This is strictly Karigan POV. I've discussed this a bit with others, but this is only my take on this situation. I am sure people will tell me if they disagree lol
Karigan sipped her tea delicately and eyed Somial cautiously.
He hadn't put very much pressure on her to speak today. In fact, he seemed quite content to sit in the armchair opposite of hers and look out the window with her.
It was a rainy day, normally one of her favorites, for she could curl up in her chair with a book or just simply enjoy the coziness of her room while the fat raindrops of a passing storm hit the forest canopy. She took a deep breath and inhaled the damp woodiness of the air.
It was not the same sea air she had experienced the night prior, but it was comforting nonetheless.
She stared into the dregs of her tea as she contemplated her dream. He had been there for a second time. Whole, not a fragment of a memory or vision, but just as himself. As if it were really as easy as strolling on the beach with her. The corners of her mouth turned up as she recalled their conversation.
They had talked of the silliest things. He brought up his childhood, his favorite terrier, and how he overcame his initial shyness in front of crowds. His grandmother apparently suggested imagining people as seagulls.
In turn, she had talked of wandering through vast warehouses of cloth and spices as a little girl. Of her larger-than-life aunts, and her education in Selium.
The edges of her vision had seemingly blurred as her consciousness brought her out of the realm of sleep and she had awoken in her silken sheets. But with a clarity and peace of mind she had not experienced in some time.
Even with all that she had lost, or what her gut told her she had lost, she had finally reached a point where she could admit where she stood in life. Scarred and dragged through the mud, but not beaten.
Lost memories aside, the experiences in Blackveil were something that she would struggle to acclimate to. She supposed it was where it all came to a head. She had seen other Riders, and especially those of the Light Horse, come to a point where their eyes portrayed a haunted dullness. She had been pressed from all sides for information, regarding the nature of her return, and the extent of her trip into Blackveil. No one had seemed to notice, and if they did, they said nothing but looked at her with something akin to pity. She did not want to think of how her family would look at her.
She remembered standing in her new room, alone in the empty corridor that had been opened for more Riders. The few belongings she had on the vanity were not truly hers. The space and solitude did not feel as welcome as had thought it would.
So she simply walked out.
Left the barracks, saddled Condor, and quietly rode out. No one questioned a king's messenger on her way out of the city. No one even recognized her with her hood drawn up.
Karigan had taken one look back at the castle spires, a few windows lit up in the darkness, and her heart had clenched painfully
Nothing will ever come of it, you had made sure of that, a little voice whispered in her mind.
She rode north and she rode fast. She had the advantage of the good weather and a small note that had been tucked in her quarters, promising a haven if she should ever need it.
It had been time for her to accept the help of another, and thus she was here now, slowly coming to the conclusion that it had been the right decision.
Her hands tightened around the soft throw around her lap. She was not treated like an invalid, but yet, nothing was asked of her. Her conversations were few and far between, and mostly with Somial.
Karigan glanced at him again, this time meeting his curious gaze. He tilted his head ever so slightly in question, but she shook hers in response. It was easier now to read their subtle body language and not be so intimidated by the sereneness of their countenance.
Somial smiled softly, refilled her empty teacup, and then resumed watching the rain fall.
She let her head fall back to hit the chair, feeling drowsy still from last night. Without even examining the contents of the cup, she knew that there was something that her healer had been adding to the brew. Initially her reaction had been one of indignation, but given the fact that she had been sleeping through the night without waking in confused tears, she had not spoken aloud of it. And in light of the oddities in her sleep patterns . . .
Karigan picked up the cup and stared at the steam, eyes darting back to the healer. He felt the intense scrutiny and turned his head back to her. For a few moments they held each other's gaze. Karigan pursed her lips with a slight frown but took a sip of the brew, her eyes narrowed.
Somial offered what he hoped was a conciliatory expression, but she did not look too mollified. Leaning forward and silently praying for a response, he asked intently, 'Has your sleep much improved?'
She arched her brow slightly, waiting several minutes before replying, 'My body sleeps but my mind has not been at rest.'
The healer canted his head again, pleased that she had spoken, 'Is it something that you wish to speak of? Does it bring you pain?'
Karigan shook her head, 'My dreams do not bring me pain as much as they do discomfort, but . . . it is getting better. The dreams are not what I am used to though.'
He nodded and settled back into the chair. 'Your reaction is not unexpected. I am sorry for not disclosing the nature of the treatment.'
She sighed heavily, 'I did come here and specifically ask for you for help.'
'But you wish you had been consulted,' he finished for her gently.
'Yes,' she nodded emphatically.
'Would you have allowed me to go this far?'
She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. He smiled again, 'The medicine I proscribed for you gives the patient rather vivid dreams, but we can stop at any time.'
Karigan fidgeted uncomfortably, 'Is it working? Do I seem better?'
'I would challenge that there was nothing truly wrong with you, but we are having a rather long conversation, are we not?'
She bit her lip, looking away but inwardly acknowledging that even after a few nights she was not the same recluse that arrived. His hand reaching across to pat hers brought her attention back to the present, 'You seem to have a measure of peace returning, I will not ask the nature of your dreams, but will only say that it seems to be aiding your healing. I am glad of it.'
'I am as well,' she whispered, shrugging off the brief tinge of distaste she felt, 'But please, warn me before you do it again?'
He nodded gravely in response. She took a deep breath and offered her cup to be refilled again.
