Chapter 3:
The next day, Carrea rose early. Feeling much better on the situation, she had gone to Dorrien's room in the hopes he'd be there. After receiving no answer, she decided to take her mind off it all by going to the Healers' Quarters early. The day had passed sluggishly and eventually Carrea had to take a break for the day. As she walked towards the exit, she saw Vinara exit her office with Dorrien. She felt a thrill run through her body, followed by a nagging guilt. Should I say something now, or wait for him to find me? I don't know! She was saved when he spotted her, and walked over grinning.
"I thought I might find you here."
"Yeah – I've been here all day." She replied quietly, "about yesterday, I-"
"No, no." He stopped her shaking his head. "Forget about that. You needn't say anything."
"Ok." She replied unconvinced. "Why?"
"Because it doesn't matter. I've sorted it." He nodded affirmatively.
"How?" She frowned confused.
"You are coming with me."
"What?" She said shocked and surprised. "But-"
"You don't have to worry about anything." He chuckled, "well except packing some things."
"You haven't even asked me if I want to go!"
"Why wouldn't you?"
Blushing, she quickly tried to think of a reason, "because."
"Because?"
"I might be doing something important here, or I don't want to leave the Guild grounds?"
"I've been told you spend most of your time here, and also that you haven't left the Guild for more than a day since you joined. So you deserve a short holiday."
Pursing her lips, she tried to respond seriously, "you've been snooping on me now?"
"More like enquiring." He laughed. "And just a bit. Oh, and," he said grabbing her hand, "you are having dinner with me tonight. So we must leave now." Grinning, he pulled her after him. "My father always has a special meal the night before I go."
"Oh, your father will be there too?"
"Yes," he smiled at her. "But he already knows I'm bringing you." As they neared the door Dorrien stopped them. "Don't look so anxious." He chuckled at her.
"I can't help it."
"It will be fine."
"... It's not just that." She admitted slowly. "Everything just seems to be happening so quick, I'm really not used to anything like this."
Pulling her into an embrace, he held her close. "That's my fault. I can't help it, I get a bit carried away sometimes."
"It's ok. I suppose it hasn't helped that you have to leave."
"I'll try not to get so carried away." He chuckled. "If you really don't want to join us for dinner, then that is fine."
"I'd like to." She smiled, "it's not like I have any plans anyway, except dining alone in my room."
"Good." He nodded, and stroked her hair. "Cause I want you here." After a few moments, he let go of her, "lets go." Opening the door, he started to go in, and turned to make sure Carrea was following. Shyly, she walked behind him and entered too.
"Ah, there you are." She heard Rothen say from somewhere. As Dorrien closed the door behind her, she saw Rothen by the bookshelf, putting away a large book. "Hello Carrea." He greeted warmly.
"Hello." She responded a little shyly.
"Tania should be here shortly with some food." He said taking a seat.
"Good, because I'm hungry." Dorrien laughed and faced Carrea. "Sit down, I'll be back in a minute."
Carrea slid into the nearest seat and waited patiently.
"Would you like a drink?" Rothen asked politely.
"No thank you." She smiled. "I am fine for now."
Rothen opened his mouth to say something, as the front door opened. The servant came in, arms laden with a tray, followed by another servant with a similar tray.
"Thank you Tania." Rothen smiled as she placed down the trays on the table. "It all smells wonderful."
"I'll come back for the plates later." She smiled, "enjoy."
"I'm sure we will."
As the servants left again, Dorrien returned from his room. "Lovely!" He grinned, taking a seat next to Carrea. "What is it this time?"
Rothen leant over and unveiled the trays and dishes. Each tray had a few plates of different foods, accompanied by bowls of sauces. "Just about everything it seems." He chuckled and began serving himself food.
The next morning, Carrea woke to a soft buzzing in her head. Turning over, still half asleep she tried to doze back off, but the buzzing intensified. Slowly opening her eyes, she realised it that someone was trying to communicate mentally to her.
-Carrea. It came again, with a faint feeling of amusement.
-Dorrien?
-Yes. The sense of amusement grew. I've been calling you for ages now. I thought I might have to come in and wake you up.
-I'm not used to waking this early, at all.
-I didn't think so. I'm waiting outside your room, apparently you don't wake up to knocks on your door either.
-You're much too awake for this time. She grumbled back sleepily, and got out of bed. Slipping on a night robe, she entered the guestroom and opened the main door. Dorrien stood wide awake and smiling.
"Much too awake."
"Good morning to you too." He chuckled as he entered the guestroom."It's a good thing you didn't wake up any later, we leave in half an hour."
"It's fine. I'm ready, I just need to get dressed." She yawned. "I'll only be a few minutes." Wandering into the bedroom, she quickly got dressed, and returned a couple minutes later looking more awake. Trying to stop yawning, she took a pastry from the table and sat down in a chair. "Feel free to take one if you want." She said before taking a bite out of hers.
"I'm fine, I had my breakfast a while ago."
"What time did you get up?"
"Dawn. I always get up then."
"Lucky for some. I need lots of sleep, or I start doing odd things."
"Oh," Dorrien said frowning, "it is later than I realised. We need to go now."
Finishing off her breakfast, Carrea stood up. "Ok, I'm done." She hurried out the main door, and walked with Dorrien towards the front of the University. The morning sky was bright and warm, the cloudless blue expanse promised good weather and a good day. Very few magicians were about, however servants were making their way about the grounds, looking tired. A slight chill crept down Carrea's spine as they entered the University. It was deathly silent and only a few lights broke the dark corridor. At the far end stood a figure, blackened by the bright light from outside. As they drew nearer, the figure became recognisable and he beckoned them.
"The horses should be here any minute now." Rothen smiled. As they began their descent down the University steps, they could see servants leading two horses down the road towards them. "Well then," he said turning to Dorrien. "Have a safe journey and I will see you again in two weeks."
"Yes you will, thank you." Dorrien replied embracing his father. Carrea approached her horse warily, gently placing her hand on the rein she tried to keep the horse still so she could get on.
"You do know-"
"Yes." Carrea said blushing embarrassed, "I just haven't been on a horse for a long time."
"Do you need-"
"No." She said staring at the saddle. "I can do it." Holding onto the rein and saddle tightly, she pulled herself up onto the horse, narrowly avoiding slipping off the other side. Looking back at Dorrien, she found him grinning at her again.
"All ready?"
"Yeah." Carrea said nervously.
"Don't worry," he said nodding his head at her horse, "the horse will follow mine." As his horse starting trotting away, he turned and waved to Rothen, and hurried the gait of the horse. Carrea's horse followed suit, and soon they were out of the Guild gates heading towards the main road out of Imardin, and into the country. As they rode through Kyralia, the hours passed slowly. Pleasant scenery kept Carrea's attention mostly, but she longed for a proper rest. They had stopped a few times along the route, but each one seemed shorter – she could tell Dorrien was anxious to return to his home. Eventually he led them off the main road, and onto a smaller one, and in the distance a house appeared surrounded by low undulating hills. Dusk appeared rapidly and by the time they reached the house night had settled. Feeling weary, Carrea was grateful when Dorrien led them closer to the house and stopped outside it.
"Welcome to my home." He smiled proudly, under a gentle globe light.
"Very nice." She replied tiredly. Dismounting, he took the reins of Carrea's horse.
"I'll take care of the horses, you can go and sit inside." Aching, Carrea slid down from the saddle to the ground. Her legs, now cramped and unused, were numb and without realising it, she fell down. Blinking, she laughed at herself.
"Oops."
"Oh, I should have warned you about that." Dorrien chuckled. Dropping the reins, he helped Carrea stand, and took some of her weight. "It shouldn't take long to pass."
"I think I'll be fine now." She said testing her legs after a few moments.
"Go inside then," he replied putting a small kiss on her forehead, "I won't be long." Tiredly, Carrea made her way to the house, and took a seat in the kitchen. Resting her head down on the table, she soon drifted off into sleep.
"Carrea?" She heard whispering. Opening her eyes, she found a pair of bright blue eyes staring back only inches away from her. "Hello sleepy." Lifting her head, she winced as her neck protested against her.
"How long was I asleep?" She asked rubbing her neck.
"A little while." He said looking sheepish, "you look really sweet when you are sleeping."
"Why are you still so awake?" Carrea said perplexed.
Chuckling he stood up from a crouch, "I am used to long riding. Would you like something to eat, or would you rather go back to sleep?"
"I may fall asleep eating if I try." She yawned.
"Come, I'll show you to your room." Following him she walked through a makeshift guestroom littered with shelves full of books and Healing items. Finally stopping at a short corridor, he turned back to face her. "It's not the best, I'm afraid. I've already put your bags in there for you."
"Thank you." She smiled sleepily. "Goodnight."
"Sleep well."
Carrea wandered into the bedroom drowsily. Inside a small room was filled with many items, all pushed to one side, leaving the bed free and enough room to get to it. Changing into her nightwear, she hungrily climbed into bed and was instantly asleep.
What is that noise? Carrea grumbled in her head. Why is their a child crying? I haven't fallen asleep in the Healers' Quarters again, have I? Lifting her head, Carrea found herself in an unfamiliar room. Again a child's wail cried out and Carrea sat up. Realisation struck her as she remembered the day before. I am not at the Guild. Hushed voices became louder, and Carrea went to investigate. Opening the door, she could fully hear what was being said.
"... trampled by a gorin. You have to help him!"
"Lay him on the table." Came Dorrien's voice, strong and authoritative, unlike his usual friendly tone. Heading into the kitchen, the scene finally unfolded. Two men stood around the kitchen table, around a young boy who lay on it, crying. Dorrien flitted around the room grabbing items, and hurrying to start Healing. As she entered the kitchen, they looked up at her, and one of the men turned away flushing red. Realising she was standing in her nightwear, she too flushed slightly, but paid more attention to the boy on the table.
"What's happened?"
"Hit badly by a gorin. I haven't checked inside yet."
"I'll clean him." She said taking the cloth from him. Dipping it in the bowl, she carefully began cleaning the open wounds, whilst trying to calm down the child. Once the wounds were washed, she wrapped them trying not to disturb Dorrien. He focused on the child's chest which sagged alarmingly in the wrong places. Beside her, she felt Dorrien tense up, and looking at him she could see his face screwed up in concentration – which quickly changed to alarm.
"I need your help." He gasped out.
Hurriedly placing her hands on his, she sent her mind inwards.
-What do you need me to do?
-Keep him alive... I'll fix the bones.
Carrea assessed the damage warily; bones had pierced organs, and blood spilled freely. She got to work quickly, first stopping the blood, and mending the organs. One by one she brought the organ system working properly, whilst Dorrien mended the ribcage.
-I'm done. She felt him say wearily.
Opening her eyes she saw the boy's chest now rose and fell confidently.
"He should be fine." Dorrien smiled at the villagers. "But he needs complete rest."
"Can we move him?" One asked in awe.
"Not now. But later, yes." He nodded, "He'll have to stay here for now."
"Thank you so much! I was so sure he wasn't going to make it."
"I wouldn't have been able to without the help of Carrea. There was so much damage."
Carrea blushed shyly, "I'm sure you'd do fine without me."
"Could you move him to the seating please?" Dorrien said to her, and turned back to the villagers. Carrea picked up the boy carefully, aided by magic, and headed to guestroom. She heard Dorrien talking to the villagers in a hushed voice, and wondered what was going on. Placing the child down, she checked his health and looked back in the kitchen. The men gave her an wary look, then left – leaving an uneasy feeling in the air. Sighing, Dorrien tiredly walked into the guestroom.
"What was that about?" She frowned.
Giving her a humourless smile, he shook his head. "They didn't like you Healing the boy."
"Why not?"
"Because they don't think woman should be Healers, except for childbirth." He said sympathetically, "and err, they... made assumptions due to your attire."
Carrea's eyes widened in realisation and she crossed her arms, feeling vulnerable. "Well that's nice of them, seeing as I just helped saved the boy." She snorted softly.
"Well I am very thankful." Gently he placed his hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about them lot."
She hummed unconvinced, and uncrossed her arms. "Will one of us need to stay and watch the boy?"
"He should sleep through til late morning, I gave him a strong sedative. So you can go back to sleep." He grinned.
"I don't just sleep." She said in mock offence. "In fact I feel wide awake now."
"Good." Sliding his hand over her shoulder he pulled her closer, and embraced her. "Now, would you like some breakfast?"
"Mmm... Go on then." She said leant against his chest. "I'll be back in a minute." Smiling, she sauntered off.