A/N During the early stages of this story, I knew where Kyminn's Gifts would eventually take him. The next steps where to figure out the "how" and "why" that would get him there. Now that I have those two points pinned down, I had to go back through the canon timeline and figure out the "when." This step happened while I was writing this chapter. (I have repeated this at the start of the story, for new readers.)

I've been able to be very definite with respect to the "when" of this story. It takes place in the year 1371 A.F. The ruling monarch is Sendar, the King's own is Talamir (Companion Taver). In just under a year, a Companion named Kantor is going to choose a Karsite captain and turn the Herald's Collegium on their collective ears.

(A note – I did amend the story to reflect that the Weaponsmaster is Dethor, not Alberich.)

Chapter 20

Randen uncurled himself from Derris's side as they approached. "Kyminn…", stricken.

Kyminn lowered himself down beside the pair, forcing Derris to acknowledge him. "Derris."

Derris met his eyes for a few heartbeats, then dropped his gaze.

Kyminn shook his head. "I hope you don't think that you're the first of my patients to turn on me."

A guilty flinch from both of them. Kyminn tried again. "Derris, you and your Chosen suffered horrific injuries in that accident. I'm actually a bit surprised that you have both recovered as smoothly as you have. This is just another injury and we'll make sure you both recover from this as well. Understand?"

The faintest of equine nods. Kyminn leaned forward so that he was nose to nose with Derris. "Derris, you are both going to recover. You are going to rest, do your exercises and follow my therapy instructions to the letter. When we get to Haven, you will both go the Healers and do whatever exercises and therapy they tell you to do. I don't care if they tell you to learn to ice-skate if that's what it takes. You're going to do it or I am going to feed you your own hoof parings. Understand?"

Derris blinked and snorted. But he nodded, more firmly this time. The hangdog air hadn't completely vanished yet though.

Kyminn glanced from Randen to the Companion and sighed. "He's going to follow me around like a puppy, apologizing every chance he gets, isn't he?"

"Kyminn…he…we…I can't express how sorry we are about what happened!" Randen was miserable.

"I know." Kyminn was gentle. "As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing to forgive. It happened. I should have been more careful, thought about the storm. Kind of obvious, in hindsight." This last was rueful.

"But he tried to kill you!"

"And failed. We were both lucky and we'll both be more careful going forward. It's done, Randen. Leave it be."

Randen looked like wanted to say more, but subsided with a reluctant nod of acquiescence. Kyminn let Jannen help me back to his feet.

"I'm going to check on the horses while Jareth and Bryann help Derris to his feet. I want to check that shoulder. Then we'll get you back in the wagon and settled again, alright?"

Another glum nod.

Kyminn sighed and trudged off to where the team was picketed. He surprised Jannen with a sudden snort of mirth. A raised eyebrow invited the healer to share the joke.

"I was just thinking," Kyminn glanced back to where Derris was being helped to his feet. "That I guess it really doesn't matter if Derris decides to be a pain in the ass for the next little while." He flashed a sardonic smile at Jannen. "For the foreseeable future, I can still outrun him."

Jannen choked. "Swallowed a bug," he muttered at Kyminn's querying look. A swift change of subject. "I'd like you to check the grey mare, Dusty. She's limping."

Kyminn ran his hands over the mare with a frown. "She's got a swelling here on her ribs, just behind her near foreleg. At a guess, I'd say she got kicked during the ruckus."

"That was my thought. How long do you think till she's fit again?"

"That depends. If my Gift were working, a day, maybe two. As it is?" a shrug. "It depends. I've seen pretty severe wounds develop from these. We'll treat it as best we can for now and hope it doesn't get any worse."

Jannen nodded and helped Kyminn catch each of the remaining animals and carefully check them over. By the time they were finished, both Derris and Randen were on their feet.

Kyminn's examination of the Companion was exacting, including grilling Derris on both his appetite and waste production. Randen flushed a bit with embarrassment, but provided the requested information. Finally, Kyminn stepped back with a sigh. "From what I can tell," his tone emphasized the lack of definition in the response, "You've bruised it badly and possibly caused some minor tearing. I'm willing to bet that the healed break in your leg is aching pretty badly right about now."

Derris hesitated briefly, but nodded.

"I figured as much. After we get Randen here back to the wagon, I'll make up a draught for the pain and swelling and some poultices for you and the horse." He looked over at Jannen. "I'm afraid we won't be going anywhere for several days at least."

"I figured as much." Jannen hesitated, then added, "We could use some fresh meat."

"Fine by me, just let me know in advance this time, alright?" It was dry.

"Kyminn, I am NOT going to forget that!"

Scene Break

By the fourth day, Kyminn was able to feel his Gifts without pain, but using them was another matter. He felt weak and clumsy, like his strength was running through his fingers. He confided as much to Jannen, who was quick to reassure him that what he was experiencing was normal, that the healing of his channels and the replenishment of his energy would be a gradual process. In one respect, this information eased Kyminn's mind greatly. In other ways, it only deepened his concern.

They were gathered, as had become their habit, in the Companions' shelter. Kyminn had just completed yet another examination of Derris's injuries. He was uncharacteristically uncertain as he presented his findings.

"Derris has re-injured the muscles of his chest and shoulder." He made a calming gesture as he continued, "The damage isn't severe, nor is it irreparable. It's simply painful and going to extend the recovery time by a few weeks. Derris also stressed the healed canon bone – it's not damaged, more in the nature of a bone-bruise than anything. It too will heal with time, but for now it is quite painful."

He paused, and went on reluctantly. "I'm actually more concerned about the horse."

Derris's head twitched up and his ears flashed forwards, but he refrained from any further comment.

"The mare's injury isn't healing well. It's a deep tissue injury that has started to break down. A pocket of infection is forming and an abscess will follow. Once the infection sets in deeply, I may not be able to save her, even if my Gift is at full strength."

Kyminn looked from Derris to Randen and back again. "I'm not recovered enough to Heal both of you and I won't be for a few days yet. Those few days could cost us the horse." A helpless shrug. "I don't think we can move the wagon with three animals. If the horse dies, Jannen and Niko would have to find the nearest town and hope there is a horse we can buy. I don't know how long that would take. A week? Two?"

His attention shifted to Jannen. "Normally, I wouldn't even consider choosing a horse over a Companion. But," a grimace, "Derris won't take any further harm from waiting a few days for Healing. I can manage the pain somewhat, but not completely." Kyminn opened his hands, palm up, in a gesture of uncertain helplessness as he looked at the Heralds. "This isn't something I can decide. I know what the Healer's answer is, but I don't know what the Herald's answer says."

Jannen simply nodded to Randen, silently turning the decision over to his fellow Herald. The ensuing silent conversation between Randen and his Companion was long, and judging from Randen's expression, troubling. Finally, "Are you able to put up a pain block?" It was hopeful.

That open handed gesture again. "Maybe. Some of the time. I'll do my best. I can make up a pretty powerful sleeping draught, so Derris will get at least some relief."

A pained sigh. "Derris is willing to wait. He would prefer that we not delay our arrival back in Haven any more than necessary." Pleading, "You'll do what you can for him, yes?"

"Randen," Kyminn was deadly earnest, "I'll do everything I possibly can. I promise."

Scene Break

Every creature in camp felt the strain of the next few days. The horses, perhaps sensing one of their herd was injured, were edgy and restless. Derris, back in his sling, withdrew into a patient stillness, Randen curled up at his feet, the lines of strain carving themselves deeper by the hour. Jareth and Bryann split their time between keeping the horses calm, offering their strength to Derris and providing night sentry duties.

Kyminn drained his energies as much and as often as he dared, trying to stave off further injury to the horse and offer a trickle of strength to Derris at the same time. It left him little strength for camp chores, although he did what he was able. That left Jannen to shoulder most of the heavy work of hauling water, wood and forage. Jannen's exhaustion was reflected in Niko's irritability as he tried to push the others to reduce the strain on his Chosen.

Kyminn was later prepared to swear that it was the longest three days of his life and it was a giddy relief when he was able to declare the mare out of danger and turn his strength to providing the too-long missing pain block for Derris. Once that hill was crested, it was a matter of a few more days of rest and Healing before they were at last able to take up their interrupted journey. The worst, it seemed, was at last over.