In The Darkness Of The Mind

Posted on Fri Sep 9th, 2022 @ 5:07am by Healer Journeyman Brinda

Mission: KVW
Location: Cay Fjord Hold
Summary: Brinda visits an injured rider
Timeline: N/A

Footsteps echoed along the flagstone floor of the dim hallway in one of the wings of Cay Fjord Hold. Brinda mentally noted that those footsteps were hers. The Steward, she noticed, wore soft soled boots. Something she would remember to do next visit. The glow baskets hanging from the walls emitted a suffused light which only added to the eerie quality of the remote part of the Hold.

As if picking up on the Mind Healer's thoughts, the Steward spoke in a low voice, "The lighting seems to keep them calmer."

Brinda scowled slightly at the way the Steward talked about the watch rider and the beast Healer that resided in the rooms of the corridor she walked down. As if the two men were not human. As if they were rabid creatures.

"THEY are men suffering from injuries you cannot see, Steward," Brinda said coolly as she caught the man's eye.

The Steward visibly shrank under the hard blue stare,"Of course! Of course they are...I mean yes definitely... I only..."

Brinda snorted and set her gaze ahead at the approaching doorway and the steward's words sagged limply in the air.

The door was closed. Brinda stopped in front of it and stared at the heavy wooden planks. She didn't bother to look at the Steward as she spoke.

"I don't need you. When I'm done I will find my way out."

Very aware that his usefulness had probably ended when he opened his mouth, the Steward backed away several steps from the imposing woman, turned quickly, then made his way down the corridor as fast as his spindly legs could carry him.

Before tapping on the door, Brinda took several deep breaths to clear her mind and body of the annoying feelings that the Steward had left lingering behind like the bitter aftertaste of one of the sleeping medications she gave her patients. Finally her knuckles wrapped on the door.

"D'Tal? It's Brinda. May I come in?"

After a few moments of silence, she heard movement on the other side of the door. Another deep breath and the door opened. A haggard face with a forced smile appeared.

"I see you refuse to give up, Healer Brinda," the older dragonrider said trying to put a bit of levity in his voice.

He opened the door and stepped aside to admit the mind Healer. Brinda walked in, quickly surveying the room. Dirty clothing piled on the floor, bedding and sleeping furs rumpled on the bed.

"No, I haven't given up," Brinda said as she took a seat in a chair at a small table. "And neither are you."

D'Tal huffed as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the closed door.

"Between you and Yareth, it's not like I have any choice," he grumbled.

"What does Yareth have to say?" Brinda asked in a voice evenly pitched, her face relaxed.

"Same as usual," D'Tal said. And though his voice was still tense, his arms unfolded and hung by his sides. "He asks when we will be back on duty. When we will go visit my sister so he can play with my nieces."

Brinda relaxed her posture further and watched as the brown rider unconsciously did the same.

"Yareth has some good suggestions," the Healer said as D'Tal walked to his bed and sat facing her.

"I don't think I'm ready," he replied.

"Why do you feel that way?"

It was the first invasive question Brinda asked. Immediately the dragonrider's facial muscles tensed. His hand went to eyes. He rubbed them as if he was starting to get a headache. But he answered.

"It's too far for Yareth to fly," he said in a low voice.

Brinda took the reins of the conversation back, "That makes sense. Both of you are somewhat out of shape from being injured. Maybe starting a few flights around the Hold to check for greenery would help strengthen Yareth."

D'Tal's eyes suddenly went glossy as he stared at a point over Brinda's shoulder. His breathing became shallow. His hands fisted as he grasped the linens.

Brinda mentally called out to Yareth, **What is he seeing, Yareth??**

}He sees us flying. He sees Thread. He sees us dying! But we are not dead! Why does he see this?{ the brown dragon cried sadly to Brinda but not letting his bond mate hear.

**It is a human thing to think about death. Do not worry, Yareth, you and I will help D'Tal get well again.** Brinda said to sooth the dragon.

"D'Tal, look at me," Brinda coaxed with a calm voice.

The man's eyes focused once more as his gaze seemed to follow Brinda's voice.

"We are in your room. There's nothing here that can hurt you or Yareth. Everything okay. Take a deep breath in through your nose, hold for a count of four, then exhale through your mouth. We are going to do this together a few times."

As the man matched his breathing to his Healer's his panic slowly started to ease. After several minutes Brinda was tucking a blanket around the sleeping man's shoulders.

As she closed the door quietly, Brinda asked Yareth to show her what D'Tal dreamt of.

Brinda braced her back against the wall as her mind was assaulted with screams, blood, freezing darkness, burning pain, searing light.

And the terror. The never ending terror.

Brinda, Sr JW Mind Healer
Michele ** [email protected]