We walked the steps to the palace gates. What would await us in there? I had no idea.
Mother was carried to the infirmary, I tried to follow, but was stopped outside the doors by a couple of guards. I had agreed to bring my mother here, but I was surprised when Aeliana did not come herself. Instead guards arrived and carried mother to the castle. I followed in toe and they made no mention of it. They must have understood, as they did not stop my entry through the castle gates.
I waited silently outside of the infirmary doors for quite some time. My stomach sat in knots at what could be happening on the other side.
“Oh good!” Her voice was happy and gentle. “I’m so glad you are here. I tried to come this morning, but I was not allowed.”
She looked different then usual. Her dress was a vibrant light blue, and the white lace trim gave proof of her high birth. She looked beautiful. Something I greatly miss now.
“Come on, we should let them do their work. Come play with me. We can come back and check on her in a little while.” She was always so caring, so kind. I just wanted to see her grow, into the kind of woman I knew she would be.
***
Minutes, Hours, or Days, I had no idea how long we remained that way, sleeping, near death and unprotected. But when I finally did feel my body begin to awaken, the pain was virtually unbearable. With the excruciating agony coursing it’s way throughout my body I grimaced and opened my eyes. My surroundings, where are we? We need a plan. I could see a canopy of trees, hear the rush of the river water, and the light of an early morning sun. And… the beating of a heart… It hit me… The warmth under my head, the sound of uneven breathing… I was...
I lifted my head to see a pale faced Eák. His eyes open and staring into the sky. My head sitting comfortably on his chest. My body draped over his.
“Uh..?” Shocked, I tried to pull myself away. I felt the sharp sting of a wound on my abdomen and the pressure of a hand on my back.
“Don’t.” he said, without looking down at me. “You are injured. Don’t try to move yet.”
I knew we shouldn’t, but I took the chance, the moment to rest. We stayed there, unspoken understanding between us.
The pain remained, but after sometime I felt a small amount of strength return to me. I pulled my body up and sat on my own. The movement hurt, but for just a moment I felt a tinge of something. Something lonely, as I felt his heat dissipate from me. I had the chance to assess our injuries. I had a large gash along my right abdomen, numerous bruises, and a number of moderately sized cuts. Eák seemed worse. His leg was soaked with blood, when I went to move the legs of his pants, he let out a grunt. The wound traveled from his hip nearly to his knee. It was obviously serious, though if he was going to bleed out, it would have happened by then. His chest had a shallow cut running across it. The top he was wearing was torn, exposing his bare muscles.
I ripped my dress at the heim and tied it around his leg. He grimaced, as I pulled tight on the cloth.
“You..” He began his eyes still locked on the sky. “You could have gotten us killed!” His voice was filled to the brim with frustration. “... I can see why you are a commander… Thank you.”
“Uhh..” I just nearly got us killed, and this man was thanking me? “I-”
“No. I’m serious. You saved our lives.” He interjected. “Thank you.”
My half-thought-out plan did save our existence, but we were in dire straits here. If we did not figure out a strategy, we were not going to make it back. “Anyway… Where do we go next?”
“The way I see it we only have one choice. It is time to head back and regroup. We knew there were traitors among the capital. I just didn’t expect it to be someone powerful enough to turn the whole Royal Guard against us. We would have to be discreet. But most importantly, if we do not get these wounds treated, I’m not sure either of us will be going very far.” He exclaimed.
“I agree, however with our unceremonious departure, I’m sure The Sins will have men crawling the region. Any ideas on how to avoid them?” I asked.
“It is important to figure out the area we are in at this point. That river could have certainly taken us outside of Shera.”
“Agreed. However, for the sake of survival we can’t very well walk around as a Lady of the Court and her attending, or as the Commander and soldier. Either would be far too conspicuous... “ I began. The next statement sent a flutter in my chest. “If we are expected to travel together, it is best we travel under the guise of husband and wife. It will draw little attention to us and will allow for social constructs to prevent suspicion.”
Eák’s lips began to curve into a smug smile. “So, what you’re saying is you want to be mine?”
It was good to see his humor even a little. However, what would be the fun in letting him get away with such great self serving flattery. “Please” I said adding as much sarcasm as I possibly could. “It is the best plan and you know it.”
“Fine, fine, but I still think you may be projecting some serious desires here.” His lips were back to their devilish smirk. I was happy to see him doing so well.
I wrapped the rest of his wounds the best I could and held him up as we walked. We discussed a believable cover on the way. Newlyweds who ran into bad luck and were set upon by bandits. We’d lost everything and fell a long way down a cliffside, before making our way to whichever town we could find. Eák tried to insist we should’ve had children. I am not exactly the maternal type and I’m sure any woman could see through that.
It took a couple of hours before we could see the lights from a nearby town, and even longer to reach the closest homes. We traveled along the road side, until a wagon approached, on top of which sat an older woman. She was pulling a load of wheat and stopped when she noticed us. Her silver grey hair was long and she wore a seemingly innocent smile. Her clothes were worn and discolored. She held the reigns of the wagon like a much younger girl.
“My Dear!” She jumped from the wagon and ran to my side. I didn’t realize how much weight I was supporting, until I lowered Eák at her request. “Oh my Gods what happened?” She examined me carefully for a moment before continuing. We had our story worked out, but playing the timid girl would most likely help with the deception. Plus, I didn’t have enough left in me to answer. “Let me help! I will get my husband and sons. Let’s get you two cleaned up.”
Eák and I sluggishly threw ourselves on the back of the wagon. Eák had barely spoken in hours, I was beginning to become worried about his injuries. They had been much worse than mine, and even though he tried not to show it, I knew he was in a lot of pain. The wagon ride was bumpy and each rock felt like a shock to my muscles, though I must say, it was still better than walking the remaining distance.
When we arrived at a small cottage, the elderly woman stopped and ran inside. For a moment I questioned… Was she with The Sins? Did we walk into a trap? I couldn’t fight in that condition.
A moment later the woman came back out with three men beside her. They sprinted to the end of the wagon. Once there, the eldest man instructed the younger two to help me into the house, while he carried Eák. I didn't have the energy to argue and quickly became aware that the same could be said for my ability to walk. I slid off the wagon and fell to my knees. The taller of the two boys lowered to me, slid one arm under mine, the other beneath my knees, and delicately carried me into the cottage.
Inside, the wooden rooms were dimly lit and the beautiful aroma of baking bread filled the air. My dry mouth watered at the scent. It had been days since our last meal. I looked near the fireplace to see Eák laid out across the solid ground, his clothes tattered and his breathing shallow.
“Help him,” I begged. I could not see him like this. It just wasn’t right.
The woman returned through the doors and immediately sat down next to Eák. I could not make out the things that were said, but each of the men followed her directions. She talked to Eák, as she nursed each of his wounds and dressed them properly. Once she had closed the last bandage, I swear I could feel a pressure I didn’t know I was holding, release from my chest.
Soon she returned to me, Eák sleeping soundly against the firelight.
“Miss. You have some rather dangerous injuries. Why did you not say something?” She said almost as if she was scolding a foolish child. “Jay get me the poultice.” The shorter of the boys did as she requested and handed her a mixture of herbs. She peeled away the cloth of my dress to unveil the bloodied skin below.
“Boys! Out!” She called assertively.
She worked rapidly. I’d experienced much worse care in the field. This woman’s touch was reassuring and her application gentle. It hurt like hell, but nothing compared to when Liam treated my injuries in training. The man had a fixation to, “cut the dead tissue away” and I never could talk sense into him. He would kill someone with that crap someday.
I chuckled to myself at the memory.
“You are exceptionally strong for a woman my dear.” She said, as she finished cleaning and dressing my wounds.
I opened my mouth to speak, but my throat was hoarse.
“Don’t strain yourself.” She placed the supplies to the side and draped a blanket over my beaten body. “Henry!” She called loudly.
The taller of the two boys rushed in. “Take her to a suitable bed. She needs to rest.”
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