Feverish

Writers: Heather, Miriah
Date Posted: 7th September 2021
Series: The Hallmaster's Ladies

Characters: Thayde, Jalodwyn, Yasha
Description: Thayde visits Jalodwyn in the infirmary
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 9, day 16 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Enamra
Occurs after "Almost Complete Failure"

Thayde

Yasha damped a cloth and carefully patted Jalodwyn's feverish brow
after another wracking coughing fit shook her. Face lined with worry,
gentle fingers brushed back hair from a flushed cheek. She'd not gone
to her duties this morning, instead remaining in the infirmary to stay
near Jalodwyn's side. She would deal with the repercussions later. The
lung infection from the near-drowning had taken firm hold of Jalodwyn,
in only two days since the incident and she'd been barely conscious
all afternoon. Nothing, she decided, would pull her away from
Jalodwyn, not until she knew that she would recover.

"How's she doing?" Thayde asked the Hall's master healer as he peeked
at Jalodwyn's chart for himself.

"Infection has worsened. We're providing fluids and medicine but
ultimately, it'll have to run its course. That amount of water in the
lungs for that length of time…. She's lucky to be alive."

Thayde's lips flattened a bit as he thought back to it. He should have
stayed closer to her in the water, her pride be damned. "Is someone in
with her now?"

"Journeywoman Yasha."

He nodded, not surprised before handing the medical chart back to the
healer and entering the room. Thayde was acutely aware that Yasha
would not want him in the room, but he too had an investment in
Jalodwyn's health.

"Yasha," he murmured, greeting her before turning his attention on Jalowdyn.

Yasha nearly jerked her hand away from Jalodwyn's face in immediate
response to the footsteps and soft voice. Her head whipped to look at
Thayde, but her tension eased after only a moment. Instead of
confronting him, she turned back to Jalodwyn and laid the cool cloth
on her head. What good would it do for Jalodwyn to be angry at Thayde?
Drowning, or even near drowning, was always a risk in their craft,
especially without a partner. She only wished her Dika had been with
the group. She wished she had been there. If she had, then maybe...
Yasha swallowed hard, then spoke softly. "I should have been there."

His eyes stayed on the way her hand touched Jalodwyn's face for a
moment before looking up at Yasha.

"You had your duties, she had hers. There was no way to predict a hole
in her air tube or getting stuck in the wreckage. Besides, she's
stubborn and wants to do things herself and there's no talking her out
of it." Thayde said.

"Your dive partner is someone you trust." Yasha countered softly. "She
listens to people she trusts." Sighing softly, Yasha tucked a dampened
strand of hair away from Jalodwyn's cheek as she listened to her
wheeze. "I'm not trying to blame you. She told me you saved her life
and I'm thankful for it. But if..."she stopped herself, grimaced, then
continued "...when she goes out again, I want to be with her. Or I
want Dika with her if I can't be."

Thayde didn't try to talk his way out of the blame that Yasha was
trying not to place on him, because he agreed with her. He'd allowed
the strife between he and Jalodwyn to hinder his better judgement. Had
it been another dolphineer, he would have been with them the entire
time. Instead of staying close to Jalodwyn, he'd given her space
because he knew that she didn't want him down there.

"She needs her own dolphin partner." Thayde commented.

"I know." Yasha agreed readily. "But it's up to the pod and I don't
know if she's really ready for it yet." Jalodwyn's emotions were still
volatile, though a partner might help stabilize her further.

Jalodwyn was suddenly shaken by another fit of coughing and Yasha
hurried to help prop her up from her half-recline. Thumping on her
back firmly to help clear out her lungs as best as she could, Yasha
held her until Jalodwyn slumped with heavy wheezes against her, eyes
half-opened. "Yash?"

"Shh...It's okay. I'm here." Her arms wrapped around Jalodwyn, rubbing
her back until she felt Jalodwyn relax against her, hot brow pressed
against her neck.

"Hot. Thirsty." Dry lips smacked against each other and she was
jostled as Yasha tried to turn to find the cup of cool water.

Thayde passed the cup into Yasha's hand, though his eyes remained
fixed on Jalodwyn. Concern wrinkled his brow. "I'll get her a cold
compress." The hallmaster said, slipping quickly from the room. When
he returned he had a compress in each hand. "Put this one at the back
of her neck and this one on her forehead."

It was on the tip of her tongue to remind him that she had Healing
knowledge too, but instead simply chose to quietly thank him. After
Jalodwyn had been settled back into the bed with the compresses and
the drink, Yasha kept a tired hold on Jalodwyn's hand. She looked up
at Thayde, wondering why he was lingering. There was no love lost
between the Thayde and Jalodwyn. Was it guilt or duty? She didn't
know. "You don't have to stay. I'll let her know you did your duty
to her when she's fully awake."

He nodded, although he lingered a moment more. There was something
about the way Yasha took care of Jalodwyn that reminded him of…. Well,
of himself and Enamra. He thought back to Jalodwyn's demand that Yasha
be moved with her to Dolphin Cove. **Maybe….** he broke the thought
off, it was something to ponder another time.

"I've known Jalodwyn since I was a teenager wet behind the ears. The
last thing I would ever want is for something to happen to her."
Thayde turned and opened the door. "I'll come back and check on her
later. Send for me if there is any change."

Yasha took a moment before replying, clearly choosing her words
carefully before speaking. "I think it's best that you don't. I know
you saved her, Master Thayde, and Faranth knows I'm grateful for
that, but your presence doesn't really help when she's aware of it.
She needs peace, quiet, and rest. The Healers can update you, but
please, just stay away until she can face you on her feet. "

"Fine," he agreed. "But at least let me look after Jalotha, that way
you can stay here with Jalodwyn."

Her eyes immediately flattened. "You know I can't say yes to that. She
doesn't know you and Jal doesn't want her to. You know that."

Thayde had been trying to give Yasha the courtesy of asking, since he
knew how Jalodwyn depended on and trusted the other woman.

"Let me clarify, I'll be looking after Jalotha when she is not with
her foster mother during the day. When Jalodwyn is awake and strong
enough, I'll bring Jalotha by, and when she's ready for her back home,
I'll gladly bring her back."

**You utter complete bastard.** Yasha barely reined in her tongue.
Despite and because of her very private relationship with Jalodwyn,
she had no real right, no real claim over the child she thought of as
her own. Jaldowyn would have kits when she found out he'd done this.
But neither could she leave Jalodwyn alone in the infirmary,
especially not when she was this sick. She was well and truly stuck
and could do nothing and she dreaded the fight between them that this
would cause. "When she's strong enough where she doesn't need me with
her through the day, I can take over. I've been doing that all of
Jalotha's life. I know what she needs and when she needs it." It was
the most she could attempt to insist on.

"I'll consult you if I have any questions. I come from a large family,
I'm no stranger to children." Thayde closed the door on that note. He
hated having to do things by force but neither Jalodwyn or Yasha would
allow him to help otherwise. Now he needed to consult with another
woman about Jalotha but he thought Enamra would be much more amenable
to the idea of them looking after his daughter than Yasha had been.
**At least… I hope she is.**

Last updated on the October 1st 2021

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