I have to be careful with both kinds of magic – this is a new team, and they are not familiar with either. But you are right, I have many resources available to me, Dobby. Thank you for reminding me." Evan replied. "Dobby thinks Dobby stay with you today, hidden but here" Dobby said. "That would be great, Dobby. You are a real friend." Evan told him.
"Let's see what Hermione found" Evan said. He read through the text. The spell Hermione suggested was extraho e'sano, meaning extract, mend and heal. Not having a wand, the magic would be more heavily intent-based. He read through the theory again; the spell pulled or maneuvered the penetrating objects back through the damaged tissue it originally penetrated (thus not damaging new tissue or disrupting good blood vessels), and repairing the damaged tissue as the object was retracted. Remembering his early days of practicing wandless magic, spinning and twirling pebbles, Evan began with that. He knew that visualization was part of the theory in removing the objects, but how does one visualize something you've never seen before?
Evan thought about pulling a piece of gravel from the ground. How would he go about doing that? Could he use Haragei? Evan closed his eyes and relaxed, entering Haragei. Instead of pushing his senses outward, he directed them to the soil next to him. Since Kuji-Kiri was also tied into nature, he employed that as well, invoking in particular Toh (harmony, one-ness with the universe and self), Sha (healing of one self and others), and Zai (understanding nature). The Toh kuji connects the practitioner to nature in a meditative and harmonious way, while Zai allows a level of elemental control. Evan allowed his sense of self to "flow through" the soil, connect with it, connect with the living organisms within. Gently expanding his senses within the soil until he felt a significantly larger grain, a pebble. He allowed his senses to flow around the pebble, to feel its essence and shape. How could he remove the pebble without disrupting or damaging the soil, plants and animals underneath? Evan thought about replacing the pebble with some soil in front of the pebble, and repeating the process until the pebble is brought to the surface. It seemed plausible – he would just have to make sure no roots or animals were in the path.
Evan began once again. Little by little he moved the pebble from its place, switching it with material in front of it. Soon, the pebble was laying on the ground surface in front of him. Altogether, it took him nearly 30 minutes.
"Dobby?" Dobby popped in. "Dobby. I need to move these boards and canvas down by the river. Can you do that while I take care of the LT and Cross?" "Dobby will." Evan then walked to the rest of the team.
"McCormick. I've dismantled the wood planks from the truck, and removed the inner tubes from the tires. We can use the boards and canvas to bridge the dinghies and skiffs. The inner tires can be used for support. I've taken them down to the river where we can assemble them." "Great, Fenix." McCormick replied. "We have a few hours yet till darkness. I am worried about moving the LT and Cross. Carrying them around for 10 or more days with shrapnel inside could be a danger. I feel more comfortable moving the LT and Cross after removing the shrapnel. I do have the medical supplies needed." "Sounds like a good idea, Fenix, but are you capable?" "I believe I can remove the shrapnel safely. It's going to take some time, but I think it can be done before dark." "OK, Fenix. Do it. Bremmer, Tristan and Xavier will keep watch. I'll assist you." McCormick replied.
"Before we start, I'll clean the Ambassador's wound and replace her poultice." Evan told McCormick. In the meantime, Bremmer, Tristan and Xavier left to take up guard positions around the camp. Evan walked over to the Ambassador. "How are you doing, Ambassador?" he asked. "I am doing better, Mr. Fenix" she replied. "A bit worried about getting home." She continued. "Totally understandable, Ambassador. Would it be OK if I cleaned and checked your wound?" Evan asked. "Yes, thank you." She replied. They continued their conversation while Evan checked, cleaned and repacked the wound. "Ma'am, there is a roadblock near here, and we will not be able to take the truck. We've found an alternate route using the river, but we will be travelling in the dark and through the night. I suggest you try to get some sleep. After you wake up, we will have something to eat before moving out" he said. Evan wandlessly cast a Somnus spell on her to help her sleep, and to keep her from seeing any actual magic he might perform.
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