Fractured
82nd of Winter, 513 A.V.
82nd of Winter, 513 A.V.
“I am fine. It’s just a sprain. I don’t need to be dragged all the way here,” a voice protested as Verena heard the familiar sound of the front doors opening. She didn’t look up from the thick book she had in hand, merely sighed at the interruption. Verena had hoped this day to be a quite one. After all, she had sent all of her slaves for errands around the city.
“Yes, you do. I am not a doctor, but that is not what you call a sprain. Why are you so against this? You need help.”
Her head instinctively snapped up when she finally recognized both voices. Right on cue, Cassius and Caedmon Paille burst into her healing room. Cad had his arm slung across Cas’s shoulders, cursing as he leaned his weight against his older brother. She couldn’t help noting how the brothers were different in personality from each other, but still so similar. Both of them were slightly out of breath, evidently having rushed to the clinic.
She met Cad’s eyes first and they both looked away uncomfortably. Verena was immediately reminded of their last encounter, at the beach. An ache twisted in her chest, but her face betrayed nothing. Fortunately, Cas didn’t notice their awkward exchange. After a deep breath, she went to Cad’s other side, directing them to the nearest bed. He depended heavily on Cas and it was obvious he was straining to look fine.
When they finally reached the bed, Cad sighed with relief and barely flinched when the young doctor hoisted his injured leg up. The Paille was pale, but he did not seem like he was in danger of going unconscious.
“What happened?” asked Verena as she scrutinized the injury. Cad’s calf had swollen to twice the normal size, so she guessed he must’ve had fractured it. It didn’t seem to bend, so it was a closed fracture at worst. An injury this simple was usually handled by her slaves. How unlucky she was to have Cad admitted to her clinic when there was no one else around. All of her slaves were forced back to the plantation to be interrogated.
Cas grinned as he slapped his brother’s shoulder playfully. For the first time, Verena noticed that he was half-covered in mud and trudging dirt all over her healing room. He must’ve wrestled his brother from the ground onto his horse. “We were just patrolling the gates. Then, this idiot got distracted and fell off his horse.”
The doctor nodded attentively as she mentally deduced possible injuries. She had plenty of patients who managed to fall of their horses, but Pailles rarely made that sort of mistake. Especially Caedmon. “How did it happen exactly? And stay where you are. You’re absolutely filthy.”
“Something must’ve spooked Gavant. It reared back and sent me to the ground. It probably stepped on my leg in panic,” Cad explained calmly, without looking at either of them until the very last word. Verena knew him enough to notice the sign of deception. Cas must’ve too, but for some reason he was playing along. Most of the time, she simply did not understand people.
The older Paille shifted his footing, seemingly troubled for a moment. “I will leave you here, now. I’m sure Verena will take good care of you.” Cas squeezed her arm slightly and left hastily. “There is an errand I have to finish.” His blue eyes glittered knowingly as he disappeared behind the doorway. No one noticed his fleeting look.
Silently, Verena set herself to work. It was not hard to focus when she set her mind to it, blocking him out as if he was merely another patient - of the sort. Opening the cabinet, grabbing the wooden splint and bandages, bringing it back. At the back of her mind, she noted that she would need more splint. Verena had been treating a lot of broken bones lately. “I will have to make sure that your bone is set right and it will hurt.”
She pressed her hand on his knee, trying to feel the bone underneath. Cad tensed with pain and Verena could see his hands tightening into pale fists as he held back a sharp cry. Slowly, she slid her fingers down to his ankles. It probably was not the safest way to check for broken bones, but Verena had learned that it was the quickest. And most of the swelling it caused could be fixed by her gnosis. Under her touch, the bone was aligned fine and it would seem it hadn’t shifted far. She proceeded to straighten Cad’s leg against the splint, making sure it lined up nicely. Her hands then moved deftly to wrap it up with bandages, making sure it was tight and secure. Verena would have to make sure that the splint wouldn’t move or shift so that he could heal properly.
“Ren,” Cad suddenly said softly. Verena didn’t look up. Even when he repeated it, louder. It was difficult to act nonchalant when every part of her wanted to look, to see him. He shifted slowly, straightening on the bed.
Instead, Verena pressed her hand on top of the swollen leg and closed her eyes. Focusing on her healing usually blocked everything else, but not him, never him. A warmth blossomed from her chest – the familiar call of magic – and sent her hands tingling. She wasn’t strong enough to heal it, but at least the swelling would go down in a few chimes.
“Why won’t you look at me?” There was something in his voice, something she couldn’t really comprehend. His fingers brushed her shoulder and she reeled back, her skin going alight at his touch. She didn’t want to remember. Not when he would not be with her, not when the world stands in the way.
“I don’t want to,” Verena replied simply. She fetched a bottle of wine and offered it to him. With an effort, Verena made sure their fingers did not accidentally brush. “This should help with the pain. I’m afraid you’ll have to stay here for a few days to make sure your bone would heal properly. I shall be at my office if you need anything.”
And I will be prioritizing the quest I am currently involved in! So, sorry everyone!
