Torn Between Two
Chapter 18
When Reilyn's fever didn't break, Eragon called Elli. Now, the blonde witch stood before her, touching her forehead.
"How long have you been like this?" she asked.
"Since last night," Reilyn shivered. "Elli, we can't postpone anymore. . ."
"I know, I know," the witch laughed, "but I need to know what I'm dealing with before I give you anything."
"I'm sorry," Reilyn muttered.
She allowed Elli to remove the bandage on her shoulder and winced as the witch poked and prodded the cut. A black cat strolled into the tent and sat looking at Reilyn with two tone eyes.
"Payne, I thought I asked you to stay in our tent," Elli said without turning.
"Payne?" Reilyn asked looking up from the cat.
"You were just staring at her," Elli smiled, "she's the werecat on the floor."
A werecat? Reilyn stared at the sleek cat with wonder. I've never seen one before.
Payne stare at the pale girl, blinking it's blue-green eyes. She cocked her head to the side and appeared to be thinking something over.
"I believe I have just the thing," Elli said. "It'll help with your fever ad I'll get something to rid your shoulder of the infection. That's the cause of all this."
"Thank you, Elli," Reilyn bowed her head.
Infection? Damn, I hoped this wouldn't happen. . .How will I shoot my bow or swing my sword with an infected shoulder? she whined in her mind.
"Payne, come along," Elli told the cat. "Or stay here, I guess," she said when the black animal refused to move.
"She can stay," Reilyn smiled, "I've not had the pleasure to be in company with a werecat before."
Elli nodded and left the tent, giving the cat a puzzled look on her way out.
"You certainly have beautiful eyes Payne," Reilyn said to the cat.
Why thank you. The black cat bowed its head slightly.
"You can understand me?"
Why wouldn't I be able to? We werecats aren't your typical house pet.
"I'm sorry. It just came as a surprise, that's all."
The cat leapt onto the mattress and curled on the girls lap, purring loudly as Reilyn stroked the silky fur.
That boy, the raven haired one. He knows you and you know him, but neither know how you know.
"A riddle?"
No, the truth. The key to unlock the riddle of your past lies within you both. It's buried deep and hidden well, almost forgotten entirely. Night seems to release glimpses of the truth, but obscures more than it reveals.
"How do you know this, Payne?" Reilyn asked, feeling odd about the words that cat was speaking.
Betrayal, running away, capture, torture, love, hate, lost, confused. . .These things unite your hearts. Past will become present, betrayal will repeat, pain will consume, memories will become clear.
"What?"
Listen to what I've said, do not forget my words, heed them well. They will be clear before you know it.
"Payne," Elli said, reentering the tent, a small basket hanging on one arm. "Telling fortunes again?"
The black cat merely stared at the woman before leaping off Reilyn's lap and leaving the tent.
"Can she really tell fortunes, Elli?"
"Yes, she can. But she'll only do it for a few select individuals, I'd heed her words well and feel privileged."
Betrayal. . .Pain. . .The truth. . .I wish that damn cat didn't speak in riddles! she thought reflecting on the words.
---------------------------------
"Reilyn," Elli said, holding out a cup of some sort of tea to the girl. "Drink all of this cup, every last drop."
"Do I want to ask what's in it?" Reilyn asked, sniffing the cup.
"I'd drink it quick, one try, if you can," the witch laughed. "It'll help your fever and give you some energy."
Reilyn took a deep breath and let her taste buds brace themselves. The liquid smelled bitter as it steamed from the cup. She tilted the mug to her lips and downed the warm liquid. The mixture burned her throat and tongue, and her stomach was warmed when it hit.
"That's bitter!" she gasped, handing the mug back to Elli.
"Trust me, it will help," she laughed. "Now, I'm sorry, but this next part may sting."
"Wait," Reilyn said, holding her hands up. "What is that going to do?"
"Well, it will ward off the infection and then create a protective layer over the wound. It'll allow you to fight without pain, if need be," Elli said, dipping a brush into the thick, paste-like mixture.
"I see," Reilyn said, putting her hands back down.
Elli carefully brushed the healing mixture on the back of Reilyn's shoulder. Reilyn hissed as the ice-cold mixture touched her skin, biting back on her voice. It did sting, a LOT!
"Give it a second, it'll numb up," Elli said, moving around to the front of the teen.
"Rrrrr," Reilyn growled through clenched teeth. She sighed as it did finally numb up, only to receive another freezing jolt as the mixture was brushed onto the front of her wound.
"Sorry, I thought it best to just do it," the blonde witch said.
"It's okay, just shocked me," Reilyn said, waiting for it to numb. "Why does it sting like that?"
"It means it's drawing out the infection, it's a good thing, trust me. How does it feel now?"
"Better. More flexible, like I can use my arm again," Reilyn said, carefully rolling her shoulders.
"Good," Elli smiled. "That's very good! I'll leave you now, we both need to prepare to leave."
"Thank you so much Elli!" Reilyn said, bowing.
"As always, my pleasure," the witch laughed, bowing in return before leaving.