Untouchable

Writers: AL, Chelle
Date Posted: 8th July 2014

Characters: Zathris, Chupsin
Description: Zathris mulls over his own memories.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 7, day 6 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Yanley, Benani, Miranek

Zathris

For the moment, she slept peaceful, away from the days that haunted her,
the man that shadowed her dreams. Zathris sat in his chair, his eyes
trained upon his wife. Would she awaken? No, that wasn't the
question. The question was _when_ would she awaken. When would his
visage spoil her sweet slumber? When would his vile presence destroy
her reprieve? When would her eyes open, her thoughts turned back to
that nightmare, her cries as if she were still there? Some progress had
been made, but not enough. He longed for her. He wanted to lie with
her, put his arms around her, hold her. At least she'd welcomed him
back to the bed, but that was it. His touch still brought tremours of
fear. His eyes closed and he heaved a heavy sigh as his own thoughts
turned back to the day when his Lady had returned.

******

It didn't take long for the healer to find out that the Lady Holder had
been brought into the Hold. He didn't know the circumstances, but he
had a good bet that she would need medical attention if she had been
gone that long, unable to be found. So he had gathered up his things and
headed in that direction. The thing was, Chupsin had grown up with
Benani and besides a healer's desire to put things back together, he
hoped he might be able to help her. Maybe..he could help her even though
he couldn't help Alivya. And then Zathris wouldn't know how he felt. He
had his wife back. She was alive, at least it seemed. And he had his
children-Chupsin and Miranek had seen to that. A momentary frown crossed
his face at the thought of the midwife being called in.

So the healer approached the people standing outside of the Lord
Holder's chambers, ready for anything. Tourniquet came with him, quiet
as always.

Zathris stepped out of his chambers, his face haggard, his hair unkempt.
One hand ran through that hair as he closed the door behind him. Upon
their return, Zathris had requested Chupsin's presence, but things had
changed. "Chupsin, thank you." He nodded to the healer, that hand
falling to his side. "But I'm afraid she refuses to see you."

That statement caused a look of confusion to run across his face. Then the
usual question, asked in a clinical voice, came forward. "Why would she
refuse medical attention?" That could be dangerous. Sometimes, it meant the
patient lost the choice. He also noted just how Zathris looked.
Something wasn't
right here. Something didn't add up.

Zathris swallowed hard. "I want you to. I think she needs to be seen,
but once I put her down...shaffit, Chupsin, she won't even let _me_
touch her. That man..." The rage that had simmered beneath the surface
began to flare. The Lord Holder's hands clenched into fists and the
fire burned brightly in his eyes. "I can't...don't want to imagine what
he did to her. Did so much damage she doesn't even want her husband
near her!"

That definitely rang alarm bells and it didn't take long for the healer
to realize what the situation was. "Calm down. She doesn't need to see
you upset.
You need to appear as if you are in control of the situation. She needs
calm
right now." He frowned, his mind racing. "First things first, she does
need to be seen
to. If there's an infection..." **Or a pregnancy** though he didn't
voice that. "It
could kill her if we don't get it taken care of. I have a female nurse
that could easily
do the exam quickly if she would be able to submit to that. If she
couldn't, we can
put her to sleep. But it could be dangerous if we don't. As far as
future help..." Of
course Chupsin wouldn't be able to do it if she wouldn't let him near
her. "I could give you
some names."

Names, names of who? Female healers? Well, Zathris didn't have a
problem with that, especially if it meant getting his wife the
assistance she so desperately needed. "Yes, please. Call your nurse
Chupsin. Let's see if Benani will see her - and I will certainly take a
list of names."

Times like these he wished Yanley was still at the Hold. "Very well,
she'll be here in a few moments with everything she'll need. I'll
wait outside just in case after she arrives." After all, if it was
something tricky, it would be either letting him in or her dying, he was
sure
the Lord Holder would open the door. He could give Zathris the list after
this was taken care of.

Zathris nodded. If it came down to it, they'd put her to sleep to get
her the care she needed. That was more important. "Thank you Chupsin."

*****

His eyes opened to fall upon her form once more. She had shifted and
Zathris knew it would not be long before she awoke again. As with every
other time, however, he would be there. Unless she bid him leave, he
would always be there. Always.

Last updated on the July 14th 2014

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Untouchable