Wake Up For Me

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 24th March 2014

Characters: Karhal, Loella, Kardein
Description: Karhal wakes up to Loella in the infirmary
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 6, day 10 of Turn 7

Karhal

Loella

His head was muzzy and as he opened his eyes, his vision was cloudy.
Pale brows knit in confusion as he blinked, trying to lift his hand,
but finding he was far too weak. Karhal blinked his eyes again,
bringing moisture to them and turned his head, taking in his
surroundings. A mass of brown hair tickled his arm and he looked to
the side, seeing Loella fast asleep with her head on his bed. Her hand
lay in his and he exhaled, squeezing it weakly.

Loella head whipped up. "He moved," she shouted before her eyes were
really open. "He's awake," she called in the same tone of voice before
her voice modulated to love and caring "Oh Karhal," she said as tears
welled up. "You're awake. We were all so afraid." Her hand rose to the
side of his face as a tear ran unchecked down her cheek.

The yell was too loud and it made him flinch away, but only for an
instant. His voice was hoarse and dry. "Loella...water?"

"Oh, yes," she said and turned to grab the pitcher to pour a glass.
Then she tried to help prop him up a little to take a sip.

He struggled to sit up enough to drink and managed to not make too big
of a mess on himself. He slumped back, already exhausted, but opened
his eyes back up to look at her. "You're okay. You're not hurt?"

"I'm fine," she paused. They'd agreed he had to be told as soon as he
woke but she didn't want to do it. But... "Lady Benani is missing,"
she added softly.

Even fuzzy, his brain began to kick into gear and it was obvious from
the immediate look on his face that he was guessing what his role was
in the missing Lady. "What happened?"

"They're not sure actually. It took them awhile to get organized and
try to find her. They're guessing that is why you were poisoned. None
of the other cups were." Loella tried to give him a bit more to drink
and right then both Kardein and a healer showed up.

The healer went right to Karhal and began to examine him.

He frowned at the healer and tried to wave him off, his hand remaining
in Loella's but his attention muzzily focused on the problem that was
facing them. He took a drink, is thumb stroking Loella's hand, and
focused on his father. He tried to sit up, but the older guard glanced
at Loella and put a hand on Karhal's shoulder to still him. "Easy lad.
Relax and let the healer check you out. You'll get the report after."

Apparently the healer had arranged for some food because not a moment
later, a drudge came in with a mug of hot broth.

"Now if you'll drink this and try to get back some of your strength
sir," the healer said. "You're going to need it I'm sure." He looked
at the wife and father. "He appears to be alright just weak and
undernourished. I'd rather you keep him quiet if possible."

Kardein arched a brow and nodded. As a rule, his on had always been of
a quiet and intense nature, but he was counting on Loella to temper
some of his son's intensity, especially now. He bent, ignoring the
mumbled protests from Karhal, and physically lifted his son's upper
body so that Loella could arrange the pillows and Karhal could sit up
a bit more to drink.

Weak though he was, Karhal insisted on news. "What is being done about
Lady Benani? "

"Whats being done in this room right now for Lady Benani is you eating
as you were told." She looked at Kardein with a small shake of her
head. She knew just how stubborn her husband could be but so could she
and this time she had the upper hand. "Drink, then news."

Karhal looked at Loella and his lips twitched tiredly. "I should have
insisted on obey as part of the vows..."

Kardein snorted softly. "And I would have liked to see her reaction if
you tried to insist on it. Now drink or neither of us will tell you.
You may be Captain, but you'll never out rank me, and you have to live
with her."

Karhal drank.

"Alright," she said when she was finally satisfied that he'd gotten
enough into his stomach. "Now you can answer his questions."

Karhal was quiet as his father imparted the news, but afterwards he
spouted off a soft curse. His jaw set and he tried to push himself
upwards, his face stubborn. "I need to get up. I need to go help find
the Lady." He was weak, but sheer determination got him to recline on
his elbows though they shook from holding his weight. "Help me get
up."

"No," Loella said. "You're not getting up, not yet. You need rest and
food. Karhal! You almost died and pushing yourself too soon won't do
the lady any good at all."

Karhal was about to interject with stubborn refusal, but a large hand
pressed to his shoulder and pushed him back down to his previous
position. "Listen to your wife, boy. You can't do anything if you can
barely walk. She'd not want you killing yourself."

Karhal grunted as he laid back, frustration evident on his weakened
face. "It's my job..."

Kardein laid his hand on Loella's shoulder. "And you're a husband with
a family to take care of."

Karhal's eyes swung to his father and then to Loella.

"Um, sorry," she said softly. "I had to tell him." She gave him an
apologetic look. "It was touch and go there for a little bit. We
didn't know if you were going to survive." Her face twitched and eyes
got misty.

At the expression in her eyes, Karhal weakly clutched at her hands and
slowly relaxed. "It's alright. I'm alright. I wouldn't leave you."

There was an arched brow from his father that let him know that the
man wasn't entirely pleased that Karhal had acted dishonorably with
Loella, but Kardein didn't comment. Instead, he looked down at Loella.
"Like I told you." His hand gentled on Karhal's shoulder and released
him. "You need to heal, boy. For her and you. Rest. When you're
stronger, you'll be able to help. But not until then."

Last updated on the April 13th 2014

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Wake Up For Me