A few days turned to weeks as Jex and Nimer slowly recovered. Ray had made frequent trips between their rooms to keep a close eye on their conditions, worried about the outcome. Jex didn't rest nearly as much as Nimer did, for their guide had remained comatose, fighting off a high fever that kept an infection away from his wound. By the end of the second week, the fever diminished. The swelling of Jex's eye was soon low enough that his bandages were removed. Ray was astonished at Jex's new appearance.
The white scar from the wound had formed above his left brow. It stood out prominently against his tan skin.
Ray ran her thumb over the scar examining it closely. "It'll take some getting used to, though it could be worse."
"Do I look rugged?" hoped Jex and Ray laughed.
"Rugged as can be," Ray smiled. Her eyes trailed to her leg that had been wrapped up after the incident. "I guess we both have new scars from this journey."
Jex smiled at Ray and her heart melted. They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment leaning in close only to be interrupted by a knock at the door. Ray bit back her frustration when Jex turned to the door.
"Come in," Jex answered.
The door slid open. Annabelle stood on the other side with two bowls of steaming food. She batted her eyes, tilting her head sideways. "Am I interrupting something? You two look as if you are about to smooch," she teased and entered, setting the food on the side table. "That's an impressive, handsome scar. Makes you look manly and tough…" She trailed off, feeling Ray's eyes on her. She smiled at the farm girl smugly.
"That's what Ray said," Jex commented.
Annabelle giggled. "You'll get many girls swooning over you I'm sure of it."
"Are you Nimer's sister?" Ray asked, suddenly taking hold of Jex's hand.
Annabelle rose to her toes and spun just right to where her dress swayed at her ankles. She placed a hand on her chest and boasted. "I am. I'm not as powerful as he is but I'm still magical."
"Did you awaken already?" Jex asked curiously.
"I did," Annabelle exclaimed excitedly like a child. "I'm a witch. I even have a black cat but he ran away from me." She exaggerated a pout then sighed. "I can't find him anywhere!"
"Well, I'm terribly sorry to hear that," Jex commented.
"Oh, it's no big deal," she smiled. "Oh that reminds me, I had good news."
"News?"
The girl smiled, "Your worthy guide woke up last night. It was so good to see Kitten awake!"
Jex and Ray stared blankly at the girl. "K-kitten?"
"Oh," the girl flushed and played with the chain of her necklace around her neck. "I call Nimmy Kitten sometimes. He absolutely hates it."
Jex and Ray glanced at each other, the seriousness falling from their faces as the two started to laugh.
Annabelle twirled a piece of her hair mischievously. "I'm so glad you are amused," she cooed. "He's so serious all the time. I have to make fun of him somehow. But I just wanted to inform you he should be up soon." She placed a finger under Jex's jaw. "If you ever need anything handsome, don't hesitate to ask," she said with a wink. And with that she gracefully glided to the door and soon disappeared down the hall humming to herself.
Ray watched her go wearily and turned to Jex. "Well, she's nice."
Jex merely shrugged. "Agreed, now where were we?" he said, turning to Ray and pulled her close. Giggles and light laughter followed.
The next morning Jex and Ray finally set foot outside the room they had been staying in for the first time in weeks and explored the home. It appeared more like a temple. Statues of the various light gods stood in every corner. Paintings adorned several walls and small trees in pots were scattered about in the temple. Many rooms like the one they were staying in lined the halls and some locked doors blocked entrance to others. Walking out into the dining room, they marveled how vast and large it was.
Together they walked hand in hand admiring the temple and its glory. They took many turns till they stopped at the door their guide slumbered behind before knocking gently on the wooden door frame. Footsteps came from the other side and the door slid open. Nimer stood in the open door way bound in bandages and wearing a robe of sorts. The lacerations that once littered his skin appeared as faint bruises. He looked flushed like he still had a fever. Though his expression had not changed from the Nimer that they had grown to know. He stared dully from Ray to Jex and uttered, "Oh good, you're awake."
"I've been awake for a while," Jex said laughing.
"I'm so happy you're alive, Nimer," Ray stated. She would not admit out right she had been worried for his condition. She was still unsure of him, but, for Jex's sake, she was polite.
Nimer waved her off. "Yes, why wouldn't I make it? I'm alive, let's move on," Turning to Jex he eyed the scar on his forehead. "How are you feeling?"
"Swell," answered the farm boy. "I don't feel much different."
Nimer arched his brow. "You are lucky the shard didn't kill you,," he said and turned walking into his room. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news but we cannot stay here long. We must find your shard."
"Oh, that small thing? I told the elf he could keep it," Jex answered.
Nimer dulled. "He can't keep it. It is part of the key to the kingdom. Without it, he has the power to awaken Ravathor."
"Oh, right, Ravathor," Jex said quietly, remembering now what Serane had told them.
Ray slowly took hold of Jex's hand. "Nimer would know, Jex. He has sixty shards out of the eighty we need to collect."
Jex's eyes grew wide,"Sixty out of eighty?!"
In the midst of their distraction, Nimer had dressed himself and pulled on the collar of his coat. And admired himself in the mirror in his room. He pulled back his hair into a ponytail with a small leather string and groomed his beard with his fingers. "They are my prize," Nimer added, walking past them. "We need to find them, and quickly."
"Aren't you still sick?" Ray questioned.
"That's none of your concern," Nimer growled and started down the hallway. "Go get dressed. I would like to leave as soon as possible."
Jex and Ray glanced at each other, Jex placing a hand by his mouth to whisper to Ray. "I think his fever is making him delusional."
Ray nodded in agreement.
Unfortunately, snow rolled into Gurdon from the north, snowing the three in. They could not travel with the weather. In the meantime, the three healed well, recovering from their wounds. Alec and his family proved hospitable, feeding and treating Jex and Ray with kindness and generosity. They listened to various stories of the kingdom and the travels they made to get to Zanaih years ago. Even Nimer shared a few, having been the one to lead them there. There were tales of dragons, goblins, ogres, and the many things they would see in the days to come on the roads.
On the fourth day, Ray and Jex sat bundled in blankets on the porch of the temple watching the snow, caudling warm mugs of tea. The thickness of the snow muffled any image of forest scenery from their perch, not giving them much to look at besides the unique buildings of Gurdon. Jex looked up to the sky at each tiny flake trying to count them as Ray laughed when he lost count after sixty. The two were startled by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Jex whirled around to see Nimer standing behind him.
"Good morning," Jex greeted him.
"Good morning. I hate to interrupt your morning tea but I have something both of you may enjoy. A surprise if you will," Nimer answered.
"A surprise?" Jex asked with curiosity.
"I will show you." Nimer motioned for the two to follow.