I got sore but I'm not a sorcerer

Nite' woke, damp earth for a bed and his elven cloak a pillow.
For the first time in weeks the loss of Cogitari a dull ache instead of the paralysing heart break.

They'd arrived back in Nompariel with little excitement, Nitendae feeling tired and slow which was put down to the drow poison he'd been hit with and he had moved into the 'Hole in the Wall'.
The following day he had woken in agony the small area of comfort and calm that was Cogitari's presence missing, the cat also nowhere to be seen. He'd staggered down and onto the streets searching for the only other sorcerer he knew, Seerina.
Staggering like a drunk, tears and snot smeared across his face he managed to find his way to where Seerina worked and lived. Forcing his way past the doorguard, sword flailing dangerously, he crashed into Seerina's room.
Seerina was there, covered in scratches to arms and face but with Cogitari curled on her lap. Anger, fear and loss struggled to control Nitendae and only the arrival of the doorguard with reinforcements managed to subdue Nite' before he could violently lash out.

It was explained over the next few days that the drow poison had infected Nite's blood to such an extent that it blocked the sorcerous connection, without that, the link with Cogitari had been broken. It was not clear just how Seerina had managed to pick up the bond saving the cat, which would of died, and preventing the effect on Nite' being even more sever.

Nitendae had left the town heading into the surrounding wild countryside, for although he was alive the loss of the familiar was crippling.
It was out in the wilds that a ranger scout had shared her camp with him and seeing his need had guided him, aiding him to fill the hole that Cogitari had left with a more general empathy for animals and nature.
Nite' took to the instruction well, the skills of the ranger fitting well with skills he already had, his natural agility merging with the rangers fighting style, the calmness and serenity of the wilds easing the loss of his familiar.

So today he was awake before Tieka, the ranger scout, he felt calm - senses alert to sounds and smells around - no longer was he unfocused, unconsciously searching for his familiar. He was finally ready to return to town.