CHAPTER TWENTY - NYlA’s lAmENT

Nyla groaned in pain as she woke up, her senses slowlyreturning to her. The dream she’d been having had been a

pleasant one for the rst time in weeks, and if for no reason

other than that, she was reluctant to leave it behind.She had no choice, though, as a wave on pain rolled

over her. Her whole left side burned as if on re, and reality

started to crash back down upon her, and she started toremember.Struggling against the pain, she tried to crane her neckdown her body to see what was causing all that pain, but was frustrated in that all she could see was a mass of bandages. She tried to throw off the blankets and look, but was pushed gently back down by Master Ulric, who wassitting at her side. She twisted her head to the side and sawdeep concern etched into his features. She started to tryand speak, but he again shushed her, gently holding herdown on the bed.“Nyla, Nyla…. You musn’t struggle. Tolanathalas’ acidspell has hurt you very badly, and for some reason youaren’t taking well to magical healing. You must rest.”She setteled back down onto the pillow.

How can I rest when I hurt so badly?

She tried to speak again, tried to askUlric what had happened, but the words only came out in along mournful groan.Ulric looked at her and sighed deeply. He brought adraught up to her cheek, let a small amount of it dribbleinto her mouth. “Drink this, Nyla. It will help with the pain,and it will help you sleep. Shieldbrother Tordek and thatnew cleric, Penteth, are looking for a cure for you. In themeantime, you must sleep.”

She tried to sit up again. She had so many questions toask! But Ulric pushed her back down once again gently,applying just enough pressure to hold her weakened effortsat bay. She felt a few more drops of the medicine dribbledown into her throat and tried not to swallow it.

I don’t

want to sleep! I want to get up and nd that mage! Finish him off for hurting me! Then I can rest…

It was no use, however. The medicine, whatever it was, was strong stuff. Grunting with effort, she grabbed Ulric’s

hand. “Tell Tolan not to run away! I’ll be back to n… backto nish…” The she collapsed, lost to the waking world,

and back to her dreams. Part of her had the time to wonder which, at this point, was more painful.* * * Tarn watched as the weary mage staggered down thestairs. The half-elf seemed hunched over with worry, andhe knew why. Nyla had been acting strangely enough atthe inn that morning. Now, after the magical duel she’dfought… He shuddered.Bear got up from his perch by the window and almostran over to the mage as he descended the last step. “How isshe?” he cried.Ulric put out his arm and reached up to the biggerman’s shoulder. “Physcially, Ben, she’ll be all right—I think.What is keeping her from accepting magical healing, Icannot say. But for now, I put enough milk of the poppy inthat healing draught to keep her under for at least a day,perhaps more. She needs rest – that’s all I can say for now.”Bear’s anguished face pained Tarn. “What about theclerics? Haven’t they learned anything?”

“Logan went down to the temple to consult with hishigh priest,” Tarn said. “He and Penteth are working hard,Bear. But there are no easy solutions. This thing is beyondeveryone’s realm of experience.”Bear swallowed once, then nodded. “I’m sure you’reright, Tarn. It’s just, well, she’s all the family I’ve got left.”He dropped down onto a wooden bench and put his headon his hands.Ulric put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Hemurmured something Tarn couldn’t understand, but itseemed to ease the big man’s inner torment. Bear got upand started to walk up the stairs. Tarn watched him go,

and then Ulric walked over to Tarn’s bench and opped

down with a tired sigh.“So, how is she really, Master Ulric?”Ulric shrugged. “As I said, physically, she shouldsurvive. She was hit by an acid burst spell, and she isbadly wounded, and so she is in a great deal of pain, butthat isn’t what concerns me, as I’m sure you can imagine.She won’t take magical healing, and it’s as if something’s

ghting the healing. Something very dark, and very, very

evil. I’ve not seen anything like it in all my many years. I

suspect it’s related to your ght with that beast several

days ago – that’s only a logical conclusion. Beyond that, Ihaven’t got a clue.” Tarn snorted. “Great. Something’s changed in her – even

before that ght she had, I could tell it. She told me she’d

been having nightmares, and she had violent mood swingsas well – terribly angry one second, happy and cheerful asa milk maiden the next. I’ve never seen anything like it. Atleast I hadn’t before this morning.”