define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":339,"date":"2014-05-05T03:00:08","date_gmt":"2014-05-05T11:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=339"},"modified":"2014-02-01T11:02:41","modified_gmt":"2014-02-01T19:02:41","slug":"chapter-62-the-healers-web","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/339","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 62: The Healer’s Web"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 62: The Healer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Web<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

In Which\u00c2\u00a0The Talismans Healers Use Are Examined.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra enters the healer’s house and heads towards the bed, depositing the books at the foot and leaning on the mattress for a few moments for a rest she needs but deeply resents. Sounds of conversation can be heard coming from the kitchen where apparently Fiarah and Jinx are helping Joseph prepare dinner.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan plunks down beside her and grins as conversation in the kitchen continues. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You feeling okay hun?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret nods. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, just…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d it pains her to have to admit it but what the hell, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153…just needed a little rest.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She places her paws behind her and pushes herself up onto the bed so that she’s actually sitting on it.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins and winks at her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I won’t tell, you just rest a bit.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Fiarah wanders out of the kitchen, wiping her paws free of flour on a towel. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ah, I did hear you two return. How was the walk?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She casts a critical glance at Jozra. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Feel alright?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan answers Fiarah, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The walk was great, I was just saying to Jozra that even though she feels fine she should rest, you never know.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra, thankful for Soquan’s intervention, pulls her feet up and sits cross-legged on the bed, trying to look healthy and not at all tired out by the walk. Anything to leave sooner. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So, when do you think we can get on our way again?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Fiarah frowns, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not for a while yet I’m afraid, Jozra. You may feel fine now, but imagine walking all day like you two do.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret harrumphs and bats idly at the wall hanging over the bed, setting the various shells and stones to jangling.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Not knowing the presence of the wall hanging, the sudden noise startles the otter immensely, causing his fur to stand on end. His tenseness causes the otter to overbalance and fall to the ground with a loud thud.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Both Jozra and Fiarah start as Soquan topples over. The ferret pokes her head over the end of the bed to look at the fallen otter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You alright, Soq?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Before he can answer, Joseph hurries into the room. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wh-what was that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jinx looks on from behind the mouse.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: His adrenaline surging, the otter is breathing heavily. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just–\u00c2\u00a0 startled–\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Soquan heaves himself onto his feet and turns to Joz. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What in the gods name did you hit Joz?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth:\u00c2\u00a0 Joseph frowns as he leans over the bed to stop the hanging from swinging.* Y-you shouldn’t have smacked that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Jozra helps guide Soquan back onto the bed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It looks like a branch and shells and things. It’s been hanging on the wall since we got here, Soq.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan grins at her somewhat lopsidedly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well I guess in the future I’ll have to feel out all the walls where we’re staying.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Joseph frowns a little at Jozra, still apparently upset at her batting at the wall hanging. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Th-that’s fragile.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Jozra glances at the now still wall hanging. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, what is it anyway?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fiarah picks the books up off the floor and sets them on the bed, glancing idly at the titles.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It’s, it’s the Healer’s Web. Kind of a, a series o-of talismans.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Joseph answers.<\/p>\n

Jozra quirks an eyebrow skeptically. Despite all that’s happened to her, she’s not all that superstitious.<\/p>\n

The vixen smoothly takes over the healer mouse’s explanation, noting Jozra’s look. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It’s a traditional wall hanging among healers. If you had been conscious, you might have noticed one in my clinic.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Jozra grins weakly as her ears redden a little.<\/p>\n

Fiarah sits on the edge of the arm chair and continues. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Each of the things on it represent something, though I don’t remember them all. Lets see… That big shell in the center with the rune is just the healer symbol. Most healers have that symbol somewhere outside their door.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Jozra nods, remembering seeing that same symbol on Joseph’s door frame just that day.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The stone hanging from it represents… I think faith in the healer’s ability. Um, the acorn is nourishment, I don’t remember what that tassel is. I think the wood holder itself is supposed to signify something.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She glances at Joseph who merely shrugs, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The, the flat stone is t-trust and the b-black and white fea, feather is life and death. Er… th-the cone shell is…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fiarah interrupts, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The healer’s commitment to healing the patient and one of the other feathers is just optimism, but I don’t remember which one.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan listens intently as Fiarah and Joseph take turns telling the two of them about the wall hanging, a small smile touching his features. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I remember one of those used to be at the healer’s clinic in Donfin. If I remember correctly, the holder is supposed to mean some sort of stability.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Anything the healer mouse might have said in response was lost as Jinx shouts from the kitchen. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Joseph! Is this supposed to smoke like that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Fiarah and Joseph glance at each other for a second with wide eyes before dashing into the kitchen to salvage what remains of dinner.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: While Joseph and Fiarah rush off to deal with the crisis in the kitchen, Soquan turns to the ferret with a grin. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So should I be expecting an apology from you anytime soon for scaring the wits outta me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret eyes Soquan and then grins wickedly and says sweetly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Apologize? I thought it was part of my job description.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He mock scowls at her and sticks his tongue out. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well remind me next time how ungrateful you are for your friend lying for you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra’s smile falters a little at the mention of lies but she grabs a book and says rather cheerfully, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wonder if this book is going to be as good as the last one.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He grins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well we’re just going to have to find out, now won’t we?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret nods and scoots backwards until she’s can prop herself up on the pillows and opens up the book to the first page. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcFor Elianza.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 I wonder who that is?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan starts beside her, propping himself up on an elbow. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You said Elianza right? My mind’s not playing tricks on me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret nods slowly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeeeahhh… Elianza. E-L-I-A-N-Z-A.\u00c2\u00a0 I am pronouncing it right, right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan seems a bit pale as he swallows. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That was my Grandmother’s name.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra flips the pages to the beginning of the story. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Weird… How common is the name?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He shakes his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not very.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret looks at Soquan quizzically. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why would there be a book apparently about your Grandfather to someone with the same name as your Grandmother without you knowing about it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He shrugs, slumping back onto the pillows. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don’t know.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra watches the otter for a moment and is about to say something when Jinx enters the room, smirking a little. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, I hope you’re not very hungry because dinner is ready but it’s a little… charred.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Deciding to risk it, Soquan, addresses the younger ferret. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Jinx, what do you know about Erran, the Northern Knight?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Being blind, Soquan cannot see Jinx’s eyes light up, but should be very apparent to Jozra.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra’s surprised at the recognition in Jinx’s eyes and even more intrigued as a result. The younger ferret bounces into the armchair near the bed, forgetting all about dinner.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Jinx eyes Soquan excitedly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you kidding Soq? Erran Woodgreen (Soquan tenses at this) is one of the most well known Northern Knights of all! He was still a new recruit when the siege of Donfin happened and he took lead after his commander fell in battle and lead them to victory!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra manages to keep her eyes from straying towards Soq but Jinx is able to catch on anyway. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wait, Soq! Your last name is Woodgreen too!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan nods, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aye, it is, he scratches the back of his neck. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I’m fairly certain Erran was my grandfather too.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Soquan barely had enough time to brace himself as Jinx gives a very fan-girlish screech and leaps at Soquan.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra laughs at the general mayhem that ensues as Joseph and Fiarah come bustling back in with a loaded plate in each hand.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan pats Jinx on the head awkwardly as she clings at him, obsessing. He throws the occupants of the room a pleading look as he tries to pry the ferret off of him.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Joseph looks astonished at the scene as Fiarah merely shakes her head and hands a plate to Jozra. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wh-what’s going on?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan continues to pry Jinx off of him, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, between the three of us, we found out Erran of the Northern Knights was my grandfather and… well… this happened.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He gestures at Jinx<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The young ferret looks sheepish as Fiarah hands her a plate. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It’s just Erran’s always been sort of my hero.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan crinkles his nose slightly as he takes the plate. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well it woulda helped if I knew he was a Northern Knight.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra tries a hesitant taste and finds it to be alright. Not up to par with Joseph’s usual cooking but edible.The other three settle themselves about the room but Jinx isn’t able to keep her mouth shut for long. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Um… How could you not know?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan shakes his head, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don’t know.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Jinx falls silent for a bit, but not for long. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wait! The betrayal!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Soqua blinks. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The what?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Jinx rolls her eyes and explains. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A small army started to make their way into the town using a secret entrance only the Knights knew about. They fought off the attack, but after that the Knights were heavily persecuted because they thought the Knights were turning against them and it scared them how much they relied on their defenders. So, the Knights, in exchange for peace in the town, vowed to lay down their arms until the need for them arose again, which it hasn’t.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra looks at Jinx with a mix of amazement and newfound respect. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Seems you sure know a lot about the subject.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Jinx scratches the back of her neck \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Err… well, after I read about Erran, I kinda became obsessed about the Northern Knights in general, and things concerning them. I love how Springfest generated around their victory over the siege.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra quirks an eyebrow at the mention of Springfest but continues with her dinner. Fiarah seems to be absorbed with the wall hanging, apparently trying to remember the significance of the rest of the talismans.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Jinx points to the book on Jozra’s beside table. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, I think it goes into detail about it in there.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra smiles around her fork, chews, swallows and replies, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I suppose I’ll just have to read it then, huh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Jinx nods and finishes the last of her meal. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, you should, it’s a great book.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nMeanwhile, Soquan has gone quiet, pushing his meal around on his plate, taking the odd nibble here and there.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Fiarah finally tears herself away from the Healer’s Web and starts gathering up empty plates from Jinx and Jozra. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We should head back soon, Jinx.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan hands off his practically full plate to Jinx, who gives him an odd look then nods at Fiarah. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay Fiarah.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d After depositing the dishes in the kitchen she shouts a goodbye to the two before following Fiarah out the door.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Soon Joseph is busy again in the kitchen with the dishes. Jozra watches the rather thoughtful looking otter before her for a while. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Want to talk about it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan jerks out of his thoughts. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What? Oh… no, it’s okay Joz. I mean, I was just wondering why he didn’t tell me, even if the Knights were \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcretired\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret shrugs, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe he didn’t want to think about it anymore.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He nods, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153True… So are you going to start reading or what?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He cracks a grin.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra chuckles, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sure.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She cracks the book open to the first chapter and starts reading. “My mother’s stories of magic and great heroes fueled my childhood…”<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan listens to the story of his grandfather intently for quite a while before his eyelids grow heavy, and not too long after that he listens with his eyes closed, eventually dropping off to sleep.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: It takes a few moments for Jozra to realize her companion is asleep and that Joseph went to bed quite a while ago. She smiles faintly before marking her spot and setting the book aside to snuggle down under the covers herself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 62: The Healer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Web In Which\u00c2\u00a0The Talismans Healers Use Are Examined. \u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Yazeth: Jozra enters the healer’s house and heads towards the bed, depositing the books at the foot and leaning on the mattress for a few moments for a rest she needs but deeply resents. Sounds of conversation can be heard coming from … <\/p>\n