Naeemah | Pre-search
"Naeemah?" a face floated into Naeemah's view, but it was a liquid face, always moving and flowing like a reflection on water. Naeemah shook her head to clear her vision and the face settled into Tamull's.
"I'm awake, whatever you gave me almost killed me though, I think," Naeemah replied groggily. "I'd slap you if your face would stay in one place for more than five seconds."
"Well she can't be too sick," Naeemah heard Lyrian chuckle, "she sounds normal to me."
"Oh stuff it Lyrian," Naeemah growled. "I can't even see your face, but I'll slap whatever I can."
"Is she awake?" a woman demanded harshly. "I was told I could speak with the dolphineer when she was awake and I do not intend to wait any longer than I must."
Naeemah recognized that voice from somewhere, but she couldn't quite place it. It seemed like she had heard it a very long time ago. She tried to see who it was but Tamull was blocking her view.
"I'm sorry, Yteri. My patient is not up to having visitors, she is still recovering. You would only tire her," Tamull told the woman. "You will be informed when my patient can endure your visit."
"Move your big hind end, Tamull," Naeemah snapped, "your patient is feeling quite well and is well enough to see anyone."
"You heard what she said, healer," Yteri snapped, "move!" Tamull started to say something in protest but was shoved aside as Yteri pushed her way to Naeemah's cot.
"Hello, Yteri is it?" Naeemah gave the woman a grim smile and extended her hand. "Don't worry about Tamull, he's only trying to do his job."
Yteri pointedly ignored her extended hand. "I won't. I don't see why any healer is wasting his time on a cold blooded murderer like you though."
Naeemah was stunned only for a moment. "What do you mean?"
"You and that filthy creature of yours killed my son!" Yteri replied in a voice of controlled fury.
Naeemah resisted the urge to slap this woman. She would do that later. Now, she would find out who she had murdered. "I am not sure what you are talking about, m'am."
"You were supposed to rescue my son from the ship! But you killed him instead!" Yteri snapped. "Were you drunk at the time, journeywoman? Is that why you don't remember?"
"Yteri, I am sorry if your son didn't make it. Kiy and I did the best we could. He had been under for a long time and -" Naeemah was cut off by a slap from Yteri.
"I know why he is how he is," Yteri snarled. "The healers explained it to me with all their fancy terms. You are responsible for it, and I will see you exiled for it!"
Naeemah slapped Yteri hard across the face. It was probably, she reflected later, not the best thing to do to the person who wanted you exiled, but she did it anyway. "Yteri, please control yourself."
"Yes Yteri, please do. And if you can't, please leave, I won't have my infirmary turned into a wrestling arena," Tamull added.
Yteri opened her mouth to say something but instead got up, shot a deadly look at Tamull, and left. "You'll be hearing from me! I will have you exiled!" Yteri vowed and then left the infirmary in a whirl of skirts.
"Who in Faranth's name was that?" Naeemah demanded once Yteri was out of earshot.
Tamull sighed and sank into the chair next to Naeemah's cot. "That was Yteri, the sister of Lord Taresch."
"And why does she wan't me exiled again?" Naeemah asked patiently.
"Because she thinks you caused her son's death," Tamull replied, his voice half guilty and half resigned.
"Well it wasn't my fault!" Naeemah snapped, suddenly angry. "Didn't someone tell her that."
"Of course many someones did," Tamull replied in the same dejected tone. "But Yteri wouldn't hear it. She just keeps bawling on about her poor little Termin."
"Perfect," Naeemah sighed, "just perfect."
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