\"I don\'t hate you.\"

[Cordelia(#1394)] It has been a rough night. Although Thari\'s salve and bandaging should have done much to ease Cordelia\'s pain, still the girl seemed to be half delirious all night. No fever touched her, yet she tossed and turned and cried out many times--sometimes in pain, but more often in the grip, seemingly, of some horrible nightmare from which she would half awake, screaming, or else cry out and try to plead incomprehensibly to anyone who happened to come near her.

It\'s not until the early morning hours that the girl--and anyone else in the room, for that matter--finally eased out of the nightmares and fell asleep. Now, as the sun comes streaming across the room and onto the cot where she sleeps still, Cordelia stirs but is not yet awake.

Ranol knocks politely at the door of the room just before opening it and stepping in. He\'s offering relief to the guard posted in the room, and wanted to see personally to Cordelia\'s state. The dwarf runs a hand through his short hair that\'s black as tar, settling down in the chair close to the bed. He glances at Cordelia once as he pulls out a small carving he\'s been working on and a knife for whittling. It looks like the makings of a rose, mostly finished with considerable detail.

[Cordelia(#1394)] The noise of Ranol entering is enough to wake the young woman and she starts up as if she is about to sit up. That, of course, draws a sharp cry of pain from her, and she immediately sinks back onto the bed--she\'s on her side. \"Liuni?\" Her eyes are half shut as she says that word--or perhaps it\'s a name.

\"Been saying that same damn thing half the night,\" the other dwarf or guarded her complains.

Ranol only shrugs at the word, not recognizing it as a name or anything else. He sets the carving aside, \"Go get some rest. I\'ll take over..\" The dwarf says softly to the other. He waits until the other guard is gone, then leans closer to the woman in the bed. \"Cordelia.. You\'re in Bree.\"

[Cordelia(#1394)] Unfortunately, Ranol has a knife in his hand. True, it\'s just a small knife and he is whittling, but Cordelia is groggy and in a lot of pain--so when Ranol speaks her name and her eyes open and start to focus, the knife is what she sees first.

\"No!\" She jerks back, yelping at the knife and yelping in pain, too. \"It\'s over! Done! I passed your test!\" Her eyes are glassy with pain. What the hell is she talking about?

Ranol is startled at first, his light blue eyes growing wide at her reaction. When he follows her gaze to the blade in his hand he mentally curses himself for his stupidity. He quickly leans back to set it on the table, out of sight. \"Calm down. It\'s over. Everything is done.\" His voice is soft and gentle, a contrast to the fierce black hair and beard, armor, and weapon.

[Cordelia(#1394)] That does at least seem to calm the young woman down--enough so that she slowly adjusts her position on the bed, grimacing. It\'s not easy--her left arm is still healing, her back is now raw, and her right hand is burned. Every movement causes some sort of pain, and she is very slow to move. Finally, exhausted, she puts her head on the pillow, her eyes closing. \"Where is Liuni? Is she safe?\"

\"Who is Liuni?\" Ranol asks, his brows crunching a bit in confusion again. He glances around, then stands to take a glass of water from the table, and offers it to her. \"Is she here in town? I can ask after her..\"

[Cordelia(#1394)] This is important. This is everything. Pain be damned, Cordelia struggles to prop herself up just halfway, and then--if she can--one hand reaches to try to grab for whatever clothing the dwarf is wearing, trying to grab his collar as if to pull him close to choke him. Of course, she\'s in no position at all do to that, given how weak she is. But it doesn\'t stop her from trying.

\"You promised,\" she hisses. \"You swore an oath. She\'d be safe. An oath..\"

Ranol tolerates this fairly well, a mix of confusion and sympathy on his face. His blue eyes watch her searchingly as she grasps for his shirt collar, carefully holding the water out of the way. Finally he speaks softly. \"Cordelia. You are in -Bree-. I am Ranol, son of Ranor. I do not know you, and you do not know me. Who is Liuni? Is it someone here in town? A friend? A sister?\" He keeps his voice quiet and even, trying to avoid agitating the woman any further.

[Cordelia(#1394)] \"Bree?\" Cordelia\'s eyes seem to focus for a moment, though she slumps back onto the pillow again. \"Liuni is safe?\" she asks again, brows knitting as if she is trying to put everything into place. \"And Maim?\"

\"I don\'t know, lass. You\'ll need to tell me who they are. I can check. Have some water, you need to drink something.\" Ranol presses the glass at her again, that same expression of concern on his face, along with a deeper sadness as he\'s still trying to sort out his feelings over what he\'s done to the woman.

[Cordelia(#1394)] The water is tempting--Cordelia reaches for it after struggling once more to half sit up. It\'s a moment before the pain clears enough so she can drink, and then she does so greedily. Her eyes clear as she does so, and she turns her gaze to Ranol, but there\'s no recognition in them. \"Then they are safe? Liuni and Maim?\" Her mind still clouded.

\"Drink some more water.\" Ranol insists, his voice still soft. He\'s going to give her some time to wake up, now. Hopefully the girl will come to her senses and realize where she is. \"Are you hungry?\"

[Cordelia(#1394)] Cordelia shakes her head. \"Just feel...\" she shudders, \"nauseous, I think.\" She stares at the water, then takes another sip. \"They have something for the pain?\" They apparently being healers in her mind somehow. Gradually, though, she takes a few more sips of water, then turns her gaze to her surroundings as they register.

\"This...this is Thari\'s room...\" It sounds like an accusation.

\"It was the only empty room we had at our disposal. Would you prefer help to your own room? I can help you move there if you\'d rather rest in your own bed.\" Ranol keeps with the same, soft voice. He knows she\'s going to come to her sense quickly now and isn\'t forgetful of the fact that he was the one that hurt her, even if the punishment was sentenced by another.

[Cordelia(#1394)] It does all coming rushing back in an instant to Cordelia, her face tightening suddenly with the memory. She looks again at Ranol, this time with the full knowledge of where she is and why in her eyes--and the glass slips from her hand to thud onto the floor, water pooling where it lands. \"You!\" She shrinks back from the dwarf. \"Why am I here? What do you still want with me?!\"

\"I am here to guard you, and see that your needs are met.\" Ranol answers, leaning down slowly to collect the glass, the leather of his armor creaking softly. He sets the glass on the table next to the knife and carving. \"If you\'re hungry or have any desires don\'t hesitate to ask.\" He pushes the chair back away from the bed, giving her some more space.

[Cordelia(#1394)] The dwarf\'s calm manner and voice seem to only confuse Cordelia. Besides, her little outburst of fear cost her dearly in terms of energy, and she pales some as she struggles to stay sitting upright. \"My sisters--they are safe?\" she asks as she weakens. And then, realizing that she is drifting out of it again, she frowns, working harder to concentrate on the here and now. \"Ranol.\" She repeats the name he had given earlier. \"Son of....why do you guard me? Am I not free to go?\"

\"Consider it less a guarding and more that we\'re watching over you. If you wish to leave you may. I will not stop you.\" Ranol reaches for the wood carving and the knife again, and begins carefully cutting at the wood. He\'s keeping his focus away from her so that she\'ll calm down more, trying to appear less threatening.

[Cordelia(#1394)] \"I wish to go the healing houses in the town. I want to be tended to by their healers.\" And Cordelia does angrily start to swing her logs over the side of the bed--but that movement causes more pain than she anticipated, the girl crying out suddenly and going white as if she will pass out.

Ranol looks up at her gasp of pain, frowning. \"I don\'t think that\'s wise. A healer has seen to you and rest would be the best for you right now.\" He watches her carefully, ready to jump up if she looks like she might fall from the bed. \"Are you sure you wish to make a journey of that length? I cannot carry you.\"

[Cordelia(#1394)] The girl has a stubborn streak, that\'s for certain. She bites her lip so hard against the pain that she draws blood, and then she stands, but carefully. Predictably, of course, she can\'t stand right now: the moment she is up that, all color drains from her face and she starts to faint, likely about to crumple on the floor.

Ranol drops the knife to the floor and is quickly at her side to catch her. He\'s careful as he can be not to touch any of her injuries. He had figured she would try as much and rather than argue saved a lot of hassle by letting her decide for herself. \"Please sit back down.\" Is the only soft request that the clan-karl makes.

[Cordelia(#1394)] She doesn\'t have much choice in the matter: Cordelia nods to Ranol\'s request, reaching a hand behind her to try to feel for the bed, though it\'s likely she\'ll need the dwarf\'s help to settle back down.

\"I don\'t want to be here,\" she says, giving way to bitter tears. \"It\'s like I\'m still being punished, having to be here.\"

Ranol has a gentle touch. For a guard, he\'s remarkably kind and tender. Of course, that may only be insult to injury, but he can\'t force himself to treat her badly. He\'s losing enough sleep over the assignment given to him. \"Do you have a home? I can possibly help you get there if it\'s close.\" The dwarf offers again. \"Our intent is not to punish you further.\"

[Cordelia(#1394)] The dwarf\'s kindness has an odd effect: The girl bursts into sudden tears, gasping, too, at the pain that her sobs cause her, but not able to stop herself.

\"Too far away,\" Cordelia gets out through all that. \"But my sisters are safe there. They -are- safe-?\" she insists suddenly, hand lunging out to try to grab Ranol again. There\'s that sudden unfocused look to her eyes again. Is the girl mad? Or is it just the blood loss, shock and pain that is speaking?

Ranol hesitates, not sure how to respond to her bizarre behavior. He tries to get her settled in the bed again, a pained expression on his face. \"Just get some rest.\" He says again, looking around for a handkerchief. He doesn\'t see any and pulls one from a pocket, offering it to her.

[Cordelia(#1394)] \"The water...\" Cordy says, looking at the handkerchief as if she has no idea what to do with it. \"Can I have some?\" She stares around the room, back to the present again. \"Where is Keldean? Can I see Keldean? Or Nob? Bells?\"

Ranol sets the handkerchief down on her lap, patting it once. He picks up the glass and refills it from a pitcher on the table. \"Who are Keldean and Bells? I could try to track Nob down, I suppose. I know of him.\" The clan-karl holds the glass out for her, his patience still rock-solid.

[Cordelia(#1394)] A shaking hand reaches out for the glass--her right hand shakes with pain from her wrist, and the left was only recently freed from its sling after having been broken by Barlok. \"Keldean. Works here. Kid. Lives in the attic wtih me,\" Cordelia answers through teeth that are gritted. \"Bells..Arabella. She could help me. From Archet but you can likely leavea message wtih Hazel for her.\"

\"I\'ll see what I can do. Any specific message that you would like carried along? If you live up in the attic, I\'m sure we could get you up there without too much discomfort. Would you prefer that?\" Ranol wants to see her feeling better, despite the anger he still feels about what the woman did. The dwarf simply has a hard time holding a grudge.

[Cordelia(#1394)] Somehow Cordelia manages to take a few sips of water, though she\'s still shaking. \"Keldean and Bells..ask them to come here? Want someone with me,\" she replies, sparing words to save the effort, likely.

\"Attic,\" she continues with a small shake of the head, \"not until I can stand without fainting.\" A girl\'s got to be able to stand and take care of personal business, but she\'s not about to mention that in front of a dwarf, obviously.

It\'s a moment, then--Cordelia takes a few deep breaths to quell the shaking, then slowly sips the rest of the water. As she hands the glass back toward Ranol, her eyes widen with recognition. \"You...\" She gasps slightly. \"You were the one?\"

Ranol nods at her request, sitting down again and collecting up his knife from the floor. He slides it into it\'s leather sheath and sets it next to the carving. \"I\'ll track them down when you\'ve rested a bit.\" When you\'ve stopped acting so looney.

Her next question brings a wary expression to Ranol\'s face. He runs a hand through his hair, the short black hair refusing to be smoothed down. \"Aye. I was.\" He answers, resisting the urge to apologize. That would only undermine Thari\'s wishes.

[Cordelia(#1394)] \"Please?\" Cordelia pleads. \"I\'ve done my punishment. I took my lashes and let you burn your rune into me. I want to go from here--I want to go to the healing house--but I\'m too weak to go on my own and you won\'t take me. At least let me have the company of friends. It\'s not right.\" She doesn\'t speak angrily--her voice, instead, is weak.

But Ranol\'s admission brings a silent stare that lasts a minute or longer. \"I...don\'t understand. You did that, and yet..\" She frowns and looks at the handkerchief the dwarf has set on her lap, \"you\'re kind.\"

You say, \"I will find them in a moment, I promise.\" Ranol just wants to be sure she isn\'t going to slip again and have her friends see her in such a bizarre state of mind. He\'s thoughtful before he acknowledges her other observation, \"I take no pleasure in seeing a person suffer, no matter the situation.\" He explains carefully.\"

[Cordelia(#1394)] \"A job. I think I understand. You did what you had to do,\" Cordelia grimaes as she turns her wrist to see the brand there. \"Khazad.\" A brief look is given to Ranol. \"To remind me of the hatred your folk have for me. And vice versa.\"

\"If that is how you wish to see it..\" Ranol answers carefully, not wanting to say too much to influence her opinions one way or another. \"I do not hate you.\" He adds after a small pause.

\"If that is how you wish to see it..\" Ranol answers carefully, not wanting to say too much to influence her opinions one way or another. \"I do not hate you.\" He adds after a small pause.

\"Thari is my cousin. It hurts me deeply to know what he suffered. I wish I could have been there in his place. But.. It is done now. You have taken the punishment without attempting to flee or cause further harm. I see no reason to continue to begrudge you. I hope you will be able to put this behind you. Life is to be enjoyed.. \"

[Cordelia(#1394)] The girl doesn\'t -look- as if she is about to enjoy life anytime soon, and she gives Ranol a bleak smile, tinged with pain. \"I should be with the healers, Master Ranol. Does the healer here have anything for pain?\"

\"I will ask. Is there anything else you desire?\" Ranol stands now, satisfied that she isn\'t going to try anything crazy. Hopefully. He leaves the carving of the rose and the knife on the table, planning to return after seeing to the tasks. \"I will pass word through the kitchen for your friends.\"

[Cordelia(#1394)] It\'s an easy reach to the table for the young woman, and Cordelia stretches out her hand cautiously--and picks up the rose, leaving the knife. Does Ranol really trust her enough to leave it there? She turns the rose over in her hands, examining it, then sets it back down. \"Some broth, I guess. If there is any to be had. Hazel may be askign for me, too....\"

\"I will tell her that you\'re not feeling well. Try to rest, I will be back soon.\" Ranol glances at the knife once, but obviously is willing to trust her. He steps out of the room, leaving her alone. The carved rose isn\'t complete, but it\'s well-crafted thus far, each petal roughed out and showing finer detail.

[Cordelia(#1394)] Alone in the room, Cordelia picks up the knife and gently fingers its edge, considering. She doesn\'t cut herself--she\'s obviously comfortable handling a knife, though she would never show that skill to anyone in Bree. The knife -is- small, but still, in the right hands--her hands--it could do real damage. That said, it will also be the first thing that Ranol looks for when he returns, so she sets it back down very carefully where he left it--but she also fingers the burn on her right wrist, as if considering using the knife to cut the mark out of her skin. But..no...let the dwarves have their brand. It will better serve to remind her of her real purpose here and fuel her hate.

Ranol returns after some time, a bowl of soup cupped in his hand. He\'s carrying a steaming mug as well. He sets them on the table and turns back to push the door closed. \"The soup is vegetable, and the drink is a tea with some medicine mixed in that should help with the pain. It will make you sleepy, though.\" He pushes the knife and carving out of the way so that he can set the food close enough for her to reach.

\"I asked after your friends. The boy, Keldean, didn\'t show up to work today which I gather is rather common with the way the cook spoke of him. I couldn\'t find Bells, but left a message. Nob was out seeing to some business.\"

[Cordelia(#1394)] Apparently this -is- common with Keldean, for Cordelia rolls her eyes. \"What mess is he getting into now,\" she sighs. She looks at the bowl and mug, considering, then pulls the bowl toward her, gingerly sitting up so she can try to eat it. \"Thank you.\" Her eyes go to Ranol, and there is confusion there again, but at least her mind seems to be clearer. \"I\'ll eat first, I think. See if I can keep it down.\"

Ranol sits down again, reaching for the carving once more. He begins working at it, quiet for a long time so she can eat in peace. His light blue eyes don\'t even glance up, an effort to give her space, again.

[Cordelia(#1394)] For the most part, Cordelia eats quietly and to herself--spooning small bits of soup carefully and trying to hide from Ranol that her hand is shaking. She keeps glancing from her branded wrist to Ranol, but dammit, the dwarf\'s quiet manner and the kindness he has shown to her so far--despite that he admitted to administering her punishment--keep winning out over her attempt to feel hatred toward him.

The rose, especially, keeps drawing her attention. \"Why are you carving that?\" she asks, finally unable to keep teh question in any longer. There\'s a certain wariness to her voice--as if she is afraid of even making this much of an attempt to talk to the dwarf.

\"It\'s a hobby I enjoy. My grandfather was an exceptional woodcarver. I hope some day I may reach his skill level.

\"It\'s a hobby I enjoy. My grandfather was an exceptional woodcarver. I hope some day I may reach his skill level.\" He holds up the wooden flower, twisting it slowly to look it over. \"I have several. Would you like this one? It\'s not quite finished.. but it isn\'t good enough to sell, I can see that already.\" Ranol has skill, but is far from a master at his chosen craft.

[Cordelia(#1394)] Tight-lipped, the young woman shakes her head. \"I couldn\'t take that from you,\" she says, seeming to physically draw back from even this much kindness. She looks down at the unfinished bowl of soup she is eating, and sets it aside. \"Never knew any of my grandfathers,\" she says, note of bitterness in there.

Ranol shrugs, and goes back to cutting at the rose petal he had paused working on. He glances up once when she mentions grandfathers. \"That\'s unfortunate. It\'s good to have a lot of family around for support when you might need it, I always felt.\"

[Cordelia(#1394)] It\'s a few minues before there is any response at all from Cordelia, and when she does respond it is only to lie on her side in the bed, face turned away from Ranol. Despite her complaints about being in pain, the medicine that Ranol brought her seems to be forgotten. In a few minutes she appears to be sleeping, though it wouldn\'t take much to realize that her shoulders are shakign and she is crying. Still, if asked, she would vehemently deny it and refuse to pull her head away from the pillow. And a few minutes later, exhausted, she -is- asleep.