Of Shelves and Stepladders

Writers: AL, Kurt
Date Posted: 3rd October 2008

Characters: Quilya, Corell
Description: Quilya finishes her shift at the Infirmary.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 12, day 3 of Turn 4
Notes: Mentor approved. Part 1 of 2 (split for length)

Quilya sighed as she, for what seemed like the thousandth time, hefted the
wooden stepladder and moved to it a few paces along the floor before
setting it down and climbing up again. She placed her hand on the sturdy
wooden shelving of the infirmary's storage room to steady herself, then
began carefully counting the small, earthenware jars that lined the
shelves in the particular section at which she stood. After counting and
double-checking her observations, she climbed down and made a notation of
the count of numbweed salve preparations on a sheaf of hide. Then she set
the hide and writing board aside and picked up the ladder once more.

Inventory was among the less glamorous of Quilya's duties, but it was,
nonetheless, entirely necessary, and she did not shirk it. Still, she
felt a twinge of jealousy at the senior apprentices, many who were turns
younger than herself, who were granted more time actually assisting and
learning from the healers themselves. She consoled herself with the fact
that, were she still at Amber Hills, she'd likely be pregnant, nursing, or
both. Quilya frowned to herself. Her mother and father did not approve
at all of chosen path, but, in fairness, she had not approved of _their_
chosen path for her.

She finished inventory of her assigned section, and folded and stowed the
ladder before leaving the storeroom and entering the infirmary proper.
Her shift was up for the day, but Corell, her currently assigned mentor,
was currently seeing a patient, and she could not leave without his
permission. She looked around, then picked up a broom in the corner and
began to sweep the floors, occasionally glancing up to see if he was
available. She hoped that Corell would finish before another healer or,
even worse, a higher ranking apprentice noticed her and found another task
for her to complete.

A few more minutes passed before the sound of Corell's voice could be
heard calling her. When she made her way over to him, she found the
patient had left and Corell himself was washing his hands. Cleanliness
was important in general, but especially so when dealing with so many
patients. "Ah, Quilya." The journeyman looked up from where he
vigorously scrubbed his hands. "Did you finish the inventory?"

"Yessir," Quilya replied evenly. "I've put the tallies for sections ten
through twenty-five in the records. All of our stocks are currently in
acceptable ranges, and I've noted any stock that expires in three months
or less." She stood with her hands at her sides. "May I be dismissed
from my shift now?"

"I suppose so." Corell grinned as he finished washing his hands and
plucked a towel from a rack to dry them. "Although I can certainly think
of plenty of things to do around here if you feel like staying on late."

Quilya knew he was joking, but she couldn't really manage a smile for it.
She was thinking ahead to the review she would need to do tonight. It
seemed that she was so far behind, sometimes, that should would never make
it to senior apprentice. "No sir, I'd rather not, if it is all the same
to you."

"Ah well, I suppose I shall have to pick on some other apprentice and have
them do my bidding." Corell shook his head as if at the shame of it, then
his expression grew a bit more serious. "Is everything all right Quilya?
You look a bit distracted."

Quilya blinked. "Oh, yes sir, everything is fine. I just have a few
things to take care of this evening, that's all. I guess I was just
thinking about that."

"Ah, I see. Well, as long as nothing is wrong." He reached out to pat
the girl upon her shoulder. "Go on, get to your things and hopefully
you'll have some time to relax before the day is finished."

**Not sharding well likely,** Quilya thought glumly to herself. It was
looking like another night of reading about medical practices and
procedures. That, and several cups of klah. "Hopefully, sir," she
managed a weak smile. "See you tomorrow, then."

"Til tomorrow." Corell nodded, then turned to make his way back to the
waiting area where another patient was surely waiting.

Last updated on the October 5th 2008

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Of Shelves and Stepladders