Orelie

*18*

*18*

I had to stay a few more days at the healing house. I was feeling much better, but Vaeri insisted that I stay longer to make sure everything healed internally. Every hour, Crae would have her come back into my room to check up on me. I could tell she was getting very annoyed with him.

Three days after being admitted, Crae was able to take me home. Not taking any chances, he carried me home while I held my staff close to me.

"Make sure you don't let go of that staff," he said to me as we headed back. "You still have some lingering magic around you from a few days ago. Let it absorb your magic energy so it can be stored away."

I nodded slowly and stared at my staff. I know I should have held on to it during the fight, but I just had to let it go. If I didn't, the staff would have taken a good chunk of the magic power I was giving off. I needed that to take down the Drake and Dwarf. I tried telling that to Crae and Vaeri, but they weren't having it and both started to scold me.

I sighed to myself and stared ahead. We'll be back at the cottage soon enough. Then I'll be on house arrest, most likely. I'm used to it already, but it'll feel weird here. Everywhere else, I thought it was normal. Here in Fucrya, there's so much freedom and so much to explore. Not being able to go out and enjoy it is going to feel wrong to me.

I wish I had realized that with my other caretakers.

We stopped at the gate to the cottage. I glanced up to see a very troubled look on Crae's face. "Word travels too quick around here..." he cautiously stepped inside and locked the gate. Slowly, he walked up to the door.

What could be going on? What does he mean by word traveling fast? Who's here in the cottage?

The second he got up to the door, it flew open. "Mister Crae! I specifically told you to keep her safe, and what do you do?! You got her seriously hurt! Come here, child." Somehow, I was transferred to Mystic's arms. Crae reached out for me as Mystic sat us on the couch. She cradled me close to her, holding me protectively.

"Honestly, it's like I have to stay here with her to make sure she doesn't get hurt." I blinked slowly, trying to understand what happened. I understand that Mystic is here, but why?

"Those Fairies just love talking to you." Crae said with a sneer as he walked into the front room.

Mystic held me tighter. "Nothing gets past me when the Fairies are involved." Oh, that's how. I forgot she talks with them.

Crae gave a long, tired sounding sigh. "And how long do you plan on being here?"

"As long as I need to." She replied as she pet my hair.

"Perfect..." he flopped into his chair, something I've never seen him do.

"Now, you need to get better." Mystic said to me as she pat my head. "So hold your staff close to you and don't ever let go. Once you recover, you and I are going to a more controlled area to practice your magic."

"She's not going to Millpost!" Crae suddenly snapped, making me jump.

Mystic scoffed, unaffected by his outburst. "Duh, I know that. I'm taking her to Krobe Canal. There, she can safely practice her water magic."

"I forbid it!" He slammed his hands on the armrests and towered over us. "She is not leaving Mellow Woods! It's too dangerous!"

"Do you doubt my power?" She challenged him. "I am perfectly capable of taking care of her! I'm more powerful than you think! And once I'm near water, it'll be impossible to touch us! There's nothing to worry about!"