Time After Time Chapter 9

Healings and Home

Alannah and Stayne watched as the body of the Boojum began to slowly crumble into a fine black powder. Alannah smiled grimly. "I guess there really wasn't much to it, was there?" She suddenly whimpered, clutching her side. Stayne looked at her, concerned.

"You need to get that wound tended to, love. I'd hate for you to be victorious only to die from poison or some other unpleasantness."

Alannah smiled weakly. "Boojums aren't poisonous, Ilosivic. I've got nothing to worry about in that sense. However, they do have very sharp teeth, and this wound isn't exactly a scratch. I need you to do something for me. Find me some mud or something I can use for a poultice."

Stayne looked around, and noticed a small patch of water nearby. He walked over and scooped a handful of mud, then returned to Alannah. She was sitting cross-legged on the ground, her hand pressed to her wound. Stayne knelt beside her. "Will this be enough?"

She nodded, and then pulled off her tunic. Stayne winced at the deep bite marks that scored her side. Alannah winced. "When I remove my hand, slap that mud onto the wounds, then tear a strip off my tunic and bind me up."

She quickly removed her hand, and Stayne slapped a glob of mud onto the bite. Alannah winced. Stayne quickly tore a strip from her tunic and tied it tightly around the bite. "There, that should hold until we get back to Marmoreal."

Alannah titled her head and gazed in approval at the bandage. "Good job, love. I take it you've had to do this before?" Stayne nodded.

"I have, but never to another person. I became rather good at doctoring my own wounds, though. The price of being an assassin, I guess."

Alannah grinned, and then looked at her tunic. "There's no way I'll be able to wear this until my injury has healed a bit. I guess I have no choice but to go without it."

Stayne smiled wickedly at her. "That is quite a shame, my beauty. You might cause me to become distracted during the journey home."

Alannah laughed, rolling her eyes. "Ilosivic, I can make you distracted by smiling."

Stayne grinned, and then kissed her. "That's very true." He sighed, and then looked off into the horizon. "It took us nearly two weeks to get here, and that was with both of us in good shape. But with you being injured, it could very well take much longer. We're in for quite the long trek homeward."

Alannah looked thoughtful, then grinned. "Maybe not. Time was kind enough to get us to the cave quickly, perhaps if we ask polite enough He'll assist us further."

Stayne frowned. "Even if he was inclined to help then, there's no guarantee he'd be as generous a second time around. I mean, look how he treated Tarrant. The last thing I want is to have to spend eternity drinking tea, especially since I'm not that fond of it."

Alannah sighed. "I don't want to be cursed either, but we either take our chances with Time, or the road. And you're right that it would be much harder on me with this wound. The mud helps a bit, but I'll need proper care pretty soon."

Stayne sighed. "Very well. But how are we going to contact him? I don't have any watches with me."

Alannah grinned. "We don't need to contact him. He's already decided what he wants to do. Look." She pointed into the distance. Stayne looked where she was pointing and his jaw dropped.

"That…that's Marmoreal! It looks like it's about three days away! That's amazing!" he exclaimed. Alannah laughed, and then smiled softly.

"Thank you, Time. I will be forever grateful for all that you have done for me."

She and Stayne slowly got to their feet, and together they set off down the path. As they walked, they noticed that the land looked different. It was Stayne who first noticed the flowers growing along the path. He bent down and gently plucked one, handing it to Alannah with a smile. "A flower for you, My Lady." Alannah took the flower, and her jaw dropped. "Ilosivic, where did you find this?"

"There's a whole patch of them growing over there under the tree, why?" Stayne watched in bemusement as Alannah ran over to the tree and gawped in amazement at the flowers beneath it.

She looked at him, eyes wide in excitement and shock. "The Outlands are blooming! Look at the trees!" She said, laughing.

Stayne looked, and his jaw dropped. The trees, which had been bare and skeletal since he could remember, were bursting with new shoots and buds. He watched in amazement as the trees came to life. "How?' he asked, awestruck.

Alannah grinned. "The Boojum's death must have finally bought life back to the Outlands!"

She bent down and plucked a flower, turning it over in her hand. It was a deep purple, with blood red stripes visible on the wide petals. She sniffed it, and sighed happily. "The land is being healed." She tucked the flower behind her ear, and then turned to Stayne. "How do I look?"

"Very dashing, my beauty. What type of flower is that, anyway?"

Alannah shrugged. "I don't know, I've never seen it before. But whatever it is, it's rather beautiful and quite fragrant. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've ever seen any flowers like the ones growing here. They're all completely new. I think we should bring a few back for Mirana to see."

She began to pluck flowers, gathering them into a large bouquet. "I think Mirana will appreciate this, don't you?"

Stayne nodded. "She'll also appreciate us coming back in one piece. So to speak."

Alannah laughed. "I think Katarina and Michael will be even gladder to see us. I really missed them, you know. I hope Alice and Tarrant have been taking good care of them."

Stayne smiled. "I'm sure they are. Both Katarina and Michael adore them, and Time knows the feeling is mutual. Besides, Tarrant told me once that looking after our children was good practice for when Alice has a child."

Alannah giggled. "Are they still talking about it? I told Alice once that talking wouldn't do the trick."

Stayne laughed. "No, they're not just talking." He sighed. "But they've been trying for a while, and nothing has happened. Tarrant's starting to get discouraged, I think."

Alannah sighed in sympathy. "Alice told me once that she was having trouble conceiving. Maybe that will change as well."

"Maybe. I'd love for Michael and Katarina to have someone to play with as they grow up." Stayne replied.

Alannah suddenly stopped walking, gazing in shock and joy at the sight in front of her. "Ilosivic! Look! We…we're home." She whispered, awestruck. Stayne gaped. Sure enough, they were standing on the road that led to Marmoreal. He blinked, and then blinked again. "I didn't realize we walked that quickly!"

Alannah shook her head in amazement. "We didn't. I guess Time decided to grant us another favor. You know, I think He likes me a bit." She said mischievously. Stayne frowned.

"He can like you all he wishes, but I hope he understands that you're mine."

Alannah patted his arm. "He understands, love. Besides, I wouldn't want to be courted by him anyway." Stayne smiled in relief.

Alannah grinned, and then looked down at herself. "I should probably make myself a bit more presentable." She took her tunic out from under her arm and slowly pulled it on, wincing as it came in contact with her wound. She then brushed the dust and dirt off her as best as she could. "There, now I don't look a fright."

Stayne grinned wickedly at her. "It's a definite improvement." He yelped in mock pain as she smacked his arm.

"Behave yourself, My Lord."

They walked down the road to the palace, and walked in without bothering to knock. They quickly made their way to the throne room. Stayne threw the doors open, and they walked up to the throne. Mirana gaped in joy at them.

Alannah drew her sword, and knelt in front of the throne. She presented it to Mirana, hilt first.

"Majesty, we have returned. The Boojum is dead."

Mirana stood, and then glided over to her. She gently raised her to her feet.

"Welcome home, Lord and Lady Stayne." She said joyfully.

"MOMMA! DADDY!"

Alannah and Stayne spun around. Katarina came pelting towards them. Alannah ran to her, and swept her into her arms, kissing her in joy. "Oh my little one, I'm so glad to see you! We missed you so much!" She looked over at Alice and Tarrant, who were standing in the doorway beaming in joy and happiness. Alice was holding Michael. She walked over, and placed him in Stayne's arms. Stayne beamed, and kissed him.

"Hello there, little lad."

Alannah smiled, and then turned to Mirana. "Majesty, I have a gift for you." She reached into her sack and pulled out the flowers she had gathered in the Outlands.

Mirana came forward and took them. "Thank you, Alannah. Where did you find them?"

Alannah grinned. "The Outlands are in bloom, Majesty."

Mirana smiled. "Underland is healed."