Dubious Blessings|Sensatiamens, Sensatia

[Kender Bard]

Once safely within the walls of sensatia, Nalani wrapped her arms tightly about Ryder to try and hold him up in case he would be unable to do so under his own power. "Ryder," she whispered in his ear. "Can you make it to the temple? We'll be cared for there."

[Devon]

"Aye," Ryder nodded as he made his way to the temple, with Nalani's support. His head was spinning slightly and he was very tired after the teleport to Sensatia. "When we get there, you may want to do the talking Nalani, I am hardly in good shape."

[Kender Bard]

"I intended," Nalani murmured. This time she led them to the Efilian wing of the temple where Nalani couldn't get two words out before someone was there to take Ryder from her and see to his wounds. While he was being fussed and pampered, Nalani explained their plight to the priest she had caught the attention of in the first place.

"We will do all we can to make him comfortable," the priestess murmured. "And you may of course stay in the temple during your stay."

"Thank you," Nalani told her. By the time everything had been arranged, Ryder's hand had been cleaned and properly bandaged, as well as dosed with a little of precious healing water.

The priest tending to Ryder's wounds warned him, "It may be too late to save your sign, son. That was a deep cut and it was already starting to crust when you got here."

[Devon]

"I already figured as much," Ryder said. "I could feel it when I was cut, like a part of me was destroyed as well. Thank you for helping us," he told the priest. Ryder looked to Nalani with concern, "How are you feeling Nalani?"

[Kender Bard]

"I want to ask you the same," Nalani murmured, looking at his hand with great sadness. She'd overheard Ryder's comment. "Does it hurt? I mean, obviously, the cut hurts... but the loss?"

[Devon]

"It does hurt," Ryder admitted. "But I would rather this pain than the alternative if that bandit would have gotten to you." Ryder looked at his hand and then back to Nalani. "It'll heal in no time, I just won't be flying like I used to."

[Kender Bard]

Nalani was surprised at that; she didn't use her Wind sign in her flying unless she needed a little extra boost when taking off, speed, or to cushion her landing.

"You're exhausted," she murmured and gently led him towards where their cot was. "Lie down. Sleep. We'll talk about this more tomorrow." Forces knew she was tired as well; enough that it eclipsed her hunger at having been cheated out of dinner.

[Devon]

Ryder nodded, putting up no fuss as he was led to the cot. Lying down he turned over on his side to face Nalani. "Tomorrow let's have a big breakfast before we set out," he said, trying to fight back a yawn.

[Kender Bard]

"Aye," Nalani agreed and snuggled closely (and carefully) before closing her eyes and swiftly drifting to sleep.

During the night, there came a light shake at Ryder's shoulder followed by a polite 'ahem' cough.

[Devon]

Ryder opened his eyes and blinked a few times. He looked to Nalani who still asleep and wondered who or what had just touched him. Turning around slowly he looked towards the direction of the cough. "Who is it?"

[Kender Bard]

A robed figure stood over him, though in the darkness it was difficult to tell more than that. A soft voice, male though possibly female, murmured, "I'm sorry to disturb your sleep, young man, but I was concerned at how you were feeling. May I see your hand?"

[Devon]

Ryder sat up in bed, trying to get a better look at the robed figure. He was oddly at ease, even though it was weird for someone to be standing over his bed like this. "I..I'm better now, but it still feels like something is missing, vacant inside," he answered as he held out his right hand for the figure to see.

[Kender Bard]

The figure took his hand in soft, delicate hands and caressed over the bandages gently. "Yes, it is a terrible loss you have suffered," he murmured. "You throw yourself into harms way to protect the ones you love. It is admirable, but perhaps next time you should formulate a better plan, hmm?" The priest dropped the injured hand and picked up the uninjured one, stroking it as he had the other one.

[Devon]

Ryder nodded, a bit embarrassed. "I seem to have a bad record forming from actions such as these. The first time I ended up lying in a bed in Khelek for weeks, the second I lose my Wind sign." Ryder chuckled softly and said,"You'd think a follower of Thouth would use his head more before rushing in."

[Kender Bard]

"You'd think," the priest remarked with a touch of severity. "Even Worgans know that to learn from their mistakes is to grow and thus honor their Force. Recklessness is best left to Soahcians." As the priest dropped the other hand, there came a tingling, surging rush of power through Ryder.