Claiming The Remnant

Chapter 52

[ Taiya ]

“Oh, ugh.” I jerked awake, a foul taste resided in my mouth and someone stroked my hair.

“My Lady? Can you hear me?” A melodic voice that I recognised called to me. Heavy eyes found his face.

“Guh.” I croaked a noise at the Healer. There was a numb pain all over and I was desperate but for what I wasn’t sure. A whimper was all I could manage. The bed dipped as Healer Asperonin sat on the mattress and helped me sit up just enough that I wouldn't choke on the water he was holding to my lips.

“Slowly, slowly…” But I didn’t listen.

The rebellion of my innards was as violent as it was unexpected. At least I didn’t expect it. The muttered ‘I told you’ made that evident. I was betting he rolled his eyes hard. My guts were twisting themselves up and it hurt.

“I know.” Asperonin sighed. His hand moved under my nightgown. A storm of panic hit me. This couldn’t be happening. The pain was enough that I couldn’t grab a breath to scream as he touched me. “Easy, I’m gonna help with the pain, nothing else. I just don’t have much magic left right now.” He sounded so tired. The clawing inside me eased up. “Skin to skin is more efficient. I didn’t mean to scare you or imply anything improper.”

Asperonin rubbed warm, pain relieving, magic tinged circles on my belly.

“How’s that?” He asked sleepily.

“It still hurts.” I rasped.

“I know but is it mangeable?” My eyes flicked to his face at the kindness of his tone. Healer Asperonin’s eyes were dim, their bright glow starting to yield to the colour of the iris beneath.

“Uh huh.” The sound weak and whiny.

“Have some more water.” The glass was back at my lips. “Tiny sips, warm it in your mouth.” It was a little late to heed him but to avoid making it worse I did as he said, opposed to gulping like I had previously.

“Thanks.” I whispered, too tired to take another sip.

“Dr. Heathson should be here soon. I’ll try to string my magic out as long as possible and I’ll try not to fall asleep.” The Healer chortled. “You should sleep though if you can.” His hand kept rubbing, relaxing my tense stomach.

“I’m warm.” A smile crawled into my voice.

“Well, isn’t that something.” There was a smile in his voice too.

“Umm, it’s nice. Healer? Did I die?” I mumbled sleepily.

“Dramatically and spectacularly. It has taken an army to keep you alive.” He leaned closer and stroked my hair. My eyes hurt too much to roll them. Everyone here was so unprofessional.

“Ugh.” My stomach clenched.

“Resist, don’t throw up - your heart can’t take it.” His hand was soothing on my forehead. “Need to rest, replenish before I can heal you.”

“Mmm.” I moaned. “What was wrong with me?” My mouth was so dry again.

“Magic - some rare magical infection. We haven’t worked out how to cure you yet but we stopped it, err, keeping you dead?” He snorted. “What do you remember?”

“That you told me to sleep but we keep talking.” I joked with my own snort.

“Very funny.” Asperonin told me drily.

“Urr, I went to the gardens. There was this overwhelming feeling of dread followed by pain. I think I screamed, and now this.” I tried to wet my mouth but my tongue was like sandpaper.

“Here.” The water was right there again, it smelled amazing. Taking it steady I managed to drink enough that it swished in my belly, figuring I should get my fill now before there was no magic left to soothe me.

“I’m, um…” My head lolled against his chest. “sshh.” Not caring about the im-proprietary of it all, I fell asleep against him.

- - -

“Careful, you’ll wake her.” Healer Asperonin muttered defensively.

“You be careful… people might think you don’t hate me.” Asperonin scoffed at my waking jibe.

“I would ask how you are feeling but clearly, Lady Esther, your spirits are in good stead.” Dr. Heathson commented with his usual monotone. There was tiredness in his face and warmth in his dark brown eyes.

“How’s my aura?” I asked more quietly than I intended.

“Uh, Ye Gods.” Asperonin harrumphed clearly unimpressed. There was no love lost between the two and they seemed unable to see eye to eye on anything.

“It looks like shit.” The Dr. deadpanned. “Let’s see what we can do about that.” He began rifling through his bag.

“Don’t take too long about it; I’m right on the edge here.” There was pain in Asperonin’s voice.

“I think Lady Esther would be quite entertained by watching you burnout.” There was lightness to the Dr’s hollow voice. As I was still leaning against Asperonin’s chest I felt his aggravation in the sharp breath he took.

“It’s cute that you’re both fighting over me but Izla and Isha do it better. Agh.” The sting of pain made me hiss air between my teeth.

“Dr…” The Healer moaned between gritted teeth. I moaned right along with him.

“Just going to give you some pain relief for now.” Dr. Heathson’s hand was on my arm but I didn’t feel the needle. “Count to ten Healer and then you should be good to go.”

“I feel weird…” And I did, “like everything is great.”

“Then it’s working. Zach!” I could have sworn Dr. Heathson was smiling.

“Hey.” Zach bounced around the bed.

“Our esteemed Head Healer requires an ice bath.” The Dr. spoke with fancy words but a plain voice. There was laughter. I realised it was me.

“I can take myself.” Asperonin started gently moving me off of him. “I understand you being amused, My Lady, but it’s not that funny.”

“Funny.” Zach snickered reaching for Asperonin.

“Zach, I don’t need your assistance.” The Healer continued shuffling away. The room rippled with every move Asperonin made. I couldn’t tell if it was exciting or sickening.

Sickening, definitely sickening. I grabbed his tunic and gagged. Everyone froze.

“My apologies Zach, it appears I do in fact require your assistance.” Healer Asperonin admitted, backtracking and speaking more sweetly. The weight disappeared from the bed without josling me. My stomach settled; relieved I sank back into the softness of the pillows with a moan. That was close.

Dr. Heathson leant over me and started his usual examination while speaking in a seemingly bored tone. It was comforting and familiar. The delicateness of his hands, the calmness of his presense and the way he wasn’t dismissive of my need to be acknowledged made me feel cared for in a way that Healer Asperonin just couldn’t quite manage, no matter how hard he tried.

“I’m going to give you some shots and then do you want to try some food?” He prepped a syringe. “Or do you want to sleep?”

“Food…” My stomach didn’t rumble but my mind wandered to thoughts of all the tasty things I wanted to eat. “Not soup, anything but soup…”

“Ok, not soup. Zach!” His eyes focused on my arm as he found the vein and injected me.

“Yup, Lady ok?” Zach, all green hair and bright eyes, greeted me happily but tried not to bounce too much.

“Hey Zach, I died.” Somehow the words just escaped.

“I know.” The lad had a sad but kind smile. “Need something?” He looked between the Dr. and myself.

“Food…” I eyed him, willing the mental image of what I wanted to eat to sink into his brain. I must have just managed to look a little insane because Zach simply tilted his head, perplexed. His green hair flopped everywhere.

“Zach could you please get her the same selection, or as close to it, as you did last time?” I purred a yes in agreement as Zach disappeared and Dr. Heathson stuck me with another needle. He spent some time taking my pulse and writing notes while trying to distract me with idle chatter. I couldn’t think much beyond the peaceful wellbeing the drugs had brought to my body but that was ok. Right now everything was ok.

- - -

I had been in and out for days. At least I think it was days, it’s hard to keep track. There was always someone at my bedside ready to assist me, comfort me and feed me… one tiny mouthful at a time. I was being continuously fed. It had me feeling like a baby bird; weak and featherless in the nest constantly stretching its mouth for sustenance.

Today Han was with me, wholesome, attentive Han. Fussing and mothering me in the most adorable way. I needed that. Especially considering I had not gotten out of the bed at all. The embarrassment was crushing. I ate in bed, I drank in bed, I was washed in bed, my teeth were brushed in bed and subsequently I had to do my business in bed.

Mortifying.

And that was where I now found myself.

“Han, please!?” My begging was getting me nowhere. Just red faced and in pain as my bladder felt like it was going to explode.

- NO YOU STAY - Han patted my hand before signing again - SORRY -

“I don’t want to. It’s gross and embarrassing.” I tried to move but I was still so weak. “The chamber pot is right there, I’d still be touching the bed.”

- TOO FAR -

“It’s not, I can make it.” Tears were hot on my cheeks.

- STOP ARGUING, PEE - Han shook her head at me, violet eyes sorrowful. - NOT LOOKING - Han told me as though that would help. Then she closed her eyes in a dramatic fashion, wafting her hands at herself and making a big deal of shutting her eyes. I whimpered.

It wasn’t like I was going to wet the bed, I had been put in a diaper, but still.

There was a light knock at the door and my bladder boiled. Oh, no. I really didn't need another witness. It would be - in fact it had been, embarrassing enough on my own.

“Good afternoon, Lady Esther.” Head Healer Asperonin chimed, Healer Poflorin stepped in just behind and gave the same bright greeting. My lip trembled as with a heated face I tried to keep my fit to burst bladder under control. “Is everything alright?” His tone melted into concern. Somewhere between me dying and waking, the Head Healers standoffish snobby attitude towards me had eased. The alternative was his acting had gotten better.

“I need to relieve myself but Han won’t let me out of bed.” I sounded like such a child. Han folded her arms and pulled a face that said she was unimpressed.

“Well,” His face was kindly as he spoke, “I’m afraid you will have to endure, at least on this occasion, but Healer Poflorin and myself are now fully replenished and so today we are able to begin the healing process in earnest. It will take time for you to fully recover but in an hour or so you should be able to move about your quarters and take care of some basic needs by yourself.”

I gripped the edge of the duvet with weak fingers, peering at the Healers with aching eyes and wet lashes. It would have been easier if he looked at me with disgust or made some snide comment.

“Han, would you please call for us as soon as Lady Esther is ready.” Poflorin’s face was blurry through my tears, but I saw him push his Father towards the door.

They were barely out the door when the hot relief of release couldn’t be held at bay any longer. The only thing I could do was turn my head so that at least my look of shame would be my own. Han striped me, cleaned me and replaced the dreaded diaper without meeting my eyes before fetching the waiting Healers.