I Can't Sleep

Writers: AmajoS, Avery
Date Posted: 10th October 2007

Characters: Ishek, Hannek
Description: Ishek can't sleep, so speaks to a Healer.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 6, day 2 of Turn 4

Hannek was reading a publication sent out by the craft hall to pass the time. He'd read this one before, but there was no harm in revising and what else was there to do this time of night? Most people were in bed. The infirmary had two patients bad off enough to be spending the night and they were both asleep as comfortably as possible.

Being the lowest ranking Healer in the Hold at the moment meant he got stuck most often with the late-night shift. Annoying really, but he consoled himself with the fact that sooner or later someone with a lower rank than himself would be assigned here and then they'd get stuck with the shift.

His ruminations were interrupted by a knock at the office door.
Wondering if one of the over-night patients needed help, he got up to see who was knocking.

"Hello?" Ishek said. He felt sort of awkward showing up. This was only the second time in two months he'd felt he needed something to help him sleep, but it was still too much, in his thoughts.

To say Hannek was surprised by who his late-night visitor turned out to be, was an understatement, though he tried to act professionally.
"Lord Warder? Can I help you sir? Are you ill?"

"I'm not ill." Ishek told the man. "I merely want to request something from you."

"Oh. Well, of course, Lord Warder. Please, would you like a seat?"
Hennek stepped back, inviting the Lord Warden in and gestured towards one of the chairs. He wondered what the man could want at this time of night if he wasn't here for medical reasons.

Ishek sat in one of the chairs. "I haven't been sleeping well the last few nights." he started. That was true, but he left out the fact that it had been over a month already. "I was wondering if you could suggest ways to fix that?"

Maybe the Lord Warder did have a medical issue, though Hannek wasn't sure. After all, even the healthiest person might go through a bit of insomnia. "Well, what have you tried so far?"

"I tried just staying up until I fell asleep, but then I slept until the midday meal." Not that anyone commented on that where he could hear it.
"I tried doing physical activity to make myself tired, and I tried eating a large meal."

"How long has this been going on?" Hannek asked as he thought about the different ways he knew of to combat insomnia. The simplist methods were similar to things the Lord Warden had already tried, but he didn't want to suggest stronger methods if the man had only been having difficulty for a few nights.

"Every night for the last 6 nights, and infrequently before that."

It was more serious than Hannek had thought, but not dangerous yet.
Hennek briefly considered suggesting a very mild dose of fellis, but changed his mind. Perhaps if the Lord Warder had been having difficulties for two sevendays or more, but it was a drastic measure for less than one. "What sorts of physical activity do you engage in during the day?"

"Not as much as I would like. I used to ride runners and be out in the fields, but as Warder, I'm behind a desk most of the day. I try to get out and walk the halls of the Hold, but that's not much."

"Hmm," Hannek stood and made his way over to a cabinet from which he began pulling ceramic jars. "I'm going to make a tea blend for you for tonight, Lord Warder," he explained as he began scooping measured amounts of various herbs into a small packet. "Let it steep for about five minutes before you drink it. No sweetener, but a bit of milk wouldn't be amiss if you want. It should relax you and even make you a bit drowsy. I'm including enough for three nights here, if you have trouble after that, come see me or another healer." He handed the blend over to the older man.

"Besides that, though, I think you need more exercise," the healer continued. "At least half a candlemark of vigorous excercise a day.
Preferably in the evening, but not right before you retire. A ride just before dinner would be ideal."

"I'll try that." Ishek said. "I really miss riding, and a chance to get some time in is worth having it be on healer's orders." he joked.

Smiling appreciatively at the small jest, the healer nodded. "You might find it'll help other things besides your sleeping difficulty.
Mild exercise, and riding in particular, can be a great stress relief which helps with many things from sleeping to digestion. I'm going to make a note of all this and if you're still having difficulties after another four or five days, come by again and see me or whoever's here and we'll see about something stronger."

"Thank you for your assistance." Ishek said. "I do hope this works out."

"As do I, Lord Warder," Hannek replied. "Just be sure to come back if it doesn't." The healer glanced at the candle as the Lord Warder left and smiled, only a couple of candlemarks left of his shift now.

Last updated on the October 14th 2007

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I Can't Sleep