What's Best for the Patient

Writers: Heather, Miriah
Date Posted: 18th September 2021
Series: The Hallmaster's Ladies

Characters: Thayde, Jalodwyn, Yasha
Description: Jalodwyn finds out where Jalotha is, and the Healer updates Thayde on her health.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 9, day 22 of Turn 10

Thayde

"How could you let him do that?" The weak voice was quivering with a
mixture of anger and tears. "You know how I feel about it!"

"I know. But I couldn't do anything about it. I tried, but..." The
next voice was soft, trying to soothe the upset of the other woman.

"How could you! She doesn't know him! He doesn't know what she
needs..." The words trailed off into a series of wracking coughs as
the woman in the bed struggled to breathe as she tried to rise. "I'm
going...to...get...her..."

Yasha caught Jalodwyn before she could swing her legs over the side of
the infirmary cot. "You can't. Your fever only broke the day before
yesterday, Jal. You need to rest. I've been checking on her in the
creche. I promise that she's okay and you need to rest. Please...lay
back down."

"No. I want my daughter! I want her right now!" Weakly, she was forced
to lay back down by her companion, and struggled only briefly before
slumping back.

"You do need to rest." The Healer spoke firmly as he approached with a
steaming mug of broth. "And you need to try to eat this. Journeywoman,
you are too weak to care for your child right now. I sympathize, I
truly do, but you need to regain your strength."

Still upset, Jalodwyn turned her head away from both Yasha and the
Healer, until Yasha spoke softly. "The sooner you're better, then
sooner you can get her back."

"Fine." There was real venom in the hoarse words but she was silenced
as she was helped to drink the warm broth.

The Healer sighed and then nodded, stepping away and slipping out of
the room. Looking up, he was surprised to see Thayde. "Hallmaster, I
didn't know you were waiting for me"

Thayde flashed a tight, polite smile, his eyes glancing at the door to
Jalodwyn's room over the healer's shoulder.

"How is she?" he asked.

The Healer sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "She's still
weak. The infection took it's toll on her, and her recovery may be
slow. It looks like it may have done significant damage to her lungs,
but I'm not certain yet."

Thayde mulled that information over. Lung damage was no joke for a
dolphineer. "Was she… did she seem… angry?"

The Healer's brows shot up at the question and his lips pursed as he
peered at the Hallmaster. "You didn't hear her?" He winced. "I
wouldn't suggest going in there, Master Thayde. She tried to get out
of her bed and her friend had to force her back down, not that it took
much force." He sighed. "But she's drinking some broth and I'm working
to get her strength back." He cleared his throat and went back to the
business at hand. "Master Thayde, she is most likely not going to be
able to go back to salvage work, at least not on deep dives without
extensive support if the damage is as bad as I fear it is."

Thayde's cheeks puffed up with air as he exhaled slowly, digesting
that bit of information. "She will be even less happy when she hears
that. She was working on her Master's project, involving deep diving
and bells."

"I've not said it. I'm hoping I'm wrong." His tone was clear, however,
that he believed he was correct. "I don't know much about what she was
doing, but surely if it's a sound idea in theory, perhaps it could be
tested in a more safe environment by someone else." The Healer rolled
his shoulders. "Of course, I'm hardly an expert."

**Tested by someone else….** Thayde stored that thought for later.

"We'll deal with that when we have to. I'll, uh, stay away for a bit.
I don't want to upset her any more than I already have, but I still
want daily reports."

Nodding the Healer cleared his throat. "If I might make a suggestion?
It may bring her comfort and soothe her if she was to see her baby
every day for a candlemark or so. The more stressed she is, the longer
it'll take for her to recover enough to leave the infirmary."

"If you think she is strong enough for that then I will make certain
Jalotha is brought by each day." Thayde agreed.

"Good. I do think it's important for her recovery and it won't overtax
her strength. I'll keep you informed about her health."

"Thank you." As the door to Jalodwyn's room began to open again,
Thayde quickly slipped away.

Last updated on the October 1st 2021

[Prev: Beards are Symbolic] Series: The Hallmaster's Ladies [Next: No More Chances]

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

What's Best for the Patient