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The next few months of his life were made some of the best of his life by Sirin. They were also made some of the worst and most humiliating of his life as he had to relearn how to walk.
"They've made a new set for you, Telatl," the healer told him, holding out a pair of crutches that looked, to Telatl, no different than the last pair. "If these don't work... Well, let's just hope they work."
Telatl grabbed the crutches and swung himself up almost easily. This pair did feel much better, and he told the healer as much as he made his way across the room and back. "Y'know, this is almost getting easier."
The healer chuckled. "Never thought it would happen, did you? You're looking much better up there too, you'll be able to go back to your own quarters soon."
Telatl sat down on his cot with a sigh. Back home. It was actually not that far from the infirmary, but he wasn't sure if he ever wanted to leave the infirmary. People here understood about his injury. People in the rest of the hold... he just wasn't sure he wanted to face them.
Oh stop worrying, Sirin chided lazily from where she was half-dozing by the window. You're still the same person, even if you are missing part of a leg. People'll get used to it.
Used to it, but they'll never really think of me the same, Telatl reminded her. I'll always be the poor cripple who can't do anything useful. Not Telatl, one of the fastest people in the hold.
Not if you keep thinking that way, Sirin agreed. You're not useless, you can almost walk with your crutches. There's plenty of things you can do that don't require you being the fastest person in the hold.
Telatl picked up his crutches and limped over to the window. The ground crews were drilling, practicing for the expected Fall. Arisun and Ortol were among them as well as Surindi and some of his group. I'll never be able to do that, Telatl realized sullenly. What good am I if I can't even serve on ground crew?
Sirin peered out the window disdainfully. Actually, I bet you could, if you wanted to. The flame throwers can't be too hard to hold, and it's not like they're moving around much.
You think I really could? Telatl wondered, trying to keep his hopes from getting too high. He'd never be accepted, even if the healers did allow him to try.
You could do anything, Sirin assured him and rubbed her head against his hand. Like you could oil me before you do anything else.
Somehow, I knew that was coming, Telatl chuckled and scratched her eyeridges. Your skin is feeling a bit dry.
"Journeywoman Tefis?" Telatl asked the healer, "Do you think I could get some oil? Sirin needs to be oiled, she itches."
Tefis nodded and pulled a short jar filled with the pinkish oil out of a cabinet. "Thought she was a bit overdue for her afternoon oiling," Tefis chuckled. "You still have the rag I leant you this morning?"
Telatl picked up the still oily rag from his cotside table. "Right here," he told her. Still want that oiling, Sirin, or are you just going to keep gazing out the window?
Sirin was in his lap in an instant, eyes closed, humming happily. My back first, if you please.
After Sirin was oiled and crooing happily, Telatl swung himself up onto his crutches and went in search of the head of the ground crew, giving Tefis the excuse of just needing a bit of fresh air.
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