22
THAT NIGHT, RASHA'S DREAMS were filled with images of the old woman and a mysterious tree. A large tree with white bark and magenta leaves. A color not found anywhere in nature. The tree swayed back and forth as if waving to her. Rasha woke feeling tired and anxious. Her sick friends didn't have much time. The lyrical message stayed with her long after the dreams had subsided. She hummed the lyrics to a tune from her dream while she dressed.
Over breakfast, she broached the subject with her parents.
"Have you ever heard of The Niramaya Tree?"
"Who told you about that?" her mother asked.
"Fantasy,” her father said at the same time.
"A crone approached me in the temple and said it holds the cure to the plague that is sweeping the kingdoms."
"The Niramaya Tree is an ancient legend.
