Galen Vesa

It tickled.

Like a feather blown by the wind, it tickled all over my body.

*Such aura… Seems there is more to those two than meets the eye. This may be a good lesson for you dolt. Observe. *

A line of runes came to life beneath us, sheltering the spectators from what would soon begin in the arena.

“Is this necessary? I thought they would only measure their strength.”

The wolf asked concerned. Probability of a positive return from her investments dropped with each moment.

“Yes,”

The Voice of treaty spoke. Her hands trembled. She brought them together and straighten herself, offering us a weak smile. A bone chilling howl came from the arena. A human throat surely could not make such noise.

“There is a reason why the Law is and remains unchallenged.”

Crimson lightning mowed through the arena and clashed with the prince’s blade raised in a guard. He held the sword with both hands, yet the strain showed almost instantly.

* Look, look how he shifted his weight! Instead of absorbing that blow, he deflected her charge! *

All I saw were bright red flash and some sparks. Something heavy clanged against his sword and the prince rolled away.

*Have I not told you how good eyes you got? Try and focus. We have practiced that. *

Best we don’t get distracted.

*Do not worry. I am keeping my watch. Learn while you can. Fighters of this caliber have no fondness for meaningless fighting. They fight to kill. A chance to watch them spar for public may not happen ever again. Do not waste a free meal. *

Both combatants became a blur, chasing each other around the arena. The clangs of steel striking against steel turned into near constant ringing.

As always, the snarky dragon seemed right. Logic concurred her opinion. Outvoted, I grit my teeth and focused on the persistent presence within me. Mana. I tugged at the loose thread and begged for it to go lightly.

And the world came to a stop. A neat and painful trick to watch life in slow motion. Or so I though until I saw the pair facing each other before me. They chased each other as if time had no reign over them.

And my eyes burned.

*Gentle. Like droplets of morning dew against the grass. Let the mana flow. Not too much. Not too little. Just imagine it. Mana will conform. *

I did and the strain lessened but my eyes still burned with the pain of pepper spray.

The duel playing before my eyes settled on a speed I could follow, given I won’t faint any moment.

*Hush. Watch. *

The prince hardly had time to duck his head when a blade sliced over it. He tried to counter but metal claws forced him into another guard. Bit by bit he backed away from his opponent.

Say, my expertise may be based on Kung Fu movies but, isn’t he loosing?

*Yes. *

As we spoke, the bride dived beneath his sword and cut before he could parry. Long slashing blow that should flail her opponent. Nothing of the sort happened. Instead, a gush of bluish mist rushed out of his body alongside the line where the blade would meet the skin. Mana? Did he just use raw mana to avoid damage?

*A wasteful skill. Difficult as well. Yet better than being chopped to pieces. *

The prince breathing did seem labored. With just one hit…

Bloody red petals of rose entered my view, carried by a stray wind. They covered the sky with a crimson veil and danced all around the arena.

And no one saw them?

Alone among this countless crowd, she sat at the stone parapet of the arena. Her eyes were locked upon mine. Her hand crushed a rose and let the petals fly with the wind.

Her lips were wet… of dripping blood.

*Galen! *

The roar of the crowd assaulted my ears. The prince, bashed and bleeding, stood with long flaming braid in his grasp, raised for all to see. At his feet, his bride howled and trashed, hogtied with an iron chain.

How long?

*Most of the fight. I do not think anyone apart the bride noticed. It distracted her long enough for him to bind her. What happened? *

You remember the odd one I told you about?

*The voice that can get out? *

Yes. She’s here.

The stars twinkled among cloudless sky. Bright grey, almost white to my eyes. Not a petal in sight.

*I cannot sense anything amiss. *

Most likely my imagination but, you know, her timings were… I don’t believe in coincidences.

Four men carried in a plate filled to the brim with burning oils. The prince limped over and cast the hair into the flames.

And the flames soared.

“You have proven your worth!”

The Voice of the treaty called from besides me.

“I bear witness before the Flame and the Blood, man of iron, daughter of Blood, yours is the right to take.”

Victor bowed before the crowd earning a wild applause from the nobles then dropped to his knees and holding his bound bride, forced her lips apart and dripped in a potion a Blood shamaness brought.

“Is that…”

A woman in an exquisite, black dress spoke to my left. The Voice of the treaty measured her then answered.

“An antidote. The nambu Juice is a powerful poison. It grants warriors unimaginable strength in exchange for their reason and eventually, their life.”

“How barbaric!”

“We of Blood call it just. It allows one to face the other without restraint and provide mercy if the other should fail.”

Those and similar questions she addressed while the crowd, yet again, gravitated towards her.

The union of Blood. Carried out by the sword and blessed with fire. Nothing a sane person would attempt but can people in love be considered sane?

*I have some doubts whether you are qualified to judge that…*

Touché.

I watched as Victor carried his bride out of the arena. For someone that poisoned herself and almost killed her future husband, she seemed perfectly happy. The remnants of her blazing mane poke out at an uneven angle from her head. Here and there patches of bleeding skin showed places where her hair got ripped out rather than cut.

And yet, she smiled.

Perhaps only the wolf standing next to me seemed happier. Had she had a tail it would wag right now. The cash register in her head going, ka-Ching.

I pretended to listen to the Voice while she thanked the gathered witnesses and invited the crowd back inside for the remaining part of the ceremony. Hopefully that entailed people getting too drunk to remember of my existence and me hiding somewhere in a corner. I have no idea how to deal with social gatherings.

*Several individuals are heading this way followed by a considerable troop. They are of Blood. *

I cast one last look at the empty arena. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The sky was clean, the wind silent, the night peaceful so far. Have I imagined all that? Maybe. Wouldn’t be the first time. The strange one seemed to be a talkative type, yet she had not spoken a word to me. Perhaps…

“A child of wood…”

Again with the odd name. Should I ignore it this time? Altina searched for my gaze while the Blood warriors singled me out of the receding crowd and separate from others with their spears.

“It cannot be.”

An elderly man supported by a crooked cane shook his head at the sight of my ears.

“I do not remember seeing one with such plentiful bosom.”

A woman near his age stopped beside him.

“But the Law has chosen…”

“She is Law no more!”

The youngest among the five that came, shouted.

“It is not her place to give what belonged to Blood! What we paid in death to earn!”

The elder aimed her arm at me as if thrusting a spear. This time I choose ignorance and put my eyes on the Voice.

She avoided my gaze not willing to translate the slurs they spew at me.

*Charming, are they not? *

You don’t seem surprised.

* Spawn of a raped pig? That is quite mild if you ask me. I have heard worse. Perhaps we should follow the rest back into the mansion. I am curious of the wine they have. *

You want a drink? Now?

*No dolt. I want us away from this crowd and all the attention we are getting. Sieving through all that noise makes my sensing less effective. *

I took a deep breath then let out a theatrical sigh and walked over to the youngest of the five. The most vocal one. We stood face to face, staring into each other’s eyes. I saw the glow of my enchanted eyes reflect within hers.

Oh. Now I remember what they said this feline did. Why the heck not?

*Dolt, do not…*

I leaned closer and brushed my cheek against her.

“You are so intent upon my skin. Why won’t you try and take it?”

The woman jumped away stricken by unimaginable horror while I brushed the fur slung around my shoulders. It worked better than I thought.

“You… You have our words!”

I turned to the elders.

“And you have forgotten that age does not make you all-knowing but, just old. “

Still brushing the fur, I shook my head in distaste.

“I have seen more common sense in a child. “

I let that hang in the air and left. Not a single soul dared to stop me, and the crowd parted ahead of me.

In the corner of my eye I saw Altina and Vi following behind as best as they could, navigating around the curious onlookers. I walked until we got out of sight and stopped to let them catch up. Lured by the echoing music, people gravitated back towards the mansion, vividly discussing what they witnessed. Slowly, servants searched and guided back those of the guests that for one reason or another, strayed from the path. Although no one came to bother me.

“W-wait… I beg you… c-can’t breathe…”

Vittoria huffed and puffed in the iron grip of her dress. Her face and lips picking up the dangerous blue tint. Only the guild master’s arm, she clutched so wearily kept her standing.

We sat her gently on a stone bench, one of the many placed along the path and let her breath catch up.

*The number of your followers is growing by the minute. *

Eh?

*Aside from the four we caught earlier, three more have joined in. They are keeping their distance for now. *

Splendid.

*But do warn your fluffy friend out here. She seems the jumpy sort. *

Altina’s ears twitched in the directions Erta indicated. Just how good her hearing is?

“I am causing trouble again. “

“That I see.”

She huffed at me.

“Those admirers of yours, do they mean trouble?”

“I know not. They do not seem so.”

Vi stretched herself along the bench, neither her color improved, nor her breathing slowed. I sat down and let her head rest on my lap. At the same time a series of happy moans came from the nearby bush. A servant with a lantern waited nearby, letting the precious moment conclude, then cleared his throat, announcing his presence.

“Perhaps we should loosen her corset? I don’t think people will notice anymore.”

“And ruin the dress? It is riveted shut or it wouldn’t hold. “

The wolf spoke yet at the same time put her hand on Vi’s throat.

“I can make it… I’ll be… fine after… rest…”

“Hush. We are cutting you out. I do not like the way your heart races.”

Vi made a miserable face.

“No excuses. A dress is cheap. A good employee? Not so much. Come let us get you out of it. With all those soldiers around, somebody is bound to have a damn knife. ”

Vittoria got up and began to walk on her own in a blatant demonstration of her being perfectly well yet after only a few steps her breath again turned into wheezing gasps.

“Oh mighty Shamu, hold her still and I’ll cut her out!”

A tendril of blood appeared in the wolf’s hand and formed into a long and serrated blade.

Love, I may help if you allow me. Please.

A shiver went through my spine. Even after so much time, that voice felt so disgusting.

Call upon me and my child shall protect her. Hurry.

Wheezing, Vi’s body went limp in my arms. Somebody shouted in a distance.

* Guards are coming. *

I pulled Vi towards me, exposing her back. There were more than a hundred ornamental rivets hidden among the folds of her dress.

“Mother of the seven winds, save this hume child.”

My lips moved before the wolf’s knife could cut off a rivet.

And the wind came.

A ball of golden light formed above our heads and instantly sunk within the girl’s chest. Her body took one more wheezing gasp and fell silent. Her ribs no longer moved. Her whole mass hanged at my neck until…

“Eh?”

Perplexed, she let go of my neck and stood on her own. Light pink color slowly returned to her flesh. An odd thing given her chest did not move anymore.

“What is this?!”

At least five guards and several servants came running.

“A! High time you fools came!”

Altina roared into the nearest guard’s face, giving him a look at a set of shining white daggers hiding in her mouth. It took me a while to puzzle out why people back at the guild called her smile disturbing.

“His highness honored guest was left without any help! She is of weak disposition! Had we not come across her, she might have collapsed! Alone in these woods! This cannot be! Just wait till his highness hears of it!”

*And here I thought you were the gifted one. *

Erta laughed as we stared at the dumbfounded guards and the wolf cursing them to seven hells. Just what a noble would do. Perhaps what they were used to expect? Liking it or not, orders were orders and guests were to be taken care of. Vi suddenly found herself sitting on a chair somebody fetched. A chair held by no less than six men and carried up in the air, back to the house. As we walked behind them, the wolf put on her we'll talk later look and sank in her own thoughts. More questions I did not particularly want to answer.

A group of twelve or probably more warriors of blood closed our little procession, gathering curious stares. More attentions I would do without.

They are multiplying like rabbits, aren’t they?

*Have I not told you? You have a gift. A gift for attracting trouble. *

And snarky remarks of a certain dragon. Are you sure nothing is out there?

*No. Not within the grounds. Not as far as I dare to look. Galen, if anything were to happen… it is also my skin now. My only chance to find my daughter. As slim as it may be. Do not forget that. *

We climbed the marble stairs of the balcony and joined the jolly crowd. The captain of guards insisted on taking Vi to a healer. Altina did not protest. She turned to me as if to say, behave. She spoke no such thing though. Just shook her head and followed the guards, deserting me alone among the sea of glaring faces. Whispering.

Eh. Let us go get that wine.

*A wise choice. Your social skills are improving my dear dolt. *

Why, thank you. As long as nobody tries to stick me with something sharp, I think I can handle it.

The Blood didn’t seem too keen on following me into the mansion but still two of the lot chose to enter and play my shadows. A good thing I presume. Their presence gave me a wide berth of personal space and deterred most people. Those too drunk to notice were quickly swept away by attendants before spears could come into play. With a glass of wine in my hand and a little help from Erta’s charms, unseen, I climbed a set of spiral stairs and hid on the curious balcony that ran along the walls of the entire ballroom. It offered an amazing view of the floor below and a set of inviting, plush chairs in red leather.

I choose the latter since a lady in semitransparent dress, sporting no undies should stay away from ledges and railings. Or so the dragon moaned in my head. Staring at the crowd of high-born drunkards did not interest me anyway.

I sat with one leg crossed over the other, just like they thought me. Now that I think of it, why did I even agree to wear this dress? The wolf did try to explain her reasoning to me. Some of it.

*While prudence is a good quality, it is timing that makes it useful. Even though we are being paid to wear it, please be more mindful of what they put on you in the future. *

Ah. Not that I don’t agree with you, roomie, but there is merit to this outfit. Or that’s what Logic said. They are more concerned with my pillows then my ears. A distraction. Supposedly.

She mouthed something I did not quite catch and focused her attention elsewhere. I on the other hand, leaned back in my chair and sipped on the wine. Sweet, sweet rose with a hit of some exotic fruits whose names I could not recall of the top of my head. Good enough to sip while moon waned through the crystal glass of the roof. Whether someone chiseled it out of a single sheet of glass or put together many pieces remained a mystery even to my eyes. I traced all the bends and nooks and crannies but could not find a single joint line.

“Magnificent, is it not?”

A man over his fifties, slipped past my guard. They watched him pass by with a hint of respect rather then consternation. Someone important?

“Yes.”

I answered since he expected and answer but did nothing else.

“One of my ancestors ordered to tear off the roof and built this instead.”

He indicated the see-through ceiling.

“A masterpiece in the eyes of many. A folly we languished for over the years. Our house went bankrupt paying for all that crystal. Had it not been for the emperor’s mercy, my ancestors would end up in the mines.”

His grey eyes bore into me. Searching.

“I do not know what folly my son concocted this time. I do not wish to know. He had shown more regards for coin and fame than his own life since his childhood. Courting death being one of his favorite pastimes, I suppose. Yet he is still my son and I had not seen one more loyal to the word he gives and to his house. I thank you for saving his life.”

The Duke nudged his head slightly. Not an impressive gesture but given the difference in our standing, should I feel honored? Also, it seems some people did notice.

*It may be so. Get up dolt and show some respect or he may find you arrogant. *

I rose and bowed before him, probably flashing more than I ought to.

“Your grace, I know not what you mean by your words. I did no such thing.”

“A pleasant lie from beautiful lips.”

His eyes weren’t exactly studying my face.

“I know my son and his sword. He entered the arena a dead man. You need more than luck to beat one of Blood. Something distracted her just before she dealt the final blow and,”

He put his hand under my chin and brought my head to his level.

“Your eyes are quite distracting my dear.”

“Is that so, your grace?”

I stepped away from his touch. His blatant show of casualness towards me unnerved my guard but they did not interfere.

“Come,”

He offered me his hand.

“My son is looking for you.”

I wrapped my arm around his and let myself be guided. Smiling. Kind of. My lips tend to fold into one of a myriad of flirtatious smirks when I pay them no heed. A magical kink Erta just can’t get rid of. One among many this twisted body has.

We sailed through the bowing crowd of gaping nobles. Some not really hiding their displeasure at my presence. Some more interested in what the dress hid and what it shown. I am quite sure, were I alone, it would not end with stares.

“I must say, I never dreamed I would walk arm in arm with a child of the wood. My ancestors are turning in their graves, that I am sure of.”

The duke seemed to be in good humor.

“I am not of wood your grace.”

A path opened before us as we walked. The duke turned his gaze back at me and my pillows.

“Perhaps not but to them you are. My people remember. Their veins are full of tales of old. It is difficult to let go of the past. When I learned of you my dear, I was opposed to the idea. Accursed wood dweller blessing the holy union between my son and the Blood. I wanted no part in that.”

“Then why allow it?”

“A child that does not seek will not learn. I may have my worldview, but it is only that, a view of my tiny world and a reflection of my ideas. Life taught me to try and see a grander picture. A picture in which old hate of old farts like myself may be put to rest alongside the cold ashes and perhaps… well, maybe not friendship. The ashes are not cold enough for that. Perhaps mutual tolerance may bloom first. There is much to be gained from such tolerance.”

The Blood following me closed behind us a door to a private chamber, sealing off the noise.

“Father, My Diva.”

Clad in fresh uniform and with all his wounds dressed, Victor welcomed us. Beside him, Feria sat on a stool among blooded rags. Her chest wrapped in bandages, her bruised body a testament of the ruthless fight she fought. A healer held her outstretched arms over the bride and I saw the flow of her bright mana.

“My Law, you come to me even in my defeat... I am not worthy!”

She tried to get up and prostrate herself before me. What is wrong with those people?

*You ask me? *

A rhetoric question. I raised my arm to stop her before she fell.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

“I am neither of Blood nor a warrior. I do not deserve the honors you ascribe me. Sit, you are wounded.”

She swallowed that and let herself be put back on the stool while others stared in confusion. I used that and addressed the prince.

“Your grace, You have summoned me?”

“…Yes.”

*My pillows-are-being-stared-at sense is tingling…*

Is it now? You read too much comic books.

*Instead of those silly picture books you should have put something useful inside your head dolt. There is not much else in there to keep me occupied. *

Well, go and complain to the ten years old me then. Nothing I can do about it now. Besides, weren’t you supposed to keep watch?

*And I am while you should listen to the prince. It does seem important. *

Oh.

“…your guild master and she ascertained me it is of no trouble, but I wished to convey this by myself. My Diva, will you grant us that pleasure?”

He asked and suddenly all the eyes in the room turned on me.

Erm, roomie? You were listening, weren’t you?

*Hush, I am quite busy keeping watch for any threats. *

Oh, the most magnificent dragon, help? Pretty please?

*To accommodate certain guests, they have moved the signing ceremony ahead of schedule. They want you to perform it now, among other things…*

“It will be my pleasure, your grace. “

I bowed. One could never go wrong with too much bowing before nobility. They expected it like the sun in the morning. Surprisingly, the prince returned my gesture. Feria again tried to prostrate herself and yet again several hands pressed her back down on the stool. To add to the confusion, a pair of maids entered through the backdoor with a dress and matching pair of stilettos.

“No,”

The witch shook her head and yanked at her patient’s arm. An action which Feria rewarded with a long hiss when her arm popped back into its socket. Her second hand tightly gripped on the bloodied shaft of her spear. As if letting go of it would rob her of her strength.

“She has broken ribs, sore and swollen joints, not to mention being beaten all over. She must rest. No corsets, no heels. Bed and sleep are what she needs.”

“And you have my word rest is what we shall be doing right after the ceremony.”

“My grace, I may have stopped your internal bleeding but…”

“Leana, I trust your abilities. One more hour at most. After that we’re done. All the guests can go to hell and back, but we won’t leave bed until you say so.”

“You won’t leave beds. Plural. Each in separate room.”

“If cruel fate and my healer dictates so then yes.”

She gave in under the pressure of prince’s puppy eyes and undo her robe to reach into the inner pocket.

“My grace, I’ve been saving those for an emergency,”

Two tiny vials shined in her palm.

“But given the circumstances… one hour. No more.”

*An elixir… I have not seen one in a while. *

Are they that impressive?

*That my dolt depends on the point of view. It is nothing short of improper when something you jest finished chewing keep on regenerating and comes back to pester you again. *

Ah yes. The dragon’s point of view.

The prince’s face turned a curious hue of green after he emptied his vial. If the old rule of thumb about healthy things lacking in taste held true in this world as well and those were really that effective, I could hardly imagine how disgusting that could taste. Feria, with great difficulty, swallowed again what did not wish to stay within her stomach. Victor offered her a glass of rum to wash off the taste and I watched as she dried the entire bottle.

That must be a very effective elixir. Yes, very effective indeed.

“Can you stand?”

“Yes.”

Feria rose, her spear strained under her weight. For a moment it seemed she would fall but she steadied herself.

“You have followed the ways of Blood even though you are not one of us. You have proven your worth and won your prize. I am yours as you are mine. If your iron laws say we need to sign a treaty to confirm what we already signed in blood, I am ready.”

Victor offered her his arm.

“Then let us begin. Hern, send word to the orchestra.”

One of the servants bowed and left the room. Moments later, a melody I could only descried as a wedding march, came blasting through the closed doors. We queued in front of them. First, several flower girls, dressed in scarlet. Then the prince’s honor guard in black and silver. Then the prince with his bride. He wore a fresh uniform with the familiar fur cast around his shoulders. Feria wore mostly blood-soaked bandages. I stood several paces behind them, surrounded by nine women of Blood clad in full body warpaint. They stole occasional glances at me, and the fur cast over my shoulders, whenever they thought I did not see. How troublesome…

“A moment, please.”

I called before the stewards opened the door and walked over to the bride.

“I have witnessed your courage. Allow me to return what is yours.”

I tried to put the fur around her the best I could. Least it covers the bloodstains.

“My Law, I cannot…”

“You have given it to me for safekeeping, which I’ve done gladly. Your trial has ended, there is no need for me to hold onto it. Also, it is a bad omen to separate a matching set.”

With that said, I returned to my previous place, among the wildly whispering crowd of Blood. What could it mean? They asked each other. But there was no time for any answers, the doors swung open and exposed us to the full blast of fanfare. With me smiling as naturally as I could, we walked back into the ballroom.

Guided by discreet servants, the guests formed a wide passage for our procession and clapped madly as we walked by. Cheers roared among the jolly march played by the orchestra. Some were throwing flower petals at us, showering us with colorful rain. Others bowed as the prince and his bride passed by them.

At the end of the passage, a wider, circular space awaited us amidst the crowd. As on cue, the flower girls and the honor guard split sideways and took their places at the edge of the prepared space, evenly distributed all around us. Alone in the center, Vittoria stood, displaying the full splendor of her extravagant dress. When the newlyweds approached her, she greeted them with a curtsey while her flowing dress made her into a perfect image of a white flower. She kept her pose through the explosive finale of the wedding march and rose only after the final notes of the march were replaced by softer tone of a new melody. A signal for the crowd to remain silent. Vittoria brought her hands to her heart and closed her eyes as if falling into a prayer. A moment later, the silver canister rose from the hiding place among the folds of her dress. It stopped at the height of her heart and begun dismantling itself. When it stopped, uncovering a roll of snowy parchment, Vi opened her eyes and slowly spread her arms. Before my eyes the scroll began to unfold, giving rise to widespread gasp of awe at the sight of the masterpiece contained within. She spent every single moment she had available on our journey to draw that. Working day and night calligraphed more than five hundred paragraphs of contract laws in ornamental runes, then filled in the blank space with drawings. Each paragraph she formed into tree, with runes shaping its bark, branches and leaves. An image painted with letters. From afar, one could see a couple holding hands, standing amidst a forest, from up close, the vows become visible. The scroll formed a ring around Vi and rotated slowly in the air for the entire room to witness its magnificence.

After making third and final circle the scroll stopped with its center seal facing the lovers and its edges begun to roll in. Folded into the size of a large painting, the scroll took on a horizontal position as if somebody placed it on a table. This was a sign for me. Stepping out of the line I walked pas the couple and took my place beside Vi, facing the newlyweds. I reached out and placed my fingertips within the prepared mana circle. I didn’t have my seal but because of the way it was made I wouldn’t need it. Or so I thought. My eyes found the wolf standing behind in the crowd. Her ears went flat confirming my discovery.

They forgot to place the binding spell on it.

Roomie, please tell me you can replicate a marriage contract spell.

*Well, it certainly is part of the warding magic class but… unfortunately I have never paid much attention to those human squiggles they put on those papers you stamped. *

And with the Murphy’s blessing the crowd misinterpreted my silence as a call to order while the newlyweds placed their palms alongside mine.

With the crowd hushed and the couple staring at me intently, I closed my eyes and pretended to focus, buying as many precious moments as I could.

So you can or you can’t do it?

*I can perform a slave binding seal if you wish me to. That should be similar enough? *

Ah yes. Very useful. But you know roomie, I don’t think they are into that kind of thing. You have anything else in your repertoire?

Give them to us. We want.

Just behind the couple, four translucent shapes appeared out of nowhere. I just hoped nobody else saw them as again, the queens disobeyed me.

We are well within our right to protect what is ours and provide help when you most need it. We know of the wolf’s desire.

And you also want to fatten your spoils.

It is their choice to accept what we offer.

Why do know I will regret this?

“Victor of house of Ferreha, before all gathered here as witnesses to your choice, I ask thee. Are you aware of all the laws and restrictions this seal will place on you and your soul?”

I paused waiting for the Voice of the treaty to translate for the Blood present within the crowd.

“I am aware.”

“Do you take this oath unforced, out of your own free will?”

“I do. For as long as the embers of life will burn within me, I do.”

“Feria of Blood, Daughter of Fire. Before the undying flame and all gathered here, I ask thee. You are about to seal your life to the man of iron and their laws. Have you learned and understood the burden this seal will place upon you and your soul?”

My words switch into her tongue before I realized it, but the Voice yet again relayed it to others.

“I have.”

“Do you take this oath unforced, out of your own free will?”

“I do. For as long as my blood shall burn within my veins. I do.”

“We have heard your vows and we bear witness.”

The spirits whispered for the pair to hear but remained unseen. I gave the newlyweds no time to question what transpired.

“Be blessed by the Earth, let it always be a solid foundation for your life.”

A subtle rumble could be heard in a distance while the ground where they stood vibrated with mana.

“Be blessed by Water, let it cleanse your sorrows heal your body in the times of need.”

Tiny droplets of rain begun to fall on them from the crystal sky. Wherever the water touched, their wounds healed. And I had to take deeper breath to steady myself since both spirits were drawing upon my mana.

“Be blessed by Wind,”

My voice broke when I felt her touch me.

“let it fan the flames of your passion.”

“Be blessed by Fire, let it guard the hearth of your love so it would never run cold.”

And the fire came taking more than the others share. Pulling not only from my mana but also from the lovers standing before me. Victor first to notice, tried to yank his hand away yet the spirits held him anchored.

Please, nothing excessive.

I begged the spirit, but she ignored my words as a column of fire erupted from the seal, just beneath the point where our fingers touch.

“I claim you my Law anew and unchallenged. “

I don’t know how many people heard this voice or how many noticed. Feria’s body came ablaze at the very same moment the spirit spoke. Flames erupted from her wounds and consumed her entire body as the spirit remade her. The prince watched fascinated while his bride became a living flame before his eyes. Her body no longer flesh and blood but a blazing fire floating beside him in a female shape.

“You may kiss your wife.”

I spoke, forcefully ending the drain on my mana. Released from its hold, my arm fell limp at my side. But nobody noticed. All eyes were locked at the fiery being floating beside the prince, her flames casting a blinding glow. She reached out and cupped his face in her palms then pulled herself closer and sealed his lips with a kiss. Shy at first, Victor relaxed and deepened the kiss. Without fear he reached around her and pulled her into his arms. Slowly, as her feet touched the ground, her body solidified into that of a young woman with long flaming mane of thick red hair. Not a sign of scar or blemish left on her perfect, reddish skin. No clothing left either. Except for the luxurious fur still resting atop her shoulders.

Charmed by this outstanding performance and not really understanding its nature, people started clapping and cheering, blessing the fortunes of the newly wed, still locked in their embrace. Amidst all that commotion the crowd parted making way for a woman that appeared to be gliding slightly above the ground. Her magnificent blue dress swept the floor in her wake.

“Light of the Empire! Aeritha von Melleroy, Queen of Crovellem!”

As one body the entire room bowed at these words, I followed their example.

The woman stopped before the groom.

“I see spirits have you in their favor dear prince. Let me also offer my blessings for you and your wife. May the peace and good fortune never leave your house and mother of Light may bless you with many children.”

She put her hands on their lowered heads.

“Rise, tonight is your night! Let the music play, let us see you dance!”

And the band obliged. A waltz of a kind begun to play in the background. We moved to the side making space for their first dance, the newly arrived woman following us, her eyes stealing glances at me as we stood watching. Feria did not have a dress, but white flames danced around her creating an illusion of one and people watched mesmerized.

But I did not. Something other occupied my mind. Where have I seen her? The queen of Crovellem? Most peculiar. Had I not known better I’d swear I’ve seen that face before. Those calm lines of her lips. Those eyes with a third eyelid akin to mine. The milky skin casting oddly familiar shine.

*Thee who governs all, shield us from befalling evil! Above! They are coming from above! *

A surge of mana paralyzed me with blinding pain as the shield came into existence over the entire ballroom. Streaks of light came raining down with the roar of thunders. Shattered glass and deadly magic raged against the hair thin line drawn above our heads. It held long enough to withstand the opening onslaught but not a heartbeat longer.

*Move you dolt! We need to run! Move! *

Even before my mind made a conscious choice, my body moved. With the wall of people behind my back and on my both sides, it rushed forward since only one obstacle stood there on my road to safety. I tackled the queen.

As we fell, her smile vanished giving way to short lived surprise, then anger and fear. Nothing I could do about. My limbs were locked in a well-rehearsed sequence. In my mind I already saw I will land in a sort of push up, with my hands outstretched. Roll away. Get up. Run.

And then the pain exploded against my back. The floor melted underneath my palms and my world disappeared in darkness.

It felt as if gods played with my consciousness, flipping the on-off switch back and forth. Images of flames, blood and flying chunks of granite played before my eyes interlaced with darkness. Silence rang within my ears.

A blow to the ribs lifted me off the ground while another hit, square on my face, sent me flying back into the darkness. My eyes reopened once more, only to witness the oaken table snap and shatter underneath me like styrofoam.

Darkness.

Darkness and pain.

Noises fading in a distance.

Pain.

Why does it hurt so much?!

My arm…

It burns so much!

Please! Please let it end!

No more! It burns so much!

Can’t breathe… Help! Doctor, help… no… She couldn’t help.

It burns.

My body…

Pain burns in my veins…

Out, out! Let it out! I must let it out or it won’t stop!

“Well, well, well. Who do we have here? Mister Whabbit, whatever you’re doing there?”

Footsteps. Noise fading in and out.

“Why do you cower in that rubble?”

“Pain… It hurts…”

Alien hands, touching, feeling.

“Silly Whabbit. There is nothing wrong with your arm.”

“It hurts!”

“Does it? Or are you just scared of what you are?”

She stood before me with her hands behind her back. Time froze in place while bloody petals danced around us.

My arm burned bright.

“What are you? You are not a voice of mine…”

“That is not important my little Whabbit. You are seeking answers to all the wrong questions.”

She brought up a knife from behind her back and I knew that cold, cold blade. The one that cut my soul.

“The only real question here is,”

She put the blade before my eyes.

“Whether you stay or run, Whabbit. ”

I burned. Burned from the inside.

And the knife had a cold, cold blade. My palm closed around the handle as if welcoming an old friend. And the blade shone.

So cold. So pleasant.

And the blade reflected a scared face.

Can you swear by the name of the spirit you are bound to that no harm shall come to me and those under my care?

Can you? Can you? Can you!?

“Why do you dawdle Whabbit? You have no care in this world. Why dally now?”

Why? Why? Why? Why?

“My entire life, I ran. ”

Little by little, my will forced my hand to open.

“I know where this road shall take me.”

The blade clattered against the ground. The odd one smiled.

“So you say Whabbit. So you say…”

She picked up the knife and stabbed my heart.

Flash of light, stench of burning fabric and meat assaulted my senses along the wailing cry of a dragon when the blast embedded my body into the wall. It did not hold me long. I fell on the floor and retched blood. My left arm did not work. My eyes were bleeding. My ears rang. I had no strength left in my puny arms. Did the enchants fail already?

Erta?

I felt no magic coming from me. The familiar presence gone.

Roomie?

My ears hummed in response. I reached within me but found only darkness.

“She is in good hands. Let her rest a bit young man.”

Duty stood behind me, supported by his silver cane.

“But what are you here for? Your presence is needed elsewhere.”

He pointed his cane up at something above us.

“You have given your word. Does it too not matter to you?”

“Without her? What can I do? Does Logic not know that? Why did she send you?”

“Have more faith in yourself young man. There is always something one can do.”

I watched the mana orb roar above me. Demanding.

“Do not fear pain. If your body aches, that is good. It means you are alive. It means you can fight. You can make a difference.”

“I don’t want to fight.”

“Then you should have taken the knife when you had a chance!”

He smacked me with his cane. I fell on my ass. My forehead sprouted blood where he hit me.

“Striking argument with trash is pointless. Who but you should know that?”

Another voice came and grabbed my hair from behind.

“You wanted to stay?”

He seethed into my ear.

“Then get your ass out there and do something before they’ll kill them. Before they’ll kill us.”

Honor smashed my head against the ground, forcing my consciousness back into the world. Just in time for me to receive an ax blow to my temple. The blade shattered upon impact, but the blunt trauma sent me back into darkness. Spirit's blessings won’t matter much if I keep on taking such blows. My skin already looking like shattered pavement in several places.

“Thee who strengthens mountains, shield us and grant us your strength.”

I used the same invocation I've heard so many times. I focused on the result I wished to achieve the way she taught me and yet, nothing happened.

The ax owner clubbed me again and again, furious his attacks made no dent in my skull. I curled up, sheltering my head. Each consecutive hit robbed me of my consciousness for a little bit longer.

Mercifully, the handle gave in before my head. It splintered and broke while I held my breath unwilling to move. He satisfied himself with one more kick to my center an moved on to another target.

Why did I stay?

I let my eyes open. Through the blood I could see them busy slaughtering each other. Funny. There’s a wolf among the crowd. A wolf in a tuxedo.

How silly it looks.

As silly as me thinking I could make a difference.

The world slowed down around us as I watched her. Long red tendrils danced around her, smacking her enemies while she stabbed them with – a rapier made of blood?

So many against one.

She fought alone while others cowered and hid wherever they could. Just like me.

They’re all going to die. Just like me.

A mage joined the ranks of hooded people encircling the Wolf. Her magic smashed against the shield of blood and for a moment the shield wavered and failed, leaving gaping holes in many places.

They got her. They found the trick to her magic. The wolf focused her power upon the mage. Last desperate attempt to save one’s skin.

And she would fail. My eyes told me that. With time crawling slower than a snail, I saw the intruder's magic activate and rush towards its target.

And I could not make a difference?

But I promised… Erta?

Silence. No one would come to my rescue. Why would they? I gave the world nothing from myself.

The cloud of magic reached half the distance between them.

My eyes burned, drawing more and more mana. Stretching this feeble moment into unending torture. And I Watched within my useless body. Unwilling and unmoving. As if a mass of entire universe fell upon my shoulders. Mass…

You’re fat.

I voiced my complain against all that useless energy gathered within me.

You’re fat, heavy and useless. Not to mention how much it hurts when you move.

It rippled.

Angry.

Like an unruly child thumping its feet.

Just you watch. It seemed to be saying.

I screamed. But no sound came. I called for the emptiness to ease my pain. But Iron grip held my consciousness anchored in my body while pain burned me from the inside.

Was this what you desired of me?

Burning bright before my eyes, my body rose from the ground unhindered and out of my control.

Look. Look at the useless.

Step by step it walked amidst frozen time while power that burned its way out of me, cleared the path before us. We stopped in front of the wolf, a breakwater against the incoming magic. The spell collided with me, splashed against an invisible wall and vanished, cancelled out by a force much greater than its own.

Useless? Useless you are to me.

Time suddenly returned with its rightful flow and with it, enemies frozen so far converged upon me. Bolts, arrows and spears jabbed against my skin. And my eyes met those of the wolf.

Useless… A warning.

Power left me for a fleeting moment, timed perfectly enough for a blade to cut me from behind. It fell heavy from above. Slicing in at an angle, it cut through my collarbone, sinking deep into my lung and heart. I saw horror within the wolf’s eyes and…

…I did not care. Least it no longer hurt. No fire. No pain. Silent. The world got awfully silent.

“Use my blood.”

My lips moved on their own as I fell to the ground. So peaceful. So tired. My sleepy eyes closed but for a moment. And in that moment, I found myself sinking in the bed of fallen flowers.

“Who are you?”

Logic’s voice came to me among the scents of moss and lemongrass while pink petals showered me in the never-ending rain from a crimson sky. Above me, perched on a rock, the odd one sat, content of the job well done. She hummed a tune I should have known but…

“Speak. Outsider, I command you.”

The odd one let out a sigh.

“Can you not see I am busy? Go play command somewhere else. I have no business with you.”

She grinned at me. A foolish thing to say. Logic did not take defiance lightly. Cold breeze brushed over my body, why could I not move? The petals froze in the sky, turning into crimson snow. Like the blood that seeped from my heart.

And the Jailer came, his chains ringing with each step he took.

“Hm? More annoyance? Can you not wait your turn?”

Curious, the odd one watched as the Jailer grabbed the knife and ripped it out of my heart.

“Who are you? I will not ask again.”

“So childish…”

The blade sailed through the air. I could not see how she dodged it, but a bleeding gush opened on her cheek.

“How troublesome.”

Her blood dripped into the frozen moss. She reached down to snatch me, but icy chains bound and stopped her.

“Oh, well. This will have to do for now.”

She sent me a kiss and vanished in a torrent of rose petals.

“Stay warm little Whabbit. Winters are exceptionally cold in those parts…”

Her voice rang in my ears long after she went. And I just lie there. Watching. Waiting. Dancing petals covered me with a fuzzy blanket.

“Enough of this. Wake him up.”

Logic spoke and a frost covered, iron boot fell on my face.

***

“How many?”

A distant voice reached me in the darkness.

“Difficult to say my grace, we are still searching for bodies. Right now, about fifty dead or dying. Mostly servants or guards. Plenty more wounded.”

“Guests?”

“As of yet, lady Nora and her entourage are unaccounted for. It is unlikely she had managed to leave the grounds. Lord Forden has taken a spear through his gut. He may not last the night. Xersa von Torry died during the assault. We have cleaned her body and returned it to her family.”

“Such a shame. She charged the attackers with nothing more than a butter knife. Killed four before they put an arrow through her neck. She held the door opened long enough for the guards to arrive. Had they sealed off the entrance before that, many more would die. Please notify her family I wish to take part in the funeral. Ask if they’ll allow me the honor to join the pallbearers.”

“Yes, my grace.”

“Also go get your shoulder patched properly.”

“Ah… My grace, it is nothing to worry about. Nothing more but a scratch.”

“Your scratch, as you call it, is bleeding all over my carpet. Go, I do not want any more casualties.”

“Yes, my grace.”

Footsteps moving away. Different footsteps moving closer.

“How is she?”

“Alive?”

There was someone else there? A woman?

“My grace, I do not know. I have never seen anything like it. All my knowledge, all the books we have say it is impossible yet… perhaps if there is a powerful spirit involved then she might have a chance to recover. Other than that? I cannot tell.”

Warmth upon my cheek.

“Do whatever you can. Potions, relics, holy elixirs. Anything…”

***

Voices came and went. Some I knew, most I didn’t recognize. Vittoria spent a lot of her time holding my hand in her palms. Crying. Her tears tickled my skin. Altina came often to replace her. Sometimes they talked. Sometimes they didn’t.

And I remained suspended halfway between the worlds, alone inside the void.

“There is no change?”

“No. Sadly, my grace, it seems another failure...”

“Continue searching.”

More voices saying the same words. Some suggesting it was the high time to let me go. Go where? As much as I tried, I could not move either way.

I could but wait.

***

“Please, hold her.”

An array of alien hands lifted me up while someone parted my lips and drop by drop, trickled a cold liquid upon my tongue. My body swallowed that involuntary.

Water? Just water?

“Beg your pardon, I am not just water. I am The water.”

The spirit’s body materialized within the void.

“Why is it that strangers bring me to you when I would come willingly? My name, why have you not called me?”

“Because I don’t want to? Because she…”

The queen hugged me.

“Cry, cry all you want. Let those tears wash over your soul. “

And I cried.

How?

I don’t know.

I just cried.

“I swear upon my name I will never harm you. I will never betray your trust. ”

But she already did. It’s been years since I cried and now, my tears just wouldn’t stop. Whatever she did to me, I…

“There are wounds I cannot heal but please let me mend those that I can. Do not lock yourself within past pain.”

Pain… Had the sword not split it open, my heart would burst from pain. Now a second one kept me anchored to a world neither my own nor one I wished to live in. It is difficult to live without a purpose. But there was… for a while…

“The dragon? Is she fine?”

“Busy keeping your body alive. Please, call my name.”

Her embrace spread a pleasant warmth I forgot so long ago.

It almost got me.

I freed myself from her arms.

“No. If I call your name, I will never hear the end of it from the others.”

“That is not so. This one time they will forbear their claim. Please. Strengthened as your body is, you are dying.”

The spirit’s name sat at the edge of my mind, impatient. Should I trust her word or stay forever in this void? How would I know?

Galen, will you help me find my daughter?

A voice of sadness echoed through the void.

Should I add one more item to the list of my unkept promises?

I shall accept death only when it comes to me as a reward for a life well spent.

There were times when I chanted that mantra just to keep on going for one more day… I can’t even recall her face. How useless of me.

“If you are lying, I’ll let the others take your part.”

“I would not dare my love.”

I let the name sing itself through my tongue. It tasted so sweet in my parched lips. Like morning dew to a thirsty man. It washed over my soul.

The queen moaned while mana filled her, her eyes burned with unearthly passion. Did her embrace grow tighter around me?

“Do not fear. You have both my name and my oath. I will not harm you.”

I felt her warmth spreading throughout my entire body. A thought came to my mind.

“Please leave the superficial wounds intact. Let those heal overtime.”

“If you so desire… Now rest love. Rest and let me work.”

***

Another morning. Another time. I found myself yet again in a strange place in… unfortunately familiar state. Sleeping butt naked. Is it karma? Or just a cosmic joke? No matter.

My entire body felt refreshed, no doubt the spirit’s doing. Yet I did not stir. I waited. Waited for the familiar rhythm to return to my chest. The dragon heart that kept me alive, pumped my blood in an odd and wobbly fashion. More often than not, missing a beat.

Then the warmth came.

As if taking a deep breath, my heart shuddered and squeezed the first ounce of blood through my veins. Then another. In a blink of an eye, it found its pace.

*Galen?*

The Voice felt weak and tired. I focused on it and let myself fall in. There she was, suspended within a matrix of complex runes.

“It is fine now. The water queen took care of our wounds.”

With a sigh, she let the spell collapse. Her body fell as well. Almost like a doll with her strings cut. I caught her before she hit the ground.

*Dolt…*

She patted my chest with her fist, lacking any strength behind that punch.

“I’m sorry. I did something stupid again.”

Both the massive orb and the dragon pretended not to hear.

“Thank you.”

*Your punishment…*

“Hmm?”

*Your scrawny chest fails to satisfy me. Get those pillows of yours in here. I want to sleep on something soft for a change…*

I recalled my image of my outer self and my form changed without much hassle. Kneeling on the ground, I held her in my arms.

*Quite nice. Will you stay for a while? I think one more day…*

“As long as you need me to.”

Light pink shade appeared on her cheeks.

*Good. *

And off she went like a candle. Snoring.

The mana orb hanged ominous above our heads.

“I learned my lesson.”

I spoke to no one in particular. The presence above me seemed satisfied. For now.

I also learned that getting dragon drool all over my pillows is… yuck. And sticky.

But mostly yuck.

Come to think of it, there is nothing in this place. Nothing aside from that damn tree, us and… a whole lot of trouble spinning above me.

“Will the dragon live?”

Logic came to us, her eyes colder than ever.

“Not that I am an authority on multiple souls occupying one body, but she does seem fine. Tired but fine. Anyway, since when do you care?”

“We don’t. Her knowledge is required. Awake her.”

Again with the imperious tone. Hadn’t I known better, I’d say she was pissed but that part of my fractured psyche had an emotional capacity equal to that of a frozen lump of clay.

“No. Whatever you want to know can wait. Let her rest. I can assure you that half-awake lizard won’t do you any good.”

She considered that.

“We shall wait.”

She turned and went back to sit on her frozen throne.

Throne. Oh. Since she had one then, perhaps… I closed my eyes and tried to recall that night. I met her in one of those fancy cake and coffee shops near the plaza of some French town whose name I can’t even pronounce. One of the shrinks that took care of me at the time thought that perhaps a change in surroundings would help him cure me. Don’t know how he got his funds, but it turned out, he wasn’t really into the getting better business. He was more into the get the money and disappear business. But I digress. We went there, he gave me some chump change for my therapeutic allowance and left me in the plaza to pick me up later. Gave me all the contact info and so on. It rained that day. I went into the first shop and sat at an empty table, waiting. She picked me out of the crowd - as in me or the other guy that snored behind his table in the corner – and sat down beside me. We started talking and, I don’t even remember how we got to that shady motel. I can’t remember anything past the talk over the coffee she ordered for us. I got drugged, mugged and left butt naked in a brothel with a giant heart painted on my butt with a fluorescent sharpie. Or some other permanent marker. It took me weeks to get rid of that. And about twice as much time to explain what happened to me and where is my shrink.

But I never slept better than that night. That bed. That heart shaped monstrosity straight from the cheap magazines some of the guys read at the institution. Wherever I looked, I just couldn’t find that perfect feel in any mattress.

I opened my eyes and there it stood in the shade of the tree, covered with its trashy-red, sparkling, satin sheet. I put the snoring lizard there amongst the pillows and lay beside her waiting for morning.

And it came like a wrecking ball.

Or like a Monday.

Yep. Definitely Monday. Or whatever they called it in this part of the empire. I left the lizard snoring under the tree and let my consciousness resurface. And it did so in a manner not worth mentioning. My eyes opened and, that was it. A typical Monday morning with my brain waiting for the first coffee before it even considered working.

Unfamiliar room? Check. Underwear nowhere to be found? Check. Wait. I haven’t had any on me to begin with so that probably doesn’t count. Alright. Next, we have, puny arms heavy as… hm, not heavy?

I could move without pain and nothing restricted my movements. How unusual. Not only that, I was alone. Did someone finally coaxed Vi to give it a rest? Good. I think. Now, puny legs, do your thing. Oh? Not an ounce of protest? How interesting. Perhaps if I get up? So, I did and, hm, my head does not spin. I did not trip. All systems green? How unfamiliar.

And then someone did ‘khyaaaa!’ at me. I turned to face the intruder, but I only saw the back of a maid scrambling away in terror. Soon after, more screaming came from the outside and a whole lot more people barged into the room.

*How noisy. What did you perpetrate this time? *

Nothing much. I got up and she came in screaming. Then the usual happened. People with pointy thingies barge in and the like. What about you? Did you sleep well?

*A bit. Yes. This bed is quite comfortable. Thank you. Although, I do not think I share your sense of aesthetics. *

“Karin?”

Among the sea of terror-stricken faces, a familiar fluffy one popped up. Although, why was her entire fur white?

“New hairstyle? ”

Not that I had anything smarter to say.

“Merciful Shamu… How on earth can you even stand?”

Altina pushed through the crowd, her entire fur indeed turned white and her arms were bandaged up to the elbows. She circled me cautiously, keeping a safe distance. As if afraid her touch would shatter me like a glass figure. She pointed at one of the walls.

Oh. My reflection in the nearby mirror told an interesting story.

Imagine an avocado that went bungee jumping and forgot to tie the cord then somebody came, pour gasoline on it and set it on fire. Then a bunch of trolls tried to stomp out the fire. A blood-stained bandage wrapped tightly around my entire upper torso completed my getup. Well, I think I would go ‘khyaaaa’ myself if I weren’t me. Especially with that eye. My right eye went bloody red.

“Out. All of you. “

Victor’s voice brought instant order and expunged the gaping guards out of the room.

“My Diva, please forgive this blatant lack of hospitality but you were severely wounded and unconscious for almost a moon. “

Nearly bisected and half dead seemed more of a fitting description.

*Pillow sense is tingling…*

As if I care. Though we should probably find something to wear.

“Apologies.”

The price realized he’s been staring. He also realized I noticed that and hastily turn his eyes away.

“Leana, please tend to our guest. I will await your report.”

* I have never seen a human leave a room with such urgency after ogling a naked butt. Most of the time it goes the other way around. *

You don’t say.

“Karin, is it? Please sit. I would like to examine your wounds. “

She guided me back to the bed where I sat at its edge and let her prod and pat me all over. Does this hurt? No. What about here? No. Can you move your arm like that? Yes. Close your left eye and tell me when you’ll she my hand… She asked while the wolf paced back and forth, fighting with her thoughts. Silent she waited for the healer to finish redressing my wounds. The cut appeared to have closed itself and no longer bleed but just to be sure, she wrapped me in several layers of bandage to hold me together.

“Is everything fine?”

I asked when the wolf dropped onto the nearby chair after the healer left us alone.

“Sah! You ask?! You, you… You do all that… getting chopped before my own eyes and you dare ask… ask if everything alright?!”

Her arms shook.

“And then this!”

She thrust her bandaged arms at me accusingly.

“I saw that blade slice through your heart… And your blood… Merciful Shamu! That almost killed me! Child, in the name of the true one, speak, what are you?!”

*Careful, more than her ears may be listening. *

“I am, first and foremost your employee. Perhaps your friend if you allow me to. Above all, I enjoy working in your office.”

It silenced her for a while.

“You should rest. His highness as well as the queen and the imperial judge magister will want to speak with you soon. That I am sure of. Do you need anything before it?”

“A hug.”

Ever since I woke up, something been nagging me from within. Something I just had to check and dismiss as soon as possible.

“A hug? Hum, that is…”

So the girls were right, she looked so sweet whenever something troubled her.

“I believe a bath will be out of question at least for a while,”

I showed her my bruised and scabbed arms.

“So perhaps a hug?”

She huffed, and puffed and flapped her ears and, in the end, sat next to me and hugged me.