Recovery

Bard woke to the rubbing of his hand. He hadn’t realized he went out till his eyes fluttered open.

“Bard!” Sen said with joy, and he shifted to look around as she pounced on him with a hug.

“Ah, Lad, since you are awake, best be moving ye to your room now,” Ruegar said as he came over.

“What? Where?”

“Well, you did fall unconscious in the battle,” Elvira said as she dressed the wounds on another individual. “But if many more of the people here wake up, and see Sen, they might not be so worn out to not be causing trouble. You understand, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Bard said as he started to move. Sen had used her abilities to save everyone, but that didn’t mean there were those who view her actions favorably. Most of the people in the room were asleep or mostly out of it. Bard barely noticed Holger was here as well. Elvira’s place really was like those places the Catfolk had. A sick tent or sick building of sorts. He couldn’t remember what they were called for the life of him at the moment.

He tried to stand and stumbled for a bit.

“Easy, you got hit pretty hard,” Elvira commented as she looked his way. Sen steadied him. Bard opted to sit on the edge of the bed while his head stopped spinning. This caused Elvira to stop, get Ruegar’s attention, and have him finish her task.

“Let’s get you both to your room. Sen, you’ll have to keep the kids out. Let him sleep a lot and rest. If he is this unstable, then it’s best to let him rest, we will tackle what comes next,” Elvira said. Bard wanted to protest, but she glared at him in such a way that he didn’t dare refute.

With both of their help, Bard was brought to their room and Sen tucked him in the bed. She kissed his forehead and then bid him to get some sleep before she left, closing the door behind her.

Bard began to lose track of time. He slept most of the time he wasn’t in pain. The headaches were a real nuisance and drained him frequently. His reprieve was sleep.

Finally, he had a day when he didn’t feel worn out and could sit without pain. When he emerged from the room, Sen quietly greeted him.

“How long was I out?” he asked, noting her silence. She looked about and then indicated they return to the room. He followed her in, and she had him sit next to her.

“A while. A few weeks now,” she answered.

“What’s happened?”

Sen proceeded to explain that tensions have run high. Some are grateful they saved the village, others want them gone since she is a Dryad. She keeps her hair braided so she doesn’t spook anyone. Bard noted the messy braids. Holger is part of the group that wants them gone. Or… wants her body. He claims it’s for punishment to get at Bard and her, but Sen shivered, meaning that his tone and actions suggested otherwise. Bard wrapped his arm around her in comfort when she explained this.

“Can you travel?” she asked.

“Do you think Elvira will let me?” he asked.

“Actually, we’ve been hoping you would recover soon. I think tonight, she wants to discuss some things with us, now that you are up. I’ll go let her know.” Sen answered. She rose and Bard grabbed her hand, causing her to stop. She looked back with a weary smile before slipping away. When she returned, Bard was laying down. He felt he needed to rest as much as possible.

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When Elvira finished with her ministrations of the sick and wounded, she wove her way to Bard and Sen’s room. She and Ruegar had talked at lengths, but none of it would make a difference if Bard was unfit to move.

She gently knocked the back of her knuckles against the door, and then opened it.

Sen greeted her, shifting away off the floor. Those two were strange, if not cute. She figured there was a deeper story behind their actions, but it wasn’t pressing to dive into that.

Bard stirred.

“Elvira,” he greeted as he sat up in bed. That was a good sign. His complexion and movements were much better, and the way his eyes looked now… well, she sighed in relief. He was past the worst of it.

“I see you are doing much better. May I?” she asked, indicating to the bed. Bard shifted his legs away and allowed her to sit at the end. From here, she could gage both of their reactions. In reality, even if she put on a confident front, the next conversation scared her. Depending on their answers, their lives and livelihood would be determined.

“How are you feeling overall?” she asked, making sure he was in a state to make decisions. After Bard answered positively, she eased into her discussion point.

“Since the battle, the village has grown divided. I’m sure Sen has filled you in by now,” She said, making sure to give Sen credit, and gage what Bard knew. His quiet nod and serious expression was disconcerting. “We are not going to kick you out. Even if it meant contending with my brother. Ruegar and I were resolved on that point when I saw Sen the first time,” Elvira commented and then clucked her tongue. “Goodness. Your braids. Come here and let me work on that while we talk,” She chuckled. Sen ducked meekly and sat in front of Elvira as she began to work out the braids. Piece by piece. That was the way.

“Thank you,” Bard said, and Elvira glanced at him before concentrating again.

“While there are many things to thank me for, I too must offer some thanks. If you and Sen hadn’t spent time to get to know the villagers and help us with the sunstones, our situation would be more dire.” She pulled on a nasty snag of knotted hair and watched the freed strands float away from her hand. “Which brings me to what Ruegar and I discussed. I am sure you will have many questions and your own thoughts, but please wait until the end.”

When she saw Bard nod and got Sen to agree, she began to tell them of the situation and the hopeful solution. “Bard, I want you to lead us away from the village. With the divide as strong as it is, it’s only a matter of time before we will see infighting. The shades have left, and it is because of that, we have this moment of peace. Some are already willing, and since you both can live together harmoniously, there must be a place you came from that we can seek shelter. Most of those that would come, do not want to fight Dryads anymore. The war began far too long ago for us to continue. Now it is purely for revenge and the meaning is lost on us. So please, bring us to a new place, a new land.”

She paused and focused on one particularly difficult knot. When it released, she hummed in content. Sen looked back.

“Is that all you have to say?” Bard asked.

“It is the short of it. There is a lot more to this than I have said, but you seem eager to speak your mind,” Elvira said calmly. Bard took a deep breath, likely calming himself before speaking.

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Bard looked at the woman in front of him. Why? Why was she asking this of them? They had the pledge and everything else to contend. And it was still in the midst of winter. This was a deadly idea at best. He was about to rebuke her when he looked into her eyes and stopped. Those were not eager eyes, but ones full of sadness, despair, regret, anguish, and hope. He looked away. Those were eyes full of recognition and respect. A look that could send you on a long journey full of responsibilities. He shuddered. It was one thing to take on a pledge with a Dryad. His life was at stake. But this was different.

“I… need to think about this. I’m not sure what to say yet,” he said, and Elvira smiled a very sad sort of smile.

“I understand. This is not a decision you can come to lightly, but also keep in mind we do not ask this of you without a lot of thought. If we stay, my brother will likely start a battle and those who wish to leave, along with my family, will be wiped out. Perhaps… you are here because you are the ones who can help us,” Elvira looked at Sen and continued to un-mat the hair that was hidden in the braid. “I like to think so, at least. And if you are concerned, please speak your mind. We will answer the best we can.”

She stayed on the edge of the bed and worked while Bard thought.

His automatic answer would be no. The dryads, that Sen were from, would take their flight the wrong way and try to attack them. And to try to establish themselves anywhere else, that would be hard and long. Not something they could see to before the snows melted. And that also brought up a counterpoint. The snow and weather would kill them first. Sen looked at him as he pondered before Elvira guided her to look ahead.

He wondered what the Elders would say in this case. He tried to think through each answer, and it was fairly split between self-preservation and help those you came in contact with. It really depended on how he worded it in his mind. Finally, he thought about Father. His heart knew the answer, even though his mind disagreed.

Bard let out a long low guttural growl.

“Assuming we did this, there are too many problems that would lead to the majority of us dying,” he pointed out harshly.

“Bard!” Sen said as she jumped up, escaping Elvira’s task. “We can’t let them be killed off. You’ve seen how Holger behaves. It’s gotten worse now.” Sen’s outburst surprised him. She should realize what they were up against. She was raised to lead, after all. There was silence for a while as Bard didn’t know what to say and sorted his thoughts. He felt a bit sluggish.

“Have you told him about that incident?” Elvira asked. Sen looked at her and then shivered violently.

“No…” her words were small and weak as she hugged herself. Bard grew worried. What had happened the last few weeks while he recovered? She sat down on the bed against the wall. Bard reached over to comfort her and for a moment she jerked away before looking at him and then coming over. Her reaction was alarming.

“Sen?” he asked softly as he stroked her hair, removing his hand as gently as he could when it snagged. Sen buried her head in his chest and then shook it slowly.

“Nuh uh. I don’t want to talk about it…” she said and Bard looked at Elvira who looked very apologetic.

“It was bad, Bard. Let’s just say that if we stay for much longer, there won’t be many left who would turn the other way at the idea that she is a Dryad.”

“Okay?” Bard said, feeling very confused. It seemed there was a lot more going on than he initially believed. If that was the case, he felt his heart strum and then heard Father’s song on his token. He looked at it and reached for it. Sen noticed and helped him by retrieving it and placing it in his hand. She watched him for a bit before returning to Elvira and the hair process.

“I still can’t give you an answer. I’m sorry.”

“It’s to be expected. For now, recover and figure out your answer. Just know we are running out of time.” Elvira said once more before the room fell silent.

Bard took time to consider this from different perspectives. While he had little knowledge of what had transpired, he could tell it was pretty intense and serious. Was there really no other way to preserve lives without leaving? A fight would definitely be a bad idea.

“I know he’s in there! They both are!” a voice shouted, and Elvira quickly stood up and headed out the door.

“Get out!” Elvira shouted and the argument escalated. “I will not have fighting in my house!”

“Let me at her. She’ll kill us all!”

“My father died because of her kind!”

The noise turned into a crowd of shouts and noise. Sen retreated against Bard. This was indeed frightening. Was this what he failed to notice before? Or was it that it had happened outside of these walls, and so he hadn’t heard it. Loud bangs startled off the crowd and Bard sighed in relief, knowing that Ruegar had his riffle.

There were groans and Elvira seemed rushed, if the footsteps were any indication. Sen waited a bit and then got up. Bard held her hand and she looked at him.

“I must help. Someone likely got hurt,” Sen said before heading to the door. Bard paused. He could let her leave and ignore it, rest some more and decide on things later, but something felt inherently wrong with that.

“Wait a moment, Sen. I’ll come with,” he called over. She paused at the door as he moved for his robes and trappings. It felt like a lot, since he hadn’t worn most of it for a while, but at the same time, it did feel good to be back in his everyday wear.

When he was up, she stood ready to help him as they left the room.

What Bard saw broke his soul. Injuries were apparent, some even bloody. The stones were misaligned and cold began to seep in. The windows were damaged in some spots and Ruegar was moving to cover them. The scene was a witness to the mob’s actions.

“Ah, Bard, Sen. Came to help?” Elvira asked. Some folks looked at them. Bard worried it would be with hostility or animosity, but instead it was looks of relief.

“Hey, you feeling better?” a woman asked and Bard nodded. Others joined in, asking how he was doing. Sen smiled as she greeted them as well. Bard felt something stir in his soul. These people really had accepted her for being her, not because she was a Dryad.

He smiled and could imagine a whole place as welcoming and peaceful as this. Well, despite the damage and obvious conflict that had happened moments prior, this was quite a sight. This thought began to percolate as he helped move people around and assisted with bandages and herbs. Their varying expression seemed to be despondent. Perhaps they had given up on surviving.

“Bard?” a child asked as they came up to him.

“Yes?” he asked with a smile.

“Are we going to die?” she asked, and Bard’s smile fell as he struggled to comprehend what she had said and asked. The fact a child was asking that, broke his heart a little.

“No, sweetie,” Sen said as she knelt next to the girl. With her hair out of its braids, the girl became distracted.

When they retired to their room once again, Bard wanted to understand what had happened, and he and Sen talked through most of the night.