When Harold groaned, Lyra signalled Vai who helped the man drink some water and subtly removed the ropes holding him upright. Harold swayed on his seat as his eyes blinked open. He looked about himself, dazed. Lyra began to eat.

"Eat something, Harold."

At her voice Harold's gaze sharpened and he went white. He closed his eyes, hyperventilating. Vai gently touched him and he stiffened but the islander massaged his shoulders avoiding all the injuries he knew lie hidden under the man's rich shirt.

"Breathe slowly. Open your eyes. Grab a fork and eat." Lyra's voice was calm and hypnotic. Harold's breathing slowed and once again, looking a bit dazed, he reached out for a fork. His sleeve slipped back and the red scabs stood out terribly against the white tablecloth. His hands shook and he dropped the utensil.

"Try again."

Lyra's voice was harsher. Harold once more took up the fork successfully and stared at it.

"Eat."

Harold mechanically began to eat the roasted potatoes on his plate. He reached for his goblet and his shaking started again. Vai helped him bring the cup to his lips, the wine inside seemed to steady him more.

They ate in silence for a few minutes until Lyra dabbed a napkin against her lips and crossed her hands in front of her.

"In two days, you will go to Stadrhym and participate in the border negotiation. Your only stance will be to maintain Hjor's borders."

Harold stared at her, his eyes empty. Lyra’s narrowed. "Harold. Do you understand?"

The tortured man flinched and nodded. Lyra leaned back accepting his answer. "Vai, set up the guest room for Harold."

While Vai did as instructed, Lyra slowly coached Harold through the rest of his meal. When Vai returned, he led Harold to bed. It was the 'guest' room, free of windows with a door that locked from the outside. Harold had been there before and walked mechanically to the bed and lied down, facing the wall as Vai locked the door behind him to join his mistress in her chamber.

Although it was evening, Vai fetched Harold for breakfast with Lyra. Again the man had a panic attack at the sight of her and had to be talked down until he was capable of eating. After breakfast, Harold turned to leave but Lyra said, "One moment."

Harold froze and slowly turned back as Lyra watched him with cold eyes. "Repeat to me what your assignment is."

After swallowing hard, Harold opened his mouth but no words came out. He shut it again and his breathing quickened.

"Say it," Lyra hissed. Harold covered his face with his hands and shook. Lyra stood and grabbed his arm dragging him to the side door. She threw it open to reveal Vai's empty chamber where the coffin was stashed. Harold tried to back out but Lyra had an iron grip on his arm. She pointed.

"Do you want to go back in there?"

Harold shook his head, tears leaking from his eyes.

"I don't hear a 'no,'" she said dangerously. Harold gurgled and she dragged him closer.

"N-no," he croaked and she stopped moving.

"No what?"

He took a deep breath. "No, I do not want to go in."

Lyra turned around and dragged him back, shutting the door quickly. "That's all you had to say. Now, what is your assignment."

Harold closed his eyes and stood stiffly. "I'm going to Stadrhym for the border negotiations. My only stance it to maintain Hjor's borders."

Lyra patted his cheek. "That wasn't so hard. Now let's get you home."

A few townspeople stared as they made their way to the Jarl's fort. One man called out to Harold, but he didn't turn. Lyra threw open the fortress doors, the guards completely ignoring her and Vai, saluting Harold who stared at them blankly.

"Now I'm afraid it'll take more time to get things completely righted, but I'm sure you'll handle it when you come back," Lyra said encouragingly.

The throne room was incredibly bare. Most of the furnishing had been destroyed or looted. Lyra continued up the stairs and Harold followed with Vai behind him. It was his room. Largely unchanged although anything smaller than a chair had been looted and the bedding was different. There was also a second cot next to the bed.

"There you are. I believe there are still a few servants scuttling about. You should be able to take care of yourself for the day before setting out. Oh, I'm leaving Vai to tend to you, use him as you will." Lyra waited for a response and when she cleared her throat after a moment of silence, Harold jumped.

"Very well," he said before turning again to stare at the room.

She rolled her eyes and turned to Vai, "Make sure he's passable by tomorrow."

"Yes, mistress."

Lyra left and Vai stepped in front of Harold, bowing. "If I may, I would like to check your wounds."

Harold looked at the man seriously for the first time. He'd seen the islander around the estate before, knew he was Lyra's slave. He was tall, handsome and was carrying a large pack which he carefully placed on the floor.

"I..." He trailed off and suddenly felt a bit light headed. He was back but it was different. His father was dead and he was…

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Although he knew it was a bad idea, he glanced down at his wrists, holding them up so the sleeves slipped down revealing the wounds. Vai quickly stepped forward and covered them with his smooth golden hands.

Gently leading him by the hands, Vai sat him down on a chair and then retrieved a small pot from the pack. He carefully spread ointment on the scabbed wounds and the burning Harold had been desperately avoiding thinking about lessened. Vai carefully slipped some soft gloves onto Harold's hands.

After checking the door was securely closed, Vai returned and his fingers hovered in front of Harold's shirt. "May I?"

Harold shuddered but nodded, closing his eyes. He could feel the painful mess of his body but wasn't sure he could bear to see it. Vai quickly unbuttoned his shirt and expertly removed it. Harold felt the man's warm fingers skimming over his cold and hot flesh. More cold ointment and fresh bandages and Vai replaced Harold's shirt.

He opened his eyes, taking in the lessened pain. "Thank you," he breathed and blinked, looking at Vai who bowed.

Harold's gut twisted as his mind tried to question his situation, to think about what had happened...what this man had seen happen. His breathing quickened and he shook, he couldn't think about it...couldn't...

Vai held his hands. "Breathe with me," he coaxed and Harold matched Vai's slow breaths until his trembling stopped.

"What do you need?" Vai asked and Harold thought. The tasks of a Jarlson came back to him and he stood.

"I need to...find the steward." He strode to the door and opened it. A guard was down the hall and hurried over saluting.

"Jarl Harold. It's good to have you back," the man enthused and Harold gave a polite smile, years of practice making the action automatic.

"Yes. Where is the steward?"

The guard's face fell and he shuffled awkwardly. "Erm. He's dead sir."

"Oh." Harold paused and then asked, "The captain?"

The soldier brightened. "I'll fetch him at once."

Harold nodded as the man ran off. It was a short conversation, but he felt exhausted. He wanted to turn and hide in his room, but Vai was in the way and asked, "Where to now?"

With a resigned sigh, Harold walked down the hall and stairs to stand in front of his father's throne. A black cloth hung over the top and with a shaking hand, Harold pulled it off. The back of the throne was stained with blood, a hole stabbed through the wood. Harold felt bile rise in his throat and he raised a hand to his mouth. Vai reached over and re-covered the stain.

Another concerned guard approached. "Sir?"

Harold breathed through his nose and waved at the throne. "Fix it and bring me the chair from my father's study."

Two men hefted the heavy oak chair away and Harold waited as the shorter red padded armchair of his father's study was brought over. He nodded at the men, turned, and sat down, his hands curling around the arm rests. Vai stepped respectfully behind the seat and off the small pedestal.

With perfect timing, Captain Sarl arrived. He gave a quick salute. "Good to see you here, sir."

"Likewise," Harold answered. "How are things?"

The captain shook his head. "I'm sorry to report it's not good. We barely have any men, many fled or were killed. The rest are trying to put the townsfolk at ease. Most civilians are gone, but I'm sure many will return when they hear the Jarl has come back. We've hardly had time to put the keep in order. Hurson's dogs ran wild after they burned the estate. You father tried to maintain order, but Hurson had royal orders that tied our hands."

Harold nodded, he'd seen as much. "And my father?" he asked, voice low. The captain bowed his head.

"We laid him to rest by your mother and grandfather."

"Thank you."

There was a moment of respectful silence then Sarl cleared his throat. "If I may have a word with you in private?"

Harold nodded and stood up, making his way to his father's office. Sarl had been captain since Harold was a boy and knew everything about his and his father's relationship with Bryn and his spawn.

Sarl stiffened as Vai reappeared from behind the throne, but Harold just continued on and entered the office. The chair, of course, was gone so he sighed and sat on the desk. Vai slipped in behind Sarl and shut the door.

Sarl eyed him with disgust. "Why is he here?"

Harold considered that question. No doubt Vai was here to watch Harold, but from the man's actions so far, he was here to keep Harold from falling apart. Expecting it not to work Harold said, "Vai, wait outside."

For a moment Vai hesitated, but then bowed and left the room to Harold's surprise. For a moment he regretted sending him away, Vai had a comforting and reassuring presence.

Harold turned to the captain. "He's here for the reason you think he's here."

"Damn them. Haven't they taken enough? When Hurson invaded and the estate burned, my only consolation was that they would leave, that things would change."

"Nothing has changed," Harold said strongly and the captain started. "Nothing has changed," he said again, this time with pain in his voice.

"Sir. Most of their men are gone, Voswell is swarming with royal troops, perhaps it's time to—"

"No!"

Harold looked up and Sarl pressed his lips together, hands curling into fists. Harold began again, this time trying to sound more reasonable, "We are even weaker than they are. Even if we appealed for royal help, it would cost us everything. The king would try to replace me and the people would suffer from the conflict between the Bear and the crown. Or worse, Maelif would take her chance to absorb Hjor and we would merely trade one evil for another."

Sarl considered this. "That may happen anyway. I hate to admit it, but that bastard Fenrin is the only reason we haven't been invaded already."

Harold laughed and it sounded a bit mad. "Don't worry, tomorrow I am going to Stadrhym to a border negotiation. My stance will be to maintain Hjor's borders."

"That's wonderful news! If you explain things to the right Jarls, surely we can bargain for some assistance and—"

Harold laughed again waving his arms. "Don't you see Sarl, any chance we had is gone. She told me to go to the meeting. She brought me back and she's pulling the strings."

Sarl's hand went to his sword and Harold smiled at him. "You're a good man, Sarl. I need you here to remind me what good I can still do. But I tried dying for our freedom and she wouldn't let me. Watch carefully, captain, I've suffered at both Bear and Tiger's claws and I preferred the Bear."

"Harold, what did she do to you?" Sarl's worn face became concerned and he reached over to squeeze Harold's shoulder. Vai's hands had been so careful, Harold had forgotten how injured he was and he hissed in pain. Sarl's hand shot back.

"Hell, Sarl, and I can't do it again. I can't. I wish I could say I was here to protect everyone, to do the best I can in a bad situation like my father. But I can't. I'm here because she told me to be. Gods, I should have killed her when she was a child."

The hatred that Harold spat surprised even him. Then it faded and he shuddered, already worried Vai had heard and he would be punished again. He stood up.

"I'll go to the meeting, negotiate, and save our borders. Sarl, I need you to stay here and use me to the people's advantage. If I become a burden I want you to kill me."

"Harold, you can't be serious."

The Jarl of Hjor sighed and reached for the door. "You're a good man and I know you'll do the right thing. But for now I need you to take on even more work. I need you to be my steward and my captain and watch over things when I'm in Stadrhym. "

He opened the door and Vai bowed. Harold was exhausted. Without turning he said, "I'll be in my room, please summon me should the need arise."