Thread: The Witch and the Alchemist (closed)

Abigail's eyes widened at what the girl had said. What had happened while she'd been gone? It had only been a few minutes! She didn't doubt the seriousness of what the girl had gone through and now realized the reason for Landon's exhaustion. She glanced at him where he sat in the chair she'd forced him into, his head tipped back slightly and his eyes closed. He'd looked haggard enough this morning in court, obviously a sign of having fallen asleep at his work table again, but now he looked absolutely beat. Sometimes the man had no sense. What good was it saving people's lives if he collapsed on top of them while tending to them? He needed to take care of himself before he tried to do so for anyone else and she intended to have a talk with him about it later. As Dorelia continued to speak, Abigail turned to her again and smiled reassuringly. The old woman was not the most pious in observing religious ceremonies, but she did have faith and respect for the spiritual world. And that included, much to Lan's chagrin, a belief in the near-death experiences some people had when brought back from dying. She smiled with a wondering and openly curious look on her face as Dorelia recounted what she'd been through. Her smile hovered on her face at mention of the baby's crying that the woman had heard. Dorelia may not have known what it meant, but Abigail had a pretty good idea. Even as she looked at the girl, she could see that familiar glow that pregnant women tended to get, and with how much she believed in Dorelia's experience, she knew that also meant the young woman was pregnant. But then, it was one of those things, that it might not be the best time to tell her yet. After all she'd learned about the time of her memory lapse, it would be difficult to swallow just one more thing. Besides, she had no proof to offer other than her own intuition and experience of being around and dealing with pregnant women. I am surprised to hear you've been through so much, she began, regaining the strength back in her smile. I was only gone for a few minutes... There was an unasked question as she glanced at Lan again, but he didn't seem to be paying attention. When she turned back to Dorelia, she sat on the edge of the bed next to her and spoke in low, yet excited tones to her. I have heard of many people having experiences like yours. And almost always in people's tellings, there are loved ones who've passed on waiting for us, to guide us back and to comfort us. It always reconfirms my faith that our spirits live on after death and that where we go to after is a wonderful, comforting place. Another plane of existence where our souls live on forever. It makes me feel better to know that death isn't the end. Lan was slowly coming back to himself and heard snippets of the conversation the women were having. Finally hearing the last few sentences Abigail said, he opened his eyes and looked at her, a small disgruntled frown on his face. When she stopped talking, he coughed derisively and looked away. Of course, he'd only interrupted her but she did not like his attitude towards her faith recently. If you've got nothing worthwhile to add, Lan, she said not looking at him, but frowning as she fiddled with the blankets on the bed. Then maybe it's best if you just stay quiet. She looked at him and the little frown he gave her meant he intended to take up her challenge and say something, but she took advantage of his still somewhat weakened state and jumped in before he could utter even a word. We all already know you're mad at God. No need to repeat yourself or cough snootily when others express their faith. By her tone, she was angry and it was the first time there had been any open hostility between them in a long time. There was tensio9n in the air as they stared at each other, Abigail frowning tight-lipped and Lan looking a bit wide-eyed like he couldn't believe she'd talked to him like that. Suddenly, the urge to be away from her overwhelmed him and although somewhat still weak, he was able to stand. Without looking at either of the women he stalked out of the room. Abigail flushed and rolled her eyes after he'd gone, feeling somewhat bad at treating him so harshly, but she knew if she didn't he'd see it as an opening to argue points with her. And she wasn't in the mood. They'd had plenty of discussions about religion before and he was always right no matter what and if she believed in the slightest thing that couldn't be proven then he asserted she was being silly and ignorant. She knew he was having trouble with Father Justin lately and struggling with his own faith, but it was no reason to take it out on her. She cleared her throat and tried to smile at Dorelia, but saw the question in her eyes. I've not met many men in the medical profession, she said after a long pause, choosing her words carefully. But from what I can tell, dealing with the sick and the dying over a long period of time does something to a man. All of the doctors I've known have been in a crises of faith because of what they had to do on a day-to-day basis. She ended it there, not wishing to get more specific and hoping that it explained what was wrong with Lan. She smiled again, trying to change topics smoothly. What do you say we get you in these clean clothes I brought you? And she took the gown draped over her shoulder and started to unfold it.