Day 27

Eleanora woke to a hot wind in her face.  She shuddered and turned away from
the sulfurous and vaguely rotten smell.  Turning was far more difficult than
she anticipated.  For some reason the bed seemed to have shrunk and she was
cramped into a small space.  When the bed itself shifted, she opened her eyes
in alarm.

Chuckling softly, she slowly extricated herself from the curve of Caraâs body.
 Apparently she had been more tired last night than she thought.  She had
curled up with Cara to make up for her absence during the day.  The thought
crossed her mind that perhaps sheâd been had, but she was too stiff and tired
to dwell on it.  She quickly got ready and headed for the Dining Hall, gleeful
in the prospect of eating first.

<Are you getting my breakfast?>

<Not if you donât get up, Iâm not.>

<Spoilsport.>

Eleanora sighed and adjusted her course.

*******
The dragons plodded clumsily across the field, attempting to master the muscle
controls needed.  Their riders watched anxiously, each one hoping that their
own dragon would perform successfully.  

Eleanora watched Cara, trotting alongside a larger dragon and listened to her
ordering him about.

<No, Rover, turn left.  The other one is your left.  Thatâs right and now the
back foot.  Good.  Keep moving.>

Eleanora winced and looked around, wondering if she should be trying to keep
Cara from being so bossy.  Although it did look as though the larger dragon
was hanging on Caraâs every word.  She glanced over at Roverâs rider. 
Eleanora signed a tentative ãhiä and Zoi returned it, but looked over Eleanora
contemptuously and turned away.  

Eleanora stepped back as though slapped.  Now, what had she done to anger Zoi?
 

********
Eleanora left Cara curled up with Rover and a few other of the new hatchlings,
laying down the law as always.  She sighed, she really was going to have to
try and take Cara in hand.  Grabbing an apple for her lunch, she headed over
toward the Med Center.  It was early for her shift with Sandor, but this way
sheâd have time to visit Danielle.  The idea of sitting in there while
Danielle was lost in her own head made her stomach lurch a bit, but still it
had to be done.  At least Danielle wouldnât throw anything at her.

She stopped to toss the apple core away and walked into the Med Center. There
was a lot of bustling activity around one room.  Idly, she wondered what had
happened.  It wasnât as though there had been a battle for there to be so much
going on.  Then she realized the room all the activity centered on was
Danielleâs.  Heart in her throat, she ran over and skidded around the door
frame into the room.

Hânry and Râchein were holding Danielle, her clothes were gone and her hands
were bloody.  Her eyes fully on her friend, Eleanora did not fully register
the presence of the body.  Danielle shook herself free of the two men and
turned, her lips forming the question ãWhere is Trap?ä


<snip>
*We'll get him as quick as we can. Let me help you until he comes?*

Danielle nodded. *Hold me* she signed. *Please hold me...I am so cold....*
<end snip>

Eleanora gently took Danielle in her arms and held her while she shook. 
Gently stroking her hair, she noticed it had been cut.  What was she supposed
to say now?  As she sat helpless, searching for something to say, Danielleâs
tremors became sobs.  Eleanora felt her shirtfront dampen and looked up in
consternation.  Her eyes met Hânryâs and she raised her eyebrows in silent
query.  He shifted to one side, allowing her to see the still and bloodied
form.  

*This is the man that hurt her.*  He signed slowly.  He seemed about to say
more, but his hands were still.

Eleanora nodded as old half-remembered phrases of her motherâs fell from her lips.

ãShh, now, thatâs a girl.  You just cry it out.  Let the tears wash it all away.ä

Eleanora continued to mumur comforting nonsense while Danielle sobbed against
her.  Cradling the older woman as she might a child, Eleanora rocked her back
and forth.  Gradually, her shaking stopped and she grew still.  Trying not to
shift Danielle too much, Eleanora peered down to find her friend asleep.  She
grinned, surely a peaceful nightâs sleep was a good thing.  Or a peaceful
dayâs in this case.  Then the realization of her position hit her.  Much of
Danielleâs wait lay against her and though she wasnât particularly small, she
wasnât strong enough to carry her.  Nor, she realized, could she even stand up
- as her legs had fallen asleep.  How long had they sat here?

Looking around, she noticed that the body had been cleared away though there
was still a stain on the floor.  Everyone else had also left and the door had
been shut.  Well, that was thoughtful, but poorly conceived, she thought. 
Danielle would certainly need quiet, but hadnât anyone thought she might need help?

Eleanora sighed.  The bed wasnât too far away.  Perhaps she could slide along
the floor until they were over there and then figure something out.  She
leaned back on her arms and winced as pain shot through her cast.  That wasnât
going to work.  Eleanora cringed.  Clearly, there was no way around it, she
was going to have to call out for help.  Covering Danielleâs ears with her
hands, she took in as deep a breath as she could manage.

The door opened and Hânry walked in, carrying a warmer blanket for Danielle. 
He grinned at Eleanoraâs predicament, but laid the blanket on the bed and came
over to help.  With little apparent effort, he lifted Danielle and carried her
over to the bed.  Eleanora struggled to her feet and staggered to the bed, her
legs protesting the sudden return of feeling.  She wrapped the blanket around
Danielle, tucking her in firmly and then gave her a final pat in farewell.

ãSleep well,ä she whispered.

Hânry followed her out of the room and shut the door behind them.  He turned a
concerned face to Eleanora.

*Are you all right?*

Eleanora took a deep breath and nodded slowly.  *I think so.  Thanks*  She was
still standing there, wondering what she should do now, when she remembered.

ãOh shit, Sandor,ä she murmured and rushed off.

It was just as well she couldnât hear Hânryâs surprised chuckle.

__________________________________________________________________

Katrina

Ok, Kat, Barb - over to you guys.

I hope I didnât mangle Hânry too badly, Alton.