Okay, we're back--

Raine: Unfortunately.

--And we have a new chapter--

Raine: Also unfortunate. I pity you, readers.

And if Raine doesn't shut up, I'm going to take her own staff and SMACK HER ONE.

Raine: ...Ouch...

Precisely. Here we go!

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Lying on something soft and warm, his back was aching something terrible. Right in the middle, he was sure he had something of a bruise from that staff. With a groan, Regal opened his eyes, all the events of the previous night rushing back to his mind. Raine. Where was Raine?

His gaze darted around - he had to find her. Fortunately, he didn't have to look very far, as she was lying on her side just a few feet away. He tried to speak, but his throat was dry and stung with the remnants of salty water. Pushing himself to his feet and wincing as his back gave another protest, he stumbled over to her. "Raine," he croaked, crouching by her and giving her shoulder a little shake.

Regal put two fingers to her throat, sighing in relief as he felt a pulse. She emitted something like a groan, and coughed ruggedly as her eyes opened rather slowly. "Good morning," he said softly. Raine gave a very weak smile, a shadow of what it should have been, and her eyes slipped closed again. But she moved one of her hands, so he knew she was still awake.

They needed to move, to get somewhere safe and dry. Ignoring the pain in his back, he slipped his arms under her. "We must leave," he told her quietly. She seemed to understand both his statement and the fact that she wouldn't be able to walk at that time, as she gave a tiny nod and wrapped both arms around his neck to assist him as he lifted her.

His back still ached, and carrying her didn't make it feel any better, but it didn't particularly make it worse either. After all, it was just the center of the small of his back that would be bruised. It hadn't been sprained. "Are you alright?" he asked her, wanting to make sure before he started walking. He could use minor healing for any injuries she might have, but if she were ill, or just weak in general there was nothing he could do.

Raine looked as though she wanted to say something, but she simply offered a nod. She was too tired, too drained to do any more than that. The back of her mind was flitting back to the fact that she was in his arms again, and she fought a pink blush as she felt it rise, but there wasn't much more she felt up to doing.

"Good...It looks like we were fortunate."

"In?" she asked in a hoarse whisper.

"We ended up on the coasts near Meltokio. Are you sure you're not hurt?" Regal turned his head toward her, only mildly reassured by her second ghostly smile, and weak nod. She probably was ill, all the more reason for them to get to a town. But she was concious, and she was responsive - perhaps it wasn't too serious. Sleep would do them both much good, he decided.

Giving her a nod, more pronounced than her own, Regal renewed his grip and set off toward Meltokio. The trek toward the capital city was a quiet one, as neither of them felt much like talking. After a bit, he snapped out of the dazed train of thought. They had covered half the distance now, and Raine was still silent. He glanced at her, and slowed to a halt without really realizing it when he saw the position she was in now.

Her head was resting on his shoulder, her forehead nearly touching his neck. It looked like she was asleep, but the strange, school-boy jittery feeling was rising up in his stomach. He shrugged his shoulder gently, shifting her head a little further from his neck, as the close proximity made him uncomfortable. Tearing his eyes away from her paled face, a feat he found oddly difficult, Regal looked instead at the capital, and the castle within it.

After a little while, they passed through the gates to Meltokio, and he renewed his hold again, this time more slowly and carefully as not to wake her. "We're here," he told her sleeping form, carrying her toward the inn. Inside, he got a room, and asked for a doctor.

Regal had settled her on the bed and was now sitting in a chair looking pointedly at the wall when the other man came in. He stood to greet the doctor with a few words, and watched as he went over to examine Raine. He wasn't in the medical field himself, so he didn't understand much of what he was doing. "Is she alright?" he asked after a moment.

The doctor looked up from his patient, and over his shoulder at Regal with a tight smile. "Thoroughly soaked, a little feverish, and tired by the looks of it. I've given her something that should keep her asleep for a while, long enough to give her body time to recover. If you don't mind me asking, sir - what happened to you two?"

He considered whether or not he should tell the other man about Deryn, David, Matthew, and Eric. Afterall, that would give away who he really was, and that was something he didn't need right now; people kissing up left and right because he was the "Duke." But, he thought with an inward sigh, perhaps it's best someone knew about Deryn now.

With a nod, he explained to the rather interested doctor all that had happened, including Raine's "murder." "I see," said the man after the long story was conveyed. "I had heard that a Half-Elf was killed near Flanoir. This is she, then?"

"Indeed." Regal blinked, considering something else. "Is Zelos Wilder still residing in this city?" asked the Duke.

"Yes, sir. I have also heard that miss Fujibayashi is here visiting as well."

Good. Zelos and Sheena were both there. If word travelled as fast as he thought it did, particularly news of the death of one's friend, they would both know what had - or rather, had not - happened to Raine. "Very well. Might I ask you for another favor?"

"Of course, M'Lord. What can I do for you?"

"I want you to find Zelos and Sheena. Tell them where we are, and that Regal Bryant and Raine Sage wish to see them - it is very important they know about Raine. Will you do that?"

"But of course, Lord Bryant." The doctor rose to leave, and Regal stood as well from his own chair. "Keep her comfortable until she awakens. If there seem to be any problems after that, let me know."

"Thank you very much for everything."

"Just doing my job." The doctor smiled slightly, and left Regal to his own thoughts.

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That wasn't so bad, now was it, Raine?

Raine: If you enjoy being washed ashore like some piece of seaweed, then drugged so you can sleep.

Hey, at least everyone will know you're alive now. -Ahem- Regal's thoughts, eh? It seems like Regal's thoughts are taking an odd turn. Is it a passing feeling, or is there something more to this?