Rhainnon first took Rosalea to see the barn. It was the biggest structure within sight - which was a really large barn. Tall enough to accommodate the dragon, with a length and width that made Rosalea think some noble’s homes might be able to fit within it. Similar to the castle and Rhainnon’s cottage, Rhainnon took them through smaller doors imbedded within larger doors. Once they were inside, Rosalea was impressed by how clean everything really was. The barn smelled strongly of fresh straw and hay. There was a partial loft around the building, where stacks of straw were kept. Along the pens that had doors to the outside, there were stacks of hay just outside of reach of sheep and goats, though Rosalea could see some of them testing if they could press themselves far enough between fence slats to reach. All these resources and animals… I suppose the dragon must be supporting a lot of people on a castle with lands more extensive than anyone might expect. Plus, I am sure the towns are contributing financially in a variety of ways.

“You look a little overwhelmed. It is all pretty big, right?”

Rosalea nodded. “How much do you all have to work to maintain it?”

Rhainnon smiled, “Not as much as you might think. Most people do a shift between one meal and another and take a long break with snacks. Then they finish out with another few hours. The spring will be a little hard, when shearing needs to happen, but most of the year most of us have a lot of time to ourselves. It will be a lot easier than just you and me trying to work my father’s farm.”

Rosalea wondered what Ian was even doing these days without even his child to help him, but she did not say anything about it aloud. “I see,” she said, trying to take in the massive size of everything.

Then, as Rosalea realized that she was analyzing and thinking, she paused, bracing herself. It felt like half the time when she was thinking freely, the dragon was somewhere nearby overhearing it. But, she could not see him, and she hope he was still busy with the people that had been gathered around him.

“Can you get a straw bale down? I want to throw some more into the pen with the young goats, it looks a little thin, and they get cold easy.” Rosalea nodded and moved toward one of the ladders to climb into the loft. Rhainnon looked confused. “You’re not using your magic?”

“I cannot use it currently; the, there is still a seal on it.” Rosalea corrected herself to make sure she did not just disparage the dragon outright.

“Oh,” Rhainnon said. “Sorry, I forgot.” She moved forward and put her hand on Rosalea’s shoulder. “You’ll start to feel better soon!”

Rosalea put on her best smile and nodded. She climbed up and scooted along the loft, “This pen?” she pointed.

“Yes!” Rhainnon grinned. Rosalea pulled the strings off a bale and pushed down the straw in a rain of golden stalks, which razzed the cute young goats and had them running and bleating. Rosalea climbed down again.

“So, this is our impressive barn, let me show you the pastures. Every one of them can link back to the barn.” When Rosalea came outside, she saw that fences came to narrow alleys that linked up to different animal-sized doors into the barn. Rhainnon explained that two pens were for goats, one was for horses, and the other four were sheep for various ages. “There is another set of pastures elsewhere in Kaylar’s manor that are for other types of livestock, but we do not have to look after them. I have heard there are hoards of cute little ducklings in the spring. We should go see them!”

Rosalea nodded and smiled. After that, they spent time touring the storage and processing buildings. The three old ladies were in the main processing area, with a nice fire stoked up and plenty of candles lit.

“So, you finally got Mero out of here?” said the oldest woman. “‘Bout time. So mopey,” she cackled.

Rhainnnon smiled and nodded. “I will invite her back sometime, so we can see how she is.”

A different old lady pointed a spindle at Rosalea, “This one really gonna replace her? Rosalea, was it? Skinny with a fancy name, is she gentle-bred? Does she know how to work?”

Rosalea was not sure how to react. Most people were preoccupied about her eyes, she’d never been called out for looking noble.

“She was a wanderer,” Rhainnon said brightly. “We were friends before I came, and she works very hard.”

“Ahh,” said the first old woman. “And here I was wondering about all the obvious favoritism.”

“I dunno,” said the second one again. “Does she know what a bossy little lady you are?”

“She’ll find out now!” said the third one.

Rhainnon sighed dramatically and mock-pouted with a hand on her hip, “Now, don’t go telling her that. She has to live with me!”

There was some cackling, as if the old ladies found something about the situation completely hilarious, and Rosalea just felt lost and like her face was getting pretty pink based on how warm it felt.

Afterwards, they showed Rosalea how they processed the wool and made different threads, and she found herself having a good time and forgetting where she was for a moment. She was also relieved that despite the apparent obvious favoritism, no one held it against her.

By the time they got back to Rhainnon’s home, Rosalea was exhausted all the way to her bones. She could barely bring herself to eat before she just crawled into her bed and fell asleep on the soft pillows.

The next day, she followed Rhainnon around and tried to do what work she could, but she was soon fatigued, even more easily than the day before. Rhainnon sent her back to prepare food and just rest, and Rosalea felt so nauseated by the smell of food she almost could not bear to prepare anything. There was a full feeling, like every muscle in her body had energy to expel, but when she tried to move around or do anything, her head spun and she felt paralyzed. I cannot explain why, but I feel like my magic is the cause, like it has nowhere to go inside me somehow.

***

Kaylar landed on the hill and summoned Rhainnon. He hoped that the news would be good. He felt a little optimism as he felt she was eager to see him.

“Rosalea gets so tired, Master Kaylar,” she said as she came up the hill. Kaylar detected a lot of concern in her mind as she stood before him and bowed. “She can’t help it. Are you certain that she is well?” Don’t forget to ask about the seal.

Kaylar was a little disappointed that her eagerness came from her worry. “She has had a hard time recovering from the poison. I have had a seal on her magic since then, to help ensure that she does not overextend herself.” Kaylar decided to just incorporate an answer to her unasked question.

“Magic is connected to life, right?” Rhainnon asked after considering what he said for a moment.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Kaylar nodded. Rhainnon instantly looked like the seal made sense to her and was no longer concerned about it. “I brought her here because she is a healer, and she helped to save your life. However, I have no healer for her until you get liana since that part of your magic hasn’t developed yet.”

“Is it because Rosalea is Ieshan that she can heal without one? Or is her magic just better developed because she is a bit older?”

Kaylar paused. “You say she is Ieshan?”

Rhainnon nodded, “Well, yes. She was a servant for a noble. She knows all kinds of things about their society, and she’s completely formal all the time.”

Rosalea became an impossibility the more Kaylar let the idea she was Ieshan sink in. He had been under the assumption she had been a rogue Uryan that had wandered through. How could Ieshans have possibly let her go? She is exactly what they would want for that prophecy of theirs. That would make her able to hear animals…

Something else clicked into place about how sensitive she was to his own vitae-mind magic. He remembered thinking when they first met that some of her mannerisms reminded him of Ieshans, but the idea that any dual-blooded person with all that magic wasn’t currently in an Ieshan castle made no sense at all to him.

He focused on Rhainnon for now, and answered her question. “It is because her magic is a little more developed than yours, yes,” he answered. “When I look into your magic, I see your strong imber magic, but I do not see any of your vitae magic developed. It will come with your liana, likely. Rosalea is also Uryan, though, it is just her magic is developing… likely because she is also Ieshan.”

“What? Really?” Rhainnon’s eyes sparkled as she took in this information. “She didn’t get a chance to tell me that before!” Kaylar smiled. The way Rhainnon saw Rosalea warmed his heart toward the stubborn teenage monster. Rhainnon became more serious, “But, how do I help her? What do we do?”

“Let her do what she can and rest as much as she needs. I will be here to check in everyday. She was becoming frustrated by being kept at the castle, so I brought her here a little early. I hoped that activity and fresh air would help her.”

Rhainnon nodded. “She was never one for being cooped up long. In a sense, I was surprised she knew what a bed was for, last night.” Rhainnon was smiling. “Also! She takes a long time to warm up to anyone. I notice she gets really tense when you are around.”

Kaylar nodded. “Like Mero, there is still work to be done before we can understand each other. You were also afraid of me once.”

“Well, that is because I did not understand how things work.” I am going to see what I can find out and try to help, Rhainnon resolved.

Kaylar was glad that it seemed Rhainnon did not know how much Rosalea hated him. He was glad that Rosalea did not seem intent on destroying Rhiannon’s relationship with him in an effort to make her own feelings understood. Or just complaining to her to win her over entirely. “I will check in again tomorrow. I have also brought these,” he said, summoning a bundle of clothes and some proper work boots. “Please let me know if you need anything else.”

Rhainnon nodded and after he took a moment to cuddle her, she went back down the hill. She was also still thin, but improving every day. She was so warm and open and kind that it was easy for Kaylar to love her. Even if it did come at the cost of Rosalea being an ever present puzzle and nuisance to him. Noble training and she still calls me sir. He huffed.

***

Rhainnon knew Kaylar was used to being able to help people like him quickly, or at least help them feel safe. It was evident that he and Rosalea were having a hard time connecting. She wanted to help fix this, and most of all, she wanted Rosalea to start getting better.

So, over the course of the next week, she kept Rosalea to simple jobs, and in the evenings she would talk with her about Kaylar. It brought a whole new side of Rosalea to the light. I knew she was keeping secrets before, but I always thought that they were painful things that were hard to talk about. But each time Rosalea managed to deflect her and get them distracted about some other topic, she started to understand something that she did not like.

Rosalea knew a lot more about Rhainnon than Rhainnon knew about her. She was guarded and did not seem like she actually trusted anyone, and it made Rhainnon feel like she didn’t feel the same level of friendship as she did. The things Rosalea had hid from Rhainnon before now had been in the past, about things that could not really impact either of them, but this was impacting them here and now.

Tonight, I am not going to let her get around me how she always does, Rhainnon resolved. She freezes up and gets weird every time Kaylar comes, and she is clearly miserable because she doesn’t trust anyone. Why can’t she see us the way we see her? So, Rhainnon pep-talked herself all afternoon not to let it go. She was going to find out why she acted like she was holding the world’s biggest grudge and get her to act like she could trust her friend.

***

Rosalea had wandered off after Rhainnon excused her from the pathetically few chores she had to carry out. These few chores completely wore her out.

Rosalea sat on the hill, as far down toward the forest as the bonds of the spell would allow her to go. She was about eight feet away from the nearest tree. She had started being careful not to allow Rhainnon to touch her because her skin was physically hot. She knew it was because the grass felt like ice against her palms, even though it was brown and dry in the fall air. Even with all her extra layers, she was cold and sweaty.

It is my magic, she thought putting her head in her arms on her knees. I always knew that I loved to be near the trees and in the forest, and part of nature. I always knew that if I went long without it, I would come to crave it. But now… She lay back in the grass, feeling a slight breeze whip her with the icy strands. It is killing me.

Rhainnon had spent all this time fishing, but Rosalea had counter-fished. She had asked for the dragon to remove her seal. That earned an explanation that Kaylar knew what he was doing and said he would not take the seal off of her until she was better. It can only mean that he is trying to kill me or get me close to it, she thought as she stared out into the trees. She flopped backwards into the grass, feeling like blades of ice were stabbing through her clothes. She lay there, feeling the breeze, watching the clouds, listening to the far off cry of an owl woken too early in the day. She watched the sky darken and knew the sun was going to set soon.

Rhainnon was waiting for her when she got to the house. “Have a nice walk?”

Rosalea nodded softly and sat down. Rhainnon dished up food, though it should have been Rosalea’s job to prepare it. Rosalea thanked her for it. “I am sorry, I should have gotten in sooner.”

Rhainnon smiled and shook her head no. “I can cut you a little slack, you know. You have been so ill.” Rosalea looked away. Rhainnon was giving her truly distressed looks. “Really, I have never seen anyone so thin. Promise me you’ll eat the whole bowl of stew tonight.”

Rosalea nodded slowly. “I will try, Rhainnon.”

Rhainnon fidgeted. Rosalea slowly began eating, one slow spoonful at a time. It was not pleasant, each swallow felt like a rock hitting her stomach.

“Rosalea, I feel like you are avoiding answering my questions about Kaylar.”

Rosalea was instantly annoyed. Stupid dragon, making Rhainnon act as a spy for him. Stupid Rosalea, for being such a willing friend to a spy. “I do not mean to,” she lied in mild tones.

Rhainnon was silent. “Kaylar told me today to remind you that you can ask him for anything you need. He is very concerned about you. Can I relay any message to him? Anything you want?”

She took her fifth spoonful of stew and knew her stomach would take no more. Rosalea shook her head. “I have asked for the only thing that I want. Anything else I want, the dragon will never grant. Please do not ask me again.” Rosalea felt faint. Her stomach was turning over. She pushed the bowl away and stood up. “Rosalea, wait,” Rhainnon said as Rosalea moved for the door to go outside. Rosalea paused and looked back. Rhainnon met her eyes, and shook her head. “Nevermind.”

Rosalea went outside.

***

Rhainnon’s eyes burned. She waited until she saw Rosalea’s silhouette vanish. Her emotions got the better of her for a second as she slapped the table. She looked at her smarting palm. Suddenly, she felt she knew what was happening. She played with the wrong herbs, she said, Rhainnon thought, thinking of the positively nasty scar across Rosalea’s left hand. She poisoned herself. That didn’t work, and she can’t overuse her magic, so she just will not eat. The timing of Rosalea refusing out right to ask for anything, to explain anything, and then abandoning her dinner made it all so obvious. What good is freedom if you are willing to kill yourself to get it? You are so stupid!!

Rhainnon was surprised as Rosalea returned suddenly. She wiped her face, and Rhainnon caught a glimmer of redness. Rosalea sat back down and ate a few more spoonfuls of stew. Rhainnon was silent and stared at her. Then, Rosalea did really seem to finish, and she went to her bed and pulled the covers up over her bed and made it clear she was blocking Rhainnon out entirely.

Rhainnon frowned. Then, she took a deep breath, and she picked up a long and thin stone that looked a little like a wand. She wrote upon a stone panel by the door. Can Kaylar come? I need to talk to him. Can he come to the barn?

She had never summoned Kaylar before, and though she could not see the writing she had traced onto the board, it was supposed to be connected to a board in Kaylar's castle. Someone would see it and get Kaylar for her.

A few minutes, she was relieved as words glowed on the stone. He is coming. Rhainnon passed the writing wand over it and the words faded as she erased them. She set it down and got her cloak and a lantern to go outside and wait for him.