Hierarchy (Book Four of the Torrent Skies Saga)

Chapter Twenty-One: Cleaning Up

After their return from Lagamar, Katerin sat on the edge of her bed, her wrist held tentatively before her, as Arjiah looked it over. Her pastel blue scales caught the crisp sunlight, and threw glistening shadows across the far wall. Katerin focused on them, as Arjiah moved her wrist, and she fought to ignore the pain.

"Is it less painful then it was?" Arjiah gave her a concerned, motherly look, which she reserved for the worst of wounds.

"Quite a bit, but it isn't better, yet."

"It's healed..." Arjiah trailed off. "As right as it can be, after that stunt you pulled in Lagamar."

"It wasn't a stunt." Katerin bit her tongue, pulling her eyes from the window. "So, it will stay like this?"

"Mhm," Arjiah patted her hand. "But you don't need the sling and with enough stretches, I think you could find some improvement as long as you don't strain it again."

That's likely, Katerin thought bitterly.

"How's the left handed training going?" Arjiah looked optimistic, until she saw Katerin's face. "That good?"

"I spend more time in the dirt then I do swinging my weapon."

"At least it let it heal, faster." Arjiah offered a toothy grin.

At that, Katerin barked out a laugh. "I suppose there is that." Katerin studied Arjiah's bag as she put her things away, and noted a small wooden charm on the strap. "So, will you be going with us?"

"When you need me too. I will say that I am rather enjoying the peace and quiet of Ky'lei'mei."

"I promise to only ask when I fear for our lives," Katerin said, though she was not sure there would be a time when she did not have such a fear, soon.

"I know you have to get going. I'll be here, when you get back."

Katerin's head rolled back. "Actually, I was hoping you would help me with something." When Arjiah seemed resolute, she gestured to her closet. "I've no idea what to wear."

"For the gnomes?"

"For the gnomes," Katerin repeated, dryly.

Arjiah went to her closet, walked in and began shuffling things aside at a rapid pace. Katerin preferred darker colors, Emerald greens, dark purples, black and gray. She heard Arjiah muttering, as she shifted seemingly everything Katerin liked, out of the way.

Finally, Arjiah found a soft blue shirt, and held in front of Katerin. "How do you want to appear?" she asked.

"Competent?" Katerin said, biting her lip.

Arjiah let out a chiming laugh. "The clothes can only help that."

"Are the gnomes worse than Urgist?"

"Oh, by miles." Arjiah shook her head, and pushed the blue blouse away. Her eyes scanned the closet, "Ooh," she muttered, landing on a velvet, purple number with long, flowing sleeves. "It looks important, but also not intimidating... do you have any scarves?"

"A few," Katerin opened her dresser, and held up an assortment. One was smoke colored silk and she realized she held it with more care than any other. It had been a birthday present from her father, years ago.

Their search for the right clothing took so long that there was a knock on the bedroom door, as Katerin tied the scarf around her hips, as a sash. She wore that long purple blouse, black leather leggings with soft carvings upon the sides of the legs, and medium length boots, with a dark cloak, and the gray silk scarf she looked quite presentable.