Valadhiel paced feverishly outside the hospital ward. She hoped everything would be okay and several hours later, the door opened to admit the healer, "She will be alright. She needs rest and to stay here over night but she will live," she said, smiling slightly. Valadhiel sighed with relief, thanked the elf and went to find Micha to give him the news.

When Valadhiel came out Micha was still siting beside the door fast asleep. Even her pressence dis not wake him, though he tossed and turned in his sleep with wrestlessness.

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Valadhiel bent to nudge him awake, "Micha? Wake up," she said quietly, gently shaking his shoulder.

At the gentle nudge Micha jumped, as if he had been biten by some fierce critter. He instinctively reached for his weapon... Fortunately he had left them on his horse. A split second past before he realized it was Valadjiel. He jumped to his feet when he saw her bit his knees threatened to buckle from beneath him. Slower this time he stood.

"How is she?" He tried not to seem to desparate. "Is she alright?"

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Valadhiel reached up to help him, "Yes, she will be alright. She just needs rest now," she said quietly, putting her arm around him for support, "Does Sygnet's father still live here?" she asked him.

Micha sighed and felt wearily and thanked the Maker.

"Yes," Micha nodded in response Valadhiel's questions. e explained to her where he lived. "Will they let me see her?" he asked afterwards, glancing back to the healing house.

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Valadhiel shook her head, "I'll go see her later, but for now, you must rest," she said, helping him towards Armani's home. She knocked on the door and he answered.

"Valadhiel?" he asked, then looked at Micha and he looked around for his daughter, "Where is--"

Valadhiel interrupted, "Apologies milord but may we come in?" she said, "We will explain everything," she said.

He nodded and let them in.

Micha hated being too weak to protest but he went along with Valadhiel, having little choice.

"Your daughter is safe," Micha assured Armani. "She is injured, however. The bear attack must have done more damage than the healers expected... she still has not recovered."

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Armani raised his eyebrows under his silver hair, "What? Where is she?" he said urgently.

Valadhiel deposited Micha on the sofa, "She's in the Hospital Ward but--" she was cut short when he left through the open door, running towards the Homely House.

"I need to go.." Micha said, struggling to stand back up. "I should have been there... I should have noticed she wasn't recovering well..."

He sighed and headed for the door.

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Valadhiel grabbed him by the shoulder, "No, it is not your fault. And you need to stay here. You will be of no use to Sygnet half-dead. Rest, then you can see her," she said quietly. "Come on, you can rest in Sygnet's room," she said, helping him up and taking him towards a back bedroom.

Micha knew Valadhiel was right... but his mind told him otherwise. "I should have noticed. I promised her father I would watch after her..." he paused. "I promised her..." he said his last words softly.

He shook his head and succumbed to his condition. As he took his next step his knees buckled and he fell to the floor. He grunted at the impact but more so at the frustration of his state.

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Valadhiel bent down and picked him up, carrying him inside and laying him on the bed in Sygnet's room, she gently removed his boots and weapons, laying them against the bedside table, "It is not your fault, remember that. It won't do you both any good dwelling on it, now, sleep," she said, leaving and closing the door behind her. There was a faint click as she locked the door.

The room a was small with a bed opposite the door. There was a fine layer of dust on most of the furniture but the sheets still smell like pine needles. It was modestly decorated with very ornate designs on the walls. The windows were high on the walls, filtering in the afternoon sunlight.

Micha gripped the sheets on the bed in fists. He moaned as he contemplated things. He tried to calm his mind... he tried to sleep... he tried anything to make the time pass. Finally he rolled out of the bed and settled in on the floor. It had been ages since he had slept on a bed and his body just wouldn't have it.

Once he was on the hard floor he slipped off into a deep sleep in no time.

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Eventually Armani returned, "She's fine now. She looks better. She is asleep. They have her taking sleeping droughts. You can see her when she wakes. Feel free to take the spare bedroom, you look tired," he said quietly. Valadhiel nodded and moved towards the back room.

Micha slept through the conversation outside. Once he finally woke he wondered just how much a person could sleep! It seemed he had slept more than he had been awake since their travel out of the ice caves.

Upon waking and feeling relatively rested all considering, he moved to the door and tried it. It was locked. He knocked hard.

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