Seven years went by in Hama. Ashima was 13 years old now. And she
and Haniel and Dido still lived at the inn. The King of Assyria, Tiglath-Pileser III, had by force had the
inborn dwellers of Hama moved. The innkeeper was one. And now it was Dido and Haniel who cared for the inn. And Ashima worked
at the inn too.
And every morning still, Ashima and Haniel practiced her skill with the sword. She
had a real sword now. But never would she ever use it to do harm. And she was very skilful. And she was very swift. More swift
and skilful than Haniel now.
And every day, Ashima went to school now. And at the school were many children from
places far away. Even from the far North with blue eyes and pink skin, and even from the south with dark eyes and black
skin. It was one of very few schools where girls were allowed to go. Ashima was one of the best students of her class
and she helped looking after the younger children. And one of her best friends was a younger boy with blond hair. His
name was Erik. He had come from the Northern Lands with His father. And he had a younger sister whose name
was Sara.
One day the class went to a farm. Suddenly Sara was nowhere to be found. They found
her at last, lifeless in a water trough. She was dead. But Ashima took Sara in her arms and pressed her against
her chest. She closed her eyes and she opened up her heart and all her love and let it stream though Sara. And Sara came
to life. And everyone around her bowed their heads in reverence. Everyone kneeled before her and everyone clasped their hands.
And the words of her miracles spread across the city. And they all followed Ashima.
And they all pointed at her and said that she was special. They said that she was sacred. And all wanted her to help them
and heal them from illness and death. But the healing of Sara had made Ashima very weak and tired. And she was scared. And
she was confused. And opening up the heart is a very exhausting thing. Her powers were emptied now. She had
not energy left to help them. And Haniel came to her rescue then. He saw the needs of everyone. But he also saw Ashima's
weakness. And he told the people to come back later.
The next morning, more than fifty people were gathered outside the inn. All wanted
the help of Ashima. And Ashima wanted so badly to try to help them. And Haniel made them all stand in a proper
line. And Ashima helped them. One young woman had big rashes all over her hands and face. She bled from
her wounds. And Ashima put her hands on her and closed her eyes and let her energy flow to the woman. And the rashes disappeared
and the skin healed. It was indeed a miracle. And the woman said in tears of joy: "How may I thank you?" And Ashima said:
"Do not thank me. Help someone else who needs it." Indeed, good deeds are what the Goddess loves the most.
And the next person came. And the next. And the next. And the next. And Ashima helped them all. Hour after hour
after all hour, all until the sun set upon Hama. And so it continued, day after day after day.
