After the Crone

*Many hours after the affair in the town square*

"Maester?  Are you all right, Maester Ronnel?"

Assistant Brownie's voice cuts through the haze and headache like a hammer through stone. No light shines through the window, so it is night or very early morn.

"Shh... head hurts."

"The Lady's worried, she want to know you're awake."

"Wh... what happened?"

"The crone... you, well..."

"Never mind, I remember.  I was right the first time.  Spiteful bi... woman."

"The dream... so real."

"Dream Maester?"

"Never mind.  You may take word to the Lady that I am awake and awake, just that.  Has anyone new come in?"

Brownie shows him to the bed where a young boy lies with a high fever but shows no signs of life beyond being overly warm.  His brow and limbs are covered with cool, wet towels.

"Good work, Brownie.  Let's get more towels though.  I want him completely covered until the fever breaks.  We will change the towels fifteen minutes or if they become warm before then."

Brownie moves to discharge his duties, but the haunted look on the Maester's face gives him little confidence.  He sends a page off to Lady Corrine to inform her the Maester is up and working.

It did not take long for the Lady to make an appearance. She hurried to the Maester's side, her expression still one of anxiety.

"Ronnel, are you alright? That was quite a fall you took in town."

He nods, but his pallor and haunted expression belie this affirmation and he busies himself with some mixture or other.

"You look like you saw a ghost. Come on, talk to me. What happened?"

"I don't know. It was terrible. I have never been so afraid in my life and I have been afraid most of my life. A dream woke me... it was awful. But now I only remember that all was white."

She gently held his arm, attempting to soothe him.

"You are safe. What do you mean, all was white? You could not see, you mean?"

"No.. no. I am not safe! She is here!" he points to his temple. "I could not see, but I was not blind. Everything around me was white. I... cannot say more, my Lady. I do not understand it and do not know how to explain it."

"And it was Crinda's doing? Gods, I wish I hadn't let her away with scaring you. Bitter old hag."

"There was nothing anyone could do, I think, short of killing her. I am... the Gods... but no. I must consider this, Lady. Only... only through knowledge can ignorance and fear be conquered. I am afraid, because I don't know what is happening. With your permission, i would send a raven to Oldtown. no... that will not do. They may call me back and then you would have no Maester at all, not even a poor foolish one.""

She gave him a brief, gentle hug.

"You're not going anywhere. I forbid it. The children would never forgive me if I let you leave us. Take heart, dear Ronnel. I cannot take away your fear. I wish I could. But I can remind you that you are greatly liked and valued by this House. Some of us owe our lives to you, myself included. You are far more than any cruel things that woman says to you."

He smiles and blushes at the hug, grateful for her time and kind words.  "I would hate to leave House Marsten, Lady.  While we Maesters are sworn to houses and not individuals of that house, it is not uncommon that we become... fond of those we care for." he smiles, but it is a timid, shaky thing.  "The children... yes.  I should miss them most of all.  It is good to be appreciated."

He paces a bit, something he almost never does.  While many scholars at the Citadel and people in general are active thinkers, in that they pace or speak to themselves, Ronnel is, or was, not.  Even deep in thought on difficult problems, Ronnel is a quiet thinker, oft completely motionless whether sitting or standing.  Many have mistakenly though him asleep on his feet.

"There is something very wrong about all this.  Not just the obvious, of course.  There was real power behind her words, Lady.  Already my dreams are... odd.  She said she wanted me to know what she knows, what the Old Gods have shown her..."  he looks up suddenly as if seeing Corrine for the first time in days.

"I think will immerse myself in my work, my Lady.  I think that will help.  I am glad that you came today.  Your support is most welcome."

"Very well. Let me know if I can assist you. I think I will speak with Crinda again soon. I want to know what she wants. I want to try and understand what is happening."