Alex gritted his teeth and tried his best not to cry out when Eremis propped him up but didn’t quite succeed. What he did voice where the pain was concerned was just loud enough to let Eremis know he was hurting. While Eremis dragged the chair over to his bed, Alex gripped the mattress and drew in several deep breaths, gasping and moaning softly trying to calm the pain. It helped a little but not as much as he would have liked.
"The color's starting to return to your cheeks, Alex," Eremis said with a smile.
Alex looked at him sure his eyes were revealing to Eremis the pain he was in at the moment. “Tha-that’s good...to hear...Eremis.” He tried to return the healer’s smile but his was weak in comparison.
Eremis placed the cut against his lips. Alex lifted a badly shaking hand, placing it on the cup,his fingers touching Eremis’, as he drank the liquid while listening to the healer speak. His eyebrows rose when Eremis stated that thanks to him he’d learned something important. After the healer set the cup down Alex leaned further back into the pillow continuing to listen while waiting for the pain to subside a little more.
Alex echoed Eremis’ soft sigh then turned his head toward the healer more so he could look at him. He wasn’t sure quite how to respond to his comments and wondered if it was even necessary then decided to respond to some of them.
“Travelling...with all of you...has been...quite interesting, Eremis. It was...not your fault...I have been injured...so badly. It was mine. I should have...thought things...through better...before rushing off...after Soran. Should have...conserved my energy better...to use for shield and spells. And you’re right...your friends...do need you...to be with them...to care for them...when they are injured. But I...can understand...why you don’t....like travelling and adventures. Eremis...I hope...that some day...you’ll be able... to stay in one place...and not...have to worry about...travelling or the dangers...that accompany it. Because of your very good care...I’ll mend...but it’ll take time. Time which....the group...probably can’t spare...and which I’ve really...no right to ask...of them. So yes...Quinn...will be...taking me home..as soon as you...deem me fit...to be teleported there or...if necessary...to ride.”
As his thoughts turned to Quinn he lips curved into a soft smile and his eyes and face lit up.
“Ahh Quinn...I’ve known Quinn...for most...of my life. He has been...a very good...friend for all...that time...too. Our friendship...has been fairly smooth...yet also a bit rocky. There’ve been times we’ve had...disagreements and have...been angry...with each other. Yet Quinn...has always tired to be around...when I’ve needed him. And I’ve...tried to be around...for Quinn...when he’s needed me. Quinn is...easy to talk to...most of the time. At least for me...anyway.”
Alex paused and drew in a few deep breathes. The pain was beginning to ease up and he was starting to feel a little better. He took the bowl of stew Eremis held out to him and ate a little of it taking care in doing so. Between bites he continued speaking.
"Quinn can be fun...to be around. But he can be unperdictable as well. There’ve...been a few times...when we’ve...managed to...get ourselves in trouble...was just a good thing...it wasn’t real bad trouble. Sometimes I’m not sure...what he’ll do...other times...I either know or...can make a good guess. He’s been away from home...for a few monthes. I’ve missed him...so will be good...to see him again.”
On the opposite side of the bed the air stirred. Alex felt it and glanced toward the slight disturbance. Moments later, a tallish elf with long golden brown hair, pulled back in a pony tail then arranged to drape over one shoulder and down his chest appeared in the room. His clothing consisted of forest green trousers, a simple cream colored shirt, black boots and a soft black hat resting on his head. He stood quite still for a moment waiting for his teleport spell to dissipate and to get his bearing. Then he looked around the room, his bright blue eyes settling on Alex then shifting to Eremis then going back to Alex. With confident strides he quickly crossed the distance to stop beside Alex’s bed. Alex looked up at his friend and smile.
“Hello Quinn.”
“Ahh Alexander! I leave and what happens...”
“I nearly die on you...?”
“Yes and that’s not something I want to think about too deeply.” His voice was slightly deep yet also melodic and easy on the ears. Quinn turned his bright probing blue eyes on Eremis. “I take, Sir, you are the healer who has tended to Alex.”
“Yes, Quinn. This is Eremis. Eremis...this is...Quinn Delevan...my freind.”
Quinn moved around the bed coming to a stop directly in front of Eremis. He extended his hand, gathered up Eremis’ and gave it a firm shake, held it for a moment then released it. “I am honored to meet you, Eremis, and I give you my deepest thanks and gratitude for saving Alexander’s life.”
He reached into his black pack and brought out a good sized packet which he gave to Eremis. “That contains several different healing and pain relieving herbs, vials of slow to medium acting healing potions, several different salves, ointments and tinctures and some bandages. There are also a couple of parchments containing healing spells which you can activate by reading them or if there is a mage travelling with you he or she can cast them.”
He moved back a few steps regarding Eremis intently as he did so then spoke again. “Eremis, again I thank you for taking care of Alexander.” He strode around to the other side of the bed. “I see that your are both tired so I’ll just set up my bed and not distrub you any further til morning.” And with that he crouched, unrolled a bed roll then lay down. “Good night Alex.”
“Good night Quinn. Thank you for coming.”
“You’re welcome.”
Alex then turned his attention to Eremis. “I could use...another of my healing potions, Eremis.” He held the bowl out to him. “The stew...was delicious...please relay...my thanks...”
Alex then lay back against the pillows and waited for Eremis to get another healing potion finding it hard to stay awake.
