Change of a ride (WoT FF)

Chapter 4

They were forced to change their plans, unfortunately, and ended up renting a room close to the city wall. Wet and cold – which was certainly not something they expected in this part of the world, they had to admit camping outside might not be the most prudent idea. The rain, even though a normal occurrence, was unusually cold and accompanied by stinging cold wind. Moiraine was coughing even before they got back to the stable they left both horses at. He listened to her lungs in the very questionable privacy of the stall and she had to agree a night out would certainly lay her up for days. And there was no one to help her here, so a warm bed was really a must.

Lan growled, handing the innkeeper all the coins. There was not enough to pay for a proper hot bath with the room only to themselves, and that would be the most expedient way to warm Moiraine up. He had to settle for getting a good fire going and covering her with multiple blankets. She was tough and would be just fine the next day to walk the city again, but she needed rest. She was asleep before she sat on the bed fully, so after making the fire he lifted her and started undressing - she would not be happy if her things got crumpled. Then, when everything seemed to be taken care of, he took off his outer clothes, wrapped himself in the last remaining blanket and sat on the floor, backed against her bed. He wouldn't be able to sleep deeply in Tear anyway.

The cough was what woke him in the middle of the night. Moiraine masked it as much as she could and as soon as she was awake, but it was no use – he already knew how bad it was. He could feel she was too warm and clammy, and her vision was impaired. The last one he was not so sure about with the darkness still surrounding them, but he usually had a good idea. He got up without hurry, reaching for the ko'di to help Moiraine find calm in the middle of another bout of wheezing and started taking out herbs they carried for just this kind of situations.

"Can you make the fire bigger?" he asked, hoping she was not too tired for it, then caught himself. "No, sorry, don't touch the Source. My mistake." Her poor concentration must be affecting him as well. Thankfully she must have been less than present mentally and hadn't heard his initial request. He stoked the fire and put the kettle on. Water boiled and he put enough of the herbs into it to lay down a strongest of men. Moiraine could protest, if she wanted and if she was strong enough, but she needed it now. It would be the most expedient strategy. She protested for a while, sure she could beat the infection on her own, but he was persistent. He knew he had to be to make her drink. She did in the end and a moment later he could go back to his light sleep by her bed, making sure she slept through the night.

It was not a frequent occurrence, Moiraine sick, but it was far from the first time he had to care for her like that. He knew what to expect and she was right on schedule. He went down in the evening to get breakfast for both of them and made sure she ate the whole portion before preparing another batch of herbal tea that would help her heal, but put her to sleep again. She was rested a little, so it was easier to talk to her now.

"Is your niece better?" the innkeeper asked, when Lan ventured down during midmorning. She seemed genuinely caring. "Do you need anything?"

"She just needs some more rest." It was easy to act, especially since not much acting was actually needed. "We will, however, be staying for two or more days if possible."

"You've lucky it's not actually a high reason. I have space for you for however long you need."

He ordered supper to be brought to their room in the evening and dragged additional wood for the fireplace himself. The innkeeper was kind enough to give it free of charge and he used as much of his good will as he could. He had some purpose to use the remaining money.

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Moiraine knew the first evening that she was headed towards at least a two day stay in bed. This kind of illness did happen for her from time to time, especially when there was no sister to help her at the early stage. A really hot soak would sometimes help if the problem was with her being chilled, but she suspected this time was lost and would be even with that precaution.

Lan knew her enough to give her the right herbs. She would suffer for some time, then be right enough to continue. She was glad they actually had the routine down by now. And that Lan insisted on stocking their medicine bag before going this way. She was sure there was no risk of her getting a cold in such a hot climate as the one in Tear. She was so clearly wrong and she would have to remember to thank Lan when she is finally able to think clearly again. For now she was safely bundled up in every blanket available, with tea on the table by the bed if she got thirsty. She had everything so she just slept.

She noticed Lan several times during the day. He came to help her and made sure she had everything she needed. In rare moments of full lucidity she reached and felt him quite close and a little excited, so she decided not to bother him. He rarely took care of his needs.

"Do not mask the bond!" he insisted the first time. She was sure he would need privacy but he burst through the door, checking her over like she lost consciousness. "If you want to be accommodating," he said, cutting in before she could explain, "keep the connection so that I can be sure you're fine!

She could only nod, agreeing. There was nothing lacking in the way he cared for her, even though he disappeared several times and gave no explanation. At the end of the fourth day she was both restless and still too weak to resume their search. This one hit her harder than she was used to and it made her mad. She has decided she didn't like Tear. It certainly didn't agree with her.

She was going through her notes for maybe a hundredth time when Lan came in, obviously tired and smelling of horses.

"I thought you would be reading something different," he said, "You've got things you could choose instead."

She just shook her head, but there was a teasing there that made her warm inside. The good kind of warm, which meant the bad kind must have already left her system. Good. She should be ready soon to leave it the usual progression was anything to go by. I failed so far. She just hoped it won't do so now.

"Have you checked on horses?" she asked, even though it was not exactly the question that she wanted answered. It was, however, Lan's life and he was entitled to his own dealings when she didn't need him. And she couldn't say he missed any moment she lacked something – her oaths would not let her say it even in complete privacy. Getting used to them took her some time, but by now she barely felt in enough to alarm Lan. Life was... bearable. Yes, that was the word. At least one of them should have some life periodically.

"Are you okay?" Lan's voice brought her from her thoughts and she realised he must have been talking to her for some time. "Are you sure you shouldn't still be sleeping? You look a little pale still."

"I will be fine. Soon." She reached for the Source, but didn't touch the one Power. Lan's disapproval was palpable in the bond. "We can resume tomorrow. Will the horses be ready next evening?"

"We will not be travelling through the night and we will not be spending the night in the open. You need another good sleep at least after we look for the boy."

She would have protested, but Lan, she reminded herself, knew exactly how she felt. He probably knew her body's tells much better than she did, by now, probably. He was used to fighting her on this decisions. And she was tired enough even after such a long rest, maybe because of it, that she didn't fight.

"Go to sleep," he said, taking her small book from her hands and putting it on the night stand. "I'm not going anywhere else today. I will keep watch."

"Please go to sleep," she said before going to sleep. "You need your rest as well." She didn't know why, but she could feel him being tired. "You know I wouldn't be able to ease your weariness for a few days. You need proper sleep."

"I would rather keep watch."

"Get in bed, g... "she caught herself in time. "Get in bed, Lan, we have the other one for a reason." She smiled hearing first his footsteps, then rustling of bedsheets. "What were you doing, anyway?" she asked, almost asleep.

"You will see soon." His almost giddy satisfaction helped her fall asleep.