[Theodred21]

Taradan was having a nightmare.

He was walking slowly through a forest. He seemed to be walking through a thick fog. All of a sudden he heard the beat of a horse's gallop behind him, and he began to run. But his legs seemed to be stuck in place, and he remained rooted to the spot.

Now it seemed as if he had turned around, and was facing the direction from where the horse seemed to be coming. But now, the sound of the hoofbeats were everywhere, and getting louder. And suddenly, the mist cleared, and the rider came into clear view. It was his father, only his face was distorted in pain, and he was covered in blood. He called Taradan's name in a low moan, and Taradan wanted to help him, but when he tried to move, he stayed rooted, and when he tried to call to him, no sound came out of his mouth.

Then everything dissolved, and one last image appeared, a giant wooden club swinging for his head....

Taradan woke with a start. His long black hair was wet with sweat, and it coursed over his pale face. He sat up, and immediately the throbbing pain in his head came back.

"Sir, please lay down at this instant, how do you expect to get better if you keep sitting up that quick?"

As he tried to regulate his breathing, Taradan looked to see the silloutte of an women beside him. She lit a lamp, and as his eyes adjusted to the bright light, noticed that she carried some poultices, and was old and ugly. After a moment, the face registered in his mind, and he recalled the healer who had been treating him earlier. He lay back, and she applied the poultice. It stung, but if it reduced the pain, Taradan was willing to bear it.