Chapter 15

Voices were talking over me loud and fast but entirely incomprehensible to my muddled thoughts. I tried to open my eyes but all I could manage was a low groan from the effort. The voices stopped for a second before continuing at a louder faster pace. My thoughts were coming up to speed and I groaned again before turning on my side. "Five more minutes", I mumbled.

One voice was insistent it was telling me to wake up now! The voice was familiar and my brain was operating too slowly to provide a name for it. The voice kept talking and finally my brain agreed to follow my commands and provided a name for it, "Will", I gasped.

My thoughts caught up to reality and identified the voices; there were three people talking, Will, Talmar and a unfamiliar woman. Wills voice spoke again gently this time, "Come on Amber, open your eyes."

I used my available energy and gave the unbelievable amount, which was needed to force my eyes to open. Immediately the bright light assaulted my eyes and I was forced to close them. Tears streamed from my irritated eyes and I cursed them in the depths of my mind. "Will", I said hopeful that my mentor was there and would explain what happened. The details after I engaged the guards were kind of hazy.

I opened my eyes again thankful when no further pain assaulted them. And asked quickly "Did we succeed? Is Ishea safe? Will why are you here? Talmar are you ok? Who…"

Will interrupted me amusement coloring his voice," would you like answers to any of your questions?" Then he smacked his head, "If I was this bad it's a wonder Halt and I are still alive after my apprenticeship. Now for your questions Ishea is safe, she is currently sleeping over there." Will gestured to the other side of the tent where Ishea was sleeping peacefully. Then he continued, "I confronted the traitors and that is a story for another time but suffice it to say the Selethan is safe and currently working to regain leadership in his city. Talmar sustained no wounds during the rescue and was able to stop the blood loss before you died."

Will's voice caught a little on the last word, and the thought of death chilled me to the bone. I hadn't ever thought much about it, I knew it was inevitable but for it to be so close. It was scary. Will gave me a glance of pity, as if he knew what I was thinking before introducing the strange woman. She was Cielema, Umar's wife and she was the village's healer. She apparently helped Will when he was here last. I made a mental not to ask Halt about that mission, it sounded exciting. Another part off me wondered was this the whole life of a ranger, to throw oneself into danger time and time again attempting to help others?

Will's voice interrupted my thoughts again, "You shouldn't get up Amber, you lost a lot of blood and currently you're pretty weak. Cielema went to bring you a platter of food."

I only nodded in reply; I felt the tiredness I had shook of earlier come back. I ate the food Cielema gave me and some part of my mind mildly noted it was excellent. I thanked Cielema before promptly falling back asleep.

The next time I woke it was night, Will was sleeping on a chair that was set up in a corner of the large tent. I stood up and swayed but managed to stay on my feet. Smiling at my accomplishment I walked over to Ishea's bed. She was still sleeping soundly but I noted her breathing was stable and she looked a whole lot better than she did when I rescued her. Her bruises were fading and there were poultices on her wrists helping to heal them where the cuffs rubbed them raw. I took her hand and whispered, "All is well now, we can sleep in peace", before walking back to my bed and settling myself in it. "Aal izz well now", I repeated to myself before drifting back into dreamland.

I am continuing my regular update campaign, I am quite proud of myself. I may be persuaded to write Wills story in a one shot if my readers ask for it. This chapter was a little fluff and the reuniting of our young heroine and her master. Aal izz well is from a film, three idiots, I recommend it. I am planning on finishing the story in a couple more chapters dealing with returning home and addressing Amber's self esteem and her opinions on a ranger's life. I am already planning one oneshot featuring Halt taking place sometime after this stories completion. End of lengthy authors note, PLEASE REVIEW with your opinions and suggestions.

Wolfdragonz