Chapter 3: Packing
Okay, Marika is the other healer in Dorrien's village. She is a plot device, and probably won't be mentioned again. I only created her so that Dorrien would have an excuse for not being at his village all the time.
This is kind of a filler chapter, as it isn't as long as the others and doesn't have much of a story line.
And does anyone want a Dannyl chapter? I don't have much time to fit this in the story now that the plot is coming together, so I will only include him if five people review and say so before I post the next chapter. (This is no guarantee that there will be a Dannyl chap, but I can try!)
Sonea:
So much to bring, and so little space! Sonea's panicked thoughts danced around in her head. Earlier, Administrator Lorlen had agreed to let her leave for Elyne to learn more about healing magic, although he had said that it was advisable that she remain for a few weeks before leaving, as she had only just graduated.
There were just a few days to go before it was time for the voyage. Will I really need a compass? But there's no point in having a compass without a map. Do I really need a map? But what if I get lost? That would be disastrous. But how can I possibly get lost if I have a guide? But what if my guide is actually a demented evil magician who wants to kill me? Why would the Guild send me a guide who was actually a demented evil magician who wanted to kill me?
Sonea frowned. Packing was doing her head in. She had never needed to travel far when she had lived in the slums, and she had no idea what she would need.
Then she heard a familiar attack of knocks on the entranceway and sighed heavily. Rothen would knock politely three times on the door; her servant Itisha rapped the door lightly five times with practised fingers; and Dorrien pelted his fists against her door as if there was no tomorrow. Sonea had been avoiding Dorrien ever since he had proposed to her. It wasn't that she didn't like him– she just felt very confused, and she didn't know how to tell him that. Also, Sonea knew that Dorrien was bound to want to come with her on her voyage, and she wasn't sure why, but she didn't feel comfortable about that. It's like he's becoming a stranger.
"Come in," she answered, reluctantly. Dorrien flew into the room and immediately started firing questions at her. "Why didn't you tell me you were going? Don't you like me anymore? I only found out yesterday night, from straining my ears at the Night Room for gossip about you. Don't look at me like that! You've been avoiding me– it's the only way to find out anything about you now. When are we leaving? You haven't left me anytime to pack, Sonea! And I'll have to re-arrange everything– Marika needs to know that I won't be returning for at least six months–"
"We? There is no we about this, Dorrien. I am going by myself."
"Nonsense! You don't know anything about Elyne!"
"You don't either! And actually, I've spent the last few weeks scouring every single book that the library had to offer about its culture! So you can talk!"
Dorrien looked hurt. "You really don't like me, do you?"
"Dorrien, it's not about that. And I do like you, really. I just don't want to marry you quite so soon!"
"You don't have to! Just let me come!"
He made puppy eyes at her, and she felt her resolve waver. "Fine!" she snapped. We're leaving in three days. You are going to be the one who informs Administrator Lorlen that you are coming, and you had better make sure that you don't make me regret this!"
Dorrien grinned triumphantly, and sped out of her rooms, slamming the door behind him. Sonea groaned. How complicated could things get?
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