Chapter 2: Stranger
Healer woke, her vision blurry. She sat up, trying to figure out where she was. The room that she was in was plain but comfortable with only a bed and chair by the window that looked over a quiet street. She sat silent, listening. But all she heard was the sounds of the street below; the occasional passing of a horse, conversations, and passing people.
She fought a wave of dizziness that threatened to make her pass out as she stood slowly. She had no idea where she was or who had brought her here. She looked down at herself, relieved that she wasn't injured but she still felt really dizzy and sick.
"You should not be up," a man wanted into the room. He wore the simple clothes of a middle class man and had dark hair and sharp blue eyes. "You are still very sick," he explained.
"Where am I and who are you?" she demanded though she knew she didn't have the strength to force any answers out of him.
"First, sit down before you collapse," he helped her back to bed. "And you should either untransformed or change out of those clothes," he advised, turning his back so she had some privacy.
Healer had to admit he was right and untransformed, wearing a light blue dress and slippers. She gratefully took the warmer clothes he handed her and changed into them quickly.
He turned back to her and helped her into bed, pulling the blankets around her. She was asleep before she could tell the strange man that she didn't need his help.
Her sleep was troubled with strange dreams and tossing and turning in the bed. She was vaguely aware of someone holding her close. She relaxed, feeling warm and secure. She slept soundly the rest of the night.
The next morning, Yaten woke with sunlight coming through the window. She blinked, sitting up yawning. There was a tray of food and a mug of tea on the table by the bed, the smell making her stomach rumble. She still felt dizzy and weak but better than yesterday.
"Good morning, "the strange man walked in, looking concerned.
"Who are you and where am I? "She demanded, her voice not a strong as she wanted.
"Don't worry. You are safe here. But, to get better, you need to eat," he said firmly and sat by her.
"Answer me!" she demanded but took some of the food.
"Eat first," he insisted.
"Fine," she grumbled and started to eat, watching him the entire time. He just looked back at her calmly. She finished and drank her tea, putting the mug down hard.
"Now answer my questions," she demanded.
"Alright, I will since I promised. I am Rael Andres and you are in my house on the south side of the city," he said simply.
"Well, I should go," she tried to stand but Rael stopped her.
"You're still recovering and would not be able to make it to where you are from," he stated.
"But…" she started.
"No buts. Sit back and rest or else its going to take longer for you to recover," Rael said calmly.
She hated to admit but he did have a point but she still frowned as she lay back. The others must be worried by now out of their minds, she thought, worried. But there was nothing she could do. She hated being sick.