Starlight (Book 1)

Chapter Thirty-One

Ro hissed as she continued to rub the balm over her fresh burn. She had made a small tin of it to last her the three days it would take for it to fully heal. She had not quite mastered the grinding tools and the herbs in the balm were not crushed near enough to be as effective as they should have been. Haren had been impressed with her work though and so had many others in the work room. Nearly everyone aside from Shea. The female didn't so much as take a second glance her way. Ro had wanted a chance to speak with her. She wanted to apologize for the situation that had befallen the Court. Shea never gave her the chance. She walked out of the work room before Ro had finished her balm.

     Ro closed the tin and set it on the small table beside her bed. She looked down at her brand. The swirls in the circle were puffy and bright red. The slightest move of her wrist or forearm sparked a small twinge of stinging pain, but that was expected. It wasn't unbearable. Ro knew that it felt a hundred times better than it would have without the balm. She never thought that she would be one to make balms and tonics for healing. At one point she wanted to go to college to be a nurse. To help people like her grandmother. Ro sighed. That seemed like such a long time ago.

     Ro brought her legs to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. When she wasn't thinking about her grandmother she was thinking about Annika. She saw the little girl's smile in her mind and pictured her picking flowers and laughing at butterflies. Ro looked down at her brand again. If only she had gotten away from the Quarterling sooner. If she had fought harder. Ro could analyze the encounter over and over again, but it wouldn't bring the little girl back. It wouldn't change what happened.

     Ro heard a knock at the door and could only assume that it was Haren who had been guarding her door. Ro looked towards the door as the handle turned. When Arik walked in she was surprised, but glad to see the Halfling. There was a wave a relief that had washed over him and Ro felt it so strongly. She also felt regret and worry, but mostly relief.

     "Did you meet with the Frostfall Halfling?" Ro asked as she moved to get off the bed.

     Arik nodded, "They came for you as I suspected. They are taking their leave in the morning."

     Ro got to her feet, "Without me?"

     "Of course."

     Ro shook her head, "But how? I thought that they would have-"

     "It was Vardon who sent them. I can only assume that he realized who you are thought to be and wanted you back for the same reason Niall wants you here."

     A chill ran up Ro's spine when she heard Vardon's name. "That makes sense, but why have they agreed not to take me back with them? How did you convince them?"

     "Vardon did not give the leader of the group any information other than the fact that he wanted you back. The leader chose to let you stay over bringing war to his Court."

     Ro folded her arms across her stomach, "That's good then. That means that there won't be a fight from them."

     Arik reached out for Ro's forearm, "How is your burn?"

     Ro's skin began to pop up goosebumps under Arik's touch, "It's starting to heal. Haren let me make a balm for it in the herbalists' work room."

     "You did well." Arik released her hand.

     "I enjoy the work they do." Ro admitted, "I hope to rejoin them someday."

     Arik eyes were gentle, "There will soon be another herbalist in the Court."

     Ro tilted her head.