Chapter 35
Lance made sure his saddle and saddlebags was secure before turning back to Afiona.
She had another set of saddlebags for him filled with another Companion medical kit.
"Now, we've added some more diet supplements." Afiona said. "If you're confined to army rations Carmia should have one from each bottle each day. I made them pills and even flavored them with honey so they're easy to take. Otherwise it's the same as last time."
"Thanks." Lance took the bags from her.
"I also added some honey-nut bars for you." Afiona admitted. "They're for you or Carmia actually; whoever needs an extra boost of energy."
"We'll enjoy them." Lance assured her.
Afiona quickly wiped a tear away. "You be careful out there." She ordered.
"You be careful too." He ordered back, and then his voice softened. "Don't push yourself too hard."
Afiona chuckled weakly. "That's the pot calling the kettle black." She stepped forward and buried her face in his shoulder and wrapped her arms about his waist. "I don't want to lose you."
"You won't." He promised and returned her embrace. "I've to get on the road."
Afiona nodded and pulled away. "I wish we had more time."
"So do I, but we will later." He assured her. He reluctantly swung into his saddle.
Afiona stepped closer before they could ride out and put her own foot in the stirrup and hoisted herself up so she was level and quickly kissed him, at the same time she showed him what she felt. "Don't forget me." She requested as she dropped to the ground again.
"That's impossible." He said as he savored the lingering effects of the brief connection.
Afiona stepped back and let him ride away. "I'll visit when I can." She promised. They both knew it would probably be months before they could even talk to each other again.
Wiping her eyes she headed back to the Healers tent. Shain was waiting to report the night's happenings, and perhaps the bigot's name.
It was not shaping up to be a good day.
Shain was sprawled in a chair waiting for her with the leather, patient folder on his lap. "That was almost ballad worthy." He teased.
"Which is why I sent Nico to beg a story from Medren and Stef. I do not need my personal life made into any more songs." Afiona sat down. "What happened?"
"Well, first, his name is Seviot. Second, he keeps calling you, Healer Mavelan. Made everyone rather uncomfortable." Shain sat up and handed her the portfolio containing the history of each patient. "Kept trying to suggest that it was my work here that had made it a success."
"At least he admitted it's a success." Afiona said as she glanced through what was done during the night.
"I wrote down everything he said so he can't say you are incompetent later." He pulled a folded piece of paper out of a pocket and handed it to her. "Now, to the important business. We had a few problems with the new patients. One tried sleep walking and ripped his stitches so I got him back to bed, stitched up, and tied down."
"You've got to be kidding, you can't tie patients to their beds." Afiona said in disbelief as she found the patient's sheet and read it quickly. "You tied bells to him?"
"Yeah, well, we need to know when he's about to wander off again." Shain said. "I was joking about tied down. We don't want him to react violently."
"Bells on his fingers and bells on his toes, he'll be followed by healers wherever he goes." Afiona said in forced lightness. "I think I've been hanging around the bards too much."
"One of the other new arrivals, a Herald, is going to need to talk to you today. He nearly broke Elsi's neck." Shain said. "Thought she was a Karsite attacking him when she was pulling his sheet up."
"Hair trigger then. Be glad he wasn't a firestarter. Make sure everyone knows not to disturb him and have whatever Empath is on duty keep an eye on him. I'll talk to him before lunch." Afiona made a note on her personal schedule. "What about the young man with the burns on his face?"
"The one who got drunk and fell in the fire?" Shain asked with little sympathy.
"That's the one." Afiona smiled slightly.
"Slept through the night. They drugged him well for transport so he hasn't even awakened yet. But he does mutter in his sleep. He's amusing his bunkmates at least. Keeps telling some dream girl that he does love her." Shain chuckled slightly. "He should wake up early this morning, that's when the drugs should wear off. He might be one of those ones who craves drugs, I sensed a craving in him earlier, so I made a note in the cabinet that he should get the numbing salve or painblocks before we administer drugs."
"Sounds good." Afiona nodded and closed the portfolio. "If only all nights were so uneventful."
"I am going to go play dead." Shain said as he stood up. "Just as soon as I fill the void." He patted his stomach.
Afiona shook her head. "I swear, that void includes both legs and an arm."
"Hey, you have me pulling twelve candlemark shifts." Shain pointed out. "I have to replace my 'expended energy' somehow."
"You just want to flirt with the cook's helper." Afiona corrected. "The one with the big blue eyes and blond curls."
"What can I say?" Shain said with a shrug. "Being your right hand man gives me a certain status she seems to find appealing."
"She asked me to ask you to stop describing wounds and injuries." Afiona said in a teasing tone. "You ruined her appetite."
"But they told me battle wounds always impressed girls." He said in mock alarm.
"Out." Afiona laughed.
"That's better." He said with an approving nod. "Don't let Seviot think he's getting to you."
Afiona tucked the patient lists away and studied her schedule.
:Task one, rout the walking corpse.: Daric suggested.
Afiona laughed. :Walking corpse? He is not all that cadaverous looking.:
:If he keeps bad mouthing you like this he will be a corpse.: Daric grumbled.
:Bardaric!: Afiona exclaimed.
:I am not going to just stand by and listen to him run you down.: Daric said hotly.
:Daric, you can't go threatening all the Healers who think I'm bad news.: Afiona reminded him.
:Why not? A well rounded individual should have hobbies.: Daric pointed out causing Afiona to start laughing again.
:Have you and Shain been plotting to make me laugh?: She asked.
:No. But I think we have the same goal. If you look tired and sad and the Corpse is going to think he's winning and try harder.: Daric pointed out.
Afiona folded her schedule and tucked it in her pocket. :I'll make certain he doesn't think he's getting to me then.:
"Excuse m-m-me, Afiona?" Tika poked her head in the door.
"Tika, is anything wrong?" Afiona asked, gesturing for her to take a seat. "Your stutter is improving."
"You think s-so?" Tika said hopefully.
"Don't you? Is something wrong?" Afiona asked.
"It's Healer S-S-Seviot." She said as she sat down across from Afiona. "H-h-he was m-my t-teacher."
Afiona nodded. "Relax. I'm sure he can find no fault with your work."
"It's not th-that." Tika stopped and took a deep breath and closed her eyes and started speaking more slowly. "He told me that you were a branch of a poisonous tree before I came here. That you were a disgrace to your gifts." Opening her eyes again she nervously met Afiona's gaze. "He made you sound evil."
Afiona didn't frown. "See you said all that without a single stutter." She said.
"But what about what he said?" Tika said worriedly.
"Well, you know me. Am I evil incarnate?" Afiona asked.
Tika shook her head.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you. I have to send Nico back to Haven for safety reasons, I want you to go with him." Afiona said, watching Tika carefully. "And I want you to take over as the Companion Healer there until I return."
"But…" Tika looked worried.
"If they retreat, we don't pull back and I don't think you can take being on the front. But I do think you will make an excellent Healer for the Companions." Afiona explained. "This isn't an insult."
"I'll do it." Tika said, obviously eager to work with the magnificent creatures. It was also clear that Afiona's worry that she might think it was an insult was unfounded; the girl was relieved and thrilled.
"Excellent. You'll be under Healer Geina's supervision. She's a good woman and a knowledgeable Healer." Afiona dug around on her desk until she located the letter she wrote to Geina detailing the reasons for the transfer and praising Tika's skills and she handed it to Tika. "There, give that to Geina when you get there. Now I have to start my day and you should get breakfast."
Tika stood quickly. "He's wrong. You're a g-good healer and a gr-gr-great person."
Afiona flushed pink. "Thank you."
"We'll show him what a g-g-good c-camp is." Tika said with fervor that surprised Afiona.
"That we will." Afiona agreed.
~ * ~
Afiona counted silently backwards from one hundred, ignoring Seviot who was waiting impatiently to speak with her.
He seemed to show up whenever it was inconvenient, like when she was in the middle of a Healing session. In this case she was talking to the Herald who had nearly hurt one of her healers.
"Healer Mavelan." Seviot said for the third time.
Afiona sighed and turned to one of the largest of her Healers, he towered over Seviot by nearly a foot. "Toldin, please escort him from the tent." She said calmly. "And if he reenters have him brought up on charges."
"You can't do that!" Seviot protested as the normally gentle Toldin took him by the arm and half dragged him out of the tent.
"Can you do that?" The Herald asked.
"Yes, he was only supposed to inspect us." Afiona said. "Since he is interfering to the detriment of others, I can ban him from the tent."
He smiled wryly. "He's going to make trouble for you."
"Nothing I can't handle." She assured him. "Try to relax, when you can walk with a crutch or two then I'll move you over to the Herald's camp."
"Thanks for listening." He said sincerely. "It's not often a Healer understands."
"I am not your ordinary Healer." Afiona pointed out. "Is your leg bothering you much?"
"No, not now." He grimaced when he looked down at his right leg, it had been badly broken when a horse collapsed against him and his Companion. "It's a miserable sight though."
Afiona pulled back the sheet and studied the ragged wound where the bone had pierced the skin. "It's actually healing quite nicely. You might have a limp for a while but even that will disappear in time. Your Companion is worrying himself sick over your state of mind rather than your state of body. Talk to him about these nightmares, perhaps he can help."
"How?" The Herald asked, not questioning why this particular Healer was so understanding.
"He knows you better than you know yourself. Perhaps he has some insights than can help ease the grip of your nightmares." Afiona suggested. "I'll have a book and lantern brought to you later, might help you get back to sleep."
"I'd appreciate that." He said as she stood.
Afiona found Seviot fuming outside, two of the soldiers assigned to help the Healers standing between him and the doorway.
"Do that again and I will have you cleaning the cavalry's pens with your bare hands and I have the authority to do it." Afiona informed him as she tried to hide her anger.
"I am here to investigate this camp and you are preventing me from doing my job." He bellowed at her.
Afiona crossed her arms over her chest. She was grateful Nico wasn't here or he'd knock Seviot head over heals. "You want to get into a yelling match, then by all means, follow me." She said as led him toward the edge of the camp that butted up against the woods.
"Where do you think you're going?" He demanded as he followed her.
"I am going where we will not disgrace the Circle by staging a scene for all the gawkers." Afiona said. "Even my youngest Healer has more sense than you."
She finally stopped far enough in the trees that it was difficult to make out the camp. "Now, you have something to say? Say it." She invited.
"You are a disgrace to the robes you wear." He sneered.
"I've heard that already. Please, be original if you are going to waste my time." Afiona requested coolly.
"I know all about your and your family. I know that nothing good ever came from a Mavelan." He continued, his face turning red with anger. "You are a tumor upon this country."
"Is that it? You have a problem with my parentage? Last time I checked it was impossible to control who our parents are." Afiona countered derisively.
His face darkened further. "I will see you stripped of your powers and your robes." He threatened. "I will prove to the entire circle that you are a cold blooded killer who ruthlessly slaughtered her own brother."
Afiona chuckled. "I'm sorry, but you are going to have a devil of a time convincing anyone of that when hoof prints were found on his face. Besides, I thought you hated Mavelans and wouldn't the death of one be considered something good."
He sputtered, his hands clenched in fists.
"Finished? Good. My turn. You are no longer welcome in the Healers tents unless accompanied be me. You are detrimental to my healers and my patients. The front is retreating again. They have decided to make their next stand here and we have to prepare for that. May I suggest you get back on your horse and leave before you fall to friendly fire?" Afiona said coldly.
"You don't have the right!" He spluttered. "As of this moment you are relieved of your responsibilities."
"You can't." Afiona argued. "The only ones with that authority are the Lord Martial, the King, the King's Own, and the members of the Healing circle and you fit none of those descriptions. You are simply a pair of eyes that report back to the Circle and my report on your behavior along with several written complaints from the Commanding Officers and the Senior Herald are already on their way to Haven by Herald with my request for supplies and a list of all supplies we have extras of thanks to the Karsite wagon you tried to have us turn away."
"You wouldn't dare." He hissed.
"When it comes to the wellbeing of those in my charge you bet your boots I'll dare." Afiona corrected.
"I am your superior!" He bellowed.
"Actually, so long as you are in this camp I am your superior." Afiona corrected. She was almost worried about his blood pressure, there was a vein in his forehead that was throbbing like a drum.
"Wait until the Healer's Council hears about this!" He said and jabbed a finger in her direction.
"Touch me and you'll never use that hand again." Afiona threatened just as the finger nearly jabbed her in the chest.
A low growling caught his attention. Turning he found Mia's little dog bristling at him with his lips curled back to show many sharp little teeth and Mia and Medren.
"You threatened me in front of witnesses." He said in triumph.
"Actually, you threatened her first." Mia corrected. Her puppy, Harper, gave up growling and launched himself at Seviot's leg.
Afiona didn't smile at her friends, she was still too angry with both him and herself for letting him draw her down to making threats, but the sight of Seviot dancing around trying to shake the persistent furball was too amusing to stay furious for long.
"You'll have to call him off." Mia said. "He hasn't quite mastered 'come' yet."
Afiona knelt and held one hand out to the dog, which released his quarry and ran to her. "That's quite enough, Harper." She said as she scooped him up and scratched his ears. He wiggled and yipped as she scratched his favorite spots before handing him back to Mia.
"That's my wittle warrior." Mia cooed to the dog.
Medren rolled his eyes. "Wittle warrior indeed. He didn't even draw blood."
"Not for lack of trying." Mia pointed out. "As for you Healer, may I suggest getting out of my sight before I make life very miserable for you?"
He glanced around at the three unfriendly faces and wisely chose to retreat.
"You can let him go now." Mia called over her shoulder.
Afiona finally saw Daric being prevented from going after Seviot by Lika, Leshya, and Tashir. Daric was still snorting in fury when he went to Afiona.
:Definitely a walking corpse.: Daric threatened.
"He's rather attached to you." Medren observed.
Tashir and the Companions followed at a more sedate pace. "They're good friends, what else do you expect?"
"Friends with a Companion?" Medren said rather doubtfully.
"She's raising his son so of course he talks to her." Mia pointed out.
Tashir swung onto Leshya's back. "We left Nico alone so we have to get going." He said. "Leshya insists he's improving but if we leave him too long we'll have to start the lesson over."
"Thanks again to you both." Afiona said sincerely.
"Don't mention it; you still have most of the hard work." Tashir said as they headed towards camp.
"Are you alright?" Medren demanded.
"Of course, I'm just fine." Afiona assured him. "I'm angry enough to toss him down the well, but that's it."
"Please don't, that would contaminate the water." Mia said dryly. "The river, however, has possibilities."
Afiona rested one arm across Daric's back. "But think of the paperwork!"
Medren muttered something under his breath.
"Don't you dare write another song about me!" Afiona said quickly. "There are already four floating around this camp between you and Stef."
"What can I say, we are looking for inspiration and you are near at hand." Medren shrugged. "Now what rhymes with Healer?"
"Dealer, wheeler, stealer, feeler…" Mia listed off.
"You are not helping." Afiona grumbled to Mia. "Oh, I heard from your Secret Admirer." She lied.
"Oh?" The pair said in unison.
"He wants to meet you in that little grove where we took Nico last week." Afiona fibbed. "Tonight, after dark and before the moon rises."
"Oh really." Mia said thoughtfully. "Then I better get going, things to get done before dark and all." She swung onto Lika's back without putting down Harper.
Medren waited until Mia was out of earshot. "I said no such thing."
"No, but you should have." Afiona pointed out. "Stop sulking and do something."
"You could have just said that." Medren complained.
"I've said that for several months now. You are jealous of yourself and unless you are planning on making this farce into a song there just is no reason to continue it. Go pick some wildflowers and get a blanket and do something." Afiona urged. "Don't toy with her like this."
Medren looked thoughtful. "Actually, we can do this and she still won't know who I am." He said thoughtfully as he hurried ahead, obviously plotting something.
"Those two are going to drive me to drink." Afiona sighed. "And once the moon rises the game will be over anyway."
:I bet he never considered the fact that it's a full moon tonight.: Daric observed, his mood lightening. :Still jealous of her?:
Afiona smiled as she remembered the last night with Lance. The poor man was still swearing someone cursed him; she had been up all night with a Companion whose hip was broken and needed to be repaired as quickly as possible to prevent disability. She had collapsed into bed and didn't even open her eyes until he got up to leave. "Well, she doesn't have as much of a problem finding a couple candlemarks to string together to spend with her lover."
:Poor Lance. This was a bad week to show up. Just a week earlier and he wouldn't have been spending so much time wondering when it would be his turn to have a couple minutes with you.: Daric chortled.
"And you weren't helping matters any. Carmia is the grandmother of your son!" Afiona exclaimed. "And you live in my head, remember?"
:That sort of thing doesn't matter as much to Companions.: Daric assured her. :She is a beautiful mare looking for some company.:
Afiona rolled her eyes heavenward. "At least wait until I'm not working then. Do you have any idea how distracting that is?"
:Very well, I will wait until you aren't busy. I hope you'll appreciate my celibacy.: Daric agreed. :Speaking of feeling each others emotions, I do believe that was my anger you were tapping into earlier.:
Afiona stopped and considered the confrontation there. "I think you might be right, or at least your anger fed mine and mine fed yours. We'll have to be more careful of that in the future."
:Definitely.: Daric agreed. :At least it's rare for you to get angry.:
"Do you think I just wedged my foot in my mouth?" She asked worriedly.
:Well, I say he deserves everything you said and more, but he's not going to be any more pleasant after this.: Daric said just as worried as her. :He's already proven he hates you with a passion, he may be willing to take down the other Healers with you.:
"A Healer wouldn't do that." Afiona insisted.
:In case you haven't noticed, he's not your ordinary Healer. Your family did something to that man and I am not sure if I'd call him completely sane now.: Daric said.