AN: Okay, I'm so sorry, it's late, I know, but I'm still not over Delphine, I will never be over Delphine, and I had to go scratch my sanity and feels off the wall. Also, a close friend got diagnosed with GAD, so...yeah.

I feel like I'm the only one who watched Legend of the Seeker. Kahlan Amnell anyone? No? Okay, you don't know what you're missing. Or I'm just really old. I feel old.

"Kahlan."

They have dropped all formalities after being raised together when Lord Aryyn died, leaving a 7 year old Kahlan an orphan and Lady of the Veil. Ethan Lannister took her in as a ward, until she came of age and has been ruling the Vale ever since. Kahlan and Rachel are both stand offish people, being born into powerful ruling families and shouldering responsibilities at a very young age when all they wanted was to have a friend. And so they found real friendship with each other, an unlikely one where they are the other's only real friend; both knowing what it means to be ruthless to be able to rule, both being the only women in the Small Council, and both losing the person who taught them everything they had to know, making Kahlan the only person who knows how Rachel is feeling. Both are terrifying, both are bold and not to be trifled with, and they have a strange connection that they both find comfort in.

Kahlan raises a brow in question, noticing the serious gaze and feeling the air shift.

"Connected how?"

Rachel debates how much to say, but then again, Kahlan was the only person who could feel her loss in a personal level. "I'm trying to find the cause of death." That is all she says, but she can almost hear the gears turning from the pale brunette, the blue eyes squinting imperceptibly before widening in understanding.

"I knew it. I always thought of the possibility that he didn't die of sickness like they said. Except it doesn't make any sense, no one profits from his death, he is the most loved in the Seven Kingdoms."

Rachel keeps silent, letting her friend voice everything out.

"How?" Kahlan asks, turning so she is fully facing Rachel.

"Poison, is what we suspect."

"Ah. The foreign potion master. I knew you wouldn't have just let a sranger work so closely to the heart of the City for 'educational and expanding information ' purposes. Are you making her make antidotes?"

"No, she actually is paired up with the Grand Maester and other maesters doing their official job, but also trying to detect the Tears of Lys."

"That's impossible, the Tears are untraceable."

"Not to her, if the Fairy and Grand Maester are to be believed." Kahlan contemplates this new information.

"I suppose that's where I come in then? To validate if she's telling the truth." Rachel nods. Kahlan's intelligence and brilliance has never been in question for Rachel. Although their tastes somehow deviated, one focusing in business and commerce and the other focusing in laws, it has always been a double edged sword for the blonde. She liked it because she didn't have to explain everything, and she hated it because she could rarely hide things from Kahlan.

But it's not just the the most dangerous thing about Kahlan, aside from her intelligence and combat skills, is her ability to judge the truth. It's what marks her and makes her special, and it was how she got to be Master of Laws. Most criminals fear appearing before her because she can always see the truth. She is known for her ruthless punishments, a woman who is not afraid to give equal, sometimes worse, retribution as she sees fit, known for ruling the Vale with an iron fist. Behind the long wavy brown hair, tall stature, sky blue eyes and poised smile, is a sharp and acute danger that is equally poised. Her beauty is not in question, far from it, her face being something that might be carved and prayed to, but the only thing that can match her beauty is the calm sense of danger she emits, like a beautifully crafted sword that can split a man in two.

She slowly walks until she is towering over the Hand, then gives a smile with a promise of convection behind it.

"Of course I'll help, Rachel. You know I'd do anything for him." Her expression relaxes, then takes the crook of Rachel's arm. "Now, tell me, how have you been doing?"

The most powerful person in the land does her best to not groan out loud or roll her eyes.

Cosima wonders how long before Alison figures herself out. She has silently slipped out of view into one of the library's shelves to give her and Beth some private time. She figured she could teach Sarah the common tongue(not knowing that she doesn't need to), so she proposed going to the library to get some materials, Beth offering to accompany her since they are heading for the Godswood afterwards anyway. Alison doesn't hesitate in "helping pick some books to help educate Sarah."

Hah, helping my ass. They never even realized I wasn't there anymore.

And that's how she's currently alone, two shelves over, trying to reach a book and trying not to let go of the stack of paper on her other hand while cursing her height at the same time. She feels someone sneak up and bear hug her from behind. She is about to scream, when she hears a low chuckle from the person carrying her.

"Hah, what do you know, my favorite princess and customer all the way here in King's Landing." The moment her feet touch the ground, she gives a shove backwards.

"You ass."

Cal just laughs at her, then picks up the book and papers she dropped when he hugged her.

"Never took you for a septa, teaching kids to be miserable while learning to read and write" he says, looking over the papers."

"Long story." she waves her hand.

"Oooh, these look interesting." he spreads one particular paper open, critical eye scanning the designs of casks, tanks, kegs, and different bottles.

"Books and plans about grains and grapes. Connected to making more drinks for the gods, no doubt." he comments.

"No doubt. And you? Myr is a long way home."

"I have been commissioned by her scaryness the Hand of the King to basically rebuild her tower. What can I say, I AM the best." he waggles his eyebrows.

"That you are." she chuckles.

The sound of clinking metal stops around the corner, Beth coming into view, her sword already partially unsheathed.

"No no no no, " Cosima immediately steps between them, her hands waving in the air. Beth stops scanning for even just a sliver of threat when Alison appears, having caught up with Beth. Her hand doesn't loosen its grip.

"Everyone, this is Cal. He's a master craftsman from Myr and has been called on by Lady Rachel to renovate the tower. It's all right, I'm all right." she adds when it seems that the knight doesn't have any intentions of easing. Beth seems satisfied that he's harmless, and her sword clicks shut.

"It's an honor to meet you, Cal. How exactly do you know Princess Cosima?" Alison asks, deflating the remaining tension.

"I am her reason for seeing, mlady." he says with a straight face, then burst out in a chuckle when Cosima hits him on the stomach.

"He's the one who crafted these, " she points to her glasses, "and he's also the one who built all my glassware and equipment for brewing back in Dorne."

"I am half the reason her wine tastes the way it tastes. You can't make wine without materials," he grins cheekily down at her. "But I can't really take credit for her eye contraption, I just remodelled and refined her old one."

"Oh, who built the previous one?"

Alison can visibly see her friend deflate a little.

Cosima was now looking at the floor, struck by a memory, the sadness resonating to her voice.

"Lord Ethan." she murmurs. "I mean, he designed and invented it, when he found out I had vision problems, then he asked the best craftsman at the time to build it. He gave me the ability to see."

There was awkward silence in response, and then, "That craftsman trained me." Cal pipes in, and everyone is silently thankful for his diversion. "I just did some adjusting and refining when our ever graceful princess here broke her old pair." He ruffles her thin braids, glad that he was able to make her smile.

"Oooh, this is perfect timing. When you're not busy, can I task you with furnishing, maybe design some glassware for my workplace?"

"I thought I already built everything you need in Dorne?" his brows do the questioning.

"My workplace here. In the cellars." she grins up at him. "Yup, that's right, I plan to experiment on their crops and grapes here, what kind of alcohol they can produce, and how many varieties I can discover. Highgarden alone has so many different types of..." Alison calmly catches the tanned hands, flailing and arcing in the air, Cosima having been caught up in the moment.

"I think he gets the idea."

"Oh, right, right, sorry." she looks up at him. "Can you?" Cal rubs his beard. "Hmmn, I don't know. I'm pretty sure Her Scaryness isn't big on sharing." Cosima rolls her eyes.

"You get to have the first barrel of all the new products before they be shipped to the four corners of the world, and in turn you do anything that Cosima might need you to." this rom Alison, causing the previously rolling eyes to snap towards her.

His response was immediate. "Deal." Everyone knows that whatever Cosima comes up with, the whole world will thirst for it. "You know, maybe I can even start now." and he propmtly plucks the designs out of her hands, walking away with a skip in his steps, all heads turning to watch him go.

Knight and princess both turn to look at Alison.

"Did you just bribe him?"

"Of course not, don't be silly." The two girls stare at her incredulously.

"It's called incentive." Alison huffs out. "At least now, you can have him do anything and you dont have to pay anything, just barrels."

Cosima opens her mouth, then closes it, dropping her hand which was raised, supposed to make a point.

"That's...actually shrewd." Beth agrees with a half shrug half nod.

Lady Tully smiles, immensely pleased with herself but more because of Beth's reaction. Her smile drops when she sees her friend leaning back on the shelves with a grimace.

"Are you alright?" she asks, concern in her voice.

"Yeah, yeah. Just a head ache." she can feel the dull pain behind her eyes flare up.

"Is it those nightmares again?" the redhead lays a comforting hand on her bare shoulder. "Are you getting enough sleep?"

"Yeah, don't worry about me. Maybe my glasses need reajusting again or something. Lord Ethan said it could happen." She knows Alison's right, however; the nightmares are slowly becoming more frequent and vivid and she keeps waking up, her body cold and shaking.

"I thought Scott gave you something for the pain. Maybe you can try something else?" "He did. And I did try other methods." except I'm not about to tell you that I'm smoking dried leaves and those aren't working anymore either. "Nothing works anymore." she sighs.

Alison was looking at her with a serious contemplative expression.

"You are scaring me with those eyes. What is it?"

"There's someone else who can give you something to help with the pain." For a moment, Cosima was excited at the prospect of finally taking a break form the constant nightmares and pain, but then she gets it, and her reaction is immediate.

"No. I am not going to her." she begins straightening herself up.

Beth, oblivious to things, interjects. "Oh, Delphine of Lys. She's the best in making potions, right? I'm sure she has something for you." Despite the pain, Cosima's mind goes to the gutter at those particular words, giving her all the more reason for her eyes to scream nope, no thank you Alison. I don't need another thing on top of this headache to drive me all the more crazy.

Alison's scream be reasonable about this, you know Beth's right. Please stop being stubborn.

They continue their glare off.

"...or not." an afterthought when she notices the silent exchange between the two nobles.

"No, Alison." Cosima brushes the hand on her shoulder, making to move away, only to be physically blocked.

"You're in pain, and the khol doesn't hide the darkness under your eyes." "I said no. I won't go to her." and she sidesteps the smaller woman "I'm gonna go see Sarah." "You're escaping." Alison calls out after her, "You need sleep, Cosima!" It is not until later that she realizes that for the first time, due to her worry, Alison has forgotten to address her as princess. At the present, however, she just wants to get away from the conversation and from the thoughts of a person whose face has been haunting her for days.

Beth watches Alison watching Cosima's retreating back. She wants to ask what's going on, what just happened, but knows it's not her place to ask, but seeing Alison with a very worried expression is kicking something somewhere underneath her ribs, especially when she hears a pained sigh. Beth steels herself, reminding herself of their position and status.

I want to embrace her and tell her everything's goi- wait, what , embrace? Why in seven hells would I embrace her?

Alison crosses an arm over her stomach, her hand coming up to lightly cover her face. She sighs again. "She keeps resisting me. I'm just trying to help, I'm trying to look out for her, to get her to feel better because she's my friend, and I do care about her so why is she resisting me? Am I not a good enough friend?" Beth can see the frustration, the exhausted nervous self doubting energy that just seems to pour out of the smaller woman.

That finally pushes her to move, and she almost doesn't realize it when her hand, her gauntlet really, carefully grips Alison's elbow, causing her to slowly look up in surprise. Their eyes meet, the connection instantaneous. Even though the only point of connection between them is a soft but firm grip, armor and sleeve in between, but that is all they need, because Alison visibly calms down as they continue gazing into each other's eyes.

Beth knows that she has no right to do what she's doing, considering how Alison is such a stickler for rules, but at the moment, she doesn't care, because in that moment there was just her and Alison beneath towering shelves and books as their witness of something flowing between them they both cannot describe.

The knight's training kicks in however, when she sees movement at the end of the shelf. She stiffens, immediately dropping her hand, and their magic moment pops out of existece. It takes longer for Alison to realize what's happening, confused about the stiff and formal expression on Beth's face, the exact opposite of what she got lost in a few seconds ago. It occurs to her that Beth is looking at someone behind her. She's about to turn around, wondering who it is, but Beth beats her to the punch.

"Your grace."

Alison's breath catches in her throat, her heart thundering in her ears.

"Your grace." she says with a graceful dipping of the head, unlike the stiff and formal nod Beth did.

King Donnie approaches them, Ser Arthur and Ser Paul beind him.

"Lady Tully." He takes her hand, slowly bowing to kiss it and oozing charm from every pore. "It is an honor to see you again."

From the corner of her eye, Beth can see a very flustered but pleased Alison, smiling like a teenaged girl, and she grits her teeth at the vague begrudging feeling creeping into her chest.

What is this and why do I feel like punching something? And then her eyes meet Paul's. Paul who taught her how to fight. Paul, who is her first love. Paul, who lied to her and just used her because she was the daughter of one of the greatest fighters, the epitome of a knight, and he wanted a glimpse of Selmy's pioneering journals on fighting, which never went out of his private shelves.

Ah. There's my answer. They haven't really spoken since she found out and broke things off with him, even when he apologized and said that he does care about her.

She is only half listening to the chitchat going on between lady and king, trying to ignore Art's warning youlooklikeyou'regonnadosomethingstupiddontdoanythingstupid look, and she is a little surprised when she vaguely hears Alison mention her name.

"Pardon, my lady?" she recovers herself.

"King Donnie has offered himself as a guide for the walk in the gardens." She was looking up expectantly.

"That's all and well, my lady, enjoy your walk." Beth didn't mean for it to come out like that, specially that the redhead almost looks wounded by her blunt dismissove reaction.

"My duty is to protect Princess Cosima as she deals with her task. Ser Arthur and.." she pauses, giving him a look, "Ser Paul, will be very capable in accompanying you."

"I'm sure the flowers will mean no harm." Paul replies with a small smile.

Beth's expression doesn't change. "I'm sure they won't." The three other people awkwardly watch their interaction. Before anyone else can say anything, Beth turns to face the king.

"By your leave, your Grace, I have to catch up with Princess Cosima." "Oh, yes, yes, of course." that is all she needs, taking one step back before turning away, not bothering with another word, her quick steps quietly echoing throughout the library, and they can only watch her go.

At first, Alison thought it was her that caused the change in Beth's behavior, until she remembers that she and Paul have history. A very intimate, painful, history that stretches back to years ago. Of course it wasn't you, silly girl, who are you in her life to be of significance enough to cause a reaction like that? She even feels embarrassed; she was quick to assume that Beth would be joining them, and she felt shame when the knight reminded them, reminded her most specially, that her duty was protecting her very stubborn friend. The mention of Paul, and the undertones in their exchange, starts a confusing kind of anger in her.

What am I angry at? To whom?

She can already hear King Donnie back to his cheerful demeanor, and she decides to focus on that, focus on the excitement of being personally escorted by the king, and shove the confusion away.

Cosima is startled when Berh grumpily enters the tent, Sarah having known her approach by the slight sound of clinking armor with her more trained ears.

"Where's Alison?" she asks after waiting for a moment before realizing that no one else will be walking in and that Beth came alone.

"Lady Tully is taking awalk in the gardens with the king." Cosima almost swears she can detect a surly tone.

The kingsguard draws her sword, pointing it at Sarah, the intent impossible to miss. "You. Me. Outside. Now." The dothraki immediately jumps up, almost excitedly, ignoring the protests from her companion. "Wait, we're not done here yet."

"With all due respect, Princess Cosima, you look like you're not feeling well, and it shows, Sarah here is bored, no offense, and she looks like she's also itching for a match." Cosima sighs, looking defeated and drained. Beth softens her voice. "You need to rest. You could use a break...we all could use a break." she says as an afterthought.

Cosima smiles wryly at the two warriors already halfway out the tent. "Your idea of a break being going all out without actually killing each other?" Beth shrugs, and she looks over at Sarah, who just does the same thing.

"Fine." she sighs dramatically, giving them both an eyeroll.

Sarah doesn't know how long they've been sparring, but doesn't really mind. What she does mind, however, is how Beth is fighting. She can feel the added aggressiveness to each strike, the growls and grunts when Beth is normally calm and collected even when in combat, the frustration coming off of her in waves. Her emotions are giving her a boost when it comes to strength, but it takes away her grace and finesse, which Sarah uses to her advantage, her arms and legs already beginning to shake from the strain of Beth's blows and running around.

I have to end this before she ends up hurting both of us.

She sees an opening, and swiftly blocks another attack before turning, using the hilt of her arakh to hit Beth on the temple, her foot making a sweep at the same time which sends the knight face flat on the ground. She quickly turns over, attempting to stand, but Sarah steps on the blade of the sword, the curve of her arakh already cradling the visible skin between helmet and breastplate.

"Ohos!" (stop!)she warns.

And that is how Cosima finds them,with Sarah sternly staring down at Beth, having been convinced that the two fighters were hacking each other to pieces based on the intensity of violent sounds coming outside the tent so she wobbled out on unsteady feet to make sure they weren't. Beth swats the blade away from her neck, grumpily getting to her feet.

"You done fighting your anger out?" Sarah admonishes in her harsh dothraki accent.

"Wait, you're angry?" Cosima asks Beth.

"No." she grumbles, and Sarah squints her eyes disapprovingly.

"You were a child today, all emotions and no thought." "Now what is she saying?"

Cosima looks back and forth between the two of them, not sure what's going on. "That you were fighting with your emotions and not giving much thought." Beth glares at Sarah, then eventually sighs, taking off her helmet.

"You're right, I apologize, to both of you. If it were a more serious situation, I could've ended up with more than my ass getting kicked, or have someone else be hurt because of me." Cosima smiles at her, translating her apology for Sarah's benefit. The dothraki dips her gaze in lieu of an acknowledgement, and then her brows draw together, staring at something, Beth comprehends, is behind her. She turns, her face doing a more severe impression of Sarah's expression.

Confidently walking and closing the distance between them is Ser Paul. He stops a few paces away, warily eyeing Sarah. From the corner of her eye, Cosima can see Beth and Sarah smirk at this.

"Princess Cosima." he addresses her, then looks at his fellow kingsguard.

"Beth." She bristles at the sound of her name coming out of his mouth, or rather, how he says hers name; tinged with regret, sadness, and almost as if he cared.

"Ser Paul." Cosima swoops to the rescue, "what brings you here?" He doesn't take his eyes off of Beth.

"You are being called upon by the Lady Hand. She requests your presence, both of you." he finally turns his eyes toward the princess.

"I can go alone." Beth immediately steps up when she sees how Cosima winces, as if physically pained, upon hearing the news. "Princess Cosima isn't feeling well."

"Lady Rachel has explicitly-"

"I said I can go alone. I'll explain and deal with the consequences." Paul casts her a warning glance. Don't take this personally, I'm doing my job and you should do yours.

Beth gives him an answering look. I has nothing to do with you or me. "Look at her Paul. Do you honestly think she's in the condition to walk around much less climb that tower? She should be resting." For the first time, Paul really looks at Cosima, noting the slight swaying, unusual pallor, and subtle grimaces every once in a while.

"Very well." She does look like shit. "I will take your position as her guard." She's about to argue when she feels an arm pull her back slightly. "No, he's right, for formality's sake, someone should be with me while I am around Sarah." Cosima softly says, too tired to argue. "Go. I'll be alright." she assures Beth.

The knight nods. "By your leave, Princess Cosima." She gives Paul one last loaded look when she walks past him.

Delphine is in Rachel's study, updating her on the ongoing test.

"How much longer?" the shorter blonde asks as calmly as possible without losing her patience.

"As I have said, it will take time, but not to worry. You'll have definite results in two or three days."

Rachel walks around her table, stopping in front of Delphine and looking her directly in the eyes. "I better. And you better be telling the truth...about everything. Something tells me you're not who you say you are."

Delphine gives a placating smile. "I'll be happy to prove my credentials to you. I would not be here if I don't know what I do about potions. You can ask Grand Maester Aldous. Already, the revisions and additions I'm working with his team of maesters are improving their knowledge on the subject."

They both know that's not what Rachel meant, but before things could escalate, the guard at her door knocks.

"Kingsguard here to see you, my lady."

She gives Delphine a warning look.We are not done.

"Send her in." A moment later, Beth enters.

"My lady." she greets, mentally bracing herself once she sees the two blondes with their perfectly cool facades.

Rachel lifts a brow. "Did I not make myself clear when I asked that there should be two of you standing in front of me right now?"

Here we go. "Pardon me, my lady, but Princess Cosima wasn't feeling well." She sees the taller blonde trying to subtly not look at her.

"She does understand that this is extremely important and a little sickness can be set aside." Beth cannot help but see a lioness about to pounce at her prey.

"I understand my lady, but even Ser Paul agrees with me that she needs immediate rest, and with all due respect if you were to see her, you'll also give the same judgement, and I'll answer any queries you might have." she gulps in fear, but decides to stand by her decision to stand up for Cosima because it was the right thing to do.

Because Delphine is behind her, Rachel doesn't notice the obvious flinching she does, turning her head to blatantly looking at Beth, whose eyes flick towards her for a second, not wanting to give her away.

She looks as if someone killed her favorite pet and she's about to cry. The Lysene seems to catch herself, trying to shield herself up again.

Too conversation in the library seems a bit clearer now.

Rachel, completely unaware, narrows her eyes at Beth. "Ser Paul has agreed with you, has he?" "Yes, my lady." For a brief period, she legitly contemplates how best to escape with the look Rachel is giving her, but then the Hand steps away, returning to sit behind her table.

"If Ser Paul condones it, I suppose she really must not be feeling well." Her almost smirking tone, and the sadistic smile she has when Beth says 'yes, my lady, she really needs rest' gives Delphine all the more reason to hate her.

In another world, you were helplessly lying on a hospital bed while a poked your eye and I enjoyed every moment of it. You would not like what I am capable of in this world.

"Lady Delphine." that snaps her out her dark thoughts. "We will continue our conversation some other time. You, however," she turns to Beth, looking her up and down " I hope you will be able to adequately satisfy my answers." Beth almost smiles at this.

Oh you have no idea how much I want to anser your questions. She can't help but throw one last glance at the foreigner, passing by her as she goes out, their eyes briefly connecting, and she realizes this is the first time she's seen the pale beauty up close.

By the gods, she IS beautiful. And I can't help but feel like she's also dangerous. Beauty like that doesn't come with innocence. She mentally shakes her head, trying to clear her thoughts.

She also looks like she doesn't want to leave yet, a sentiment we share, although I know it's because she wants to hear more about a sick princess and because I'd feel more secure in stepping out of this room alive.

She steels herself the moment she hears the door click shut.

"Now then," Rachel begins, "what is the barbarian's purpose for coming here and what did my father want with her."

"My lady, I think it's better if you ask her yourself." Beth stops herself from smiling at the annoyed confused look from Rachel.

"I would but she doesn't understand a word I'm saying and for some ungodly reason, princess Cosima is the only one fluent enough in the dothraki tongue, but as you say, she cannot make it, so you better not let me repeat my question."

"I meant what I said, my lady. She refuses to talk to anyone about the matter. She only wants to talk to you. Princess Cosima has tried everything, and she's cooperative enough, but she resolutely will 'not talk about it to people uninvolved', I believe is what she said." She bites the inside of her cheek to keep herself from smiling smugly, but Rachel notices anyway, and she sends a death glare towards Beth.

"Then let us hope that she has enough intelligence to carry a conversation with me in the common tongue." she replies calmly, much too calmly for Beth's liking, especially when she dismisses her, "you can continue on with your task", with a smile. She doesn't like it one bit.

The preparations for the Hand's tourney is in full swing, and sounds of hammering, shouting, and sawing are all over the grounds. Cosima can feel her headache expand with every sound. She tries her best not to mind, but the pain behind her eyes has now bloomed to unbearable proportions that she can't fight the wave of dizziness that overtakes her, making her sway on her feet, not bothering to listen to what Scott was rambling about.

"Whoa. Do you need to sit down? You're looking very pale." she dimly hears the maester.

"No, no." she tries to brush off, "Just tired, and lack of sleep, probably." Scott holds both of her elbows, staring down at her in concern. "You're looking more like a Starke than a Martell with how pale you're becoming." He looks around for a moment. "Why don't we go sit down at the Maester's booth. They're still constructing it but at least it's comfortable." Cosima sighs in defeat, deciding that it's better not to argue and that she does need to sit down. She lets Scott assist her through the very busy grounds. When they reach the booth, he leads her towards the back of the tent, separated from the front open part, depositing her on a high backed chair.

She sighs in comfort, closing her eyes, not really realizing how much she needed this. Scott smiles. "Comfortable?"

She groans in response.

"Maester Scott!" they hear the grand maester's voice somewhere outside.

"I better go." He looks down at her. "Will you be all right?" "Yes, yes" she waves him off, her eyes still closed. "I can just sit here until I decompose or until my head ache goes away." He chuckles, patting her on the shoulder before going out to answer his summons.

Cosima slowly opens her eyes, the pain quietly receding to nothing, the sound of hammering and people yelling still very audible, but at least inside, it's not as loud.

I might have to steal this chair, she muses wryly as she enjoys the feeling of not having needles constantly poking inside her head. She hears a flapping of wings, and her head turns towards the sound. There, up the little space that lets light inside the tent, a is a three eyed raven. It is gazing calmly at her, and strangely , she isn't the least bit bothered or scared, in fact, it's as if she feels peaceful, like meeting an old childhood friend. It caws, hopping to face outside, then flies away.

"Wait!" she jumps out of the chair, striding towards the back entrance, but then she stops.

Okay. I am talking to a raven.A three eyed raven. I must be going crazy. She looks back to the other side where she and Scott entered. With a final fortifying breath, she shoves the flap open, deciding to chase the raven.

The light momentarily blinds her, and she's thankful that she no longer has a headache or else she knows she'll probably be kneeling in pain right now. She looks left and right, convinced she was imagining things. A distinct caw! Caw! Makes her stop, her eyes finding the raven perched on a flag. It flies away again, and she wastes no time trying to catch up to it, ignoring the protests from the various people busily creating stands and whatnot. She doesn't know where it's leading her, only that it is away from the commotion, she is so intent on not losing it that she isn't aware of where she is the raven finally perches itself on top of a tree. Cosima puts her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. When she looks up, she is stunned.

I didn't know there were weirwood trees this far south, aside from the godswood in the Red Keep.

It is a magnificent tree, but it is not what makes Cosima's blood run cold; it is the man stepping out from behind the tree. A tall, lanky, and very familiar man.

"Hello, Cosima." Ethan smiles at her. After a moment, he frowns.

"Cosima?" He doesn't sound like himself anymore. "Cosima!" She hears a piercing sound from the raven, and she jolts out of the chair, the pain behind her eyes almost making her blind. She can feel hands grabbing her arms, and she instinctively jerks away.

"Whoa, hey, hey. It's me."

"Scott?" she croaks. He helps her up, supporting most of her weight. "I thought I heard you screaming. You were having a bad dream."

Dream. Dream, it was a dream. Her heartbeat is still very audible to her ears. Raven. Lord Ethan. Lord Ethan! She looks up to where she saw the raven, and she wobbly steps towards the back entrance where she followed it out.

"Take it easy, I don't think you should be standing or walking yet." He's right, because as she takes her second step, the pain inside her head explodes, making her cry out. She dimly hears someone else enter, and the last thing she remembers before blacking out, is the sensation of strong arms catching her, cool skin against hers which is sweating and burning, the sound of a very accented "Cosima!", and doe shaped hazel eyes looking at her, wide with fear.

It's like past 2 AM, so all mistakes, you can point them out and I'll edit it later, I'm exhausted, but I had to keep reassuring my friend, I don't really know if that helped. I didnt know what else to do. Thanks for reading. Comments are very much appreciated.