Disclaimer: Since this is a new fic I am rewording the disclaimer but it's still here 'cause unfortunately I still don't own any of the below ideas that can be found in the 'real' Valdemar *sigh*.
A/N Okay, that last chap wasn't quite finished, thus it wasn't really meant to be a cliffhanger, but since I posted it and y'all read it I'll just finish it up separately. I once again have study hall, so I can post this at the end of class and allow you all to read the exciting conclusion to chapter 6. Okay, so now I'll to some review responses: Magdellin I only know about music from two years of high school band/chorus, middle school math class and what I hear on the radio, so you aren't really that dumb, I'm just a tricksy writer Thanx soooo much for reading my fic I'm glad you like it (I hope this isn't ages to wait ) Fireblade K'Chona, hope you like this non-cliffy (unless study hall ends abruptly again) new chap… the puppy eyes almost made me stay up waaaaay past my (self-appointed) bedtime last night but my computer was being nasty. Stee, I actually meant to finish that sentence before anybody read it but my study hall ended too soon so I posted it to bring home as I didn't have a disk with me. Light-fingers Cutthroat, I hope you are satisfied that Savannah is back :P lol. Cookies for y'all!
"She's what?" I asked in a calm counterpoint to her growing hysteria.
:I don't know! Something's wrong with her, but I can't figure out what.:
I looked carefully at the little girl and sighed, "Maybe you should take her to a healer, Melly and Jed haven't had anything that resembles this…" I advised looking at the pale drawn face. A lifeless expression stared out at the gray sky.
:What if they can't help her?:
"Well, if you don't bring her they can't even try… I'll go with you okay?"
:Alright, will you bring her in … I don't know how much the healers would appreciate me wandering through their halls.:
I bit my lip and stole another glance at the sick child, "Of course Sav, anything you need."
:I need her to be better!: She moaned.
I had to suppress the idea that I was most certainly better, "Let's go," I said to cover my envy. I slung my bag over my shoulder and started walking back toward the healer's collegium.
:Do you want to ride?: Savannah offered as she followed me. For a moment I reveled in the invitation. The thought of just once riding into the palace complex on a companion, as though I were a herald was sheer wonder. But then I would have to answer to all the people who saw it. They might be angry, or they might assume I truly had been chosen and I would have to explain the truth to them. I was glad that she was behind me and couldn't see my tears.
"Naw," I said trying to sound casual.
:We'll be faster, and once they find out about Azori they won't ask you uncomfortable questions, as a favor to me?:
I could scarcely believe my luck. Just what I had longed for, but now that I knew I couldn't have it, it was being forced on me.
"Alright," I gave in far too easily. I climbed up behind Azori, she was even scrawnier up close. I used one hand to steady her and the other to hold Savannah's mane as the companion picked up a fast trot. We arrived outside Healer's before I knew it. I slid from Savannah's back and then lifted Azori down gingerly.
"Can you stand up?" I asked, addressing the girl directly for the first time. She ignored me. From babysitting Melly and Jed I knew that she wouldn't stand if I put her on her feet, she hung from my arms a dead weight. Exasperated, and yet full of concern I carried her inside. At first no one seemed to notice us.
:What's happening?: Savannah asked testily.
"No one is here," I replied distracted by searching for a chair or bench to rest on. Not seeing one I settled for picking Azori up and carrying her more like a small child and less like a bale of hay. This made my task easier.
:You don't need to talk aloud for us to hear you Cye. In fact it would be better if you didn't. People will think you insane!:
"Thanks for your concern," I grumbled aloud as I made my way down the hall. Luckily for me Azori couldn't have weighed much more that my school-bag. This of course spoke ill for her and my bag, but made my task that much easier.
"Can I help you sir?" I spun to see a middle-aged man in crisp healer's greens addressing me.
"Yes," I said with relief, "Companion Savannah just brought this kid in. She's her chosen."
"What's the problem then?" the healer asked briskly.
"I don't know, I have two younger sibs and they've never had the same symptoms."
"Let me have a look at her, this way please."
I had many murderous thoughts about the healer on the walk to an examination room. Carrying Azori all the way there was not easy.
:Thank you Cye! You are the best …: Savannah assured me, as if in response to my complaints, which made me wonder how much of what I was thinking she picked up on. Thus I immediately became nervous that she would know my thoughts about her not choosing me. This led to anxiety.
:I can only hear what you broadcast, although I would be interested to know what you are so worried about me finding out… I'll show you how to shield when I know what's wrong with Azori.:
"I understand," I muttered under my breath. The healer gave me a strange look. I ignored it and preceded him into the exam room. I placed Azori on the exam table and stepped back.
"Alright, what have we got here …" the healer started pulling out his tools and a parchment. He then set about scribbling down the girl's symptoms. Finally he set about putting away his things, "she isn't sick," he said flatly.
"Well then what's wrong with her?"
"Shock. I don't know what caused it," He looked at me for a moment, "Where did you find her?"
"I don't know, like I said, one of the companions chose her and brought her in."
"Where did she find her then?"
"I don't know. I guess somewhere near the border a few weeks ago?"
"Can you ask?"
:She was near the west border. She was a bit better when I found her, but she's been slipping, what's wrong? Ask him what's wrong Cymon!:
"She said she found the kid near the west border. She's frantic Sir, can you help the little tyke?"
"No, I don't have the skills required," I was about to protest when the healer added, "But I know someone who can. Benson is a mind-healer and he should be able to help her… he's one of the best we have. She isn't in any immediate danger, but I'll speak to him directly. Move her to the room across the hall; it's got a bed in it. In the mean time the Dean of Heraldic should be notified."
"Yes Sir," I agreed Picking Azori up once more. I got her safely to the other room and tucked her into the bed. I had always thought that watching the twins could come in useful.
Then I rejoined Savannah.
:Cye, will she be okay?: Savannah asked in an anguished tone.
"Yeah," I replied, "They're getting her a mind healer … what happened.
Savannah hedged so I simply shrugged and dropped the subject momentarily.
"Why don't you go talk to the dean."
:I should teach you to use your mind-speech boy, that's what I should do,: She replied with false bravado.
"Teach me when you aren't so worried about Azori."
:Yeah,: she agreed dully. I scratched her neck and she lipped at my hair idly. After a moment she started for the collegium and I went with her to support her.
As we approached the companion's stable, our first stop to un-tack Savannah, the dean was there to greet us.
"Cye?" he asked incredulously.
"No," I practically yelped, "she's at Healer's. Azori, she's sick."
"Azori?"
"Savannah's chosen. I was waiting to greet them and Azori was sick so we brought her to healers," I gushed.
"Will she be alright?"
"The healer said it was shock … that's all he knew, he said Healer Benson would look into it."
"Benson? He's still a trainee, talented, but a trainee just the same…"
"Oh," I said hollowly, "I suppose Savannah can tell you all you need to know, I should be about my lessons."
With that I excused myself, as an afterthought I decided to try out Savannah's suggestion.
:Sav? I'll come stay with you later if you want.:
:I knew you could mind-talk …: Savannah said distractedly.
I took that for a yes and retired to my room. Eben wasn't in the room, but Tatty was walking by as I went in and she stopped me.
"Did she get back yet?"
"Yeah," I grunted.
"Was she safe?" Tatty asked with concern.
"Yeah," I grunted again.
"So what's wrong?"
"Her chosen is ill, and I was pressed into playing nursemaid for the past few candle-marks. She chose this tiny little kid! I just don't get it!"
"Cye, you'll be happier as a bard, you belong with us, don't worry about them."
"Easy for you to say. You could never understand what they're like, what it's like to have someone that close!"
"Cye," She said in warning tones. If I kept up as I was going it would end in a verbal battle and I knew it.
"What do you know?" I challenged and then spun away from her and slammed the door behind me as I entered my room. I pressed my back against it and stood fuming at her and the world in general for quite a time. Then the anger slowly seeped away and I slid down the door pressing my back against it. I fought back confused tears. Everything seemed to be falling apart.
A/N Now this chapter is done! I got to go paint-balling today with my brother and his friends, it was soooooo cool!!!!!!!!!! At first I was afraid getting shot would hurt, but then my face mask got plastered and I barely felt it so I could relax and have an awesome time… anyhow I wish we could go again soon but we all have to work harvest (but then we will have money to go paint-balling so that's cool!) alright this may be the last chap before break 'cause tomorrow right after school I have the first Math meet of the year (it's a home meet so we get to put scrap paper in all the rooms which is fun) and then I have Youth Group until 8:30 and I'll only get home at 9:00 if not later 'cause it's all about a ½ hour drive from home, thus it isn't probable that there be another chap until after harvest unless I can so one Thursday.