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“Kaevin, we should allow Alora some privacy. I suggest you take a rest and obtain nourishment, for she
will have need of you later.”
Before he realized what was happening, Laethan had ushered him out the door, leaving Alora to suffer alone, with no support whatsoever.
“Do not proceed at too great a pace, Alora, or you will regret it,” Laethan called before he shut the door.
Slapping him on the back, Laethan said, “Kaevin, I sincerely hope you are not the sort of man who requires a meek and obedient wife. For if you do, you will have a miserable time of it until she trains you to think otherwise.”
For the second time in his life, Kaevin heard Laethan chuckle aloud. And the healer was still laughing as he strolled away.
**************
Alora’s mind seemed to fade in and out of reality. One minute she was in the healing house. The next, she was strapped to Vindrake’s table. She could handle the pain release up until the moment she relived the torture scene. Then she retreated into herself, squeezing the pain back inside. When she recovered, she began the process all over again.
Feeling she’d made almost no progress, Alora opened the pain gate in her mind a little wider, straining to maintain her focus. Not unbearable. She pushed it wider still, stifling a groan, but kept herself in the present, avoiding the terror of her torture. The pain flowed out, and she was careful not to project it where Kaevin might feel it.
Later, when we talk, I’ll convince him the pain was no worse on my own, so he won’t insist on helping.
As she worried about confronting Kaevin later that evening, her concentration slipped. Agony flooded through her nerves until every fiber in her body was on fire. Panicking, she realized she couldn’t stop it. She opened her mouth to scream for help.
The searing pain was gone.
Panting with relief, she blinked her eyes open. There sat Laethan, humming a calming tune as he whittled on a stick of wood.
“How long...” With a dry cough, she attempted to open her parched throat. “How long have you been here? Were you helping me the whole time?”
“Not at all,” he said, as he continued to carve the wood. “I returned after two fingers to be available if needed, but I didn’t interfere until the instant you lost control.”
“Oh.” Her voice sounded as small as she felt. Groping for the mug of water on the wooden bedside table, she sat up.
Why am I so weak that I still need Laethan’s help?
He handed her the small wooden figurine, distracting her from her inner berating. Swinging her feet down to the plank floor, she studied the distorted chunk of whittled wood.
“It’s... uhhh... it’s a really cool... uhhh... horse?”
“Why, thank you. Though... I was attempting to carve a cat.”
“I’m sorry. Of course it’s a cat. What was I thinking?” She felt her cheeks get hot.
“I suppose you were thinking I’m not a talented carver, and you would be correct. No matter. I whittle to maintain my concentration.” He smiled.
“You know, Laethan, I’ve hardly ever seen you smile before, and you’ve done it several times today.” She left her implied question hanging in the air.
The smile broadened. “I suppose I did not recognize how my responsibilities have weighed heavy upon my soul. But now that I am relieved of my duties...”
“Relieved of your duties? They won’t let you be the chief healer any more? That’s so unfair!”
“I relieved myself of my duties. I’ve passed the chief healer position on to Estaelia. She’s more than qualified.”
“But why? You’re the best, and everyone knows it.”
“I did not wish to put my good friend, Graely, in a position to choose between his loyalty to me and his duty to uphold the law of the land.”
“But what will you do now?” She hoped he didn’t intend to sell his carvings, because he might starve to death.
“Remember this, Alora... one must never find life’s meaning in one’s occupation or gifts or talents, for that will inevitably pass away. I do not need the chief healer position or the power it holds in order to find happiness. In fact, I’m happily anticipating my freedom.” He paused, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, his bushy eyebrows dancing up and down. “I believe I may do some traveling.”
