An unusual infirmary visit...

[Requiem]

"Miss Healer. May I have a word with you? It shan't take long."

Kalierre blinked at the Weyrlingmaster, wondering what it was that the man might wish to say to her, but she simply nodded, the puzzled look in her dark eyes masked by the golden hair that had managed to escape its bonds during the course of the day. She might have devoted more of her time to worrying had she the energy to do so. As it was, Kalierre felt thoroughly worn out after spending over twenty-four hours looking after Kaegan. The fever had not been good, not at all.

She took the chance to study this man unobtrusively as she stepped pass him, striding several paces away so that they might not be overheard. He was about S'rei's age, so hardly older than she herself, and something about him put Kalierre at ease, even if she did find the situation uncomfortable as a general rule. The healer ran a hand through her hair, breathing in through her nose to try and clear some of the sleepiness from her brain. "What is it, Weyrlingmaster?" she asked quietly. Her eyes flicked toward the two others still conversing a short distance off, deliberately not dwelling on the gold. She still felt a bit ashamed at having spoken to the queen so harshly, even if it had been necessary.

***

"Hello S'rei of Bronze Salenth. Do not worry, I did not take what you said earlier personally. My arrival was less than expected...I remember your name from the records the Weyrleaders made me copy in case of the originals destruction... You used to be a Wingleader."

S'rei cast a surrepitous glance at the bronze flit, though he nodded solemnly at her statement. "Aye." He seemed young, but then, he'd been bonded to Salenth for thirteen turns, even if he didn't quite remember all of those. His smile turned rueful. "A decision they probably regretted from the moment they made it." His expression softened slightly as he looked to the goldrider. She reminded him a little of the woman bonded to the queen Salenth had caught. S'rei had always wondered why the girl seemed so meek. Now, it seemed, he'd stumbled upon the answer. It did not make him happy.

"I believe I'd left before you and Millieth arrived? Though that's neither here nor there." He nodded toward her arm. "How are you holding up? Kalierre told me a little, but she's always a bit taciturn when it comes to her patients." His smile turned conspiriatorial. "You know how it is. Healers." Just enough trepidation was put on that last word to make the joke apparent, and there was no denying the grudging affection he seemed to bear for this Kali.

[Tashe]

"I assume that the young woman with the injured arm is the Queenrider who appeared from the between, correct?" He hadn't just come to the infirmary to return the naughty bronze to his Mine, he had also come to collect a status report on the Goldrider's medical out come. The Weyrwoman had simply snatched him on her flurry past and asked him to file it for the her. "If so... how is she doing? I hope nothing too serious happened." A genuinely worried look passed over his hansom features as he awaited the Healer's response.

---

"Thats true, we had impressed after your transfer to Selenitas." Looking down slightly into her lap, the Goldrider set the Bronze flit next to her on the cot, placing Azaran on the side that was away from S'rei. Moving her hand into her lap, Kaegan felt a strand of crimson hair fall into her face, carefully looking up again the young woman responded to the bronzerider.

"Physically I'm doing as well as to be expected after being thrown off a dragon... a fractured arm, a few bruises, an a small bump on the head."

[Requiem]

"Yes, she's the Queenrider. Millieth's Kaegan." The healer paused for a long moment, her dark gaze seeming almost vacant. In truth, she was thinking, wondering how much conjecture she wanted to give him. Kalierre was a factual woman. She seldom bothered to speak about any concerns that she might have if there was little or not proof to back them up. But the circumstances surrounding this particular patient made those worries harder to ignore. It did not surprise her that the Weyrlingmaster asked after her, or that Shmee would ask him to check up on Kaegan - it must have been Shmee, else he wouldn't know where to find the goldrider. Only a few had seen Kaegan, and less still knew any details, though the gold lingering outside the infirmary would narrow the search should anyone grow curious. This part of the infirmary was out of use at the moment, but for Kalierre's one patient...

The healer made her decision. "Kaegan's injuries are not too extensive. Her arm has been fractured. Because the bone lies beneath the bicep, and because it's likely that a fragment might have broken away from the rest and cut into the muscle, it will need to be immobilized for a time. If some of the bone is loose in there, it will dissolve before she comes out of the sling. Then she will need a month or two to regain the strength in it. She also seems to have suffered a mild concussion. I would like to watch her a little longer, just to make sure no fluids are gathering in her brain, though if she's come through this long I don't expect any complications to arise. She was feverish for several hours last night. It is broken, now, however."

After a short pause, she regarded the Weyrlingmaster frankly. "It is the fever that worries me most. Neither the concussion or the fracture should have brought it on. She does not appear to be ill in any of the normal ways. No nausea. No unexplained pains. No weariness beyond what is to be expected. I don't like the way it seems unrelated to anything else." She shrugged, then. "But I expect to release her in another day, two at the most, if she continues to do this well."

***

He was strangely glad when she moved the flit out of his sight. S'rei didn't really hate the pests, per se. He just didn't much care for them. Lauranna insisted it was because the flits had swarmed him as a child, but S'rei didn't remember that, and it didn't much matter. The girl seemed a bit uncomfortable around him. Or maybe she was just hurting. He decided he'd keep the visit short and let her get her rest, but not before he was sure she'd be all right. S'rei felt somewhat responsible, seeing as how it was the weyr in which he'd led a wing that had wronged her so.

The bronzerider heard what she wasn't saying in that statement, his voice gentle as he inquired, "And other than physically?"

Salenth flew above the forest, his hide still glistening from the brief swim he'd taken after leaving his Mine off at the infirmary. He returned to settle at a respectable distance from Millieth - not so far off as to seem standoffish, but not too close, either. Beginning to feel better? he inquired of the young gold, still young enough to be smaller than the bronze.

[Tashe]

"A fracture under the Bicep muscle there might be a fragment of bone, a mild concussion..." By now the Weyrling master had produced a small pad of writting paper and a writting utensil from somewhere on his person and had began to record what the healer had told him. "... and a fever that had no obvious cause but broke earlier this morning." Scratching down a few more things on the writting pad, F'rah scratched the side of his nose. "...A month or two for healing of the arm but might be released in a few days if Lady Kaegan continues to show improvement." Slowly clicking the top of the pad over, the Weyrling master looked up from it and smiled at the healer before putting the recording instruments away.

"Thank you Miss Healer. That shall be sufficient enough detail for my report, I will be sure to add your concern over the mysterious fever."

---

Looking up at S'rei as he asked her the question that nobody so far had asked, Kaegan considered whether or not to tell him. Deciding upon the topic, the Goldrider smiled slightly at the Bronzerider.

"Emotionally... not so good. Its hard to sleep when the memories come back, but whats worse is that with my photographic memory they'll always be there."


A long drawn out flick of her tail gave the Golden Queen time to observe the Bronze who had approached her. Blinking slightly as her eyes finally faded back to a gently swirling green, Millieth responded to the Bronze Dragon.

/Aye. I'm alright... better than Kaeganmine that is./

[Requiem]

S'rei regarded the goldrider soberly. It was understandable, the memories haunting her, though what it would be like to have a photographic memory was completely foreign to him. After all, he was an amnesiac. They had exactly the opposite problem. The bronzerider scratched absently at his stomach, before realizing that, as usual, the old scar had started acting up when his mind wandered in that direction. He didn't know what was harder to accept: the fact that he'd been run through as a lad, or that, for the life of him, he had no idea why it had happened or who had actually stabbed him. All was a blur. Kalierre suggested, sometimes, that maybe it was best he didn't remember. Maybe the memory itself was so painful that it, coupled with the shock of the wound that should have killed him, had been enough to scramble S'rei's mind.

Don't think of that, Mine. We are together now. You will always have me. But they both knew that it was possible their bond could be nearly sundered as it had been turns ago. Or completely sundered. S'rei blinked, drawing himself out of his musings. His smile was rueful. "I don't know which of us is the most cursed, my lady. You with your photographic memory, or me with my blank past." He ran a hand through his hair, then shrugged. "If you wish to talk, just have Millieth tell Salenth. Now you should rest, though."

She'll be all right, now that it's over, Salenth responded, with the assurance of a dragon who had endured periods of stress and unrest in his own Mine, and still the dragonpair had overcome it. His tone was slightly tight, though. He shared his Mine's anger at Benden, and though his wasn't quite as obvious, Salenth could not completely mask it.

***

Kalierre nodded to F'rah, waiting as he jotted down the notes. "Now, if you'll excuse me..." The young woman strode over toward her charge, watching as S'rei prepared to withdraw. She was glad she wouldn't have to shoo him away as with some visitors. But then, S'rei had spent enough time in an infirmary himself to appreciate the fact that such visits could be taxing, even if they were often welcome.

[Tashe]

"Of course." Nodding to the healer as she hurried away to the injured Goldrider's bed, F'rah smiled before exiting the infirmary the way he had come in. Black boots clicking slightly as they carried him down the hall, the Weyrlingmaster made it to his Styth before long and all the while his mind began to write up the report the Weyrwoman had asked him for.

---

A gentle smile creased Kaegan's face as the Bronzerider began to leave, a moment passed before the young woman spoke again.
"Then you and I are alike, yet entirely different..." Scooting herself down into the sheets of her cot, the goldrider paused before continuing. "... I believe we might have interesting talks. Farewell Wingrider S'rei." Yawning slightly, Kaegan curled up in her quest for sleep and got it's rewards only a few seconds later.

Nodding slightly to the bronze as he replied to her comment, his voice full of confidence as he assured her. Flicking her wings and then her tail, Millieth watched as Salenth's rider began to leave her Mine.

/I hope so... But tell her I'm worried and by the Shards I will not be happy./

[Requiem]

Salenth's head swivelled toward Aslath, amusement swelling. I am not one to tell tales, lovely queen. Your secret is safe with me.

S'rei watched the sleeping girl for a moment, before turning to Kalierre, who regarded him soberly. "I suppose I got my answer. She'll be all right. Now to the weyr..." She tilted her head to one side, regarding him narrowly. "So you actually do intend to check up on them?" He smiled wryly at her. "Of course, Kali. I'm not a liar, if nothing else." The woman sniffed.

He came up beside her, bending down to brush his lips against her forehead. His voice was quiet as he murmured, "I know nothing can ever come of us, but you really do look radiant when you're miffed, journeyman." S'rei left her, trembling in an onslaught of emotion. "Curse you, bronzerider," she growled under her breath, before turning on a heel and storming out of the infirmary. Kalierre needed to rest. The other healers could see to Kaegan now.

Salenth crooned as his Mine approached, the dragonrider easily vaulting to the bronze's back, turns of practice making the movements seem effortless. Until we meet again, Millieth, Salenth stated gallantly. He powered into the air, taking his rider to see their fellow and make sure all was well after the training accident.

[Tashe]

(And to finish up this thread lets say a day or so, maybe two, have passed and Kaegan is finally allowed to go. ^.^)

Stretching her back slightly as the light of the sun filtered in through the shutters that covered the windows, Kaegan picked at the front of her clothes. It felt great, yet odd, to be wearing regular clothing instead of the gowns that the infirmary provided for the patients. When she carefully donned her clothing because of her sling, the goldrider noticed that the tunic and pants smelled lightly of gentle soap. It was one of the little things that could bring a smile to her face....

Swiveling her eyes around the now familiar center of healing, Kaegan yawned before getting up off of the bed to seek out the closest healer. Preferably Kalierre... But she was ready to go, though as to were she wasn't sure... maybe she'd go and find someone who might know about getting her temporary housing.


Large membraned wings spread wide and gave off a golden hue as the light caught them, the Queen awaited in annoyance for her rider to be done with her business inside. No matter how much she hated to admit it, Millieth missed the daily rides with her Mine.

/Faster Kaeganmine. Don't dillydally in there./

[Requiem]

Her hair braided intricately to keep it out of her eyes, Kalierre looked a whole lot better after getting some decent rest. It was actually a lovely morning. The hatching would be soon, and though she worried sometimes about Lauranna's pregnancy, the greenrider seemed to be doing well enough.

Dark eyes roved over the jars, the woman's fingers tracing the air, before she located the one she wanted. It was a simple salve. Simple, in that it was another of Kalierre's concoctions, and all of the journeyman's remedies tended to be very straightforward in their make. It was a comment master healers had been making for a long time about her; Kalierre produced medicines whose functions were immediately apparent, and always effective.

Composed of numbweed and just a little fellis, the true genius of it was the mixture. It produced a mild painkiller that wouldn't completely inhibit the neural receptors. Thus, if the patient did anything stupid, their body would still protest the abuse, however normal functioning would not be accompanied by pain. It had to be applied on site. Kalierre intended to give the jar to Kaegan when she left today, since the healer would no longer be there to apply the salve when she rechanged the bandages.

Whistling lightly to herself, Kalierre walked into the small room that had housed the goldrider, breaking off as she noticed Kaegan was already prepared to leave. A teasing smile came to the healer's face. "Can't wait to get out of here, eh? You dragonriders have no gratitude. Leaving me here all by myself like this." Kali crossed her arms over her chest, but her eyes betrayed the lie of her words. Then she chuckled, crossing the room.

"Honestly, though, you'll have to come visit me sometime when you're not hurt." She extended the jar of salve, waiting for the goldrider to take it.

[Tashe]

Even though her feelings were in good spirits and was now well rested, the shadows behind the goldrider's eyes remained, making her look slightly worn out. While the minute or so passed between her decision to sit down and the appearance of Kalierre, Kaegan had settled her self down on the side of the cot she had been occupying. Glancing down at her good hand, the Queenrider slowly flexed its muscles, causing her appendage to open and close.

Looking up from her hand as the healer entered, Kaegan got to her feet with a kind smile. Raising a hand to the back of her head as Kalierre playfully accused riders of being ungrateful, the girl responded with a bit of meekness in her voice. "I will Miss Kalierre.... at least I'll try to as often as I can." Taking a pause from her speaking, the Goldrider accepted the jar of ointment before continuing. "... And thanks. For everything."

Pacing slightly as her boredom grew worse, Millieth yawned before snapping her powerful jaws at a passing flyer. In the three or so days that her mine had been in the infirmary, nothing had happened to catch her interest. Growling, the golden queen snorted at a dragon who drifted to close to her and turned her mind to Kaegan.

/Are you an old woman... because you are taking a ridiculously long time./

[Requiem]

The healer's smile was genuine as Kaegan expressed her desire to return and visit. With a small laugh, she added, "of course you will. You're not hard-headed like some of the others." The others being a general reference to dragonriders as a class. "I'm just glad to see you're doing so well. Use the salve. And, if anything odd happens with the arm or anything else, you know you can come see me in my quarters or at the infimrary. Don't forget to come back for a follow-up in about a month!"

Suddenly, a boy came tearing into the room. "Journeyman!" Kalierre turned toward him with a raised brow. "One of Sheila's little ones fell from their tree. What do you want us to do?"

"Where's the Master Healer?"

The boy stared at her incredulously. "He's at the Healer Hall for the next tenday. Remember?"

"Have Raysa see to the preliminary assessment. I'll be there in a moment." As the apprentice hurried off, Kalierre turned to Kaegan with an apologetic smile. "Sorry to cut it short. The Weyrlingmaster should be able to help arrange lodging and find something for you to do while you recover. Until we meet again!"

With that, the healer disappeared into the depths of the infirmary. If only Selenitas had more journeymen!