Chapter X, Reading 5

Flindra slowly awoke. She was in bed in an unfamiliar room. This was not her cottage. Reality intruded further into her consciousness and then she remembered. The memories of her past ordeal shot through her mind like a catapult volley. Her consciousness wavered and she started to sink back into the abyss that had held her for the last two days. She was slowly fading into unconsciousness.

"No! Stay fast!" shouted Kewero as she took hold of Flindra's face and forced her to see her. "Stay with me."

Flindra tried to respond but found it difficult. It was easier just to sink back to sleep and return to the nothingness.

Kewero shook her shoulders in an effort to stop her from becoming submerged in unconsciousness. "Fight Flindra. Anchor your mind to my voice. Don't let go."

Kewero's efforts were enough to carry Flindra safely back into the realm of sane consciousness. She looked around and recognized her sleeping chamber. As her eyes became accustomed to the light she turned and looked at Kewero.

The old woman was crying as she held tightly to Flindra's shoulders. She looked deeply into her eyes and rejoiced at the consciousness looking back into her own.

"Thank you, Spirit. Thank you," Kewero said. She released her grip and touched Flindra's brow lightly. "How do you feel?"

Flindra found her throat and mouth were dry. Her voice was somewhat raspy when she answered. "I feel tired and a little numb. What happened to me? Have I been sick?"

"Yes, dear one, you've been sick, but everything's going to be all right now."

"Why are you crying?"

Kewero, embarrassed, brushed away the tears. "It's nothing. I was just frightened."

"Frightened?"

"I was afraid I was going to lose you, Flindra. You took ill so suddenly and I didn't know what was wrong. I felt so helpless."

Flindra reached for the older woman's hand to give comfort. She was surprised to see that her own hand was bandaged. "What happened to my hand?" she asked with a very puzzled expression.

"Your palm was burned."

"How?"

"I'll tell you everything later, Flindra. I don't want to remind you of your hurts quite yet. I don't think you are ready to remember."

She nodded her head against the pillow. "May I have some water?"

Kewero quickly filled a glass, gently supported her head, and helped her to drink. "Is that enough?" she queried after Flindra had sipped several times.

"Yes."

Kewero eased her head back to the pillow. "Do you think you could eat anything? I have some broth warming over the fire."

"I would like that."