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Sevter sat behind his desk, something he normally enjoyed, but today brought him little comfort. While he generally despised those that wallowed in self-pity, he was doing just that. Life as he knew it was no more. He had not slept well, and that did nothing to improve his state of mind this day. He wanted nothing more than to summon a spirit of fire and let it loose about the place. The only thing that stopped him was a deeper love (one he would never truly admit to) of the books in the building around him.
Then, he began to feel better, his mood was lifting and he felt content…until he realized it didn’t originate from within him, but in the young woman elsewhere in the city. Mirtoba was awake, delighting in the first good night’s rest she’d had in a long time. Frustration, irritation, anger, and just a small amount of fear, boiled forth from his very center. And then suddenly went empty with muted annoyance and embarrassment as she sealed herself off.
Was this how he would spend the rest of his days? Locked in a struggle to ignore this stupid girl and her emotions…and the resounding strength behind them? Passing a weary hand over his face, Sevter couldn’t tell if he was more angry at her or at himself for the fear he had felt because of the experience. Why should he be afraid of such things? He felt the same as others, he simply chose to keep things subdued and buried so they didn’t control him. He was a great dark mage was he not? Why should something as trivial as emotions get in the way?
But, the little voice in the back of his head countered, what of all he was missing? He told himself he was missing nothing. Up until a few days ago he had been content with his life, with the routine he had created for himself. But, you are alone, the voice continued. And what of it? He didn’t need another person to get in the way. He was an old man, and needed nothing of the companionship the young seemed to crave. He had never felt such for anyone. His work, his studies had always come first. Sevter needed no other mistress. If you say so, the inner demon seemed to say before fading away. Angrily his fist smashed down upon the desktop. Would he also spend the rest of his life arguing with himself?
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Yes?” he snarled.
The door opened to show Tookah and the Ranger Master standing outside.
“My apologies if we have disturbed you.” Tookah replied.
“No,” Sevter waved them in. “I did not sleep well.”
Tookah simply nodded and led the way into the room. He was used to Sevter’s normal gruffness, and only expected things to get worse until he came to terms with recent events. Something, Tookah told himself, that would most likely take a great deal of time.
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I can’t really describe what I felt as I woke up. It was simply wonderful. For the first time in who knows how long, I felt rested. If only that damn cranky old man hadn’t tarnished things. But then I reminded myself he hadn’t asked for my good mood to intrude on his crankiness. If that’s how he wanted to be, then that’s how things would be…as annoying as it was. I did feel sorry for the man, sensing the dull pain and loneliness he seemed to have buried and ignored for who knows how long. Though, there was a certain merit to controlling one’s emotions. But you can only take it so far before it does just as much damage as letting them run loose without control.
And I laughed at myself. Who was I to counsel anyone on feeling anything? Had I not closed myself off for the longest time after my parents had died? Had I not shut out the world and only done my job? Rolling over to greet two sleepy, but smiling, green eyes, I knew I had. But that was behind me now, and I could now relish every moment as if it were new. And in a way, things were new and different.
But such thoughts can wait until later. I have some catching up to do.
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Heartwood master woke with a jump as the young healer opened the door. He hadn’t realized he’d dozed off, having spent the night keeping an eye on Rilet. They smiled weakly at each other as she brought in a fresh pitcher of water and bowed out of the room. Rising with a stretch, he made his way slowly to the window to look down on the activity below. People hurrying along the paths, others strolling about casually, it was always interesting to watch. The groan behind him received his full attention however.
“My head,” Rilet stirred, his eyes still closed. A trembling hand trying weakly to reach his face.
“Easy now,” Heartwood cautioned. “You had a busy day yesterday.”
“Ugh..” the young man grimaced. “Any..water?”
Heartwood carefully lifted the young man’s head and helped steady the glass he placed in his hand. They only managed to spill just a little, and Rilet finally managed to open his eyes as his tender cleaned up. He was blinking as rapidly as the pounding in his head allowed, no small amount of shock seeing the face that looked down at him.
“Who…where…”
“Granted I’m not as nice to look on as some of the young ladies here, but you are in the healer’s compound. I am Heartwood Master.”
Confusion still played across the young man’s face. What was a wood elf doing in the room with him? Where was his uncle? He tried to sit up, but his body refused to cooperate.
“Don’t try to get up just yet, you’ve had a rough go of things. Truthfully, I’m surprised you’re awake at all today.” Rilet noticed the smile directed at him wasn’t false. “But now that you are, I will send for your uncle.”
There wasn’t much for Rilet to do other than lie there. If these light skinned dopes were going to do something to him, he couldn’t do much to stop them. He watched as his keeper went to the door and spoke to someone in the hall.
“Now, if you don’t mind, lets see how you’re doing.” Heartwood said as he turned back to his patient.
Rilet shrugged and nodded. At least he thought he did, he wasn’t sure if his body had responded or not. Expecting to be poked and prodded, it surprised him to feel nothing more than a hand on his forehead, and the gentle relaxing presence of some healing spell washing over him. Not a bad way to be tortured he thought to himself. A short time later, Sevter came bursting into the room, just slightly out of breath. He hadn’t intended to rush over, but he had. Heartwood stood and addressed him.
“Looks like he’s going to be fine, but I would like to keep him here for another day or two just to be sure.”
Sevter nodded and Heartwood left the room to give them some time alone. And get himself something to eat, he stomach reminded him as he closed the door.
I R NUCKING FUTS!
Yes, I know...I know what you always say - You trap, you kill, you eat - that's what a good spider does.
You trap...you kill...you eat....
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