Timestamp 70th of Summer, 515 AV
She wore her weariness like a fine mantle. It draped across her shoulders and weighed her down. Kavala had done something foolish and it was a miracle she' made it back whole. In theory it had been a good plan. Ride to Endrykas with disposable possessions, drop off the bloodbane, and then return home as fast as possible. To Kavala, fast meant on the wind, with wings instead of feet. Only, she hadn't thought the trip through. Leaving everything behind in morphing meant that once she lost the form - which she could not hold indefinitely - she was without clothing, shelter, food, or anything else she couldn't carry as a bird. Stupidly, she'd assumed she could hunt as an eagle, but her skill - like her flying - had proven poor. So sure she crossed the grasslands in two days borne by a favorable wind... but food had been lacking, comfortable rest had been lacking, and exposure even in the summer had taken its tole. No supplies - not even a hunting knife - meant no fire. So she shivered at night and roasted during the day.
The lights of The Sanctuary late on the second night had never looked so welcoming. Having been gone thirteen days, there were children to greet, people to reassure, patients to look in on, and then herself to see too.
She'd slept another full day through then ate everything in sight when she awoke. Still tired she'd seen a host of emergencies, checked up on clients and boarders, and then made a list of her patients in the city that she had to see immediately due to their condition or the timing she'd been away.
And that's why she was in town now. Her in-town patients had all been visited, some given good bills of health, others having been treated immediately. Sometimes the Rak'keli gnosis really came in handy. She even treated a few people that approached her having known who she was. These weren't unwelcome clients, because they paid just as well as scheduled ones, but they added to her lateness in town.
And truthfully, by the time she was done with the rounds there it was late. She was reluctant to make the trip back, not because the darkness scared her, but because her weariness was peaked. Too much magic in too many short days - magic she was not master of - and an overabundance of things to do once she got home.
It landed her at Alements for a bite to eat and a quiet corner where she could enjoy a strong restorative drink and decide if she could make the walk home or if she should just see if Caleum was about and would let her borrow his bed or a spare for the night. For that matter, the Dreamcatcher might even be docked alongside the bar. And that too would provide her a bunk for the night. She hadn't thought to look when she slipped in.
Kavala sighed wearily. If she'd just brought one of the horses instead of walked, the whole problem would have been solved. Looking around, Kavala flagged down Elise and ordered something.
She wore her weariness like a fine mantle. It draped across her shoulders and weighed her down. Kavala had done something foolish and it was a miracle she' made it back whole. In theory it had been a good plan. Ride to Endrykas with disposable possessions, drop off the bloodbane, and then return home as fast as possible. To Kavala, fast meant on the wind, with wings instead of feet. Only, she hadn't thought the trip through. Leaving everything behind in morphing meant that once she lost the form - which she could not hold indefinitely - she was without clothing, shelter, food, or anything else she couldn't carry as a bird. Stupidly, she'd assumed she could hunt as an eagle, but her skill - like her flying - had proven poor. So sure she crossed the grasslands in two days borne by a favorable wind... but food had been lacking, comfortable rest had been lacking, and exposure even in the summer had taken its tole. No supplies - not even a hunting knife - meant no fire. So she shivered at night and roasted during the day.
The lights of The Sanctuary late on the second night had never looked so welcoming. Having been gone thirteen days, there were children to greet, people to reassure, patients to look in on, and then herself to see too.
She'd slept another full day through then ate everything in sight when she awoke. Still tired she'd seen a host of emergencies, checked up on clients and boarders, and then made a list of her patients in the city that she had to see immediately due to their condition or the timing she'd been away.
And that's why she was in town now. Her in-town patients had all been visited, some given good bills of health, others having been treated immediately. Sometimes the Rak'keli gnosis really came in handy. She even treated a few people that approached her having known who she was. These weren't unwelcome clients, because they paid just as well as scheduled ones, but they added to her lateness in town.
And truthfully, by the time she was done with the rounds there it was late. She was reluctant to make the trip back, not because the darkness scared her, but because her weariness was peaked. Too much magic in too many short days - magic she was not master of - and an overabundance of things to do once she got home.
It landed her at Alements for a bite to eat and a quiet corner where she could enjoy a strong restorative drink and decide if she could make the walk home or if she should just see if Caleum was about and would let her borrow his bed or a spare for the night. For that matter, the Dreamcatcher might even be docked alongside the bar. And that too would provide her a bunk for the night. She hadn't thought to look when she slipped in.
Kavala sighed wearily. If she'd just brought one of the horses instead of walked, the whole problem would have been solved. Looking around, Kavala flagged down Elise and ordered something.