The first thing Maevus felt  as she floated back toward consciousness was pain. Her entire body felt like she'd been through a sawmill. It hurt to even think about moving. But then she started hearing a voice nearby.

Wait. Not one voice, but two.

"That's it," the deeper voice said. "Let it move along the stem. Let it tell you what's wrong."

"It's hard," a smaller voice responded.

"Most things are, kiddo. Especially if they're worth somethin'."

Maevus pushed through the fog muddling her brain and managed to crack her eyes open. Sunlight immediately stabbed into her corneas, making her groan and close her eyes. The voices broke off and whatever she was lying on sagged on one side. She assumed it was a bed, though it was hard to focus on anything beyond the pain-riddled barriers of her body.

A warm hand rested on her forehead. "Fever's broke. I might have been getting worried, girlie."

Maevus braved opening her eyes again. A blurry figure loomed over her, blocking some of the sunlight. She tried to sit up, but a firm hand on her shoulder kept her down.

"Stay still, Maevus. You ran yourself clean down to nothing out there." The blurry figure resolved into winter-blue eyes in a tan, handsome face.

"Vraylor," she croaked, letting her eyes fall closed again. It felt so good not to move.

"Welcome back to the land of the living." He gently took her wrist, checking her pulse. Her heart felt heavy in her chest, each beat sluggish. Again she braved the sunlight, just to find a pair of big, green eyes peering over Vraylor's shoulder at her.

Sawyer offered a shy smile before ducking back behind the master.

She licked her dry lips, suddenly aware of how terribly thirsty she was. Before she could so much as ask for a sip of water, Vraylor slipped his arm behind her shoulders and helped her sit up. A glass touched her lips and she gulped greedily, her fingers covering Vraylor's as she clutched at the cup like she was afraid he'd take it away.

When the water was gone, he helped her sit up against the wall. Then he sat in a chair beside the bed, watching her intently. She stared back, noticing the shadows under his eyes.

"And here I thought you would've known better," he said after a long time.

Maevus frowned, though even that hurt. "What?"

The muscles in Vraylor's neck corded for a moment as his jaw clenched. "Korie told me what happened in Liron. Would you like to venture a guess as to how long you've been unconscious?"

"Judging by your tone, I don't think I wanna know," Maevus muttered, wanting to cross her arms but unable to muster the energy.

"Eight days," he said flatly.

Maevus grimaced. She'd only ever pushed her magic to the brink once before. After, she'd only been unconscious for two days as her magic replenished itself. Her well was much deeper now, after years of growth and three new dragons, so the rebound was far worse. As evidenced by the pain throbbing through her.

After a long silence, Vraylor said, "You might be lucky to be alive, Maevus."

She swallowed, not wanting to think about that. The slight note of worry in Vraylor's voice only served to rattle her nerves more, which she hated. She didn't like it when people were concerned for her. It wasn't something she was used to. Ignoring the scream of her muscles, she threw the blankets back and struggled to her feet, slapping Vraylor's hand away when he reached to steady her.

"Luck had nothing to do with it," she said, suddenly aware that she was in a nightgown she had never seen before. "I know my limits."

Vraylor sat back in his chair, lips pursing. Sawyer settled against the master's leg. A droopy tiger lily was held in his hands and Maevus could taste the green of his magic in the air. Her stomach suddenly growled.

Though he looked like he had more to say, Vraylor simply stood, helping Sawyer to his feet. "Get dressed and meet me downstairs. You can buy me dinner this time." Then he left, Sawyer trailing along in his wake.

Before the door shut, the little boy ran over and gave Maevus a quick hug. "Glad you're w-w-well," the boy said, a slight stammer catching at his words. Before Maevus could react, the boy darted out the door and Vraylor shut it behind them.

Almost as soon as they'd gone, Maevus' knees gave and she collapsed to the bed. Her chest hurt as she gasped for breath, paying a price for her moment of temper and pride. A soft knock made her look up.

"Maevus? Maevus, can I come in?" Korie's voice was faint through the door.

Surprise shot through Maevus. "Yeah," she called before she could consider it.

The door opened and the clanswoman crept into the room. She was in a simply cut, fawn-colored dress, her dark hair falling in soft curls down her back. She made a beeline straight to the chair and sat down.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice low. Her golden eyes were shadowed, her hands knotting together in her lap.

She was worried. About me? Maevus could do little more than blink, shocked by the idea. Why would she be worried about me? She barely even knows me!

"Gods, Maevus," Korie said, hanging her head. "We were so scared when you wouldn't wake up. We thought, well... Look, never mind. We're—I'm just really glad you're okay. If it hadn't been for me—"

"Don't," Maevus said, feeling horribly uncomfortable. "That's why I came, right? To get us out of any jams that might come with retrieving the ring?"

"Well...yes, but—"

"No buts," Maevus insisted. "I got paid, right?"

Korie nodded.

"Then it's fine. That's just our job, isn't it?"

"Well, yes. But that doesn't make it meaningless when one of us gets hurt! The whole guild's been worried for days. For a while we weren't sure you were gonna make it. Master said your reserves just started refilling yesterday."

"The whole guild?" Maevus asked blankly. That made even less sense than Korie or Vraylor being worried.

Korie frowned. "Yeah," she said slowly. "Maevus..."

"Could you help me get downstairs?" She cut the other woman off before she could say anything else that made Maevus uncomfortable.

"Um, I guess?" Korie stood with Maevus, reaching forward to steady her when she wobbled. "Do you need help getting dressed? I mean, you can barely stand, Maevus. Why do you want to go downstairs? You don't have to, you know."

Probably just to make a point, she thought, making a face at herself. "You said everyone was worried," she muttered, stumbling toward her dresser.

If Korie noticed, she didn't react. She just joined Maevus at the dresser, pulling open the top drawer with a smile twitching at her mouth. "I hope you don't mind, but Letya told me you didn't have really any other clothes. So I...I went and bought you some. As, you know, a thank you." She let out a giggle. "Everything but underthings. That seemed a bit too much of a thank you."

Maevus stared down in surprise at the riot of blues, greens, golds and purples stuffed into the dresser.

"We didn't really know what you liked to wear, so we got a few of everything. Dresses, trousers, vests and the like. If you don't like anything—"

"Thank you," Maevus breathed, pulling out a silky, long-sleeved, tie-neck blouse in royal blue. One drawer down she found a pair of fitted black trousers. Beside the dresser was a pair of new black boots with buttons on the sides that came up to her ankles.

For a moment, Maevus was completely overwhelmed. It had been a long time since she'd had such a friend—one who cared enough to buy her a gift, even a small one. The thought startled her, and she stared at Korie as the other woman helped her dress.

Yes, she realized. Friend. Their narrow escape had cemented it.

"It's so beautiful," she said, staring at herself in the mirror mounted on the wall beside the dresser. "Truly."

"Here. Let me do your hair," Korie offered with a shy smile. 

Perhaps the clanswoman felt the same camaraderie that she suddenly did? Maevus nodded and sat in her desk chair. Korie's hands were feather-light as she braided Maevus' hair into a rope down her back. Her stomach growled again and Korie helped her to her feet.

"Master really should have just let you eat in your room. I would have brought you something," Korie grumbled as they made their slow way down the stairs. A dull rumble of conversation washed over them as they passed the sound barrier protecting the upper levels from the chaos of the main floor.

"That's all right," Maevus murmured, keeping her eyes on the floor to avoid the curious gazes she could feel brushing against her.

Murmurs of "first job with the guild" and "nearly drained herself dry" floated along after them. Maevus gritted her teeth, knowing many of them probably thought she was just a kid who had overestimated herself.

"Kinai and I owe you for what you did, Maevus," Korie suddenly said, her voice fierce. "What you did, we know it wasn't just a mistake on your part. You did it so we could get back here."

The murmurs in their immediate vicinity hushed at that. Maevus bit her lip, the unfamiliar sensation of gratitude bubbling in her chest. It mixed unpleasantly with her discomfort, making her want to run from the room.

"I'll take her from here, Korie." Maevus looked up to find Vraylor had appeared in front of them. He offered his arm. "Gil's got our order already. Why don't you go find your brother, Korie?"

For a moment, Korie looked like she wanted to argue. Maevus felt she might as well face the music. She gave the clanswoman a smile. "Thanks again for the clothes."

Korie frowned at Vraylor for a moment, then nodded. "Come find us later, if you feel up to it, 'kay?"

"Sure," Maevus said, taking Vraylor's arm with reluctance and letting him lead her to a relatively quiet corner. They sat and Maevus leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms with a wince.

After a few moments of silence, Vraylor spoke. "Glad to see somethin' good came outta your little escapade."

"What do you mean?" Maevus furrowed her brow.

Vraylor nodded toward the room behind Maevus. "Friends are better than enemies, aren't they?"

"As a general rule," Maevus said dryly. They stopped talking for a moment as Gil brought their food.

"We're glad you're back safe, Maevus," the cook said, departing without giving her a chance to reply.

Maevus looked down at the plate in front of her. Steam rose in fragrant loops from a hearty serving of chicken pot pie. The crust was golden brown, bright green pieces of broccoli nestled in between tender chunks of chicken. Mouth watering, Maevus snatched up a fork and stabbed enthusiastically at the meal.

She lifted a bite to her mouth, then froze, narrowing her eyes at Vraylor. "I thought you said I was paying?"

"I put it on your tab," Vraylor said with a lazy grin. "You have one now that you have a bank account."

Maevus promptly choked on a bite of chicken. "A what?"

"We took the liberty of opening one with your earnings."

Maevus slammed her fork down on the table, completely speechless.

"A thank you will suffice," Vraylor said. "You were gonna need to open one anyway. Can't go walking around with a thousand gold coins in your pocket. That seems heavy. And noisy."

"You didn't have to do that," she finally muttered, unable to find an argument that wouldn't make her sound like a brat.

"This is your home now, Maevus," Vraylor started.

"No it isn't," she snapped, anger shooting through her at the assumption.

"And we're your family," he finished slowly. "If you'll let us be." He sat back in his chair, again regarding her with that thoughtful expression of his. He sighed. "It's where you eat, sleep, live. Where friends and potential friends are. If this guild isn't a home, then what is it?"

"A prison?" she offered, now stabbing reluctantly at her food.

A slamming sound followed by a sharp squeal made her jump and look up, alarmed. Vraylor had smacked his hands into the table and stood. His blue eyes flashed like lightning, his temper obviously getting the best of him in that moment.

Maevus was suddenly, horribly aware of how weak she still was.

Vraylor planted his hands on the table and leaned forward over her. "Look, Maevus," he said with an attempt at calm. "I understand you have a burr under your saddle about all this, but that is not the guild's fault. It's certainly not my fault. Or anyone else's here, for that matter. If you have a problem, take it up with the queen." Turning his back on her, he said, "I'd do somethin' about that burr before it rubs you raw."

Then he left her there alone, forced to think about what he'd just said.