Chapter 42
Shain signed the log for the painkillers given to one of the patients and made a note that his requests had been increasing over the past couple weeks.
"Going for a walk Herald?" He asked when he sensed movement behind him.
Turning he found Herald Mia, looking clearly unrepentant.
"Just around the camp." She said. "Then I was thinking I should pester the cooks for some food, grab a blanket, and have a nice picnic out in the woods."
"Back to bed." Shain ordered and gestured towards her vacant cot.
"You could join me." She suggested. "I know you get off duty soon and I bet you are just itching to get out of that robe."
The exasperated healer rolled his eyes at the incorrigible Herald. She wouldn't give up. "You, Herald, are injured. Get to bed before I prescribe a sedative."
"I know a perfect sedative." Mia purred. "I always sleep well afterwards anyway."
Shain blushed and cleared his throat. "Bed."
The short, blonde Herald grinned impishly. "Yours or mine?"
"Mia, you are going to scare him off." Lance commented.
Mia glanced over her shoulder at the wounded Herald. "Didn't think you were awake. How are you feeling?"
"Same as before." Lance said dryly.
Mia turned to Shain. "Perhaps we should have that picnic before you start shift. Tonight? Out at the Herald end of the camp?"
"You are a patient." Shain said firmly. "It would be unethical."
Mia's mouth snapped shut and she turned to Lance. "Some guys just don't get the hint, you know?"
"I think he got the hint." Lance said dryly.
Shain rolled his eyes, again, and walked away, retreating for the moment.
Mia sank onto the edge of his cot. "My stomach is killing me so it's probably for the best anyway. How's the leg?"
"Sore, stiff, and mangled." Lance answered with a bitter scowl.
"Could be worse." Mia reminded him. "You have all your limbs and will be able to get around on your own. Some Heralds will never ride again."
Lance immediately felt like an ungrateful heel. "Thanks, I feel so much better now." He said dryly.
"Any word on Afiona?" Mia asked.
"No. Which is starting to really worry me. How long can she stay like that?" Lance gestured at the tent.
"How many Healers go in there every day?" Mia asked.
"There are five Healers assigned to her." Lance informed her.
"Well, don't count Shain among them. He's there out of guilt. Leander is probably just checking on her. So, three Healers in charge of her?" Mia asked.
"No, five, plus Shain. Leander is her lead Healer." Lance corrected.
"Hmm, he's usually reserved for the tough cases, they must be worried." Mia sighed. "Have they been going in more often lately?"
"Less often." Lance admitted.
Mia nodded and smiled brightly. "See, a good sign. She doesn't need to be watched constantly anymore. Backlash is nasty, remember hearing the stories about Herald Vanyel when his power first awoke? They are probably keeping her asleep so she doesn't have to live through the consequences of pushing herself so far."
"Then why wouldn't they let me see her?" Lance demanded.
"Because she's an empath and probably has no shielding right now. With the pain in your leg and how worried you are you'd probably wake her up sooner than they want." Mia reasoned. "They won't let Daric inside and he's her Companion."
"But they don't know that." Lance pointed out.
"Right." Mia stared at the small tent thoughtfully. "Listen, I know Afiona. She'd rather live through hell than let you worry like this. I'll distract Shain by making an absolute cake of myself, you sneak over there and check on her. They'll probably find you soon, but it will at least give you a few minutes alone with her."
She reached under the cot and located the bell they had tied under every Herald's cot in an attempt to know when they were up an about when they should be on their backs. With a quick tug she pulled it free and tossed it out the door. "There, wait until I have Shain's attention."
Pulling the loose tunic lower to reveal more flesh and the crease of her breasts she winked and headed for her target.
"Shain." Mia smiled coyly.
Shain looked back over his shoulder and sighed. "Yes Herald? Need some help back to your cot?"
"No, I know where it is." Mia stepped around him so she was in front of him. "You know, I am not your patient, so really there is no ethical breach."
"Herald..." Shain sighed.
"Mia." She corrected. "If you ever want to join me for that picnic, you know where to find me."
"What about the Bard?" Shain asked. "It's not like a Herald to want to stray."
Mia chuckled. "Medren would like more from a girl than he will get from a Herald. Our lives are our duties, he knows it, but that doesn't mean he'd want to share the love in his life with it. Besides, I am not looking for serious, just some fun, to indulge in life."
Shain shook his head. "You are still in my care and even if it's not unethical by the Circle's standards it is by mine."
"Oh well then." Mia glanced at Lance's cot and saw it empty. "Perhaps later, when I'm all patched up."
Shain watched her walk slowly to her cot and lay back down with her hands on her abdomen. Striding down to the covered barrel at the end of the tent he removed a hot towel and went to her side. "Here, put this on, it will help loosen those muscles. You shouldn't be bending over like that yet."
Mia scowled at him. "You leave him alone or I will write a bawdy song about you and give it to the minstrels to sing all over camp."
Shain laughed and helped her get the towel into place and stood up. "Leave who alone?" He winked as he turned away.
:Damn, Lika, I like that one.: She grinned. :Hmm, they said it would be a couple more weeks before they'd release me for semi- active duty, what is a girl to do for two whole weeks: She grinned mischievously.
Lika chuckled. :Think up ways to enjoy that picnic:
- - - -
Afiona was lying perfectly still on a wide cot, her hands at her sides on top of the blankets. Her hair was spread out over the pillow like a fan. The dark circles under her eyes gave her an almost cadaverous appearance.
Lance leaned heavily on his new cane and limped to her side. :Afiona: He called to her, praying she'd answer.
He sat carefully in a chair next to her bed a picked up one limp hand.
:Lance, you need to sleep.: Carmia said with obvious worry. :Get into bed and try and rest. Besides, I think she'd appreciate your touch.:
Lance gently moved Afiona to the side and crawled in next to her and pulled her tightly against his chest. The feel of her breath on his neck and the soft sigh she made as she curled towards her heat made his heart twist. She was so close, yet so far away.
Lance closed his eyes and stroked her hair out of his face. "Afiona? Can you hear me?" He whispered to her.
Sleep claimed him before there was any answer.
The sun was above the horizon and the camp was bustling about when someone finally found him.
Leander hesitated when he saw the pair curled together on the cot. It was unlike Shain to lose a patient so he was certain Shain was aware the Herald was here.
"Lance." He said and shook the Herald's shoulder.
Lance didn't respond before he rolled over enough to favor the Herald with a glare.
"Get up." Leander ordered. "Time for breakfast."
Lance slowly sat up and Leander handed him his cane.
"That mage is dead, right?" Lance asked as he glanced down at Afiona.
"Yes, they found his body, Esrich identified him." Leander answered in confusion.
"Pity." Lance said coldly. "I wouldn't have minded five minutes alone with him."
Leander shook his head and herded Lance out of the tent. "It wouldn't help her any."
Lance's smile was cold.
Leander did not want to think the damage the wounded Herald would still be able to inflict. Lance's mother was the advanced weapons teacher for the Heralds after all and he had to have learned more than a few tricks for causing injury, even hampered as he was by his injuries.
As Lance stepped out into the cool dawn he paused and stared at the small Companion racing back and forth across the empty battlefield.
"What's wrong?" Leander asked and followed the Herald's gaze. "A Companion?"
"I think that's Nico." Lance said and started down towards the panicked white figure. "Nico?"
The Companion stopped, stared up at him a second then charged up the hill. :Lance:
"What's he doing here? I thought she sent him back to Haven." Leander said as he quickly followed.
Nico slid to a stop in front of Lance, his sides were shuddering with each breath he took.
Daric appeared as if by magic and nuzzled his son, trying to reassure him.
"What's wrong?" Lance asked as he stroked the colt's neck.
:Mama-afi disappeared.: Nico said in a wail.
Lance braced himself with his cane as Nico buried his face in his chest. "She's alright." He assured Nico.
:She not go to Demon: Nico asked with obvious relief.
"She's just sleeping, she helped lots and lots of people so she needs to sleep." Lance explained. "She's in that tent there. Just don't wake her up."
Leander started to protest as the colt scurried towards the tent.
"He's a baby." Lance reminded him. "Do you want to tell him he can't stay with his mother?"
Leander colored slightly. "So long as he doesn't bother her he may stay."
"Bother her? She'd be upset if he were anywhere else." Lance informed Leander.
- - - -
Afiona slowly opened her eyes and found herself staring at a small white muzzle on her pillow.
"Lance?" She croaked as she tried to prop herself on an elbow only to stop when agony speared her skull.
:Afiona! Thank all the gods you woke up.: Daric gushed.
Mama-afi: Nico scrambled to his feet and nosed her and earned a scratch on his cheek. :I worried.:
"I know baby." Afiona stroked his face and blinked back tears. "I missed you so much."
:I never ever leave Mama-afi again.: Nico said firmly and leaned into her hand.
:How are you feeling: Daric asked worriedly. She heard a hoof beat and a horse-shaped shadow fell across the wall of the tent.
"I hurt." She said simply. "My head feels like it's about to pop. Whatever I did, I hope was worth this headache."
:You ended the war.: Daric informed her. :You panicked the largest part of the Karsite army. Nothing left over there but some bodies.:
"Bodies?" Afiona repeated in horror.
:Not from you, except for the Sleeping Priest, his heart gave out. The others got in the way of the prisoners or in the way of their fellow soldiers when the panic set in.: Daric explained. :We've been finding the injured, those who couldn't run, hiding in the forest.:
"I bet the Lord Marshall is going to want to repeat that performance." Afiona said bitterly.
:He would, if he were still in charge.: Daric's amusement was obvious. :The healers conspired to get him replaced. The King and Jisa are in charge for the time being until a replacement can be chosen. Dagin, the Lord Marshall's Herald, is assisting the Royals. Apparently we beat him to the punch, almost literally. He was ready to knock the Lord Marshall arse over tea kettle.:
Afiona chuckled, then winced and held her head.
:Mama-afi all better now: Nico demanded.
"No, not all better." Afiona said regretfully. "Where's Lance?"
:Lance was using a stick 'cause he got hurt bad.: Nico informed her.
"How bad?" Afiona demanded.
:His leg is pretty messed up, but you saved it from having to be amputated.: Daric answered. :He left about two candle marks ago, just before Nico arrived.:
"I thought I felt him." Afiona yawned.
:Here comes Leander.: Daric warned.
Afiona made a face as Leander stepped into the tent and stopped when he saw she was awake.
"Good morning." He said as he tried to get past Nico with no success.
"Good morning." Afiona answered. "What's been going on?"
"Well, you've been unconscious for a week now." Leander finally managed to get around Nico and sat next to her head on the cot. "I know several people who will be glad to see you awake, but you should have stayed asleep. It would have been easier on you."
"I meant with the patients." Afiona clarified. "Daric says the fighting is over. Are we moving them soon? There was a Healing temple not too far from here, we can move everyone there now that our location is not critical."
"Afiona, remember what I said before you left?" Leander asked. "You are staying put for at least two months, if not longer."
"I thought you hated being in charge." Afiona said as he reached down to touch her forehead.
"I do. But you trained Shain well, it's not nearly the burden it could be." Leander frowned. "You're still too cold. I'll bring you some medication for the pain and some broth."
Afiona made a face at the idea of invalid's food but knew it was probably all her stomach could handle. "Why not just a pain block?"
"Because we'd rather you get some sleep too, and the medication will help with that." Leander explained. "Now, Nico, what don't you go outside and see your daddy while I talk to your mom."
Nico raised his head, snorted, and returned to trying to cuddle up with Afiona.
"What do you have to say?" Afiona asked.
"Afiona, you know you need rest and you are not going to get it with him in here." Leander explained.
"Leander, he may have four feet but he is my son, if he needs to be comforted for a couple hours than by all the gods I will stay awake and comfort him." Afiona said firmly and winced as her headache spiked again.
"My primary concern is you." Leander countered. "The sooner you get some rest the sooner you can be on your feet which will be even more comforting to him."
"Leander, he felt me vanish, he thought I was dead." Afiona snapped. "A couple candle marks is not going to hurt me and it will help him."
"Very well, but I am still going to bring the medicine. Perhaps in a couple days we can take you back to Haven." Leander stood. "Nico, you let your mom rest, alright? The more she rests the better she gets."
Nico raised his head and nodded.
As promised he returned almost immediately with a bitter tasting potion and a bowl of weak broth.
Nico was convinced to stand back as Leander fed her, she was too weak and shaky to manage the spoon, and gave her a dose of medication that quickly caused her to be light headed.
"Nico, if your mommy falls asleep let her sleep, alright?" Leander asked.
Nico nodded and moved to take his spot next to Afiona's head.
:Want a story Mama-Afi: He asked as he folded his legs and lay next to her cot with his head on the edge of the cot.
"Sure." Afiona rolled onto her side and scratched his ears.
:Once there was a little boy named Nico…: He started. It was how most of the stories Afiona, Stef, and Medren told him started.
Afiona fought to keep her eyes open as he rambled on.
:Go to sleep, I'll take him over to the other Companions and keep him occupied.: Daric offered.
"Alright." Afiona smiled rather dreamily as she kissed Nico on the nose. "You go with daddy."
:No.: Nico said and snuggled closer to Afiona. :Not leave Mama-Afi alone.:
Afiona pet his nose. "You go with daddy, I'll go see Lance. Is that alright?"
:No.: Daric said firmly
:That's good.: Nico said and lurched to his feet.
Afiona slowly sat up and lowered her legs over the edge of her cot.
:Afiona, you are supposed to stay in bed.: Daric reminded him.
Afiona shook her head. "I'm going to go to Lance and sleep with him."
Daric sighed, obviously being drugged hadn't made Afiona anymore tractable. :Lie down, you can barely string three words together. You can't make it to Lance without falling flat on your face.:
:I help: Nico said happily.
:Son, you aren't helping.: Daric sighed.
:I help now.: Nico moved close to Afiona allowing her to hold onto him as she swayed to her feet.
With one arm over Nico's back and him supporting most of her weight Afiona ignored Daric's continued protests and emerged into the day.
Blinking owlishly up at the sun she grinned. "Isn't it a pretty day?"
:Very pretty.: Nico agreed.
"I am so proud of you." Afiona informed Nico who pranced with pleasure at the sentiment causing Afiona to lose her balance and plummet to the ground with a laugh.
:Sorry.: Nico flipped his ears back and hung his head.
"Afiona!" Lance lurched from his bed, grabbed his cane and hurried to her.
"Lance, just the one I wanted to see." Afiona grinned dreamily up at him as he carefully knelt next to her.
"Are you hurt?" Lance asked worriedly.
Afiona shook her head. "Don't think so, but those drugs are pretty strong, I wouldn't feel a broken bone right about now."
"That's not reassuring." Lance said dryly and brushed the hair from her face. "Need some help back to bed?"
"Your bed." Afiona informed him. "I was going to your bed."
Lance chuckled as he managed to get himself to his feet then helped haul Afiona to her feet. "My bed?"
"Yes. Nico doesn't want me to be alone and I want to be with you." Afiona explained. "Everybody happy." She threw her arm out in a wide gesture and nearly knocked both of them to the ground.
Lance winced as his leg protested.
"Oh, I hurt you!" Afiona clung to him and tried to look down at his weak leg. "Oh no, that looks painful."
Lance held her close against his chest so she wouldn't try something else that could harm their precarious balance. "It doesn't hurt that badly."
"Oh, good." Afiona rubbed her cheek against his chest and wound her arms around his neck.
"How drugged are you?" Lance asked.
"Very." She admitted with a grin.
"Let's go lie down before someone spots us." Lance suggested.
"Too late." Afiona sighed.
Lance looked around, they were just out of sight of the majority of the healers in the tent. "Who's coming?"
"Seviot." Afiona straightened and stepped away. "I am going to give him a piece of my mind."
"How do you know?" Lance asked and managed to catch her before she fell again.
"I can Feel him." Afiona turned around to face the direction she sensed Seviot.
"Afiona, you're drugged and barely able to stand, let's go lie down and deal with him later." Lance suggested and tried to coax her towards her tent.
"No." Afiona said stubbornly.
At that moment Seviot rounded the side of the tent and stormed towards them.
"He'd do this even if I was still in bed." Afiona informed Lance.
"He tries touching you, and he's a dead man." Lance whispered in her ear.
:I second that.: Daric grumbled.
:Huh: Nico looked at the two males in confusion. :Oh, Bad Man:
"Daric, you better take Nico." Lance said just loud enough for the Companion to hear.
"Trying to run away, Mavelan?" Seviot accused loudly.
A few Healers poked their heads out and quickly called for reinforcements.
Afiona shook her head and stepped away from Lance. "Hardly. I am not the one who runs away. You have been running away a long time, haven't you?"
Seviot's eyes widened in panic and he looked around for an escape and saw the growing number of Healers. This was probably his last chance to prove Afiona for the monster she was.
"I accuse Healer Afiona Mavelan of misuse of her gift causing death." He sneered loudly.
A whisper rushed through the Healers.
Such an accusation was always investigated by the Circle. Usually by a hearing and such hearings were rare and always infamous. Regardless of the verdict the Healer usually was forced to find a remote temple to serve in to escape the gossip.
"I accuse Healer Seviot for knowingly help kill hundreds merely to get rank and power." Afiona accused with more coherence than she should have been capable of.
Seviot took an involuntary step back. "Liar."
Afiona stuck her tongue out at him. "I'm not a liar, you helped my father. That's why you hate Mavelans. You were almost one of them."
Leander stepped out of the crowd of Healers. "What's the meaning of this? Afiona you are violating your own rules, don't settle your feuds in public."
"He started it." Afiona pointed at Seviot and swayed backwards. Lance caught her and helped her back to her feet.
"I demand you have her arrested!" Seviot said to the growing group of Heralds that were hemming in the square leaving Afiona, Lance, and Seviot in the center.
"I remember you now." Afiona informed him.
He froze.
"You thought my mind was as blank as a bowl of water and told my father I was useless. You told him that powers require a mind to yield. You knew what would happen when I had no worth. The only reason I survived was because Herald Vanyel destroyed the others." Afiona accused. "How many others did you declare ungifted and sentenced to death?"
"Liar!" Seviot spat.
"Afiona? What are you talking about?" Leander asked.
"He was the Healer who served my father. I hated him you know? Because he wouldn't let me stay in that black place. He kept making me better so I could get hurt." Afiona said and jabbed a finger at Seviot. "Now the black place isn't as nice. It's lonely." She tilted her head back and grinned up at Lance who placed a kiss on her forehead.
"She's lying!" Seviot exclaimed. "She's trying to make you forget what she did!"
"You're as evil as Vedric." Afiona said loudly. "You may not have held the knife but you killed hundreds if not thousands. How long has it been that your powers have failed you?"
Seviot paled.
Leander frowned and extended his shields around Afiona who settled back against Lance with a vacant grin. "I thought as much."
"What?" A young healer demanded.
"She's drugged, unshielded, and a mind healer. That wasn't her accusing him of crimes; that was his fears of her remembering him and telling us." Leander explained. "That, Heralds, was a confession."
Before anyone could react Nico reacted.
:You bad! EVIL: He charged the Healer who pulled a dagger from a sheath hidden by his robes and raised it to strike at the young Companion.
Afiona bolted forward and shoulder Nico enough to the side that the dagger cleaved only air.
Straightening she glared at Seviot with all the hatred her spare frame could contain. "That's my son." She growled. It was if the drugs haze had been banished in the space of a heartbeat leaving a mother whose only concern was the protection of her baby.
Seviot raised his arm again and was poised to bring it down into Afiona's chest when she grabbed his arm. He screamed and dropped the dagger as pain shot through his wrist as her delicate fingers squeezed down on a pressure point.
Before he could recover again Lance's cane flashed down and struck him on the temple. The Heralds caught him before he stuck the ground and unceremoniously hauled him upright.
Mia shoved her way past a couple Healers. "Get him out of here before Bardaric makes a trial unnecessary."
Two Heralds hauled Seviot off with about as much gentleness as a wolf mauling a rabbit.
Afiona's knees finally gave out and Lance reached to catch her only to plummet to the ground with her.
:Mama-afi: Nico stood over her looking worried.
Afiona tried to blink away the odd image of a young man overlaid on top of her son. He looked so worried and she wanted to comfort him. The young man faded away leaving only a very concerned young colt.
"I'm just fine, baby." She assured him as she rolled off Lance. One of the Healers helped her sit up and another wrapped a blanket around her shoulders.
"We are going to have to tell the Circle of his accusations." Leander warned. "You know that."
Afiona grinned. "Go for it. They can't do a thing."
Everyone stared at her in confusion except for the remaining Heralds.
"I'm a Herald, I only answer to a Circle of my peers." Afiona informed them.
Daric finally managed to reach her and rubbed his nose against her cheek.
"I don't think she's joking." One Healer said in awe.
"Yup, she's ours." Mia said entirely too cheerful.
Leander shook his head. "Let's get these two back to their beds."
"I'm still going to Lance's bed." Afiona informed him.
Leander shook his head. "Fine, get them both in one bed, I don't care whose. And someone find out what they're going to do with Seviot."
"Well, let's start with attempted murder of a Companion." Mia suggested dryly.
"He's mad." Afiona informed them.
"No kidding." Mia said sarcastically.
Afiona shook her head. "I mean he's insane, not working with a full set of tools, missing a few cards from the deck, nuttier than housekeeper's pies."
"Oh wonderful." Mia grumbled interrupting Afiona.
"So?" Leander asked.
"By law he can't be put on trial or executed until he's declared sane." Lance explained. "And then if they believe he was insane at the time of the crime he can't be found guilty. The most they can do is leave him in the custody of mind healers if there is a chance he might do it again. And everything Afiona was accusing him of didn't happen in Valdemar. The country it did happen in was first absorbed by Baires, then by Valdemar."
"Ah." Leander said in understanding. "So who can make a judgment there?"
"That would be Lady Afiona." Mia said dryly.
Everyone looked at Afiona who was happily cuddling Nico and whispering to him about how much she had missed him.
"Not until after she's on her feet again." Leander said quickly. "Now get up Herald Lance and let's get her back into bed."
Lance struggled to his feet and grinned wickedly as he helped Afiona to her feet.
"And none of that until she's on her feet." Leander said quickly.
"Don't need to be standing up for that." Afiona giggled.