Tobi kept the wounded senior mage company.  The young man always seemed to have a ready smile even though both of them had been through various dark situations.  Arn slowly felt his strength returning.  This was not his first time in an infirmary and his body seemed to heal quicker ever time he had endured Magicka Shock.  This was the term for when a mage had strained his magic use past safe levels.  The effect could range from exhaustion, to muscular pain and tear even loss of consciousness or death. 

The more severe the shock the longer it took a person to recover.  This recovery time was also based on how acclimated the body was to such prolonged exposures.  Like training your body, the more you pushed your limits the longer your magic use could be and the faster the healing.  Arn had been dangerously delved into how much he was able to endure and had found himself many a time waking up looking at the over head lights of the Academy’s medical room. 

Normally, he would have passed the time reading a book regarding some obscure research or evangelical doctrine that could help him better practice his magic art.  However,  since Tobi joined the Shooting Stars, the young man had been closer to him than his shadow.  Arn had tried to dissuade him by any means necessary but the young man seemed to either not care or not notice.  Arn had finally sat the boy down and had a long talk with him regarding his desire to be alone.  Tobi had merely replied that Arn was very much a legend not only in orphanages but also in the Cauldron.  He had survived the longest and had achieved the most.  Especially epic, had been Arn turning down a position in the capital as a Royal Mage and his refusal of being an officer in the Shooting Stars.  

By all accounts, in the eyes of the destitute Arn was a hero.  This had made the senior mage sick to his stomach.  He had never wanted to be a role model.  He had no goal and no aim.  He had only turned down the position because he wanted to practice all his theories in combat.  It was hard to do that in the confines of the court.  He also hated the political aspect of rank.  He wanted to be in the front lines.  Yet, even he knew that the troops held him in higher esteem than their actual Captain who was a minor noble trying to climb through the military ranks.  

Arn had figured that sooner or later this would come and bite him in the ass.  He had too much influence on the troops and his most recent escapade had ruffled more than a few feathers in his mage hierarchal structure. Or so Tobi had been telling him. 

[color=00aeef]“Man, boss, you should have seen the Cap’s reaction when I told him you had been hand picked by the Knight Captain to do a raid.”[/color]  The young man shrugged his shoulders apologetically as Arn  gave him a severe look. 

 [color=00aeef]“Yeah, I know you told him not to tell him but how could I pass up the opportunity” [/color] A mischievous smile spread across the young scarred face.  [color=00aeef]“Man, he turned all shades of the rainbow and cursed better than any one I had met in the slums.  He swore he would kill you himself if you returned alive.” [/color] A slight shadow crossed the boy’s face.  [color=00aeef]“You almost did not make it.  The docs had their hands full with you.”[/color]  He chuckled,  [color=00aeef]“Shit, the only one worse off than you was that young lady over there…”[/color]

The young man was cut off by her sudden outburst.  Arn and he looked at each other concerned.  Their concerned increased when they saw and felt magic.  The senior mage’s eyes widened as he seemed to recognize the flashes of glowing marks on her.  

Arn struggled to get up and told Tobi weakly. [color=0054a6] “Go get the doctor”[/color]  Tobi seemed reluctant.  He looked at his elder with concern and at the lady with worry.  

[color=00aeef]“I don’t know boss, you should not be walking around”  [/color]

[color=0054a6]“I said go get the doctor Tobi…Now!” [/color] Arn coughed at this point but he held of a hand stopping the aid from the young mage and then pointed a finger at the door.  He was sure that the medics would eventually hear the chirping of the machines but he wanted them here faster.  

Tobi hurried off, casting one last concerned look behind him but he knew how stubborn Arn was. 

As the young mage exited, Arn struggled to  get himself off his own bed and gritted his teeth against the pain and nausea as he transited the small distance to the side of the girls.  He swallowed to regain his composure and place a hand on the shimmering hand of the girl.  It felt warm to his touch. 

He was not sure if I t was fever or the effects of the magical forces that were evidently working on her.  He tried to sound reassuring but was not sure how to do that as he had never had to do it before.  [color=0054a6]“Please calm yourself.  You are alive.”[/color]  He noticed the frantic look on her face and the fact that she was not able to focus her eyes.  [color=0054a6]“You are probably experiencing Dark Sight.  It’s a consequence of Magicka Shock.  Your eyesight will return slowly.” [/color]

In an attempt to calm her he continued softly as best he could [color=0054a6]“I am Arn, a battle mage.  What may I call you?” [/color] He had attended to many wounded in battle.  Getting them to talk was the easies way to verify that they could still breath, that they were coherent and sometimes, find out from the victim where exactly the damage was.  

He did not need medic training to see the effects of Magicka Shock.  Her body looked drained, there was no evidence of physical wonds, her loss of eye sight and the fact that she was in the Magic Intensive Care Unit (MICU) all pointed to her experiencing his own ailment. 

She did not look to be a mage in the military however.  She her face looked too fresh, she seemed to be afraid of where she was.  Not everyone was as calm as he but usually there was a sort of understanding.  He continued his attempt to calm her. 

[color=0054a6]“do not worry, the doctors will be here soon.” [/color]