Waymakers (Champions of the Crystal Book 9)

Chapter 4.2

They spent three hours in the Crystal chamber, though it seemed longer to Sabrina. She was chagrined to realize how inadequate her attempts to teach Seuréa had been, but then, as Mara pointed out, she was a student as well. Crystal energy did seem to keep the hunger pangs to a reasonable level, though she was ravenous when Mara finally declared a break.

"I will see the Conservator in training before I go," Mara said, "and design a curriculum. You are both competent in the areas you have attempted, but there are critical gaps."

"Like healing," Seuréa said.

"Yes. We will spend some time in the infirmary before I go," Mara said. "Both here and at Bathir. I cannot quite believe," she added wryly, "that you have done without Ranja for so long, Sabrina."

"Neither can I," Sabrina replied. "Nor her children." She took a deep breath. "The doctors have never been hopeful she can regain all her brain function. But even if she can't work, I'll be satisfied if she can just be with her children as they grow up. She's missed so much. And her husband was never found. So many weren't." Including Sabrina's former bodyguard, still a painful loss.

Mara nodded. "I cannot guarantee that she can be restored. But we will do all we can."

Seuréa said, "I've studied her scans. Cynthia gave me some ideas. But she said I should start with simple things and work my way up to brain surgery."

"I agree," Mara said. "Have you been studying medicine, Seuréa?"

Sabrina hurried to say, "Not officially. She and Cynthia became close after the invasion."

Seuréa nodded. "Sabrina and the baby were sick and Ford was busy. Cynthia looked after me. She wasn't allowed to teach me, but I helped her translate medical texts so she could qualify here."

"I see." Mara glanced at Sabrina, then looked back at Seuréa. "I had no idea you were so interested in healing."

"I wasn't before," she said. "But so many people were hurt. And I..." she glanced at Ford, then took a deep breath. "I tried to hurry Lily up and I nearly killed Sabrina. I don't want to make a mistake like that ever again."

"I see." Mara paused, and Sabrina hoped she wasn't consulting Khediva.

Ford said, "We've let her practice on the cats, but that's all. Now that she has the best possible teacher, though, that can change."

Mara gave him a wry smile. "It's true I've had plenty of practice the last few years. Very well. I will meet with the Conservator while you three have lunch. Then we will go to the infirmary here and see what we can do. And then we must rest. I intend to hold Imari's funeral tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Sabrina exclaimed.

"She has waited long enough. And surely you have chosen your song for her by now?"

Something traditional, Ford thought. She wouldn't want anything else.

True, Sabrina replied.

Aloud, Ford said, "I think we can manage. See you after lunch, then. Don't forget to eat."

Mara chuckled. "No need to parent me, Niavar. Go on, now. Sabrina is starving."

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Sabrina tried to fight off despair as she, Ford, and Seuréa walked through the tunnels. She hadn't given much thought to Imari's funeral, despite the fact that they'd had years to prepare by now. Without knowing when Mara might return, it had never seemed urgent.

Ford slid an arm around her waist. "I need to remember to carry snacks from now on," he said. "You'll feel better once you've eaten."

Seuréa tapped Sabrina on the shoulder, then handed her an apple. "No need to carry snacks when I'm around, you know. I'm the Inheritor. I can at least move food from the kitchen to wherever I am."