Something is wrong

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 30th November 2006

Characters: Erassa, Corowal
Description: Erassa tells Corowal about irregularities she has noticed in baby Wallia.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 1, day 20 of Turn 4

Erassa sat next to the baby gurgling and cooing on the bed. The little eyes were open wide as her feet and fists pumped at the air. Her foster mother sat watching her, her expression troubled. Something wasn't right. Taking a deep breath Erassa placed her hands close to the baby girls ear and brought them together in a loud clap. Little Wallia
jumped at the loud sound, reacting to the startle instinct she was born with.

Her foster mother worried her lower lip thoughtfully. She placed her hands a few inches from the little baby's face and, after taking another deep breath she flicked her fingers towards the child, close enough and fast enough it should have induced the same kind of defensive response.
But there was nothing. Erassa closed her eyes, hoping that she was worried about nothing, hoping there was some explanation, dreading when the Steward came home and she would have to tell him what she was beginning to suspect...

Corowal was swarmed by his children when he came home.
"Where's Erassa?" he asked after the greetings. He was holding Felcoron against his hip, Corolia was hanging from his other arm, Corofel wanted to show him something he had done in harper classes and Ofewal just wanted attention.

"She's with the baby," Ofewal replied.

"I'm in here," Erassa said, standing in the doorway. "Could I talk to you for a moment, sir?"

"Of course, Erassa, just a moment..." Corowal replied with a grin. It took him a while to shook off the children. After round of hugs and kisses they returned to their own plays and he was able to join the foster mother. "They, they obviously miss me," he sighed.

"Yes, they've been waiting for you," she said with a forced smile. He really was a loving father. Shards, she didn't want to be the one to say something... Direct was best. "Sir, I am worried that there might be something wrong with Wallia's eyes. I think she needs to be taken to
a healer."

"Oh," Shards, and just as he was having such a good day. "What do you think it might be?" he asked.

"I'm not sure, sir, but I think she... doesn't see so well..." That was putting it mildly. Shards, this was so hard. "I can't say for sure, but I think, she may be blind..." Her voice cracked on the last word
and her hand flew to cover her lips. What would she do if it were her son? How could she feel? And after they've been through so much already.

"Blind? Maybe she's just badly near-sighted like her mother was," Corowal said, knowing it was wistful thinking.

She put an understanding hand on his arm. "Sir, you can see for yourself. She doesn't _flinch_." And Faranth knows she's tried often enough it should have produced _some_ response!

Corowal walked as silently as he could and bent over the baby. She was unaware of his presence. He remembered when his other children had been babies. Even as infants, they had all turned to watch human face, they had reacted to light and movement. He know he was fortunate that all
four older ones had normal eyesight. Any one of them could have inherited their mother's bad eyesight. He pulled a keyring from his pocket and jingled it. Wallia turned her head towards it. He moved he keys to the opposite
side of the baby and jingled them again. The baby's face followed. "At last there's nothing wrong in her hearing," Corowal muttered.

"No," Erassa agreed. She had already tested that much.

"I better take her to master Miranek," Corowal sighed and lifter her up. He stroked the baby's fine hair and wondered a what kind of future she would have if she indeed was blind?

"I'll stay with the children," she nodded, fighting back the tears that threatened. As if this family hadn't been through enough.

Last updated on the December 1st 2006

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