Chapter Ten: A Play of Words

Despite Yuula's constant protests, Kamiel cleaned off one of the tables in the kitchen and tore off all of Katla's clothes so he could see the extent of her self inflicted injury.

Bhintel gasped, and he saw the pile of skin and bones Katla had become.

Iasa, hearing that Katla had finally come out of the guard post, lead Iain into the kitchen. He squealed like a girl at the sight of Katla's withered body. "How did she? How did it get so bad so fast?"

"First we have to get her clean, Yuula get me a bowl of hot water and a couple of clean rags." Bhintel barked as he helped Kamiel. "Good, there are no sores. Iasa, go get some blankets so she will be comfortable."

"I will prepare some broth. " Iain said as he immediately headed for the fireplace.

"Oh Solonor, and all the gods of Arvandor please forgive me. What Have I done? What have I done?"

"Quit lamenting, Kamiel. There will be time for that later. She is not dead, just sick. Yuula, as soon as you are finished, go upstairs and find out if there is a cleric up there or someone who knows about poisons."

"Poison!" Kamiel shouted as he shot a hateful look at his mother.

"Not that kind, the kind that comes from being unclean." Bhintel said, "If she had stayed in the watch post much longer, she may have ended up a leper. I think you got her out of there just in time, but the poison of her own filth needs to be purged. I have seen this before, in the underdark, when the priestesses would imprison a valuable slave or a handsome male over a minor mistake."

Kamiel nodded as he helped Bhintel wipe Katla's body clean.

Iasa returned with blankets and pillows. In a matter of moments, Katla was wrapped and comfortable.

"It will be a little bit before my broth is done. Clean out that unused bark box and set in it. Push it near the fire. We will need to keep her warm." Iain said. "Besides, I don't think Yuula will be happy to have her table occupied for the time Katla needs to heal."

"Yuula can keep her mouth shut." Bhintel shot out as he saw Yuula start to make a smart remark. "You may be my mate, and I will love you forever, but I can not condone your part in this. You claim to hate cruelty, yet you are constantly cruel to that girl."

Yuula looked at the fragile thing that Katla had become and hung her head.

Katla fought to keep the dream from coming, yet she knew she could not. She had foolishly gone too long without rest or reverie, and could not wake from the vision.

For the first time since she first had the vision of Corellon's visit to the dark-haired pale woman, Katla allowed her spirit to remain within the woman's form when Corellon entered the room. She felt too curious to pull away.

As Katla felt Corellon lead the dark haired woman into her bedchamber, she was shocked to see what the lady's bedchamber resembled.

It was if Katla walked into the bedchamber she had as a child. The streams of multicolored light from the magically stained glass window rushed into the room, illuminating the furniture that grew directly out of the living tree. The furniture further encrusted with semiprecious stones to further reflect the light and illuminate the room. It was the one place as a child where Katla had felt wholly at peace.

Katla gasped at the sight. Isolder had this room destroyed and reworked when she went to foster with King Zaor.

"Is there something wrong Kalyaluhta?" Corellon said as he disrobed behind her and nibbled on her neck.

Katla gasped again. "Corellon? Why is this here? This is only a dream."

"I am in your bedchamber, as you wanted me to be. Is it not why you chose to call me unexpectedly to play mandalla with you? It is the only way your jealous sister allows me out of sight with no suspicion. She means to have me all to herself, you know. And, you also know that such a thing is not possible for me."

"Which sister?"

Corellon chuckled as he helped her out of her clothing, kissing her as he went, "The only sister you have, Kalyaluhta. She thinks you dull, sickly pale and ugly, but I do not. I never have. "

Katla felt warmth in his words, and also a sadness. She looked over to one of the side tables in the room. Atop it was a silver dagger with a ruby encrusted onyx handle. Gold filigree in lines from ruby to ruby made the handle look like it had been covered with webs.

Katla screamed in pain, not understanding why the sight of a simple dagger would cause such fear in her.

She cried fitfully, flowers cropping up at her feet as each tear hit the floor.

Katla looked around the room to see the scene had frozen in place. She was no longer in the body of the dark-haired woman. She stared as if looking at a pair of statues.

"This is a memory. It would be good if you do not dwell here anymore."

She turned to see Corellon, in full armor standing behind her, also regarding the scene frozen in time. "I should have warned you before not to dwell in these visions, but I often forget that you are only a fraction of what you once were. You will recall all of this in time, but if it distresses you, stop it. Just like you did a moment ago."

"I did not stop the dream."

"But you did. And now it is time to see to your mortal needs, go. Worry about this no more."

Everything went white and Katla cried out for Corellon. She cried bitter tears as she searched for him. She wanted Corellon's arms around her, to comfort her, to touch her.

"What in the hells is this!" Kamiel gasped as purple flowers sprouted from the wood sides of the crate where Katla lie.

She had lie there peacefully for three days, while Iain forced broth down her throat. Iasa and Kamiel took turns holding her hand and speaking soothing words. Bhintel checked for sores around her lips and on her feet. Even Yuula had found one of her healing potions that she had kept secreted away for an emergency to give to Katla.

None knew what to think when the tirade started.

Katla was screaming for Corellon in her sleep, calling for the god to do things to her that made Kamiel blush. Then the screaming stopped and she cried. Where her tears hit the wood, flowers grew.

Bhintel and Iain gasped as they saw the spectacle.

Yuula stood frozen with eyes wide as she breathed out, "A miracle? It must be."

"Why do you say that, my mate?" Bhintel turned to regard Yuula.

"Because I helped clear one of the upper rooms so one of the guests, a devotee of Corellon could see the moon tonight. SinceKatla is a cleric of Corellon, he wanted to pray for her on this holy night. It is Lateuquor."

"What is happening?" Iasa rushed into the room and saw the tears and the flowers. He panicked and pushed Kamiel aside, nearly knocking Katla, makeshift bed and all into the fireplace. "Don't look at her! Please, it is not her fault! She can't help this!"

Kamiel quickly moved to keep Katla way from the flames and shook Iasa a couple of times. "You numbskull! Do you want her to be burned?"

"But I have to protect her. The flowers. Nobody is allowed to see the flowers."

Iain immediately pushed a cup of wine into Iasa's trembling hands. "Now boy, what is this all about? You think we should hate her for a bit of magic? Ha! By Oghma! She's an elf, just like you are. Your folk all have magic in your veins. So what if hers manifests is flowery tears. It doesn't frighten me, and it shouldn't frighten you."

Iasa looked at Iain for a moment.

Iain made a wide grin. "That girl has a lot more magic in her than that, as I discovered. That is the reason I am here. Now we just have to get her awake before I can tell you just exactly what I found."

Iasa hung his head. "It is about the elf-bane, isn't it?"

"Well, yes and no. Like I said. It is only right that she hear it first. You will all just have to hold your horses until she is better. Now if someone else would like to take over feeding her, I need to get upstairs and finish my lessons on weaving snow shoes. The poor bored sots up there want to see what it is like hunting with them on. Can't blame them. Dried meat and vegetable mush would do me in too." Iain hummed as he walked out of the kitchen.

"I will feed her, Kamiel, You need to go take reverie." Iasa put his hand lightly on Kamiel's shoulder.

Kamiel nodded and stood. "Iasa, how long has she made flowers like that?"

"As long as I can remember. But they only come when she is deeply distressed. Her father, Isolder wanted to keep the flowers a secret. They are part of her curse, so he told me."

"Nonsense." Yuula added, "This is a miracle. Don't any of you know the fable of the warrior of the flower tears? Plus I bet none of you thought to measure what day or evening her tears turned to flowers. I would bet they always flowered on the day preceding or the night of Lateuquor, which tonight happens to be. That is how the fable goes."

"Mother, I would appreciate it if you would tell thefable to Iasa and to Bhintel while I take reverie. It is obvious neither of them have heard the tale."

"The tale was Kamiel's favorite bedtime story when he was small. I am surprised, you Iasa, had never heard it, for both the King and Queen of Evermeet are said to have descended from the warrior in the fable."

-The Warrior of the Flower Tears-

There once was a young male who lived in a monastery, long before the sundering. An orphan, he had no knowledge of the love of parents, only the charity and love of the clerics of Corellon in the hallowed walls.

His hair was black as a raven's, so black that it looked blue when the sunlight hit the fine tendrils. His body was honed from all of the rigorous work he did perfecting his weapon's skill, as did all of the clerics in the order.

The priests often commented that he had surpassed all expectations with his command of the sword ,the bow, and many other weapons as well. The young male was the best warrior in their order.

Although he was fine of form, and the females fawned over him, he took no interest in carnal lusts, save for the female for which he felt the pull of thiramin. His mind was always on his flower garden, and his mate shared his enthusiasm.

He tended the garden with the love of a parent for his children. He felt the love of the gods flow through him as he tended the gardens, more so than he ever had from studying the tomes within the walls.

A gentle soul was he. He could have spent the rest of his days content to tend the garden, but it was not to be.

As he tended his flowers one day, one of the priests informed him that a Captain from the elven army had come. All of the finest warriors were to leave the monastery to fight in the war against drow invading from the black city to the south. The warrior had to leave his home, despite his wish to stay.

He cried tears as he left to go fight with an enemy he had only read about in books.

Unnoticed by the soldiers that fell in step were the flowers that grew from his tears as they fell to the ground.

He and the other soldiers celebrated a somber Lateuquor as they made camp the first night. The young male continued his somberness. He prayed to Corellon for strength to do what he must.

He fought ferociously, killing every invader who came to meet his sword. None could defeat him. He felt the battle song of the heavens within his very being. He felt a sensation so euphoric that he craved battle. The pull of battle became so intoxicating to him, that from time to time he would strike at his allies as much as his enemies, not realizing which was which.

Every Lateuquor, he shed tears for those whom he had unwittingly wounded or killed. He felt the flowers to be the gift to those he wronged and his penance.

Many of his own allies began to fear the blinding battle rages, yet they felt that the warrior was the only one who could lead them to victory.

One Lateuquor, on the eve of another battle, he planted his sword in the ground and prayed. "Corellon, please allow me to see friend from foe. I am a gardener, and the invaders are the weeds, but I should not cut down the flowers with them. Please guide my hands." His tears fell across his sword, encrusting it with the flowers. The flowers turned into a design on the sword, allowing him to tell friend from foe in battle.

The next Lateuquor, he prayed for a way to push back the invaders. As he slashed away in the next battle, the tears fell at the tragedy of it all. The flowers from his tears formed a vine, trapping his enemies.

With every prayer and every tear, the warrior of the flower tears helped gain victory after victory, until the invaders were forced back to their black city.

All cheered him as he returned home, celebrating his tears as much as they did his sword. Both his prowess and his sentiment won the war.

Katla, still somewhere between sleep and wakefulness listened to the fable. It comforted her somewhat to hear Yuula's voice speaking gently rather in that of a scold.

As the words of the fable continued, Katla fought to bring herself to fully awake. She slowly opened her eyes, but no one seemed to notice. Their complete attention was on Yuula and her story.

Katla moved her head to peer at the sides of the box and saw the flowers growing out of the wood. She blinked a couple of times. "Where am I?"

"Katla!" Iasa squeaked as he turned. "You are awake! Are you hungry? Do you need another pillow?"

Katla groaned and shook her head. "Quit fawning, Iasa. It does not become you."

Iasa laughed. He could not help himself. He had wondered if he would ever hear her voice again, and now that she spoke, she answered him with humor.

"It is not very funny, Iasa." Yuula protested.

"But it is. " Katla croaked back, "I have always told him that he was born the wrong sex."

Bhintel laughed as Iasa furrowed his brow.

"Katla, you should not be up." Kamiel said as he looked at Katla standing in the kitchen eating a bowl of bean porridge.

"I am sick of lying there. Besides, Iain refuses to tell me the reason visit until I can go upstairs."

"You still don't look well."

"Lying there will not make me feel better. I am stiff from not training with my sword. The stiffness hurts me more."

Kamiel chuckled and took the bowl from her hands and put it with the dirty dishes. "Stuffing food down too fast is not good for you either."

Katla smiled back at him, "I was finished anyway. I wanted nothing to go to waste, since we are snowed in."

"That is another reason that you need to go upstairs. The storm is over. The sun is out. It is still cold, but as long as we don't have another freak storm, the snow will melt away in no time." He sighed as he tried to smile. "I moved your things upstairs into the great hall. Before long, the tunnel to the watch posts will be unusable. It floods to the top of the stairs leading down there every spring." Every time his eyes caught hers, he turned away.

"Stop that, Kamiel. I will not pass final judgment on you because you look me in the face."

"After what I did to you? I wonder why you forgive me, when I have trouble forgiving myself."

"Now you are starting to sound like Iasa. "

Kamiel turned his head to look at Katla. "Iasa is a good fighter and turning out to be a very good ranger. Why do you have to berate him so?"

"Because he constantly blames himself for everything. He broods when things do not go as he planned. He has ever since we were little. I would watch your back. I know he is still upset you and I were lovers."

"I think that has become a moot point. Especially, since he and Lysar went outside to hunt yesterday. They used the snow shoes Iain taught them to make. When they got back, Iasa told me that he and Lysar had been having long talks. Iasa is convinced that you and I were lovers because I showed myself to be less clingy."

Katla laughed, "I hope so. I don't like clingy people."

Kamiel turned on his heel and headed out of the kitchen ands to the stairs to the great hall. He glanced over his shoulder at her, "Are you coming? I don't want to have to wait here."

Katla stomped after him and looked up into his face. "Who says you have to escort me?"

"My mother. She is now convinced you are some sort of fabled warrior. She warns me that if you scrape so much as an elbow, I will feel her hand on my backside."

Katla laughed loudly as they made their way up the stairs.

A few cheers rang out as several of her new friends saw Katla enter the room.

"Katla!" Iasa squealed as he threw his arms around her.

"Ah, up and around quick I see!" Iain spouted with childlike glee. "Good! I have been so busy with my lessons teaching everyone here how to make snow shoes, that I have not had a spare moment." He turned to the young man next to him. "Keep at it, you will get it."

Katla followed Iain as he waved them towards the dais. Iain rummaged through his belongings and pulled out a book, some paper, an inkwell and quills.

"Tell me Lady Katla, do you read elven shorthand glyphs?"

"Some. I, as a cleric use them in healing."

"Ah," Iain sat down and patted for Katla to sit beside him. Iasa and Kamiel sat behind the two so they could see .

"You should be able to make out some of this. I have searched through all of my tomes and I found this. This is the answer to much of what you have been searching for. It will certainly lift your spirits." Iain laya book in Katla's hands.

Katla gave him a quizzical look. "You have been studying, for my benefit."

"Well yes, and for my own curiosity. I found that book on a shelf behind a stack of journals."

The book was not impressive looking. It was of worn, plain leather with no ornamentation.

Katla flipped through the first few pages and frowned from discouragement, "How can this be of any use to me? It is only a ledger of births, deaths and marriages, with some minor notes."

"That it is, that it is. This is a copy of an old census ledger from the elves of Shilmista, which lies near the Snowflake Mountains. It is pretty dull, at least until you get to the page I have marked with a ribbon."

Katla rolled her eyes and shook her head, but turned to the page with the ribbon. To the side was a large note commenting on the number of immigrants and births.

"What does it say, Katla, I can't see." Iasa said as he tried to read over Katla's shoulder.

"So far there have been several births of violet-eyed children among the refugees as well as those whom married into them. His majesty is thrilled, but many do not share his enthusiasm. He says that the children are a gift, to help keep invading goblins and orcs from taking Shilmista. Those who do not agree with the king, do so out of fear. Non want to get in the middle of an elf berserkergang once the power is released."


"See! See what I mean Katla?"

"I don't really understand. What is a berserkergang?"

"It is the state of euphoria that a holy warrior feels when in battle. It is said that when this euphoria hits, the warrior becomes fearless and unbeatable. I have read about it happening much to the human barbarian tribes to the north, but I never would have imagined that there were such warriors among the elves as well. You, my lady, are a berserker, not a bane."

Katla closed the ledger and stared dumbfounded. "How? How did such a mistake..."

Before she could finish, Iain pulled the stopper out of his ink bottle and placed the quill into it. He turned so that he could smooth out the paper where Kamiel and Iasa as well as Katla could see what he wrote.

"You are the victim of a misplaced line in a shorthand glyph. Whether that line was misplaced on purpose or accident, I don't know. But just look here. This is the glyph for bane." Iain took the quill and made a symbol on the paper. "Now, this is the symbol for berserker. " Iain's quill strokes were identical to the first symbol, save for the last line that went at a gentle diagonal slope to the left rather than straight down.

"Holy Corellon!" Iasa breathed, "Is there an example of that glyph in the book?"

"There most certainly is. That is why I am giving it to Lady Katla. The ledger will arm her better than any weapon. Now which will be her champion? Since I never give anything like that away for free, and Katla is still mending, I need to have a sparring match with someone."

"I will cut you to metaphorical ribbons." Kamiel said as he jumped up.

"Not until I am through." Iasa said as jumped up, spilling Iain's ink bottle.

"I will fight youover the spilled ink, Iasa, but Katla has the right to choose who will spar with me."

"I will do so myself. I can best these two with only one good arm. I think, even in my condition, I can give you a good show."

Iain laughed and clapped his hands. "I was hoping you would say that." He ran to his pack, pulled out a sword in its scabbard. "In an hour then?"

"Done."

Kamiel waved his arms in the air. "Wait, where are we going to hold the match?"

"I was hoping outside, wearing snow shoes." Iain said with a twinkle in his eye. "I will even give her my spare pair."

Katla smiled, despite the protests from others in the room. "Then I will meet you outside, in two hours. I need time to acquaint myself with the snow shoes."

Iain grinned widely. "Done."

The snow had melted much while Katla was mending. Kamiel and some of the other guests had managed to dig out the front door so none had to reach the outside through the upper windows.

Katla was surprised to see that many of those who had been standing guard in the magical guard posts now returning to the watch posts in the trees.

"Katla, this is insane. You should not be out here in the cold. I know the snow is not as deep as before, but you are still too ill."

"Iasa, how do those on watch get to the posts in the trees with the snow still so deep? "

"Iain showed us all how to make snow shoes. Quit changing the subject."

"I am fine. I memorized my healing spells early this morning. This is good for me. Relax."

"Your father will have my skin for a tunic." Iasa said as he parried one of Katla's thrusts.

"My father has no idea where I am. If you care to remember, Xarlion was supposedly taking us to Sonoria. As far as he knows we are still there." Katla whirled her sword around and stopped it a hair's breath from Iasa's neck. "You should be paying attention to what you are doing."

"That was not fair, distracting me like that. Besides, theses snow shoes are cumbersome."

"Distractions happen in battle." Katla sheathed her sword and rubbed her sore shoulder. "Besides, these snow shoes are not all that cumbersome once you attune yourself to their size. They weigh nothing at all." Katla walked over to the side of the camphor tree and sat on one of the low lying branches. She rolled her neck to relieve the soreness in her shoulders.

Iasa sheathed his sword and walked over to Katla to rub her shoulders. "You are still sore from all the inactivity. You should slow down a bit before your sparring match. You still have an hour. Enjoy it."

Katla blinked a couple of times as she listened to Iasa's soothing words. "Has something happened to your voice? You aren't whining at me as much as you usually do."

"I am growing up. I have learned so much since we came here. Lysar has become my best friend. He has taught me how spoiled I really am. I never really had any friends. Well, except for you, but you are a girl. It is a little different."

Katla smiled. "I suppose you are right. Not that I can empathize. I really have no female friends."

"That will change when we get to Straankeep. I am certain there will be plenty of female knights in the Order. That is what you want to do?"

"Yes, Iasa, it is."

"Kamiel, I have something to discuss with you before we go watch Katla spar." Lysar nervously said. "It is about the last magic watch post."

"So you got the last of the four dug out and working?" Kamiel replied in a droll monotone. "That will be good. Even with no one able to man the posts, the magic emitted while all four work will help to keep the lodge hidden from our enemies."

"So you know about the door at the top of the middle flight of those stairs to the posts. Why was it covered by rubble and why is it so warded. I doubt even the guests skilled in disarming wards could get through those."

"They can't. It takes a special key."

Lysar looked at his older brother in anger. "I suppose you have the key?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. Your father gave it to me after he filled that passage with rubble. He told me to give it to you after you found the door and after you had the knowledge to take responsibility for it's keeping. This lodge is much more than it seems to the guests."

Lysar frowned. "Why have you never told me this?"

"Listen. Your father saved my life and the life of my mother. He taught me all of the secrets of this place long before you were conceived. Those secrets need to be kept."

"Then, The Ranger's Rest is connected to Myth Drannor as I have suspected."

Kamiel put his arms around Lysar into a hug. "No, although one of the lower sealed tunnels does lead there. This place is an ancient stronghold and a mythal all on its own." He released his brother and took his hand. "Lets find a private place to talk. I need to tell you about who really claims ownership to the lodge. You can examine the door next winter."

"I suppose. The water is nearly up to my knees already."

Outside of his wizardly robes, Iain was much trimmer, but he still was on the portly side. His shirt and tunic fit him like a glove and his pants showed that he possessed lean leg muscles. He looked more like a fighter than a lowly wizard. Unfortunately, Katla observed, Iain was also much more dexterous in the snow shoes than she was.

"Whenever you are ready, milady."

"This is a bad idea, Katla." Iasa said as he looked at the way Iain flourished his sword. "I have never seen a wizard handle a sword like that."

"Oh please be quiet, Iasa. You act like this is a match to the death."

"It could be in your condition."

Katla shook her head. "Where is Kamiel? He told me he would referee the match?"

Kamiel and Lysar walked out of the lodge and stood by Katla and Iasa.

"Lysar, what is that twinkle in your eyes about?" Katla asked.

"I will let Kamiel tell you about it later. You have a match to win."

"Hey! Are you ready to be smitten?" Iain said as he stepped inside the lined of a circle drawn in the snow.

"I was smitten by someone else a long time ago. I have no interest in visiting your bed."

Iain and the rest of the guests laughed at her jest as Katla slowly drew her sword and stepped into the circle.

Iain immediately lunged for her. Katla sidestepped easily to avoid the thrust of his sword.

"That is no good." Iain snarled, "I have you right where I want you."

"Not likely." Katla replied as she swung deftly towards Iain.

He easily blocked the sword. "This is not some sort of child's play, girl. Fight me!"

Katla snarled and put her full weight into another blow towards Iain only to have her swing interrupted by a spell that exited from the tip of Iain's sword.

Iain laughed and backed up a bit, as he made another swing straight for Katla's midsection.

"He's cheating!" Iasa howled.

"He knows exactly what he is doing ." Kamiel reached out an arm to keep Iasa from throwing himself into the fight. "If you step in it will cause an all out brawl."

Iain laughed more riotously as the tip of his blade sliced a clean cut into Katla's tunic. "Come at me girl. "

Katla cast a silence spell over Iain, giving him a chance to come in closer for another slice.

Iain happily took the opportunity to deliver another slice to Katla's tunic. His silent laughter began to irk Katla.

Although no sound came from his mouth, Iain continued to taunt Katla with lewd facial gestures and mouthed insults.

Katla wondered why Iain was being so cruel. She landed a few cuts on Iain's tunic and blocked almost every move.

Suddenly, Iain lunged, made a side swipe and caught Katla by the arm. Blood started to well up from the shallow cut.

Katla took one look at her own blood and her control waned. She paused a moment to wonder why Iain cut her.

Iain took a calculated strike to draw a shallow cut to Katla's leg.

Katla lost control as the battle rage came upon her. She fought and laughed maniacally. She slashed at Iain until he had several cuts all over his body.

Finally, Iain threw his sword aside, went down on his knees and threw his hands in the air in surrender. He indicated to one of the spectators to dispel the silence spell Katla placed upon him. "Katla, you have won. Katla come back now the fight is yours. "

Katla breathed heavily with her eyes wide. She raised her sword above her head in a killing blow.

"Katla!" Kamiel screamed forcefully as he stepped forward with his sword drawn. "Stop right now!"

Katla angled her sword to the side at the last minute, slicing off a lock of Iain's hair. "Frightened you didn't I?"

Iain gave a sigh of relief as he saw Katla plant her sword in the snow next to him and hold out her hand to help him up.

"Frightened? Girl, I was mortified."

Kamiel sheathed his weapon and went to Katla's side. "I thought you were so deep in the madness that you would kill him."

Katla chuckled, "With all of the intense training and discipline my father put me through? One thing I learned early on was how to gain control of my rage. I just did not know that the rage was because I was a berserker."

Iain stood and patted her on the back as he laughed. "Good girl! Your father must be a very wise man."

"Yes, he truly is. In some ways."

Iain lead her towards the door of the lodge where all of the guests were clamoring back indoors. "An added benefit to this match is that because you succumbed to the rage, you should be entirely healed from your illness."

"What?"

Iain could not answer. One of the female guests started fawning over him and dragging him inside the lodge so she could tend his wounds.

"He told me that while a warrior is under the berserkergang, the body heals at a phenomenal rate." Kamiel answered for Iain.

"Katla let me check you wounds." Iasa elbowed past Kamiel to look at Katla's torn sleeve. As he tore the cloth the rest of the way off of her arm, he noticed the cut was only a faint red line.

"See what I mean?" Kamiel said as he pointed to the cut. "Your wounds are already nearly healed. I know that cut was longer and a bit deeper when Iain dealt it to you."

"Are you saying , Kamiel that her wounds will be entirely healed by tonight?" Iasa said as he stared again at the faint cut.

"Most likely, but only after some rest."

"Yes, I could use a nap. The match took a lot out of me."

"I will have your room readied. You will not get any peace if you try to sleep in the great hall. Until then, you can have my room."

Iasa growled. "You are not going to try to seduce her again, are you?"

"I have duties for the rest of the day. If you are so frightened for her welfare, you can go rest in my room with her."

"Iasa, Kamiel and I are no longer lovers, but we are friends. I am certain he is only being nice."

"I am certain he is only pacifying his guilty conscience."

Kamiel held open the door so Katla and Iasa could enter the lodge. "Perhaps I am, but my room, the room my brothers share and the one Bhintel and my mother share are the only ones that are not freezing cold. Unless Katla wants to go back and rest in the kitchen?"

"No thank you!" Katla said with a chuckle as she pushed through the people in the great hall. She ran up the steps to Kamiel's room and buried herself in the blankets without taking off her clothes and fell instantly to sleep.

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