Apologies in advance for the lack of English words being spoken...Ray is in no position to talk.
Chapter Ten: Time for a Storm on the Road…
Ray rubbed Firebolt down, flinching as thunder cracked loudly over head. The storm had taken them by surprise and now they were clustered underneath a grove of trees listening to the rain and thunder, and watching as lightning raced across the sky. Maribelle snickered loudly, pulling on her tether. Ray grimaced, before glancing over at the tent that Maya was sleeping in. She hadn't been feeling well all day, so when the storm appeared Ray took it as an opportunity to make her rest. And now he was by himself with only the anxious horses for company.
Lifting a hand up, he pushed his wet hair out of his face, shivering slightly in the cold. "Ray? You sure you don't want to come in here and warm up?" Maya slipped quietly out of the tent, startling Ray.
Ray shook his head, water spraying everywhere. "No…I'm fine. Just rest Maya. A little water never hurt anyone before."
Maya frowned, before ducking back inside, shooting him a look. "Fine…but if you get cold, come inside, alright?"
"Yes mother." Ray sarcastically replied, rolling his eyes at her.
"I mean it, Ray!" The tent flap closed behind her, even as another loud boom of thunder spooked the horses.
Ray sighed, before grabbing at the reins. "Easy there guys…just a little storm. Nothing to be afraid of." He shifted to cough loudly into his shoulder, his entire body shaking from the effort. He closed his eyes as he tilted his head to face the sky. Ray had always been fascinated with rain, but his parents discouraged it greatly. At least with Maya, he didn't have to hide it from her.
"I better go make dinner." Ray murmured softly as he shifted away from the horses. Firebolt whinnied loudly against that plan, the warhorse's ears lying flat against his head. Ray quickly patted the horse on the neck. "I know, I know. It'll be over with soon. And once the storm is over, we get back to the other problems of living on the road."
…...
Maya rolled her eyes at her friend as he sneezed for the millionth time. As water-oriented her people were, they weren't ones for being out in the rain for a reason. History showed that those who were out in the rain without proper protection had a tendency of getting ill…deathly ill. She pressed a hand against his forehead, nibbling on her bottom lip. She needed to move, head to the nearest town. For two reasons, one Ray needed an actual healer and two… if they didn't get moving soon, their resources here will run out. Sighing, she scooped Ray up into her arms as if he were a sack of potatoes, whistling for the horses to move closer to her. Firebolt did as told, stopping next to her. Maya glanced from the heavy weight in her arms, to the tall back of the warhorse.
A sigh escaped her as she shifted again. "Sorry Firebolt…but I need Maribelle."
Maribelle flicked her ears forward, clearly hearing her name. Trotting over, she stopped next to Maya. Maya grunted as she heaved Ray onto her back, before quickly tearing down camp and loading all of their belongings onto Firebolt. Climbing on top of Maribelle, she steadied Ray in place as she grabbed Firebolt's reins. Clicking her tongue, she nudged the horses forward. "We've got to get help….for Ray."
…
Maya sighed with relief when a small town showed up in the horizon. Ray was by now warm to the touch…really warm to the touch. If she didn't know better she would have thought he was catching himself on fire again. Maya took a deep breath, before yelling out to the town. "¡Ayuda! ¡Mi amigo está enfermo!"
At first it looked as if no one heard her…then a young man came riding out to meet her. "¿Perder? Qué es ... sígueme. El sanador es así." He spurred his horse around to gallop back into the town.
Maya followed him to the small hut near the middle of town, her heart thudding loudly as she looked straight ahead. The young man jumped off his horse, quickly flinging the door to the hut open. "¡Tía Rebecca! Tienes un cliente!" He hollered into the small room.
An older lady came hurrying into the room, wiping her hands on her dirt stained apron. "Pedro ... ¿qué estás gritando sobre ...? Oh!" Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Ray's unconscious form.
Moving quickly, she laid him out on the cot in the room, before bustling over to where many different herbs hung. "Pedro se un cariño y tráeme un hervidor de agua."
"Si Tia." Pedro hurried away, disappearing into the next room.
Maya wrung her hands as she wondered vaguely how much this was going to cost them. They had limited money to throw around…and they were saving up for their big trip. They needed to get to Ninjago. "¿Señora? ¿Exactamente cuánto nos costará esto?"
The healer smiled as she stoked up the fire, her nephew approaching with a kettle of water. "Sin costo ... es bueno ver que la guerra tiene un final a la vista."
"¿¡Qué!?" Maya started, bewilderment flooding her.
The lady smiled, reaching out to grasp her hands. "No soy tonta, princesa. Él es obviamente un miembro del enemigo ... y claramente te preocupas mucho por él." Pausing, she eyed Maya's growing belly. "Eso y tú también eres claramente una pareja."
"Ah! ¿Qué pasa con todo el mundo suponiendo que somos una pareja últimamente?" Maya mumbled to herself, rolling her eyes skyward. Pointing her finger at the healer, she added a bit more, a smidgen more on the threatening side than she meant to. "¡Tienes suerte de que no nos pueda entender!"
"Por supuesto ... estoy feliz por ti, solo para que sepas tu alteza." The healer curtsied low, amusement dancing in her eyes.
Maya sank down in the chair next to the bed, opting to watch over her dear friend as he recovered from his illness. At least she didn't have to pay for his care…
A/N: Done! And it is raining over here…just using Mother Nature as an inspiration for this story. Yeah…hope you all enjoyed this little tidbit.
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SkyTalon
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