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“That is our fault,” Bren answered drawing Jack’s attention and ignoring Dor as he shook his head at Bren from behind Jack’s shoulder. “We felt she was still stable enough to control her rages.”

“She won’t be attacking anyone again,” Kat promised cinching the ropes down tight around Tam’s wrists.

“Not too tight,” Bren instructed turning back around to help her. “You’ll harm her if the ropes are too tight.” Jack just harrumphed as if he expected no less from Healers and turned back to Dor. Dor was looking past him at Kat and caught a chill from the look of hatred that covered her face as she looked down at Tam.

“Now, Dor,” Jack said handing him the plate of food he’d promised from the mess hall. “You make sure and eat all of this and with no complaints. If you want to take a stroll with me tomorrow you’ll do what you’re told.”

“Yes, mother,” Dor chided, taking the plate from Jack and placing it on the table next to his bed. He could tell Jack was upset about what had happened to him and knew he blamed most of it on the Healers. Tam had passed out right after begging him to take her life and Jack came in just as he was putting her back into her bed. He wasn’t at all happy when Dor told him what happened and immediately started raving at Kat and Bren when they entered the room. They apologized over and over explaining that they were unable to remain in the room at all times and promised that all would be well now that Tam was tied to the bed. They even tried to explain the peculiarities surrounding dranlok and the addictive power it had but he didn’t want to hear it.

By the way he carried on so you would have thought Dor and Tam were his children. Jack had not been himself since Dor woke up. Dor supposed that it was all that was happening that was worrying him so he let it go without comment. Sometimes people just had to let it all out. Sadly, it generally was let out onto those who didn’t have anything to do with the problem and who certainly did not deserve the tongue-lashing.

Luckily, Jack had not planned to stay long so his tirade was cut short and Dor and the Healer’s were left in peace. Not before, of course, Jack threatened them with their lives if anything happened to either Dor or Tam. The Healers merely bowed their heads in acknowledgement while saying nothing, having learned early that it was best just to agree with him and let him go.

When the door finally closed Dor sighed and voiced his apologies. “He’s really not usually like this. I think he’s just worried with all that is going on right now. The world is suddenly a much different place and he’s trying to come to grips with it.”

“We all are,” Bren replied, smiling weakly.

Dor chuckled. “I guess you’re right.”

“That’s enough talk now,” Kat added. “You need to eat your meal, Dor, before it gets cold. I will go and fetch something for Tam,” she added, a slight look of disdain sliding across her face. “She will need to eat the next time she awakens.” Beaming her brightest smile at Dor she left the room, watching him the whole way as she passed across the floor and out the door.

“Is she all right,” Dor asked, picking up his plate and looking at his meal for the first time. It looked like stew again. Dor enjoyed the cooked vegetables that went with it but had a hard time stomaching the meat. He picked up the piece of bread on the side and nibbled at it.

Bren smiled at him. “She’s fine. She’s just…well…you might say that she’s smitten.”

Dor chewed the bread deciding that it tasted rather good and quickly devoured the rest of it. “Smitten with what? Is she sick?”

Bren laughed. “In a way I guess you could say she was.” Then he gave Dor a quizzical look. “You really don’t have any idea about this, do you?”

Dor looked up, happy to ignore the stew for a little while longer. “Idea about what?”

Bren just laughed harder. “Come on, Dor. It’s so obvious. She’s smitten with you!”

Dor’s eyes bulged. “Me? What are you talking about? I didn’t do anything!”

Bren continued to laugh which was starting to wear on Dor’s nerves. He saw nothing funny about this. “You didn’t have to. These things just happen. I don’t know, maybe she’s fascinated with you because you’re a full blood. Being male, I can’t really say anything about how you look, but it’s obvious to anyone who sees her around you, she’s got both eyes set on you.”

Dor irritatingly mashed the stew around on his plate. “Well, I wish she would stop. I didn’t ask for her to like me. Plus, I don’t like the way she’s always looking at me and smiling. It makes me feel like…like…I don’t know. Like a bird caught by a snake.”

Bren wasn’t much help. He just laughed harder. “I’m sorry, Dor. There’s really nothing you or I can do about it. When it comes to things like this, women are more stubborn than a mid-winter’s cold.”

“Yeah,” Dor agreed, finally scooping up a spoonful of stew. “And more annoying.”

Bren smiled. “Just watch yourself, Dor.” Then taking on a more serious look he pleaded, “And please, don’t hurt her too badly. She’s still young and this is probably her first crush.”

Dor sighed deeply, resigned to his food and resigned to the fact that he was helpless when it came to dealing with Kat. “I won’t. I don’t want her to feel bad. I just wish she would find someone else to dolt over.”

Just then, Kat popped through the door carrying a plate just like the one Dor was holding and placed it next to Tam’s bed. Then frowning she turned to Bren. “I guess you’ll want me to feed her?” she asked, the distaste of the idea hard in her voice.

Looking at Dor, Bren let out a small sigh. “No, I will take care of it.”

Kat beamed at him. “Good, then I will help Dor with his.”

Dor looked up in time to see her bounding toward him—the snake coming to finish its innocent prey. “Uh, no…uh…uh…that’s okay, Kat. I’ll manage on my own.” Taking a couple of quick and large spoonfuls of stew he shoved them into his mouth and forced them down his throat. “I’m almost done anyway,” he lied, slopping some stew down his chin. “You go ahead and have some time on your own.” He quickly shoved another spoonful down his throat. “I’m sure you would love to see some of the city wouldn’t you. I mean, you’ve been hover…that’s is, taking care, meaning taking such great care of us all these days, you must be ready for some time to yourself. Right?”

Kat’s eyes narrowed slightly and her mouth dropped to a slight frown. “Not really. One city is the same as the next and Healers aren’t always welcomed by the population.”

Dor’s breath caught for a moment. The snake was hovering.

Then Kat shrugged slightly. “I guess a little fresh air might be nice for a while.”

Dor hid his sigh of relief in another bite of stew.

Kat smiled. “I’ll come back later and talk with you then and tell you what I see.”

Dor almost choked, feeling the stew wanting to come back up as his stomach soured. All he managed was a forced little grin; more stew running down his chin. Bren hid a smile while Kat turned about and bounced out of the room. Dor groaned. “Bren, you’ve got to talk to her for me. I can’t take this.”

Bren nodded slowly, the smile leaving his face. “I suppose you’re right. It might be better coming from me anyway. The sooner it’s nipped the less painful it will be.” Bren turned toward the door. “I’ll be back in a while to check on you and feed Tam.”

Dor just nodded, suddenly feeling guilty. But after all, it wasn’t his fault. He hadn’t done anything to ask for her attention. Why did girls have to be so complicated?

As if in answer, Tam let out a soft moan. Dor put his plate down and pushed himself off the bed. He was recovering fast now and his strength had improved considerably, but his little wrestling match with Tam had taken a lot out of him. Reaching the side of her bed, he dropped down in the chair next to her and watched her to see if she would wake. The animal look that had been so evident before was now gone replaced by a gentle softness that he had never noticed in her. Her face was actually peaceful and…well…he guessed might even say, beautiful. He suddenly shook his head as if having an argument with himself. What was he thinking? This was Tam. Tam, the little brat who always had to have her way and who never would leave Thane and him alone. Tam, the spoiled girl who didn’t know what was good enough for her to stay out of his business and stay home where it was safe.

He suddenly felt a smile pulling itself across his face. He did have to admit, she was a tough little thing. She moaned again, her eyebrows furrowing as she moved her head back and forth as if overtaken by a bad dream. Without knowing it, Dor felt himself take her tied hand into his own. Bending forward he leaned closer to her face. He caught the smell of her skin and the flower scented soaps they had used to clean the troll stink from her body. He was shocked to find himself admitting that he liked how she smelled and suddenly he felt his head get lighter. It was then he realized how soft the skin on the back of her hand was. Her palms were calloused like any Chufa’s would be, male or female, but the back of her hand was…nice. Dor felt his thumb gliding across her fingers. She moaned again and Dor jumped back releasing her hand and almost knocking himself over in his chair. Just barely catching himself he stood up and righted the chair before sitting down again, this time not so close.

Tam’s eyes suddenly opened and she stared at him studying his face as if she knew she should know who he was but was not quite able to place him in her mind.

Dor smiled, but careful not to get too close, his memory still fresh with their earlier encounter. “Tam, it’s me, Dor. Can you hear me?”

Tam’s face bunched as if struggling to connect the name with his face. Then suddenly she closed her eyes and smiled. “Dor,” she whispered.

Dor suddenly felt weak from the smile on her face and found he noticed the dimple it created on her cheek. “Yes, Tam. It’s me, Dor. How are you feeling?”

She kept her eyes closed and to Dor’s disappointment, her smile went away. “I feel so weak.”

Dor felt his hand move on its own wanting to grab hers again but he snatched it back. “Uh, that’s probably because you haven’t eaten in such a long time.” Looking at the plate on the table he added, “do you think you could eat something?”

Tam’s head nodded slightly. “I’ll try. My stomach aches.”

Dor sighed feeling terrible about what he had done to get her off of him. He knew that it had come to either that or let her choke him to death, but he still felt bad for hurting her. He tried to alleviate the guilt by blaming her pain on hunger but it didn’t work very well. Grabbing the plate of food and putting it on his lap, he placed a hand under her head and lifted it up slightly so he could feed her some stew. Tam put a tentative tongue to the spoon testing the flavor and then eagerly wrapped her mouth around it hungrily devouring the stew. “Can I have some more?” she asked in a slight whisper.

Dor smiled, happy to see she had an appetite and was willing to eat the stew he’d had such a problem forcing down. “Of course. You can have all you want.” Long moments passed as Dor continued to lift the spoon to her waiting mouth and then dipping it back to the plate for more. Tam was eating it so fast he had a difficult time keeping up with her. She gulped down every bite not even bothering to chew. More than once she almost choked but kept opening her mouth for more. In quick order the plate was empty and Dor rested her head back on the pillow. “I’m sorry there isn’t anymore,” he said. “I’ll have some brought in as soon as someone comes back.”

Tam just nodded her head and smiled. “Thank you, Dor, for taking such good care of me. I’m sorry for all the trouble I have caused you.”

Dor felt embarrassed by her apology. She had caused him a great deal of trouble, almost from the beginning of their lives. Had she not insisted on coming with him over the mountains, he would still be out looking for Thane instead of locked up in a room with her. Not to mention having almost lost his life multiple times on her account. He felt like he should feel some anger towards her for all that had happened but no matter how hard he tried to force it, it wouldn’t come. Surprisingly, he almost felt glad for all the trouble she had caused. What was wrong with him? He should be spitting mad at her, but he wasn’t. “I haven’t done anything,” he managed lamely. “You just keep getting better so we can get you back home.”

“What is wrong with me?”

That caught him off guard. Could it be she had no recollection of all that had happened? “Don’t you remember?”

She tried to move her arm but found it tied down tightly to the bed. “Why am I tied down?”

Dor could sense the sudden panic in her voice.

“Dor, what’s going on?”

Without thinking, Dor reached a hand out and caught hold of hers. “It’s okay, Tam. Relax and I’ll explain everything.”

“But, why am I tied down?”

“It’s because of what made you sick,” Dor soothed. “You were poisoned. The poison makes you go into fits at times that could hurt you or,” he paused, rubbing his throat with his other hand, “others.”

Tam opened her eyes and looked at him. She looked like a frightened doe. “Won’t you untie me, Dor? You know I wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

Dor was still rubbing his neck and thought Right, like I wanted your fingerprints permanently embedded into the skin on my neck.

A tear formed at the corner of her eye and her mouth started to quiver. “Please, Dor,” she whispered. “The ropes are so tight. Please.”

Dor suddenly felt conflicted. It was only hours before that she had tried to rip his head off his shoulders in a dranlok induced rage. But she was so fragile and pitiful looking. He felt his heart aching for her.

“Please, Dor,” her voice whined softly. “I just want to sit up for a moment and stretch my arms. Please.” The tear that had formed was now sliding down her cheek followed by more.

The way she was looking at him and the way her voice quivered made his head feel light again. She was so helpless. And seeing her cry was almost too much. He suddenly felt a tremendous urge to protect her and not let anything hurt her. He looked at the ropes. They were tight. He remembered Kat cinching them down with that awful look on her face. What harm would it do to loosen them for a moment and let her stretch a little bit? He knew what it felt like to be stuck in a bed for long days. What harm would it do? Afterwards he would just tie her down again. And, he wouldn’t untie her feet so she would still be stuck in the bed.

“Please,” she whispered again, the look on her face too much for him to endure.

“Okay, Tam,” he squeaked, for some reason his mouth had gone dry. “But just for a moment. Then I have to tie you back to protect you, okay?”

Tam’s face brightened as she smiled a beautiful smile up at him. “Okay.”

Dor felt his face get hot and flushed. At that moment, he felt like he would do anything she asked. Reluctantly, he let go of her hand and then grabbed at the rope around her wrist. Twisting it about he found that it had been tied better than he originally thought.

“What are you doing,” she asked, the urgency obvious in her voice. “Why aren’t you untying me?”

“I’m trying,” he huffed, the frustration evident in his voice as sweat started to bead on his forehead. “These knots are too tight.”

Tam’s head lifted up the urgency growing in her voice. “Can’t you cut it? Don’t you have a knife or something?”

Dor looked up at her just in time to see the animal return to her face. He jumped back from the bed a horrified look on his face. What had he almost done?

“What are you doing?” Tam’s voice bit the air with its venom. “Come back here and let me go.”

Dor just stared at her pitifully and shook his head. “I can’t,” he said just over a whisper. “I’m sorry, Tam, but you’re not well.”

Tam’s face suddenly changed back to the sobbing innocent she had been only moments before, the animal pushed back. “I’m sorry, Dor. I didn’t mean to get upset. It’s just that these ropes are digging into my skin. It hurts so badly. Please, Dor, just loosen them a little. That’s all I ask. Just loosen them.” Her voice was full of pleading and regret pulling at Dor’s heart again to see her lying there like she was. Her eyes captured him not letting him go as he struggled inside. He wanted to believe her. More than anything he felt that he wanted to untie her and hold her and let her know it would be all right. “I can’t,” he finally whispered. “I’m sorry.”

The animal was back in an instant. Tam jerked about trying to pull out of the ropes but they had her down too tightly. She couldn’t pull free. “Let me out of here you mound of goblin dung!” she screeched. “Let me out and give it back to me! I know you took it! Give it back or I’ll kill you!”

Tam’s face was a contortion of pure hatred and demonic rage. Thrashing about, she screamed, cursing and threatening him. Dor just stood back and watched, trying to sooth her by telling her it would be all right but she just spit his sympathy back first yelling and then crying, trying everything she could to get free or to convince him to let her go. But it was too late. She had revealed her intentions and Dor knew that to let her go in such a state might very well mean his life. Finally, after an especially long and powerful rant she collapsed onto her bed and fell unconscious having exhausted herself with the effort.