“Status report.”
“She's stable, milord. We found talis sap on the knife of the bandit who attacked her.”
“Sick bastard. Is there anything we can do to expedite her recovery? I wouldn't wish talis sap on my gravest enemy, let alone a friendly pathstrider.”
“We can give her something to help her with pain, but we're running low on sedatives, and the majority are going towards Lord Alvarik.”
“So be it. Send a runner if anything changes.”
“Will do, milord.”
*****
Siri wasn't expecting the poison. She had no reason to. It wasn’t in any of the briefings, and she always thought that poison was either too expensive or too risky to be worthwhile in the heat of battle.
Admittedly, when it came to the other weapons in the arsenal, Siri was only given enough intelligence to mitigate any potential mishaps in situations where their paths collided. As such, she could only assume the use of poison was authorised by the Good Lords in secret. Anything else would mean calling the will of the Good Lords to question. She couldn’t do it; the Good Lords were supreme. Her existence was all the proof she needed. Without them, she was nothing. Through their will, she was Siri, and it was time to wake up.
*****
Liquid agony ravaged Siri like a tidal wave. It was as if someone had replaced her blood with ash water.
“Breathe, milady. We're giving you something for the pain, but you have to breathe.”
Siri didn't recognise the speaker. They were distant, and she couldn’t see them. She was crying too much.
There was another speaker as well. Younger than the first. A little older than Siri? One of the healers? Siri doubted it. They didn't sound like an apprentice, and they were too young to be anything else. They were also a tad naive with their concern.
“You’re killing her, Hedwyn. Can’t you see?”
The healer sighed audibly.
“We’ve done everything we can, Lady Tea.”
“Then why is she crying?”
“You know why, Lady Tea.”
“But…”
“I’m okay,” Siri panted. She wasn’t going to die and putting on a show of bravery for the lady served her better than any of the alternatives, especially as Tea was the name of Tyrog's daughter.
“It's probably better if you don't push yourself, milady. You've been poisoned. Talis sap.”
“Where am I?”
“You’re in my father's care,” Tea responded. “This is one of his tents.”
“You were brought in by Jarl Tyrog and his men yesterday morning,” Hedwyn added. “They were able to eliminate the bandits who attacked you.”
“Is my unc–gyah!” Siri half-screamed; the pain was getting worse.
“Fetch me the bit, Lady Tea!” Hedwyn ordered. “We have to stop her from accidentally biting through her tongue.”
Moments later, Siri felt a leather strap touching against the corners of her mouth.
“Clench your teeth on this, milady. It will help with the pain and mitigate the potential for injury. Lord Alvarik is here, but his injuries were severe. We're doing everything we can to ensure his condition remains stable.”
He’s going to die.
Siri couldn’t really argue with the voice resonating deep within her soul. Even if he did survive, the odds of him being the same person were slim to none. Trauma had a way of changing people, after all.
“The Good Lords are thanking him for his loyalty. It’s only a matter of time before they discard you as well.”
Kiriin’s statement shook Siri to her core. She was too close. Too real. It was as if they were almost touching. The pain that followed was unlike anything Siri had ever experienced before.
You will fall.
It was too much for Siri to bear. She needed to escape the pain. If only she could run away.
No.
She wasn’t ready to fall.
*****
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
The first few days were absolute hell. Talis sap was typically administered through contact with the skin, but in Siri’s case, it went straight to her veins, and the amount was particularly devastating. Without the careful watch of Sage Hedwyn and Lady Tea, she may well have died. Her ribs were proof of that.
By the end of the fourth day, she was well enough to hold a conversation for more than a minute and each day after was better than the last. On the morning of the seventh day, she was approached by Sage Hedwyn.
“How are you feeling, milady?”
Siri gave the healer a wry smile. “Like I’ve been wrestling wild boars in secret, so not terrible.”
“I see. In that case, I shall inform Jarl Tyrog that he needs to stop hunting boars for a while. The population is clearly suffering if you aren’t in absolute agony after wrestling them. At this rate, you’ll be on your feet before the harvest moon.”
“Thank you, Sage Hedwyn. How is my uncle faring?”
“He’s stable, milady, but only just. His gut was devastated in the attack, and we don’t have the experience or the facilities to even attempt a repair of such magnitude. When you’re ready, we’ll bring you to see him so that you can say goodbye.”
“Is there nothing you can do?”
“I’m sorry, milady. His injuries were too severe.”
“Thank you for trying.”
“Is there anything I can do for you, milady?”
“I am rather hungry. Can I start eating solid food again?”
“If you’re asking, you should be okay with something small and easy to digest. I’ll have something prepared for you.”
*****
With the harvest moon fast approaching, Siri looked to the future. It was time to say goodbye. Hedwyn and Tea were there when she made her wishes known.
“I’m ready.”
“Are you sure?” Tea asked.
Siri shook her head. “Not really, but I doubt I’ll ever be truly ready. Saying farewell is never easy.”
“I’ll let the team know,” Hedwyn offered.
“Thank you,” Siri smiled.
“Do you wish to speak with your uncle before he passes, or would you prefer we keep him sedated?”
“Can it be done without hurting him?”
“He is unlikely to feel much of anything.”
“Then yes. He’ll rest easier if he knows I’m alive and well.”
“Okay. He'll be ready for you soon.”
Having acknowledged Siri’s wishes, Hedwyn took her leave, and Tea stepped in to replace her.
“I’ll be here if you need me.”
“Thank you.”
*****
Siri was getting ready to find her uncle when Tea suggested taking a wheelchair.
“I’m quite capable of walking there myself,” Siri argued.
Tea simply held her gaze.
“I know. I also know that you’re still in a lot of pain, and walking will only make it worse. How will you say goodbye if you’re too busy wincing?”
“He needs to know I’m okay!”
“And you intend to show him by flexing your ego? If the two of you were close enough to make this journey together, he’ll see through your charade the moment you walk in. Do you really think he’ll find comfort in your posturing?”
Siri tried to look away. There was an intensity to Tea’s gaze that was hard to shake. She was a hunter’s daughter for sure, only she was hunting in a forest of compassion, and Siri was her patient.
“Fine. I’ll go in the chair, but only if you promise to stay with me.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Thank you.”
The hunt was on.
*****
Jarl Tyrog was saying goodbye to Alvarik when Siri arrived with Tea. It was her first time seeing him in the flesh. He was huge. If there was ever a man who wrestled boars for fun, it was him.
“Rest well, my friend. Your niece is here to see you.”
He bowed to Siri before leaving.
“My sincerest apologies, Lady Tavrik. I was hoping to introduce myself to you sooner, but my men and I have been busy hunting down the bandits who attacked you. Had we been faster, none of this would have happened.”
“It’s Laventa,” Siri corrected.
“Shame on you, Tyrog,” Alvarik added; his voice was barely a whisper. “As much as I would love for Siri to be a member of House Tavrik, I don’t have any brothers.”
“You’re right. My apologies, Lady Laventa. We’ll speak again when you’re better.”
The air was heavy when Tyrog left. Siri wasn’t ready for him. She could only pray he associated the hostility he no doubt sensed with his failure to kill the bandits when they weren’t a threat.
Alvarik was the first to break the silence, though he was almost lost in the hustle and bustle of the outside.
“Is that you, Tea? Gosh, you’ve grown. Please be kind to Siri.”
“I will, Lord Alvarik. I’m hoping we might become friends.”
“I’d like that,” Siri interjected.
“I have no doubt,” Alvarik almost chuckled. “If I wasn’t on my deathbed, I’d be teasing you both senseless.”
The Masque turned crimson. There was no escape from the rising blush of dawn.
“How did you—” Tea started.
“Compared to Karik, Alaran is fairly progressive when it comes to non-traditional relationships. Don’t worry, I haven’t said anything to your father.”
“Thank you. I don’t know how he would act if he ever learnt the truth.”
“I would help, but I’m running out of time.”
“How are you so calm?” Siri exclaimed.
“Would you rather I panic?”
“How could I?”
“I’m calm because you came to say goodbye and because I’m high as a kite. I don’t even remember what stress feels like.”
Siri’s cheeks were damp with tears.
“Next you’ll be saying that your only regret is that I never once made you breakfast in bed.”
“In your dreams, dear Siri. I have no intention of confirming whether or not you inherited your mother’s cooking skills. I’ve seen her burn soup before. Never again.”
Tea was incredulous.
“How?”
“You don’t want to know. That being said, I’m going to miss her.”
“You should write to her,” Siri suggested.
“That’s an excellent idea, Siri. Would it be possible to get some paper and a pen, Tea?”
“Of course. Let me go find some.”
******
In the hours that followed, Alvarik’s condition deteriorated until, eventually, he drew his last breath. Siri remained by his side the entire time.