My Recovery

Chapter 6

At first, I felt the warmth. The warmth was totally enveloping, surrounding me on all sides. Smothering, yet comforting. Then I felt fingers sliding through my hair, massaging my scalp. I pried my eyes open, and looked around, or tried to look around. Nothing was in focus. It was as though I was on the bottom of a lake, trying to see through the surface. I eased my eyes shut, then lifted my hand to rub them.

"Akara! Akara!" a voice shouted beside me. "He's awake!"

I opened my eyes enough to see a gray figure enter the tent. It knelt next to me, raised a hand, and began chanting. I could see the cloudiness in my eyes going away. The figure kneeling beside me was Akara. I glanced up, into Kiara's eyes.

"How long have I been asleep," I forced out, between my parched lips.

"Three days, Paladin," Akara answered, "you were struck down by a not- so-dead carver. From what I hear, it is no longer identifiable as one, though."

I could see the tears forming in Kiara's eyes, her strength not quite enough to hold them back. I raised my hand and stroked her cheek. The dam broke, and she collapsed on top of me. "Oh, Xavier, I thought I had lost you!" she cried into my chest.

"Kiara, as much as I appreciate this show of affection, you have to sit up. I can't breathe."

"Oh, sorry," she said, blinking back tears.

I forced myself up into a sitting position, wavering as my eyes attempted to correct. After the tent stopped swimming, I turned to Kiara. "So, you sat in here for three days with me? I hope you've eaten."

"Not much. I've been too worried, about you. Are you hungry?"

"I thought you'd never ask," I managed a weak laugh.

She stood and walked to the door. "Paige, bring in some food. Our knight in shining armor has decided to wake up."

"Knight in shining armor?" I looked at the pile my armor made. It was a dull brown, the color of oiled leather. It also had patches of blood. I didn't look to see whether it was demon or human.

"You did wade into a large group of carvers and cut down Rakanishu. The one that got you had four arrows in it already. It used it's last strength to raise it's sword. You were sliced from buttocks to knee. The blade missed the artery by a hair. Akara worked wonders for you, but you won't be going back out there any time soon."

"I have to. We have to get Cain," I said.

"Cain can wait. Even if he is the last of the Horadrim. I will not let you leave this tent for at least another day."

My eyebrows arched at this. "And how do you suppose you'll stop me?"

"Go ahead, stand up. If you can walk to the door, I'll let you leave. If not, you are staying in here to get your strength back."

I was saved from attempting it, because at that moment Paige walked in, carrying a large platter of food. Though mostly chicken, I did spy a few slices of ham. I wondered aloud were it came from.

"The ham is the last of a supply Gheed got off of a passing merchant. He tried to make us pay for it, but Ravina threatened to burn his wagon," Paige said, her straight face betrayed by her laughing eyes. "He still refused, not believing her, so she lit his robes instead. As he was jumping around to bat out the fire, I somehow ended up with the ham in my hands."

"Well, I'm glad she stood up to him, but I will still talk to him… when I am allowed to leave," I shot a glance at Kiara, who suddenly made herself busy, cutting some of the chicken into finger length strips.

As Paige turned, I asked her to send Ravina in here. Then I grabbed a ham slice. It was very tender. Whoever had prepared it had known what they were doing. After that slice, and another, Ravina and Paige walked in.

"Ah, young sorceress," I said, watching her blush. "I want to thank you for your, how should I say, thoughtful use of magic to acquire such a tasty treat for me. But, before you say anything, please eat. You all look about as starved as I am, and there is more here than for the four of us. Oh, Paige, before you sit down, could you get us something to drink? My throat is very dry."

The young Rogue turned with a swirl of her hair, and ran out of the tent.

"Ravina, are you starting to stand up for yourself? Paige told me what you did to Gheed."

If it was possible, I believe she blushed even deeper. "Well, he was just being so… so… rude. He said that if I wanted it, I'd have to help him with something. Then he got this real slimy smile on his face. It… angered me. I… had to do something. He had too many valuables in his wagon, I wasn't about to burn that. So I shot a small fire bolt at the tail of his robe. He may be limping for awhile, though."

I returned her impish smile. "I'm glad you stood up to him. His kind are found throughout this land. If his goods weren't needed, I would gladly run him out of here. I will still talk to him. It seems he forgot our previous conversation."

At that moment, Paige walked in, carrying a wineskin. "Akara donated this, and she said it should help you regain your strength." She handed it to me, and took a long drink, then passed it to Kiara. "She also said that no matter how strong you feel, you cannot leave the tent until Kiara says you can."

The older Rogue choked on her drink, nearly dropping the wineskin as she handed it to Ravina. I looked over at her. "So… I can't leave here until you say I can… We will see. But first, I'm going to eat more." At that, I grabbed a piece of chicken, and tore into it.

The four of us sat and ate, relating the last three days, including what happened at the stones. When I fell, Kiara and Paige had fired several arrows into the carver that attacked me, then ran over. Kiara lifted me in her arms. Ravina gathered the equipment I had dropped, while Paige covered them both. Ravina then opened a Portal. Kiara carried me straight to Akara. Paige and three other Rogues went back through the Portal to gather the items scattered in my rush to the stones. They left the items in a pile outside, to let me go through them when I was able. The quick actions of the three women saved my life.

"Well, I guess I will forever be in your debts," I said, looking at each of them.

"No, Xavier, you won't," Kiara said. "You would have done the same for any one of us."

Paige and Ravina both nodded.

I suddenly laughed. "I'm glad there are no other Paladins here. Imagine how it would have looked to them, a Paladin being carried in by a woman!"

Ravina just stared, as the two Rogues began laughing too. "What's so funny?" she asked, not quite understanding.

Kiara wiped her eyes, which, for the second time in an hour, were full of tears. "Paladins are very chivalrous, almost annoying in the way they act towards women. If this was a true town, instead of a camp, Xavier would lay his cloak over a puddle to keep any one of us from walking through it."

At annoying, I looked up sharply, but saw the laughter in her eyes. "Well, maybe not lay my cloak over it, but I would guide you around it, unless it was too large. Then I would lift you up, and carry you over it."

We spent the rest of the time laughing at Paladins, which, when the stories are heard from an outside source, are pretty hilarious. I decided that three days in this tent was enough. I slowly stood, feeling Kiara's eyes on me. Luckily, Ravina was sitting close to the door. I looked into her eyes, and laid my hand on her shoulder. She tensed, to keep me from falling. I'm sure Kiara caught that, but she said nothing. I took a staggering step to the door, and leaned against the post.

I looked back at the Rogue who so obviously loved me. "There, I made it to the door. Will you help me outside?"

She glared at me, but only for an instant, then stood, and wrapped my arm over her shoulders. "Come on, you big lug," she said, and helped me out the door. It was almost dark as we stumbled out of the tent.

Seeing the pile of equipment, I pointed at it. We sat down next to the items, and I started going through them. There were only a few magic items, but a few of them looked powerful. One sword was even glowing a slight golden color. I saved that for last. There were two rings, an amulet, two weak swords, two armor pieces – one quilted, which added to defense and dexterity; one studded leather, which regenerated life – and a pair of boots. I then turned to the golden sword. Pulling out another scroll, I read the spell.

This item has been identified as:

Culwen's Point War Sword

This item decreases poison length, with bonuses to attack rating, damage, and skill levels. It also increases block rate and hit recovery.

That will come in handy. I laid it to the side, and looked at the other items. The rings were weak, one adding minimal life, the other adding minimal mana. The amulet was a little stronger. It was identified as a Rugged Amulet, adding to maximum stamina. The armors were a Strong Quilted Armor of Skill, and a Studded Leather of Regeneration. The swords I tossed to the side, too weak to be of use. The boots were also. I gave the amulet to Paige, the quilted armor to Kiara, and the studded leather to Ravina. The rest I left, to take to Charsi later.

I stood, slowly, and made my way back into the tent. "Kiara, could you take my stuff to Charsi, and have her repair it? Also, the other items, take them too, and pick up something for yourself."

She looked at me, and said, "We'll do it tomorrow. Charsi is already asleep." With that, she laid down next to me, and wrapped my arm around her waist. She snuggled close, then we were both asleep.