Settling in

[Railen Morana]

She rolled over in bed half conscious from sleep, her hand going to the place Raiden had been laying a few minutes before. "Mmmrf...off again so soon love?" She looked out the windows where the light was streaming in and squinted.

"Good morning lass. Sleep well?" he smiled softly.

"Mhmm, t'was nice to 'ave a night off." She replied, drawing a short robe around herself, she streatched.

"Wha's for breakfast? Am starving." she said, rubbing her rounding belly. Could do with some bread and nut butter...ooh and pickled melon rind. And a slab o ribs and..."

"Hungry are we?"

She nodded in reply. "Starvin. But first, lets see tae yer wounds. Cove needs ye 'ealed and ready fer what comes." She peeled back the bandages at his waist and checked the stab wound that she had cauterized before the training with Yew. "I nae like tae heat on this wound still. Ye should 'ave Marcus take a look at it. Might be infection settin' in. " She frowned to herself. " I though' I should 'ave put a drain in it when I closed it up. Was still tae fresh."

He cupped her chin in his hand. "Lass, ye did a fine job. Its fine."

"Nae...it isnt. " She poked him in the side just above the newly healing burn, and he winced.

"Alright, Ill see a healer if it will make you stop poking me" She nodded, and rebandaged his side.

"It will."

[Raiden Morana]

The Baron walked into the hospital.

"Malingering again Commander?"
"Wound's gone sour m'lord."
"Quite, quite... I thought the stench was these damned peasants."
"I'll be back on duty in no time sire."
"No you wont. Kobra and the surgeon have recommended some rest for you my boy. We need you fit and well for the challenges ahead."
"The men need me sire."
"They need a fit Commander not one that can't lift his hand from his side without bleeding all over the place. We can delay hanging that facey chap for murdering ShadowHand for a week or so until you are fit for duty."
"But sire..."
"But nothing Commander. I have booked you a bunk on a merchantman headed to the colonies tomorrow morning. Alone... I want you to build your strength up not expend it!"
"Yes sire..."
"Good show. Now I must be orf before I catch some unspeakable disease. Pish posh!"

Raiden sighed. He knew he wasn't in a fit state at the moment but he had one last duty to perform before returning home to Railen and making ready to depart to the colonies. He would see to it personally that the Drow would pay for their actions and that the only way Aliryl would be exchanged would be over his dead body.

[Raiden Morana]

Raiden sat alone penning a note for Railen. He'd be gone by the time she finished her shift. Tearing a page from their scrapbook he readied his pack and pondered on what he'd be leaving behind, albeit only for a week.

Trouble with the Drow was brewing again but he was pleasantly surprised that they could not drive a wedge between Cove and the Yewish. He was relieved that his hand was not forced. No way would he have handed over Aliryl to the Drow but the actions of the evening meant he didnt have to.

It also meant he could entrust the safety of his wife and unborn babe into Aliryl's care while he was gone. Some may be shocked at his choice, probably none more than the Scout Corporal herself but no-one did he trust more to do it then her.

His mind drifted back to Railen and a soft smile formed on his lips and an emptiness in his stomach. A week without her. A week away from his men. A week kicking his heels in the colonies... His shoulders sagged as he walked up the gang plank.

[Railen Morana]

She stared into the fire, shivering under the blanket on the couch. He had sworn he would not leave after the explosion at the Goblin had knocked her out, but orders were orders. He needed rest, and would not take it so long as he was home. She assured him she and the baby were fine, hiding the pain from the burns on her hands as best as she could so he would go.

" Ill be fine. Ye know I 'eal fast. Go on en, afore ye get yerself intae trouble. S' just a week."

Kals words in the days before he died haunted her. He had been a ghost of himself since his wife and children had died on that boat. 

She uttered a prayer to the Avatar to keep the seas calm, and to protect Raiden and bring him home safely.

Two days gone by and she found herself missing him greatly. She pulled the covers more tightly around her shoulders, dragged from upstairs to the warm fire below. Drifting in and out of fevered sleep, she began to dream of his return.