Downtime; Szhandris and Warran|Curse on Szhandris

[nohiki]

Szhandris was running out of time. Her magic lesson was begining soon and she still needed to do lot of stuff before she could go. Warran was sitting in the corner of the room, watching her running in circles trough the room. It took him a while, but then he realized that none of her moves was in vain. He couldn’t think of any way how to redukce numer of steps and turns to save more time. Finally, Szhandris vanished in her wardrobe and came out in her armor, with her bow hanged on her shoulder. „Ready to go?“ she asked Warran. He just nodded and they ran out of the house, climbed down the trunk of the tree and headed for the training ground.
The lesson was dizastrous. Not only that she was all tired, but she is still failing to remember the ancient languege. She almost caused a tornado while just simply trying to lift a rock using wind. Then she was beaten in the training fight. That wouldn’t bother her, but what did was the humiliation. She excelled in everything else than magic. Suddenly she felt pain in her stomach that made her kneel. „What is gong on?“ she cried, holding her belly. Warran, something is wrong, i need help! Auch! she sent a telepathic message to Warran, hoping she could reach him, before she fell on the ground in agony.

[Warran™]

Warran was sweating. He was focusing to repair his work again, but he couldn’t focus today. He wanted to continue, but suddenly he felt Szhandris being in pain. Warran… wrong, I… help! Aaaaaahh! he got part sof Szhandris’ message and suddenly there was nothing else. He quickly turned around and jumped to the air, leaving nothing but whirling dust. Where are you, talk to me! he tried to reach her, but there was no response. He quickly found Szhandris’ magic lector and asked him for help. When they found her, she was screaming in pain, convulsing on the ground. „Waíse heill!“ said her instructor, but to no effect. „Stay back!“ he said to Warran. He took a step back, even though he didn’t like the idea of leaving Szhandris. The instructor started talking in Ancient langueage, and the air around begun to swirl, when it suddenly stopped. Szhandris’ pain seemed to be gone. He saw her lying on the ground, coughing, with tears falling from her eyes. Are you ok? What was that? he asked both Szhandris and the instructor. „Somebody cursed her. I had to take off the curse.“ Answered the instructor, his eyes connivenced, „But who? Anyway, you should try managing your time better. Maybe then you’ll understand magic and will be able to defend yourself.“ Enough already! thought Warran to them, running to Szhandris and picking her up, placing her on his back. You’ll be home in no time, dear. he told her and carried her home.

[nohiki]

Did you hear that? thought Szhandris to Warran, clearly giving out her anger. I am trying harder than anyone else! I do what i am supposed to, and i am working extra in my free time! How can HE say something about time management? Pfff! she was barking. When she calmed down, she thought for a minute. This isn't one of those riddles again, is it? Warran smiled and nodded. Ow, i want to trade for that stomachache! sighed Szhandris. Help me out, that is your area of business. she asked her dragon. MEanwhile they reached their treehouse. Szhandris was OK to climb up herself, but then she just sit on the chair, regaining strength.

[Warran™]

OK, this will be too hard riddle for you. Smiled Warran. That made Szhandris angry. Never! Just give me hints! shouted Szhandris in his mind. OK, your time management is fine, exept you are not doing one thing. Can you guess what it is? he thought to Szhandris, watching her immediately sink into thoughts. Meanwhile, he brought her her clothes and helped her out of the chest armor. There is nothing! I do everything i must and more! pierced his mind, as Szhandris was losing her patience. Exaclty!You don't do nothing, and my grammar is absolutely fine! Warran explained, You are trainig so much that you don't relax. When was the last time you slept for more than two hours? First you can't focus, like now, and later your body will give up and cease to work properly. He looked at Szhandris' face. She seemed amazed. Warran walked out to get her a blanket, because she still didn't look very well.

[nohiki]

Szhandris indeed was amazed. She never thought about that. Maybe he's right... she thought to herself, After all, you are the pro at doing nothing. she giggled and sent him her memory, catching him, lying in the middle of a forest clearing, catching sun for two day without a break. She could hear Warran's laughter from the above floor. After she changed her clothes, Szhandris laid on the chair again. Her house was small two room flat, sung out of four trees in the corners. In the bottom room, she had small worktable and a chair in the corner near the window. In the middle of the room, there was large, colored rug with a one foot high table, with pillows around to sit. Several regals were hung on the walls, and near the fireplace there was a small kitchen. In the last corner, there were spiral stairs to the top floor, where she had wardrobe, bath and bed. It wasn't too much, but she choosen it instead of the student's quarters because she had a piece to do her work. Warran brought her a blanket. She covered herself in the chair. What do you suggest? she asked Warran.

[Warran™]

Well, we haven't been home in Ellesméra in 4 years. I think it would be good to visit family and old friends, what do you think? Thought Warran to Szhandris. He put his head on her chest. Maybe somebody from here will like to go too, i think that at least some dragons are seriously bored here, mostly dragons paired with riders that aren't instructors. he kept thinking. He felt Szhandris' hands hugging him around neck and her cheek touching his forehead as she put her head on his. He could feel in her mind that she was feeling much less stress. You are right. And i need new weapons, made for my style, and where else can i get them than there? We might finish our training soon anyway. he heard the answer.

[nohiki]

I think i let you plan this again, you are the right mind to do that. said Szhandris and smiled. Looking at her magic clock, she realized it was time she should go to sleep, though she usually kept working for two more hours. "Well, time to try the new style." she said and stood up. She fixed her little snack and then went up, taking a hot bath. When she was done, she laid on the bed and tried to sleep. But she couldn't. Suddenly, she occupied her mind with her little incident. Who would curse me? She thought to Warran, who though for a second before answering: I doubt it is any rider. Either it was som jealous apprentice or somebody outside. Apprentice seems like it, because the instructor dispelled it pretty quickly. she agreed. I can't imagine what i'd do if i knew who! she snarled, but Warran calmed her down and they went to sleep fast. Szhandris slept deeply like never before.

[Warran™]

Warran opened his eyes. It was nine o'clock, saturday morning. The students had a day off, but he and Szhandris planned it to be longer vacation. He got up and climbed down the stairs. Morning! he thought to Szhandris. Only reply he got was her nodding, as she sat near the table, obviously thinking about something. "Oh, hey, good morning Warran." she said, "How would you like the trip to go trough Narda, Yazuaac and Osilon?" she asked him back. Warran looked et her. You speak only when you need to accupy your mind with something else. What is it? The road is fine by the way. he thought, afraid of what will follow.

[nohiki]

I am thinking about trying the final trial in sword fight before we leave. Thought Szhandris to Warran. When she saw his frowned face, she rolled her eyes. Oh come on, last thing i swear! she started making excuses, If i have it, dad will pay my new weapons. she said the reason. Second later, she heard in her mind something about materialistic animal and penny-pincher. She just nodded with a smile. I thought you are supposed to rest. Tried Warran for last time. "I can pull it off. It's just little time for preparation and then a fight with a rider. And THAT isn't going to last long, since apprentice's bond is significantly weaker than that of fully bonded rider, thus the rider has much more strength, agility, stamina, everything." she quoted from the books. Warran finally nodded. Szhandris smiled, finished her breakfast and suited up.