Claiming The Remnant

Chapter 15

[ Taiya ]

I was drifting. Somewhere. Nowhere in particular I think. Weightless and immobile there was only a deep rumble that filled my world.

A loud rumble.

Oh, and it was angry too.

Was it angry at me?

Impossible.

The rumble got louder while my floatiness turned to heaviness.

“...be awake by now?!” The angry rumble turned voice bristled.

The world was coming back to me, piece by tiny piece. I moaned. Painful throbbing filled my head, my stomach ached and burned with acute tenderness and exhaustion tried to tug me back down into the soft darkness.

“Asperonin! Why in the name of Ye Gods is Lady Esther making that sound? She best not be in pain. I am already entirely incised with your behaviour Healer; continued infractions will serve you no favour!” The voice boomed. The throbbing ceased and the uncomfortable tenderness in my stomach was soothed. A warmth coated me finally pushing the clinging darkness to one side. I opened my eyes.

Healer Asperonin was hovering over me, his eyes glowing extremely bright gold; clear evidence that his healing magic was in use. Despite being currently pain free and knowing full well that it was the doing of the Healers magic I tried to move away. The encounter prior to me passing out was at the forefront of my mind but when I tried to do so it became apparent that I was being held in place. Han held me firmly and upon realising my distress patted my head. Entirely unable to decide if I was offended or comforted by the gesture I turned my attention to the rest of the room.

Izla and Isha were holding each other looking intensely distraught. Grace’s face was pinched into an angry scowl, lips thin, eyes piercing and deep wrinkles across her brow as she bore a hole into Healer Asperonin’s back with her gaze. Next was a man I did not recognise; a guard from his attire. His head was bald, his eyes entirely white, and he was pale to the point where it wouldn’t have surprised me if he turned out to be an apparition. He gave a reassuring wave. How odd…

Finally there was the King himself. His face was thunder. Grey eyes thick and deep as the storm laden skies of the rainy season while Zach bounced around him with a whisper of a smile still on his lips. His Majesty gripped Zach lightly by the shoulder and whispered something to him. Zach nodded, his green hair flopping all over the place and then he melted into the floor.

“Asperonin! Are you not done?” The King fumed. The Healer before me didn’t falter in his magic but the King’s harsh tone clearly rattled him.

“Almost My King, just a few more moments.” The Healer didn’t look at me but focused on my arm. I looked at it too. There was a metal tube protruding from my dark purple flesh and Han, who was sitting behind me holding me up and inplace, was holding a bowl under it. “It’s to remove the fluids from the internal bleeding. I’m done knitting the bones back together. There may be a small amount of tenderness over the coming days and it will take around a week for what looks like bruising to disappear. It’s not actually bruising anymore because I have healed the damage, it’s just old blood staining your skin.” He addressed my unasked question while removing the long metal drainage tube and healing the wound it left behind. The second he let go of my arm I pulled it to my body and cradled it as if it still brought me pain.

Healer Asperonin sighed, displeased with my action. If nothing else it made him look bad in front of the King. His eyes dimmed to a light glow, the healing magic settling back, and he stood. My headache and tender stomach returned almost immediately. It was impossible not to whimper at the sudden onset.

“Asperonin!!” The King was seething at the sound of my pain. This was all quite surreal.

“She has a headache and an inflamed stomach, Your Majesty. It is not something I can heal, only alleviate the pain temporarily. However, if you would grace me with a few moments in the company of the lovely Isha and Izla, a solution will be ready shortly.” Asperonin was humble in his request, a far cry from the bolshy attitude he had arrived with. The King nodded his approval, permitting Healer Asperonin to join Isha and Izla.

“Grace, a blanket for Lady Esther please.” His Majesty asked her. It was surprising he had seen my little shiver but then again so was this entire situation. What was the King doing here?

“Of course, Your Royal Highness.” Grace gave a quick curtsy before taking action. King Leoré gave me a kindly smile from across the room and I reciprocated with my own shy smile.

Grace was back in double time with a blanket that was nothing short of being the epitome of cosiness. Enveloped in its turquoise fluffiness I felt snug and safe. Sleep began to call to me almost immediately; in spite of the pain I was in. The heavy, familiar call of slumber was a kind music but I fought it back just a little wanting to see how the situation before me would resolve.

It seemed Healer Asperonin was done with whatever remedy he had developed with the twins' help but when he stepped towards me the King called him back. Asperonin placed something in His Majesty’s hand.

“My study now.” King Leoré barked with authority at the Healer before turning to the twins and Grace. “Ladies, if you please I require a moment alone with Lady Esther.”

“Oh.” Izla and Isha chorused, “Of course Your Highness.” They curtsied in unison, as was their way, and left close behind Asperonin. The Housekeeper bobbed a little curtsy before following them out. Finally the man with white eyes bowed, he closed the double doors to the sitting room leaving the King, Han and myself alone. Han shifted a little behind me, His Majesty saw the movement and gestured for her to stay put. He then came over to where I was huddled on the floor and, to my utter disbelief, crouched before me.

“My dear Lady Esther, it appears today has been most trying.” There was a softness to both his eyes and his voice making me choke on what seemed to be ever present tears when I tried to reply. “My dear, I apologise for my Healers behaviour, his actions were entirely in contradiction with my instructions. I assure you he will be dealt with, I will have another proficient Healer attend to you. In the meantime, may I?” The King held up a stunning necklace. The chain was fine, a slim rope link in silver or white gold fashioned in a lavalier style. A three point filigree link connector, crafted expertly with a leaf design, resided at the central point of the chain. From the base of the filigree a Pampel drop cut stone, most likely a sapphire, hung. An opalescent pearl separating the two.

It was a relief to look at the piece of jewellery and feel knowledgeable. Everything had seemed so unfamiliar, leaving me unsure and doubtful but a Lady would surely be skilled in the appraisal of such fineary. Obviously I did not have an eye for garments but a proficiency in identifying such pieces would serve any Lady well. Lady’s received many gifts so distinguishing between opulence and glass baubles was a way to sort the wheat from the chaff as it were. Almost as important as being able to spy if a suitor were a cad.

“I would be honoured, King Leoré.” I squeaked.

“It has been permeated with healing magic and will soothe that which still pains you.” He explained while expertly fastening the clasp at the nape of my neck. “How do you feel?”

“Much better My King, I thank you for your generosity.” My words were earnest, both my stomach and my head had ceased to plague me now the necklace was in my posession.

“Good, I am most pleased. Now I would like you to tell me what circumstance caused you to sustain such an injury.” The King was kind in his words and there was a peacefulness in them but still I started to lie.

“It has been an exhausting day, I simply lost…” I stopped at the sober look upon his face. Clearly the King was waiting for me to finish my half truth before he called me on it. How embarrassing. “I saw something in the mirror. It scared me. It looked like a monster.” I swallowed, hoping the King would accept my truth without thinking me insane.

“Do you have any details you could tell me regarding this monster you saw?” His expression remained a kindly one and he did not seem to regard what I had said as incredulous.

“It was so fast, just a flash Your Majesty. I can’t help but think perhaps it was just my tired eyes or a distortion of my own image at the edge of the frame.” There was a tremble in my voice, a fear of; well everything. I was wasting the King’s time with my dramatics. A distorted image of myself due to only seeing the reflection in the edge of the glass was the most likely explanation for the twisted vision of blue and flesh colours that had scared me so.

“Could you indulge me and take another look?” Without waiting for an answer the King moved to the mirror. After pivoting it on the stand so that I would be able to see my reflection His Majesty addressed me again. “What do you see?”

“Just myself and Han behind me, Your Majesty.” Ye Gods did I look a mess; although my hair was oddly perfect thanks to Izla. My eyes were all puffy from crying and there was a sallowness to my complexion. The exhaustion that plagued me was apparent from the darkness under my eyes. His Royal Highness seemed disappointed with my answer. Perhaps he secretly hoped that I was loosely composed in the mind; then it would be easier to sweep away my experience of waking in his dungeon as some delusion or hysteria.

“Thank you, Lady Esther. I shall leave you in the capable hands of Grace and Han; I trust they have been gracious and not inflicted any more trauma.” The King pried politely.

“They have been most gracious, My King.” It was with sincerity that I spoke.

“Excellent, I have sent a letter to your brother, the Duke. I hope to hear from him soon and shall keep you abreast of any news. Of course should you wish to write to him please feel free to do so. Clearly Lady Esther you are in need of rest and so I shall bid you goodnight. When you are rejuvenated we can have tea in my study.” His Majesty spoke almost candidly.

“Goodnight, Your Majesty.” The King smiled at me, with an apparent fondness, before taking his leave.

Grace returned immediately after the King had exited. The Head Housekeeper together with my Chambermaid put me to bed, without supper I might add. I forgave them though, there was no malice in the action and anyone could see that I was as tired as the day was long.