Syllea listened quietly as her sister, Em, told her about the reason behind her fear of dogs. After the horrific story finished, Syllea nodded in understanding before quickly saying she had to check on her horses. In truth, the pain in her side had taken a turn for worse when Lynn had helped her stand in the Pony. She hid her pain until she was out of the earshot of her sister. “Lynn, we need to find Rae; I can not wait until morning,” she said in a whisper.
Lynn looked at Syl, her eyes filled with horror when she saw the state of the girl. The teen was suddenly very pale and very weak. She quickly scooped the girl up into her arms and went to find Rae. They found him at his house, having dinner with his family.
“I am so sorry, but Miss Syllea needs your hel-“
Syllea cut Lynn off, “Please, finish your supper first. I can manage until then.”
Rae raised his brows at the young girl, taking in her appearance. He shook his head, “No. I will look at you now. Bring her in.”
Syl frowned but did not say anything as Lynn brought her in and carefully laid her on, presumably, the doctor's bed.
“What happened?” Rae asked Syllea as he went to her side.
“I- “she paused, thinking of what truth to tell him. “I was in a fight.”
He nodded in understanding, before looking at Lynn. “Could you help me get this dress off of her? It would be best if we moved her as little as possible.”
The guard nodded and helped Syl out of the dress. A couple of quiet cries from the teen girl later, and the dress was finally off. Rae first inspected the bruise then pressed his fingertips onto her side gently.
A blood-curdling scream, much like the one of the day of the attack, escaped Syl's lips. Lynn flinched, hating to see the young girl in so much pain.
“Her right rib does not feel broken; it may just be fractured,” he said to no one in particular, continuing to inspect Syllea.
Rae decided to treat it as a fracture. He warned her if it got worse, he was going to change his treatment. He began to cast up her right side and put her right arm in a sling to prevent movement. Syl frowned at it and grumbled under her breath, “I look so stupid.”
Lynn could not help but laugh. “Of all the things to complain about, you choose your looks?”
Syl glared at Lynn, not thinking it was funny; this only brought on another fit of giggles from the guard.
Rae finished patching the girl up before looking at her with a stern expression, “Now, I only waited to tell you this now for worry you might kill me as I cast you up…” He let out a big breath, readying himself for the onslaught of Syllea’s complaining, “I want you to stay put in bed for a few weeks, and you will not be able to work for even longer than that.”
“What!?” Syllea shouted. “I can not go anywhere!?”
Rae shook his head, “No, I recommend choosing a place to be where your family can come to see you often.”
“I knew I should not have gone to a doctor,” She complained angrily.
Rae frowned and knelt in front of the girl, “If you do not stay in bed on your own, I will tie you down to the bed, and you will not even be able to read a book as I force you to heal.”
Syl glared at him but eventually eased up. “Fine. I will stay at Papa’s estate. I don’t want to be in the woman’s house though.” She looked at Lynn as she said the last part.
Rae nodded, “Works for me. I will take you to the estate so I can be sure you do not move too much on the way. I also want you to take the medicine I am going to give Miss Lynn. Take it every day.”
Syllea nodded, seeming to grow more upset every second, “Can you tell Papa and Father that is where I am staying? Oh, and tell Papa I prefer red ones. He will hopefully know what that means.”
The doctor chuckled at the girl before scooping her up gently. “Yes, now let's get you to the estate.”
“Are you sure?” Lynn asked Syl the next morning.
“Aye, you haven’t gotten a day off in forever. There are so many people here to keep an eye on me while your away,” Syl replied. She was trying to convince Lynn to take some time off while Syl recovered.
Lynn sighed quietly, unsure of what to do. She did love the thought of going to spend some time with her family. “Alright, but I will come to visit you every other day.”
Syllea nodded, “Okay.” She smiled at Lynn, “Have a nice couple of weeks off.”
Lynn chuckled, pushing a strand of hair off the teen’s face. “You be good. If you’re not I will make sure to make you lots of cabbage once you are healed.”
Syllea laughed but stopped abruptly, pain crossing her face. “I can’t even laugh. Great.” She mumbled in frustration.
Lynn watched the girl for a moment, making sure she was fine. Then she stood. “I will stop by tomorrow. Don’t get too lonely,” She teased.
Syl rolled her eyes, waving the guard off, and turned towards her book. “See you later Miss Lynn.”
“Of course, you will Milady.” And with that, Lynn floated out of the estate, excited for the break, but also nervous for the girl.
