Completely blind?

Writers: Emma, Paula
Date Posted: 14th December 2006

Characters: Corowal, Miranek
Description: Corowal takes his baby to be examined by master Miranek.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 1, day 20 of Turn 4
Notes: Follows 'Something is wrong.'

Master Miranek. I'm glad you could receive us on such a short notice," the steward greeted the master healer. He was carrying wrapped up baby Wallia on his arms.

"No problem at all," replied the Master Healer with a smile for the little one. "How's she doing?"

"Just fine, except one thing. Her fostermother, Erassa, has noticed some oddities. If you could please check her sight?" Corowal told him and asked.

"Her sight?" asked Miranek in confirmation.

"Yes, she doesn't seem to react to visual stimulus," Corowal said.

"How long has this been happening?" he asked as he reached out to take the child. Very young babies didn't seem to focus, but slightly older ones...

"Probably from the birth, I can't say. I mean, she's barely a month old now, before now, nobody expected her to be aware of her surroundings. Erassa started to suspect it and did couple of little tests," Corowal explained.

"I see," said Miranek.

The healer took the child, and sat with her propped so he could see her face. He then dangled a shiny, and slightly jangly set of keys around her head. From behind, she seemed to react, turning her head towards the sound.
But when directly in front of her.. She giggled, because she could hear them, but made no sign to follow their motion with her eyes.

Corowal watched it silently. He didn't want to disturb the master healer.

"I need to look at her eyes properly," said Miranek after a moment. He needed to know that it was an eye problem, or a sign of something more serious.

"All right," Corowal agreed. He wanted to know for sure.

"Can you take her, and hold her still?" asked the healer as he went to look for some instruments.

"Of course," Corowal took her back and found a nice, steady position in which to hold her. He tickled her palms while waiting the healer's return.

Taking his instrument up Miranek peered into the eyes of the little girl.
There was no reaction to his coming close, and no sign of protest at how close he was.

"Corowal," he began, as he sat back and put the instrument down. "I'm afraid that your fostermother might be right."

"Completely blind?" Corowal asked with stunned voice. Even if they had suspected, it hit hard to hear the healer confirm it.

"It looks likely. There is a possibility she may be able to see bright lights, or shapes maybe, but until she is able to tell us herself..."

"Could she..could she have other defects? The kind that aren't apparent from her looks?" Corowal asked hesitantly. He wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.

"I'd need to carry out a more thorough examination to be sure one way or another," said the healer gently. "But her hearing seems fine, she's putting on weight and feeding well. All that goes in her favour."

"Right," Corowal grunted and looked baby's blue eyes. They looked so normal, exect they didn't focus.

"I'm sure that it will be okay," said the healer, aware that it was a meaningless platitude. Knowing that something was wrong with a baby, nothing could beat the feelings of shock that brought to the parents.

"What kind of future a blind person can have?" Corowal asked rhetorically.
** At least she is a girl. Even a blind girl can always spread her legs and have babies. But a boy? Could not craft, could not do anything, only to be totally useless parasite, ** he thought bitterly.

"You'd be surprised," said the Healer. "The Harper Hall has a couple of apprentices that are blind, and while they may progress a little slower, they still craft. There will be plenty of things she can learn to do, given time."

"Well, that reminds to be seen in future," Corowal sighed. She was a month old baby after all, and there were more immediate concerns, like getting her changed.

"Bring her back in a month, or sooner if you notice anything more."

"I will," Corowal promised. "Do you have room where I could change her? She's done a little stinky surprise for daddy."

Miranek replied quickly, his nose telling him what had occurred. "You can use the examination room, do you need clean nappies at all?"

"I have clean ones with me, thank's. I'm not a first timer after all," Corowal laughed.

"Then I'll leave you too it."

Last updated on the December 16th 2006

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Completely blind?