CHAPTER 36

Sherri felt like her head was about to explode.  She tentatively opened her eyes to see Kevyn sitting next to her.

"Did it work?"  He asked.

"I think so."  She fingered the blanket draped over her.  All she felt was the soft fabric; there wasn't even an echo of daily use. 

"How do you feel?"

"Horrid.  Not as bad as what I expected, but horrid."  She rubbed her forehead.  "I have never felt so weak and disoriented."

"Understandable.  Icestone said it would be like you lost a sense, only a hundred fold."

"Because it is all in my head."  Sherri finished for him.  "I know.  Where is she?"

"She says that sitting here watching me stare at you is a waste of time.  She is down stairs with Myra.  I should go tell her you are awake."

Sherri gingerly sat up.  "Did she leave that tea she promised?"

Kevyn offered her the cooling mug.  "She said that it is nasty, so I added some honey."

Sherri gave him a strained smile and she downed the bitter tea as quickly as she could.  With a grimace she handed back the mug.  "Gods, that is awful."

"Is it working yet?"

"Give me a moment."  She took several deep breaths as the vertigo and pain ebbed.  "How long was I out?"

"Less than a candlemark."

"Good."  She swung her legs over the edge of the bed.

"Don't get up."  He stopped her before she stood.

Sherri debated arguing but decided to comply. 

:Wise choice.:  Quin commented.

:Don't you start.:  Sherri shot back.

"Up already?"  Icestone smiled from the doorway.  "And making eyes at you Kevyn I see."

"If you had someone like Kevyn, wouldn't you?"  Sherri challenged.

"I wouldn't waste time making eyes at him."  Icestone teased.  "How's the head?"

"About ready to explode."

"How about the rest of it?"

"I keep feeling like am about to fall over and it feels like I am touching everything through a curtain."  Sherri leaned against Kevyn, enjoying the closeness without the constant bombardment of thoughts.  "It's wonderful."

"The headache should be gone in a few candlemarks since you are up and about already.  But the dizziness may last a while longer.  Don't try anything until it goes away."  Icestone said firmly.  "Just study and enjoy the free time for now, and that goes for both of you."

:She knows that it may be effecting Kevyn, too.:  Quin explained.  :Your uncle Favram is heading towards the ekele now.  I swear, he has the worst timing.:

"Thanks for the warning."  Sherri said aloud. 

"What warning?"

"Favram is coming up for a visit.  I hope Myra distracts him, I don't feel like dealing with him now."  Sherri closed her eyes to block out the painful light.  :Myra?:

:What?  Up and about already?:

:Up, yes; about, no.  Favram is coming.  I don't feel up to him just yet.:

:Don't worry, I will find a hundred things that require a good strong back for him to do.:  Myra's sending was filled with humor.

"Myra will try to stop him."  Sherri relayed.

"Wonderful." 

Silence reigned for several minutes.  Sherri was the first to break the silence.  "What are you thinking?"

"Nothing in particular.  That you are probably tired."

"I am not sleepy, I prefer cuddling right now." 

Favram's voice echoed up the stairs to them.  "Where did you want the rock?"

"Right there, that's it.  Isn't that better?  Now it isn't in the way."  Myra's voice echoed up.

"If that is everything, I am going up to see Sherri."  Favram said in a tone that told all listening that he was going to come up sooner or later.

Sherri groaned. 

"Why don't you lie down?" 

Sherri shook her head.  "I don't want to worry him further.  Could you help me to the chair?"

Reluctantly, Kevyn helped her to her feet and guided her to the chair.  Other than the dark shadows under her eyes and a distinct pallor she looked fine.  Either could be chalked up to over exerting herself magically.

Favram knocked on the door just as he stepped in.  "How are you doing?"

"Quite well."  Sherri shrugged.  "Have you decided to go north yet?  There are a hundred decisions that must be made, and soon.  You can't neglect Sorrows."

"Actually, that is why I didn't let Myra persuade me to stay down stairs.  I have found a steward and we are heading back by the end of the week.  I was hoping you would have resolved your problem with your Gift by now, but, as you said, I should get back to Sorrows."

"Actually we blocked it permanently."  Sherri confided.  "It will take some time to recover, but it is done."

"Why didn't you just do that before?"

"We wanted to exhaust all other possibilities first."  Sherri explained.  "It would have been handy to have, but if can't be controlled, it can't be useful."

"I am glad it is resolved.  When did you block it?"

"About a candlemark ago."  Kevyn explained.  "That's why she is looking like death warmed over."

"Which is better than I feel."  Sherri grumbled. 

"I am glad they finally did something."  Favram sank on to the edge of the bed.  "How long until you feel better?" 

"A few days."  Sherri ventured.  "Don't even consider hanging about until I am feeling better.  Sorrows can't get ready for winter on her own.  You have to make certain you have enough laid down for all the farmers that will be coming in for the winter.  You also have to find enough tasks to keep everyone busy for the entire winter.  May I suggest organizing the library?  You also need to find a Healer.  Daya is staying here.  I believe Dirk's mother and father may be willing to consider the offer.  Then you would have a bard too."

"I have reams of notes of what I have to do from you already, don't worry about it."  Favram reminded her.

Sherri blushed.  "I know.  I just hope I haven't forgotten anything."

"You can write me if you have.  Don't worry, we will cope.  But I want you to keep an eye on Myra.  She is going to over do it."

"She is a Herald.  What else would you expect?"  Kevyn pointed out wryly.  "Sherri should get some more rest."

"She looks ready to drop.  I will stop by tomorrow.  I promise to write at least once a week while the roads are open."

"While the roads are open you are going to be too busy to write."  Sherri warned.

"How did you manage it?"

"It was all just gibberish.  I knew none of you actually read them."

Favram blushed guiltily as he stood.  "This time, I will."

"I will see you tomorrow then."  Sherri gave him a strained smile.

Alone once more, Kevyn took the seat next to her.  "How are you really feeling?"

Sherri smiled slightly.  "Actually, I feel rather good.  I just wanted to be alone with you.  As Icestone said, we are wasting time just making eyes at each other.

~ * ~

Sherri gave Icestone a hug.  "You'll keep in touch, won't you?"

"Of course.  I would stay but my clan needs me back."  Icestone returned the embrace.  "I am sorry you lost Vanyel and the others."

Sherri stepped back and allowed Kevyn to make his farewells.  :I am going to miss her.:

:I know.  I will miss her, too.:  Quin agreed.

"Call me if you two ever decide to wed."  Icestone said as she swung onto her dyheli's back.  "I definitely want to attend."

Sherri laughed and Kevyn wrapped an arm around her waist.  "Safe journey."

"To you too."  Icestone called as they loped easily out the gate.

:Say farewell for me.:

"Quin says farewell."  Sherri relayed as her teacher and friend rode out the gate.

"Farewell to him, too."  Icestone yelled.

"I am going to miss her."  Sherri said aloud.

"So am I."

"Especially by the end of the week."  Sherri grinned.  "I am not going to go easy on you, just because I love you."

"Has she left already?"  Myra asked as she neared them.

"She said she hated long good byes."  Sherri nodded. 

Myra admired Sherri's gleaming white uniform.  "The girls were fussy.  You look wonderful."

Sherri smoothed her uniform.  "I am still getting used to it."

"I still think eight months should be considered the new record."  Myra protested for the hundredth time.

"But I have been trained since I was very young."  Sherri pointed out.  "So I took the longest to get through the Collegium."

Myra shrugged.  "I better get back to the babes before they start screaming again."

A wail pierced the early dawn.

"Nerita?"  Sherri guessed.

"Actually, I think it is Hana."  Myra hurried away.

"Have you ever considered children?"  Kevyn asked.

"Yes, and no, I think it would be a bad idea.  What if they have true sight?  We should get going.  We only have the work room for two candlemarks."

"Lead on, oh great and wise teacher."  Kevyn said lightly.

"Good, you have the right attitude."  Sherri grinned and led him back inside.