When Celi woke up again, she was in her room in the town. Her whole body ached, and there was a deep, throbbing pain in her right breast. She looked down at her wound and saw that a large bandage covered it, from below the end of her collarbone to just past the centre of her chest. She struggled to sit up, finding her entire body stiff and sore. A healing, she thought. I didn't realize I'd been hurt so badly. What an idiot I must have looked like, passing out from a little scratch.

After drinking half of the glass of water on the table beside her and eating a few bites of the bread that lay beside it, she lay back down and went to sleep again.

"She was awake at some point, she's drunk the water."

"Were you here for that?"

"No, my lord. I can keep a watch on her, if you wish."

"Don't bother. I'll have one of her friends check on her later."

Celi opened her eyes slowly. Master haMinch was standing at the end of her bed, speaking with a maid. Eda Bell was standing beside him. "Look what you've done," she said, grinning at Celi, "you've woken her up."

Celi smiled weakly and sat up. It was much easier this time, but it still hurt. A lot. "What time is it?" She asked.

"Nearing noon, my lady." The maid said. She bowed to Master haMinch, and, knowing she was not needed, departed from the room.

"Be more careful, Denaia. We can't afford to lose any pages." He turned and walked out.

The Shang Wildcat grinned at her again. "That means he was worried about you, page. Sleep. You'll feel better."

She turned and left as well. Seconds later, before Celi even had a chance to close her eyes, there was a great hubbub in her room. At least six boys bounded in almost easily, running up to Celi so fast that she could barely tell who they were. After a few seconds of them practically leaping at her, she deciphered that these were her friends. Leroy, James, Vasin, Kasi, Seamus and Gregory were all crowded around her bed. Celi laughed. "What is this menagerie?" She asked.

They grinned at her. "We wanted to see how you were," James said. "and I know you're going to ask how we knew you were awake, and it's because we were sort of waiting outside."

Celi smiled. "I'm fine," she said. "Or at least, I will be. I need some sleep, though."

"Sure, Denaia, try and get rid of us!" Gregory said. The boys all laughed. "That was ruddy brilliant, though."

The other boys nodded suddenly. "It really was," Seamus added. "I wouldn't have been able to do it."

The boys looked very solemn, all nodding in agreement again. "We wanted to help, but we didn't know what to do."

Celi shook her head. "Don't worry about it," she said with a smile. "I don't blame any of you. I almost froze myself. I understand that it happens. Now please, as happy as I am to see you, I really do need some sleep."

Reluctantly, the boys left on Celi's command. She was about to fall asleep again when James appeared at her door. "Didn't I tell you to leave?" She asked with a smile.

James shrugged. "I'm your best friend. I get special privileges." He sat down in a chair beside her. "How are you feeling?" He asked.

Celi sighed. "Sore and sleepy, but otherwise, much better. My cut still throbs, but it will go away soon enough. With that sleep that I am missing right now."

James grinned. "Fine, if you're going to whine about it, I'll leave you alone." He stood up. "Sleep well." He patted her on the shoulder as he rose. "It was your right shoulder, right?" He asked as he patted her on the left.

Celi grinned. "Get out." She said, laying back down and finally succeeding in going to sleep.

They set off for Corus the next day. Celi was much better, and perfectly capable at sitting on her horse. Nevertheless, James and Leroy insisted on riding on either side of her, but she didn't mind. She had a good time. Her friends came and went the entire time, and she never even remembered that she was sleepy or in pain.

They arrived at Corus a few days later, and the boys dispersed for their homes. They still had a month and a half to go until training began again. Celi and Ella didn't make the weeklong trip back to Denaia, but Celi's parents were in their townhouse in Corus for part of the summer. Celi didn't mind. She got to practice whenever she wanted, and she didn't have to worry about travel.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

Well, that is all for now… it was very short, I know, but I just sort of want to finish the year, if that makes sense.

Pussin Boots: eh. Detail is for losers.

Caremel: I'm glad you liked it!

Maliaphire: thanks!

Atlanta Enchanted: Dom will come, don't worry. He is in it later… though much later.

Alenor: I'm happy that you liked it… I haven't written it on the computer yet, and I haven't written all the stuff in between… which means it will still take a while…

unolimbo