Towel drying his hair first so it didn’t drip, he used the time spell to judge how long he had left before Ezra’s charms failed, grimacing when the big clock face that looked like the one on Ma’s old pocket watch appeared, telling him he was running out of time, that time spell was sure weird and Miz. Elsebeth’s reasoning for it looking like that old pocket watch even weirder even if it did make sense.  The Time spell gets the picture from the casters mind and only shows what the caster can picture, which means most Wizards and Witches find it showing the most informative clock they’ve seen or one they really liked.  Ma’s old Magical watch was the only Magical thing other than her wand she took with her when she run away from home.  Ma and her older brother Salvador had different Ma’s, the watch was a keepsake of her Ma’s family the Auldron’s so was an inheritance that weren’t Slytherin or anything to do with Salvador as his Ma had been a LeStrange according to what Ma had tried to explain when he was little.  Until Quisen turned up it were her only keepsake from her old life.  That old Magical watch of his Grandpa Auldron's was dang useful showing much more than any Muggle watch or clock, which is probably why it kept showing up as the template when he did the time spell according to Miz. Elsebeth.  If only them cat shaped numbers that rumbled and grumbled the time and bat the pointers when they wake them up weren’t to damn cute to be showing anyone else even if it was dang informative, even Miz. Elsebeth would giggle at some of them cat numbers and their antics every time he did the time spell.  He’d had it hidden in the back of the bible along with the Flame dagger and the rest of the Tannerae stuff from Pa’s family most of his life, as it weren’t something to use around Muggles.  A drying spell on the shirt helped speed up things and the towels dealt with the rest.

“Are you ready, Vin?  The charms will be wearing off any minute and I need to fix the braces before then.”

“I’m ready.” He called.  Ezra immediately came in and floated him into the chair handing him the long undershirt which he pulled on under the big shirt, letting Ezra float him slightly so he could pull the back part under him and buttoning the back to the front covering his privates so he was partially decent, Ezra had to help with the leggings pulling them up his legs for him as he couldn’t bend to do it himself but finally they were in place and held in place over the undershirt.  Felt strange not having sleeves on the undershirt but it were for the best as he told Ezra they were pulling and limiting his movement in ways he didn’t need.  The big shirt would give him cover until Ezra made a nightshirt fit so getting rid of the sleeves on the undershirt brace did give him more movement.

“Let’s get you into a bed so I can tighten these new braces properly.” Said Ezra grabbing the handles on the back of the chair and quickly pushing it out the bathroom door.

“The new room, Vin, we may as well get you settled into there now you are up.” Said Ezra.  “We have to hurry before those charms fail.”

They had just reached the bed when the charms shattered like dropped mirror and his injuries made themselves known with a vengeance.  Without the bracing and cushioning charms in place he couldn’t sit up and he could feel the bones in his legs shift agony flared through him and he was almost panting for breath as the ribs shifted.  “Shit that hurts!” he almost whimpered.

“Petrificus Totalus,” he heard just before his body went blessedly numb and he passed out from relief.

When he woke he found himself in the bed, the braces Ezra made tightened around his body much to his relief.  He still ached like the devil but at least it weren't screaming agony no more just a dull throbbing pain he was gonna have to watch the time more closely next time he bathed.  As the pain subsided a little more he started looking around the room he was in, he’d barely had a chance before the charms failed.  Reaching out to the velvet bed curtains in shock wondering what happened to Miz. Elsebeth’s frilly white and lavender bedclothes, he’d never seen this stuff before.  The other stuff he’d been expecting were bad enough as they were covered in lace but they’d just been cotton fairly expensive due to the real high thread count but nothing too outlandish by Wizard standards he’d been with Adrian when he bought them for her so knew to the knut how much they cost but this velvet stuff was worth a fortune, and the sheets were even higher thread count than the white and lavender ones from the feel of.  The only thing he recognized from Miz. Elsebeth’s old bedlinen was the Frooklight/cotton netting with the protective wards against insects Magical and Muggle.  Adrian told him the Frooklight curtains had been created by Raphael Vortigue as he had an insect phobia and had night terrors without them in place.  First time he heard the word phobia but he eventually got the gist of what it meant despite Adrian’s weird rambling about the Greek God a Fear being where the word came from he finally worked out it meant an insane fear of something.  Lots of big words ended in it to but they tended to just describe what the fear was.  

Finding his wand in handy reach, he pointed it at the dropdown bar on this bed and used that and a weightless charm on his clothes to pull himself upright in the bed then push some pillows behind himself for support before releasing the weightless charm and settling back in place. Vin relaxed a bit, it was amazing how better he felt not being quite so helpless.

“How do you feel, Mr. Tanner?” asked Ezra as he bustled in carrying the big tray Miz. Elsebeth kept to eat and do things in bed, Ez must a found it in the room with the float chair.  “I fear this repast will be incredibly bland but it is entirely Magical which is about all I can say about it,” apologized Ezra as he placed the tray over Vin’s legs so he could eat from it.  “The chamber pot is nearby if it is needed but hopefully this repast stays down.  If, all stays well I shall add some of those luscious blackberries in your larder from the size they have soaked up quite a bit of Magic despite their Muggle origin.”

“Never thought of that, I’ll have to show ya which stuff out there was grown in Render so it can be marked.” Said Vin thoughtfully tasting the Frookfinger porridge and grimacing at the blandness of the stuff, he usually liked this stuff on a cold winter morn but when he made it he added a whole heap of fruit to make it interesting.  “Check the seals on the jams,” he said thoughtfully. “That last batch I made September I might be able to tolerate, them berries were the biggest and I’d run outta sugar so used the one of the remainin’ canisters of Miz. Elsebeth’s sweetnin’ crystals instead, she claimed it was from some Magical seaweed and didn’t make her fat like Muggle sugar.  That sweetnin’ stuff of Miz. Elsebeth’s is a lot more expensive and real Magical so I used the purple skin of oil sack for the seal to remind me not to give them to Muggles like Miz. Nettie.”

Ezra sat down on the bed flabbergasted, “You made Querop Jam, Mr. Tanner?  Good grief I didn’t think that was possible for anyone less than a Potion Master do you have any idea of the innate Magic and potion skill it would take to make such a thing?  Mr. Tanner, you could sell those jam’s anywhere in the world for a fortune Querop crystal is the favourite non fattening sweetner of Witches all over the world but it can be temperamental to use in cooking.  My Father made Raspberry Querop Jam to placate my Mother, it was the one bribe that made her mellow every time.”

“That sweetner ain’t hard to cook with at all,” said Vin puzzled,“Miz. Elsebeth made stuff all the time and she taught me.Ya just got to use all Magical stuff or balance the Magical and Muggle in what ever ya make or it goes sour or curdles on ya.  Cause that’s just if ya actually heating the stuff to a high temperature, using it like sweetner don’t need balancing at all which is why Miz. Elsebeth used it in all her drinks even the hot ones like coffee and chocolate.  Come to think of it that sweetener really liked chocolate but then so do most folks even Unicorns like the stuff, them damn foals always stole the chocolate cookies and cake Ma made when I was little, learnt real quick not to go outside if I had chocolate,” pouted Vin at the memory from his childhood.

“I shall take that under advisement if I ever have chocolate near Unicorn Foals,” chuckled Ezra amused imagining a toddler Vin being mobbed by baby unicorns and his chocolate treats stolen.

“Laugh it up, first time ya get mobbed and yer chocolate stolen we’ll see how much fun ya think it is.” Growled Vin, then his innate fairness kicked in.  “Although I must admit chocolate is about the only thing that will make a Unicorn become a pest, they’re just shameless when that stuff is around even the adults who are just more dignified about it.”

“I shall be sure to remember the warning.” Smirked Ezra.  “How hard is it to make Querop jam?” 

“Jam’s pretty easy, all ya really have to do is grow the berries or other fruit in render or another Magical fertilizer or it separates out and goes sour on ya.  Can’t make anything from citrus Querop don’t like that at all probably because Citrus don’t like Render either but ginger Querop marmalade’s pretty easy to make don’t even need to grow that in Render for Querop to like it.  Check the study, all them books belonged to Miz. Elsebeth’s husband, which is why I still, got them, Miz. Elsebeth left them to me along with her seer stuff.  Both Adrian and Miz. Elsebeth picked up her husband’s habit of writing in the books so the plant books are probably full of weird information like that.”

“Now that I think about it Father did grow the raspberries himself,” mused Ezra.

“Don’t have any raspberry but plenty of blackberry and some strawberry if a ya want a few jar for ya ma.  Was gonna send some to Miz. Annabelle for looking after the House Elves for me, the rest of it was part of Chris’ wedding present for when him and Miz. Mary get hitched, a box Wizard soaps and cleaners and some of the jam and other Wizard stuff should be enough for a wedding present I’m thinking.”

“You will need the Querop jam yourself, Mr. Tanner, so perhaps just the Wizard soaps and cleaning potions would suffice.  With some of the more Muggle jams instead as you will not be able to tolerate them for the foreseeable future they will be quite wasted unless you give them away or sell them.” 

“I guess so, ain’t as if Chris would care, jam's all the same to him don’t matter what it’s made of as long as it tastes good.  Still need to send some to Miz. Annabelle she’s been lookin’ after them House Elves for three years so needs a proper thanks.  Still got plenty of fresh blackberries in the big larder back at the house they soaked up the render Magic better than the strawberries so I had more of them, so if we order more of the crystals I can always make more if I run out.  This stuff could a used some of that sweetener as well.” Said Vin finishing the last of the Frookfinger porridge with a grimace.  “For some reason it’s tasting sour which is strange I’ve had it this bland when I’ve been sick and it’s never been sour tasting before.”

“That’s a worrisome sign, Mr. Tanner, many Magical poisons can change a persons taste and smell.  Everything tasted and smelt different to my Father as the poison progressively ravaged his body.  Hopefully my Father’s books and testing potion can help us identify what you were given.”

“Yeah! I guess it would be a good thing to know if I’m gonna drop dead on everyone.” Sighed Vin before changing the subject.  “This room looks real different without Miz. Elsebeth’s frilly bedlinen and curtains, ain’t ever seen this velvet stuff before, looks real expensive,” he frowned.  “The only thin’ the same in here is the furniture and the Frooklight nettin’.  Shit! I hope that dang fool Adrian didn’t get this stuff made ‘cause I complained about the frills when we were packin’ Miz. Elsebeth’s stuff.”

“Doubtful, while I thoroughly agree it is incredibly expensive it can in no way be classified as new, despite the lack of wear and tear they are very old. My Siren gift with the inorganic tells be the metallic embroidery and crystals on these curtains have been in place at least seventy years they radiate a happy stability that only comes with age.  Perhaps that pink howler on the bedside chest will explain where all this came from.”

“If it’s pink it ain’t a howler, it’s one a the Vortigue spell’s Miz. Elsebeth inherited from her husband, claimed it’s an ‘adaptation of the howler spell into a simple announcement spell’ which is why its pink, basically it don’t shout like a Howler just reads the letter for ya.  Seems some Vortigue ancestress had really bad handwriting plus gave really boring parties, people started using not understanding the invite as an excuse not to come to her parties so she had all her invitations read themselves so they couldn’t claim they couldn’t understand it as an excuse.  They started leaving me notes using it as I couldn’t read and write and they didn’t understand English well enough to teach me.  Better see what they done that needs a letter to explain.” Sighed Vin, calling the pink letter to him a wincing as it opened the moment it touched his hand.   

The pink letter incinerated as it read until there was nothing left.

“Damn! Can’t believe she fibbed, told her I didn’t want no money.” Growled Vin  “Was only supposed to get the library so I could do my lessons and the House Elves so they wouldn’t die, not jewels and titles and spell books.”

“It is probably all blood bound to the Vortigue Heir.” Decided Ezra,  “What of the clothes?”

“Was sort of expectin’ them to turn up eventually,” he admitted ruefully. “She was set on dressin’ me like a doll most days, wouldn’t believe the trouble it was to get her to stick to just two Wizard outfits.  I only accepted them ‘cause they insisted my buckskins would’ve attracted attention in a Wizard town and that would a gotten her killed.  Well if I look on the bright side at ending up with all them clothes at lest I won’t look like a kid in one a Raphael’s nightshirts.”

“I shall get one for you shortly.” Smiled Ezra he had been having trouble making Adrian’s small enough anyway.

“You want any of the bright stuff Adrian was talking about I’ll probably let ya have it.  I don’t know anyone else who would appreciate that stuff.  It’s real nice just more your colours than mine from what I seen ya wear this last year.   Better keep the other stuff, as they’re the stuff Miz. Elsebeth really wanted me to have, besides until I’m walking again, Robes is gonna be easier to wear than my buckskins.”

“Why thank you, Vin, that is thoughtful of you I have only one Wizarding outfit to wear when in the Wizarding World as Muggle clothing attracts undo attention and it is getting decidedly thread bare and ragged from age and use.  I had intended to replace it on my next visit back east so your offer is timely and I will enjoy the bounty you just offered.”

“They were just gonna sit in the chest, so ya may as well get use of them if ya want them.” Shrugged Vin.

Vin suddenly licked his lips as the smell of fresh baking bread wafted in from the kitchen next door. “Ez, are ya baking bread?  The smell is making me hungry again.”

“Sourdough Frook bread it had some time left before it is ready, if you wish to take the chance I shall bring some in for you when it finishes baking,” he confirmed, “What oil did you use to emulsify the sea milk butter and make the cheese? If you used anything non Magical you may not be able to tolerate them.” he questioned.

“Shouldn’t have any problems I used the last of the purified oil sack I use to make the soap and lotions from, ya can use almost any oil especially nut oils but sea milk likes oil sack best so if I have it I use it.” Said Vin.  “Another thing to add to the list for the Goblin’s.” he sighed. “I really let my Magical stuff get low.  Don’t even have enough ingredients left to make a pain relief potion, which is a dang fool thin’ to let happen given this last year.”

“Indeed, my own emergency stores are also running low, I have only what is in my emergency kit. Mother was suppose to send me a box of ingredients but I angered her by not sending money to invest in her latest undertaking so she is punishing me by withholding the requested supplies.”

“It’s probably the same stuff I’m ordering so just increase the amount, and add it if it’s not there, more ya buy the cheaper it is anyway.” Offered Vin.  “I’m making Chris and Bucklin’s potions they both need help when it comes to potions, which is one of the reasons I’m running low on potion ingredients.  Chris blew up his only cauldron trying to make wand polish, complained he usually just buys it but it’s to far to a Wizard enclave.  Now he just pays me for the stuff plus all the other potions he needs to cure a wand.  Don’t even get me started on Bucklin his attempts to make a anti-conception potion after that baby scare was a complete mess, the stuff he made would a either made him super fertile or sterile for life.” Shuddered Vin. “Can’t believe he was about to drink that stuff.” Muttered Vin in disgust.

“You will find most Wizards and Witches are the same, few reach any skill at the art of potions.  Most of the Wizarding world purchase their potions ready made these days, my father made a comfortable living from such a shop he even managed to finance his experimental potions from the profits.”

“But they’re so easy to make, why would ya buy ‘em when it’s cheaper to just make ‘em.  Potions ain’t hard ya just follow directions, couldn’t understand how Chris and Bucklin were so hopeless at it.  Cooking’s harder it ain’t as precise so ya can make mistakes,” said Vin shaking his head.

“Which is what makes you good at potions my friend, most people find potions too intricate and confusing to get right and prefer cooking with all its imprecise measurement and substitution.”

“Don’t understand that.  Miz. Elsebeth had to write all the recipes out like potions for me to understand them, understood you could change stuff to somethin’ similar plus all the different things like beatin’ and foldin’ I could follow once she showed me what they were but instructions like a pinch of this and a dash a that were driving me nuts tryin’ to work out what they meant.  Once the readin’ prism was tellin’ me proper measurements I was fine, cookin’ ‘came real easy after that as ya didn’t have to stir different ways and count and push ya Magic into it like potions. Which reminds me, better warn ya that all the recipe journals out in the kitchen are in French ‘cause Miz. Elsebeth wrote ‘em for me as a birthday present and in Troy weights, set a scales and measures are in there to use ‘cause that’s what I got use to from potion making, the reading prism in the writing desk will translate and read ‘em if ya need help with the French.”

“I shall be fine with your recipe journals, Mr. Tanner.  I am excellent at potions myself and my mother insisted I read and converse in French as easily as English due to it being her families ancestral tongue.” Said Ezra. “Meanwhile while we wait for the bread, let us find a suitable nightshirt for you,” he said getting up to examine the ebony box.  Ezra attempted to open it using the key in the lock only to find it turned around and then then the hawk crest glow and the key would snap back to the starting position remaining locked.

“Miz. Elsebeth always left it open but claimed a drop of blood on the crest before turnin’ the key would break the seal.” Offered Vin.

Ezra pricked his finger and tried to open it that way only to find it remained sealed.

“That means this is family chest with a blood lock only someone of Vortigue blood or sealed to the house can open.  Mr. Tanner, it probably needs your blood as you are the Vortigue heir now.” Ezra collected a drop of Vin’s blood and smeared it on the hawk crest this time the key worked.

“Its got different compartments ya turn the key a few more times to open them in turn,” said Vin. “She got the clothes from the fourth room.” He told him.

“My word, from the amount of cupboards and drawers in this room neither of us will want for Wizarding clothing ever again.” Said Ezra quickly climbing down into the chest room to find a suitable nightshirt for his bedridden friend. ~ Oh my! Ice Prince indeed! ~ he thought to himself, taking in the rich, elegant clothing in darker jewel tones and delicate runic patterns to the precious metal and fake jewel embroidery he had just pulled from a wardrobe, he would definitely make sure Vin wore some of this occasionally.  Opening other doors he found the mentioned flamboyant ensembles just as beautiful but agreed they would not be to Vin’s taste at all they were more something Ezra himself would wear.  The shorter tunics and trousers would be useless for the next few months but the long floor length traditional Wizard robes and contrasting over tunics and outer-robes would probably get a lot of use as Vin could wear them over the braces he made and wear them when in the floating chair.

Moving on he continued opening drawers and wardrobes shaking his head in awe at the most comprehensive Wizarding wardrobe he had ever seen it contained very conceivable piece of Wizarding wear in numerous colours and styles it truly was the wardrobe of a Prince.  Finally one of the deep chest of drawers yielded the nightwear he had been searching for, choosing one of the warmest of the ankle length winter nightshirts, he added a thick dark burgundy over-robe for when Vin left the bed, hesitating briefly before adding a bright scarlet one for himself to borrow so he could rid himself of the blankets he was presently wearing.  Vin had said he could have the bright flamboyant ones and the bright scarlet of the thick robe wasn’t really a colour Vin would feel comfortable wearing he preferred darker reds.  Besides from the look of it this extensive wardrobe of exquisite clothing contained at least ten over-robes for wearing over a nightshirt ranging from summer to winter weight and at least a third or more were in colours Vin would not be caught dead in.  To think the rest of the Seven made fun of Ezra’s bright Muggle wardrobe claiming it was fancy and extravagant, wait till they saw Vin’s inheritance.

Climbing out of the deep room with his booty, he passed the long nightshirt to his young friend and watched him put it on approving of the weightless charm and use if the pull down bar Vin used to lift himself.  Ezra quickly helped pull the long nightshirt down over his legs, once he was covered Ezra quickly helped pull the heavy quilts back into place.

“You were right, Mr. Tanner, this bedroom does make your life easier in your present state of incapacitation.”

“Miz. Elsebeth’s lost the use of her legs the night her family were murdered so the room’s been adjusted to help her cope.”

“Amazing.  I hope you don’t mind I took a over-robe for myself so I can get rid of these blankets,” he said holding up the scarlet robe for inspection.

“Hell, Ezra, I’d never wear that unless I didn’t have no choice, it’s too dang bright.  Take it!  I know ya love that colour it’s the same as ya favourite jacket.” Said Vin.

“I suspected that would be your reaction, I chose a more subdued red for yourself.” Ezra laughed hanging the burgundy robe in easy reach of the bed.

“I like that colour.” Confirmed Vin, “It’s real fancy though.” He said taking in the subtle embroidery resembling a lattice of tiny dark green and gold thorns of the quilting and the jeweled rose shaped clasps that were the closures. “That red glass making up them roses sure sparkles pretty.”

Ezra chuckled “Now they are glass, Mr. Tanner, I fear the original clasps were probably made of ruby’s.” Said Ezra dryly, making Vin’s eyes open in shock.

“But it’s a nightrobe!” he objected, “Why the heck would anyone put gems on something no one else would see?  That’s crazy!”

“It is not unusual in the richer Wizarding circles or indeed even Muggle.  Thankfully for both our piece of mind he replaced all the jeweled clasps and expensive gems on his clothing when he reached America.  Mother would be horrified but I am quite glad of that fact.  I would feel extremely uncomfortable walking around in a robe with expensive jeweled creations worth a fortune on them.  Glass and crystal will not make me hyperventilate at the thought of wearing such clothing, glass and crystal even such exquisite work as this can be replaced with little cost if damaged or lost.  Expensive gemstones are another matter.”

“Yeah! Would dare wear them if they had gems on them,” agreed Vin. “Glass ain’t so bad and it is pretty.  Ya gonna try that scarlet one on see if it fits.” He asked.

A few moments later they saw the result.

“That fits ya good, Ez, its just long in the sleeves and length which should be easy to fix.”

“Indeed, that is not surprising, Mr. Tanner, you may be taller than myself but your slighter frame makes us much the same in shirt size, from the look of this Prince Raphael was taller than us both but also of a slight build.  Which is probably why they fit us both so easily.  This robe would probably be looser on you as my shoulders are slightly broader.”

“Which is fine I like loose stuff let’s me move easier so we should be fine.” Nodded Vin. “Best go see about that bread before it burns.”

“Oh Lord! I forgot the bread.” He said running for the kitchen hoping he could save it.

Thankfully the bread survived and they feasted on hot Frook bread with sea-milk butter and blackberry Querop jam washed down with hot sea-milk for Vin and Coffee for Ezra. Ezra had tried to use one of the more Muggle jams for himself but Vin told him straight out just himself and Ezra wouldn’t exhaust the supply, if all the Seven were here it would be different as they would quickly use it all.

Next they worked on the supply list once more and Ezra wrote a letter requesting the contents of his vault other than the shop fittings be sent as well.  Ezra with Vin’s permission also wrote a letter to Grimblehall, Vin’s Goblin healer with what had happened and the necessary force realignment of his back, explaining the braces he was using.  Then asking for any suggestions for the easing of broken bones and torn muscles that would not exhaust Vin’s body any further.  They also packed up the thank you box for Miz. Annabelle as Vin called her and placed the waiting letter inside.  Ezra wrote the name and address on the box with instructions for the Goblins to send it on.  Ezra also ask the Goblins to inquire about the present price of buying or temporarily renting a Magimeter as Vin wasn’t tolerating anything but Magical foods at present.”

“Do you want to try scrying for the herd or send this of and do that later?” asked Ezra.

“Don’t think I could stay awake long enough to help scry.  Probably best to send the box of that way the Goblins can get the stuff ready and Miz. Annabelle can start sending the House Elves to the house, me being like this we’re gonna need the little critters to help.  We’ll do the herd scrying later.”

“A excellent idea, What I can do without your help is scry the borders of the nodal network under that area and then set the Goblins on a title search with the view to outright purchase if the herd is there or taking a Goblin loan if it is not, I believe the explanation of the potential destruction of the Universe if a portal opens would explain why the land must be purchased either way and a Enclave put in place.”

“Remind them I’m ‘Court’ so they know it’s my duty to stop a portal formin’ even if it won’t destroy the universe.” Said Vin.

“Plus this way it will be extremely profitable.” Said Ezra with a smirk.

“Yeah! Them little critters will probably like that idea a whole heap more.” He chuckled.

“Indeed, you must rest but before you do so, I need to know something.  When I connected the fireplace I used the ‘reparo’ charm and it seemed to work.  Do I need do anything else before I dare ignite the fire in here?”

“That should be enough the tent has anti fire charms in place and the “reparo’ would a connected it up how it were when Miz. Elsebeth were livin’.  So should work a treat ain’t as if this room weren’t here before, ya only needed to fix the fireplace not create the thin’,” said Vin.

“Excellent, that means I can start the fire in here, after I scry the boundaries of the nodal area and send the portkey chest to the Goblins, I shall take my own bath and retire to the other bedroom for my own rest.  The storm is still raging outside so we have plenty of time before we have to deal with the outside world.”

Vin nodded suddenly looking anxious.

“What is it, Vin?”

“That nightmare were too real, was real glad ya woke me before it got worse.”

“You are afraid I will not hear you before the nightmare gets worse next time?”

“Just warnin’ ya, I’m probably gonna be wakin’ ya with my screams,” said Vin with a slight tremble in his voice that told Ezra just how afraid of that Vin was.

Ezra hesitated what he was about to offer was a potential violation of Vin’s personal space so he hesitated to offer but it would solve that problem.

“Perhaps I could sleep closer, I should be able to shrink the wardrobe near the door in here and set up one of the couches for my bed.” He offered.  “It would enable me to wake you before you reached that far into such a nightmare.” He offered tentatively.

Vin’s eyes lit with relief, and then he blushed looking around the room before he seemed to make a conscious decision.

“This bed’s big enough for three people, Ez, seems silly for ya to go to that much work when ya don’t need to.  Before ya start, I told ya I trust ya, we both know I’m just as safe with ya sharing the bed as I would be with ya in the next room.” He said blushing.

“You are of course correct, I shall try not to wake you when I return from my ablutions.”

“Don’t sleep soundly anyway, Ez, never have I’m use to waking during the night.  I’m the one gonna be waking ya all the time so don’t worry about that.” Vin said in relief.

“Try to get some sleep, meanwhile I shall listen for the signs of an impending nightmare and try to rouse you from your slumber before it can take hold.

“Thanks, Ez,” whispered Vin in relief holding onto the bar while Ezra fixed the pillows ready for sleeping then lowering himself down into the bed, drowsily watching Ezra light the fire and lower the lights, knowing he’d have Ezra nearby to stop the nightmares getting a hold of him again was a big relief.