Waiting on the Healers

Writers: Miriah, Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 3rd March 2014

Characters: Loella, Kardein, Petriv
Description: In the waiting room for news on Karhal
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 5, day 20 of Turn 7

Loella

She couldn't sit still. At first she rocked and then she paced.
"Sorry," she said to the others in the room. With a shrug and a wry
smile she added. "I was never very good at waiting."

Kardein, who had been leaning against the wall, straightened and
walked over to Loella, putting a large, but light hand on her
shoulder. "It's alright." There was strain around the older man's
eyes, and like Karhal, he towered over her. But unlike his son,
Kardein had far more laugh lines around his eyes. "There's really not
much we can do but wait right now."

"I know," she grimaced. "This is not how tonight was supposed to turn
out." Then she realized what she'd said and who she'd said it to.
"Sorry," she blushed.

"No need for that," Petriv brushed her apology aside. "This isn't a
way any day should turn out," he shook his head sadly. "This was
supposed to be your grand day, the happiest day in your life."

Loella turned into Kardein's embrace and put her arms around him while
she hid her face for a moment. She couldn't help the emotions that
welled up within her and it was amazing how comforting it was just to
stand there for a moment. He felt almost like Karhal and she held on
tight. When she finally let go she was back in control. "Thank you,"
she said.

Kardein wasn't sure what to make of the hug, patting her lightly on
the back. He'd never been a demonstrative man, but he could understand
her need for comfort. He too needed it, but was not as open about the
need; he was also convinced that his son would fight through what ever
had been done to his drink. He looked over at Petriv. "Don't
apologize, Loella. Say and do what you need to. Petriv and I are
discreet."

"Yes, very discreet," Petriv said with slightly droll voice. How may
secrets he was holding in to? Too many.

She looked back and forth between the two men. Knowing nothing of
either of them really other than the usual news and gossip that went
around a hold. There was one thing though one thing she could say. She
turned to Kardein. "I should tell you... just in case..." She couldn't
bring herself to say the words that would acknowledge Karhal might not
pull through. But, she had to tell his father so he could share her
small comfort.

"I'm...uh... I'm pregnant."

The older guard blinked and looked down at Loella, his face becoming
carefully neutral. "I see. With my son's child?"

"Yes," she said pushing away from him. "Otherwise, why would I bother
to tell _you_," she added tartly.

He held up a placating hand. "Forgive me, Loella. I meant no offense.
I wanted to make sure." His face relaxed. "I had a large part of his
first marriage to your sister and honestly, I do regret pressing him
into it." He gently reached to hold her arm. "If anything happens,
you'll have all that you need." He looked up at Petriv. "And we'll do
what we must to make sure that you both are protected and kept safe."

This spun Loella around with a steely look. "She couldn't help who she
was!" But then she saw the look on his face and subsided. "I'm sorry,"
she took a deep breath. "And thank you. Thank you both," she nodded at
Petriv.

"Don''t worry, we don't blame her. Those things just happen," Petriv
said, speaking from personal experience. He would have loved to be
normal and to love his wife like a man did love a woman. Instead, they
settled for being best friends and he loved other men. "And if any one
can survive this, it's Karhal. Stay strong."

Kardein nodded in agreement with Petriv. "You obviously know him well,
Loella." There was a faint smile playing around his lips. "Do you
think this will keep him away from you? I don't think he'd ever allow
that to happen, especially since there's a child involved. I know my
son. That alone will give him reason to fight."
She looked at both men and nodded then shook her head, "no there is
nothing that would keep..."

The door burst open and a pair of young guards came running in. "It's
Lady Benani, Is she here? We're searching everywhere but she's gone!"
He looked at the other two men. "Well, Is the Captain awake yet?"

"No," said Loella. "They're working on him right now."

"Shaffit." the younger of the pair cursed. Then he looked at Loella.
"Do you think you could get his canine Livie to search?"

"No," she said, "at least not without Karhal."

"There's Lady Benani's pup..." Petriv voice trailed off.."Still too
young, I presume?" He had experience with working with canines, being
a herder. They had several helping to herd the herds and protect them.

Kardein shook his head. "She's not been trained for searching, I'm
sure." His brow furrowed and he turned to Loella. "Livie...where is
she? She's usually never far from Karhal."

Loella shook her head. "I've another pup from the same litter and
she's not ready to do much more than romp and act mean. She wouldn't
know how to search. Livie?" Loella's hand went to her mouth. "Livie!
Oh I have to get her." She turned and ran from the room and out the
door to Karhal's house where they Should have spent the night tonight.

Last updated on the April 13th 2014

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Waiting on the Healers