(no subject)

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Look, it's a Cuthbert!

More specifically, it's a Cuthbert stretched out on the couch by the fire, with a mug of coffee and a bowl of fried paradoxes within easy reach. The "within easy reach" seems to be the key phrase in that statement, considering that even if he felt like trying to get up, Susan's stationed in a chair not far off.

He doesn't look bad, for someone who took a bullet to the gut two days ago.

Comments

[honest-johns.livejournal.com]

Alain comes over, Moiraine Sedai following behind him.

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert straightens up as much as he can, nodding to her.

"Lady Moiraine. Long days and pleasant nights."

[sai_delgado]

Susan uncurls quickly from her chair and moves to stand by Cuthbert, echoing,

"Long days and pleasant nights, Lady."

[blue_ajah]

"And may you have twice the number."

The Aes Sedai has a journal in the crook of her arm, and the look she directs at Cuthbert is thoughtful.

"I understand that you have been injured, in recent events." A pause. "May I offer you Healing?"

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert nods again. "If you would, Lady, I would be grateful."

[blue_ajah]

"Remain still, then."

Gracefully, Moiraine kneels beside the couch and sets the journal on the floor before her. She takes his hand in both of hers and grows very still, concentrating.

Golden light bursts into a corona around her, and silver threads flash over him, seeking injury. They are followed by a swirl of blue-white mixed with green, which wraps itself around his torso like a band and then sinks in, disappearing.

The light fades, and Moiraine releases him, then rises, lifting the journal as she does.

"I have done what I might."

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert blinks, but otherwise remains still. When Moiraine rises, he sits up experimentally, then pokes at the place under his ribs where the wound was. With his other hand, he taps his throat three times.

"My thanks, Lady."

[sai_delgado]

"Thankee-sai, Lady Moiraine."

It's soft, but clear-- witch or not, Susan knows, knows very well indeed, that this woman was trusted by Roland.

...

"Lady-sai. Ye-- ye know. Ye've-- ye've heard? Someone told ye?"

[honest-johns.livejournal.com]

Something in Alain's posture that's been tense for two days has just relaxed.

[blue_ajah]

"I was here when River returned."

The serene tone is very quiet.

"But thank you, Susan." Moiraine pauses, looking at the three of them.

"In fact, I suspect that I am aware of something that you are not."

Another pause, and then she says simply,

"He reaches it."

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

It's a good thing Moiraine healed Cuthbert first and shared this news later, because he sits bolt upright at her words.

His eyes gleam.

[honest-johns.livejournal.com]

There's a sudden, taut intensity to Alain.

And his eyes, too, gleam. Fierce and proud.

[sai_delgado]

Susan clasps both trembling hands in front of her, almost as though she is praying, and the look on her face is one of sudden hope and heartbreak and clear, shining love.

[blue_ajah]

She looks around at all three of them, and nods.

"I thought you would wish to know."

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

For a moment, Cuthbert's eyes are full of more emotions than can be counted. He looks down for a moment, takes a deep breath, and then looks up again, composed.

"I--We--thankee-sai, Lady."

[honest-johns.livejournal.com]

Low, echoing Cuthbert, "Thankee-sai."

[blue_ajah]

Susan simply nods, silently, eyes wide.

Moiraine nods as well. "You are welcome."

A pause. "Is there anything else, before I leave you?"

It is not often that the Aes Sedai offers to answer questions, if that is what she is in fact offering. Still, she lingers for a moment, watching them.

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

And for a moment, Cuthbert just sits there, trying to pull himself out of his thoughts. Then,

"Oh--if it's not an inconvenience, lady-sai, Alain was hurt, too--has he spoken to you about seeing to that?"

His tone indicates he wouldn't be surprised if Alain had overlooked his own wound in favor of Cuthbert's.

[blue_ajah]

"He did not mention it, no."

She turns to Alain, and her tone is perfectly composed, if a touch dry.

"May I offer you Healing?"

[honest-johns.livejournal.com]

Alain had, frankly, forgotten about it in the last few moments, with her news. And, before that, figured he'd ask after Cuthbert's far more serious wound was healed.

Now, he looks slightly rueful. "Aye, lady, and thankee-sai."

[blue_ajah]

She inclines her head, and holds out a hand to him, taking his.

Once again there is a golden glow, followed by silver racing over him; and then this time, the swirling mesh of color that settles over his ribs is blue-green shot through with streaks of red that flash like Fire.

It sinks in, and the injuries fade and vanish. Moiraine releases him and saidar in the same motion.

"I have done what I may." A pause. "And if there is nothing else, then I shall take my leave of you for the present, I think."

[honest-johns.livejournal.com]

He's very still, for a moment, as what feels like a wave of icy water crashes through him and is gone.

And, in its wake, painless healing.

His hand falls. He smiles at her, and a welter of emotions shows through briefly -- but gratefulness, uppermost. For healing both of them, and for her word of Roland.

Quietly, "Thankee-sai."

[sai_delgado]

"Thankee-sai, Lady," Susan adds softly. "For-- for everything."

[blue_ajah]

Cuthbert nods in agreement with the others, and Moiraine inclines her head slightly.

"Then I shall wish you a pleasant evening. Light illumine and protect you."

She glides away, back to the booth.

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

For a moment after Moiraine leaves, Cuthbert just sits there.

Then, without a word, he holds out both hands.