Disclaimer: I do not own these characters or this world that they are in and I am making no money out of this. I just want to write a sequel to a really good book that I wish had one.

Chapter 3

It had been a moon since Tanea had brought the boy to her home, his body had been healed but his mind didn't seem to want to, "or isn't able to" she thought.

She tried reaching out to him through the mysterious severed link, and was surprised to find that his mind was as active as if the boy hadn't been in a coma at all.

She had done her best to heal him, but the rest of the job couldn't be done by her, she would have to get him to a trained Mind Healer.

He was healthy enough for a trip like that, and Spring was fast approaching.

Also she didn't want to bring anyone else here, if she did she was fairly certain that her solitude would disappear and people would keep coming.

Her curses might be able to make a quick trip to the Healers and back. But they definitely couldn't have handled a lifetime of people. It was time to act, he couldn't just remain in her house, in a coma for the rest of his life, he had to wake up.

Making up her mind she packed a bag, her thoughts swirling.

"I had better scout ahead, make sure there is a mind Healer before I take him there. I think I'll try the Valdemarans army camp first, if that fails. I'll have to take him to… to Haven and the Healers Collegium there have to be mind Healers there. But that will be my last resort, being in the middle of a city would be bad for my curses".

As she was heading out the door the boy made a small whimpering noise, his face scrunched in confusion, and then relaxed, as it so often did.

I wonder what is confusing him, maybe he is in some kind of dreamlike state, that would explain why his mind is so active.

Whatever it was, she needed to get going if she was going to make it back by nightfall.

She called to Merta who trotted up expectantly. She mounted the goat, and lightly used her knees to start Merta off in what she hoped was the direction of the Guard post, heading off over the mountains and through the slowly melting snow.

"Hopefully I'll be able to find a Mind Healer or at least were I'm likeliest to be able to find one". She thought as she started heading North.

It was near noon when she finally got to the Guard post, her curses started to act up a little and she winced slightly but continued on. When she finally got up to the gates she stepped up to the Guard.

"Heyla, I'm Tanea Kierr. I have a friend who is interested in becoming a Mind Healer and wants to be tested for the gift, I was wondering if there are any here to test her?

The Guard responded with a grunt and in a gruff voice, "ain't no Mind Healers here lass. Sorry I can't be no more help to ye".

She gave a gentle nod of understanding and a small smile that she had to fight for, her curses were acting up, she turned to head back but the Guard spoke again.

"O course, iffi'n ye friend wants it enough she could try Haven.

"Thank you Guard…"

"Kiplin Ansel"

"Thank you Kiplin Ansel"

"It be a pleasure miss".

Tanea turned around and headed back towards Merta clicking her tongue, the goat came up to her and nuzzled her hand.

Tanea gave her a pat than mounted, and directed her back towards her home glad to be out of the Guard post, after nearly a quarter candelmark her curses settled down and she continued her journey in peace.

When she reached home she watered her garden fed her goats and checked on the boy. He was getting thin, what with his diet consisting of the broth she could pour down his throat.

His condition hadn't changed since this morning. She went to the kitchen and got another cup of broth, when she returned she propped the boy up, slowly, painstakingly slowly she poured the broth down his throat.

Once she finished she got a cup of broth for herself "might as well eat it too it conserves the food."

She then went, sat on a bench outside and watched the setting sun. It's reds and golds reflecting beautifully of the snow on the ground and the leaves on the trees, it was a beautiful sight.

When it had finally set she checked on her goats one more time, making sure that the pen was secure and any predators that came by wouldn't be getting a free dinner.

Then she went back inside and prepared for sleep. She then banked the fire, sat down on her couch by said fire, and fell asleep.

When she woke the next morning, she got up and made herself a cup of sage tea drank it down and then when to check on the boy, when she was satisfied with his condition she went outside and tended to her goats. Then she sat down outside and enjoyed the fresh morning air.

With the grey morning clouds of the morning and the crisp fresh air.

When her head was cleared and her body refreshed she went over to her herb garden and cut off a few bits, went inside and put the trimmings on her workstation, then went back outside to water her garden, when she was done it was a few candelmarks after sunrise.

She went back inside. When inside she opened up the shutters, letting the stale air out, and the fresh air in.

Then she sat down on her chair to rest her ageing body. "Ah what am I thinking" she thought to herself "I'm just putting off the inevitable. Haven, I will have to take him to Haven" and then came the first problem.

"How am I supposed to transport a comatose boy all the way to Haven". Simple she would have to strap him to the stretcher and her goats.

"All right next problem, how am I going to keep us fed?" She would have to pay for the cheapest broth she could at inns and taverns, as long as it kept them alive and with enough energy to make the trip.

"Ok what's next, ah, shelter, where will we sleep?" She could probably buy a tent or two at a village, and until then they could sleep in temples. Best to avoid inns and taverns as much as possible, due to her curses, temples would be better since the priests and priestess' emotions wouldn't be so mixed.

And so, her mind made up she started to pack.