Chapter 14 The Warm Reception (1/2)

The following day, the Doctor advised that Rassa was well enough to leave. He was still pale, and his eyes were still very sensitive to light, but he was much more energetic and was even eating again unlike the day before. The Doctor simply gave instructions to Phillip and Anna to bring Rassa back should any problems arise, and to keep a close eyes on him. After all, they weren't entirely positive as to what power Rassa had awakened.

As for his sensitivity to light, the doctor could only give advise, which was to ensure Rassa would either remain in shadowed places, or wear hats to block out direct sunlight. Rassa didn't think that would be enough. In his experience of the previous night, he'd pretty much worked out that night time was better suited to his new body. Unfortunately, he lived in a village that was most active whilst the sun was high in the sky. Until he discovered another way, he would just have to make do.

Returning home, Rassa was pleasantly surprised to find Jane and Falla, and even Diggory waiting for him.

”Rassa!” the girls called out happily. They raced up to greet him, both of them flinging their arms around him. Rassa barely felt them as they landed on him with their full weight, but for the sake of appearances, Rassa pretended to fall back onto the ground.

”Girls!” Anna scolded, ”Careful he's only just gotten better!”

Rassa chuckled, ”I'm fine, mum, promise”.

Falla and Jane moved back though, looking at Anna sheepishly.

”Sorry,” they mumbled, then they turned their full attention back to Rassa.

”Are you okay?”

”Why are you so pale?”

”Are you feeling better now?”

”What's with the hat?”

The rapid fire questions caught Rassa off guard for a moment, then he just smiled.

”I'm fine, the Doctor says I'm better now, but he doesn't know why I'm so pale, maybe its a side effect of whatever I had?” Rassa questioned. The official story that had spread around the village was that Rassa had caught some kind of disease, therefore, he hadn't been allowed visitors in the Doctor's office. Anyone who had seen his life lines had agreed to keep quiet about it. After all, there was no need to talk about something that could very well be used to bully the poor boy.

”What about the hat?” asked Falla.

”My eyes are a bit sensitive, so the Doctor said I should either wear one or keep to shadowy places from now on,” Rassa replied.

Falla nodded, accepting the information easily, Jane nodded too, though was annoyed that Rassa had directed the answer at Falla.

Diggory approached slowly, then held out his hand to Rassa. Rassa smiled and let Diggory help him to his feet, ”Glad you're feeling better”.

Rassa nodded. Then frowned as he looked at Diggory.

”Don't you have lessons this morning?”

Diggory scratched the back of his head awkwardly, ”...No...”

”Dig, you need those lessons if you want to be a Knight,” Rassa frowned. It was at this point that Phillip and Anna decided to leave their son alone with his friends, venturing back to their home.

Diggory sighed, ”Knights only need sword fighting, why do I need to know any of that reading nonsense?”

”But if you can't read, how will you know who you're supposed to fight? After all, a knight must listen to the Lord he is sworn to serve, but a lord can't always be around so he sends letters,” Rassa stated, ”And what must a Knight then do upon receiving this letter?”

Diggory sighed and rolled his eyes, ”...read it”.