As the maid returned from the landing, she was comforted by the sight of Amelia coming to.
The emerald-green eyes that she came to know and love began to flutter into sight. She put her hand on her chest.
Louvan: Thank the Lord (grabbing the pendant under her uniform).
Next to the bed was the butler, who was pouring water into a small glass etched with ornate symbols from the porcelain pitcher.
The eyes of the small girl grew wider with each passing second. Her head was raised from the large pillows, arching her back against them and slowly rising up.
Hyrne: My lady. Please, take it easy.
Another round of footsteps came from the landing.
Behind Louvan, there were two more guests, both wanting to see the miracle that was Amelia. Eral was standing in the doorway with Rubern in front of him.
Rubern: SISTER! (happy.)
Eral's hand moved from the back of the boy; now it was patting the young man on the head, ruffling his blonde hair.
Hyrne: Louvan, please find one of the guards in the barracks and inform him of Amelia's present condition. One of them is to wait at the foot of the broken wall, not past it or near the warding totem. I repeat, they are not to go into the forest after the Lord.
The maid listened to each word very clearly and nodded in strong affirmation.
Louvan: I will! (She turned to Amelia and bowed.) I am glad you are awake, my lady. (Smiling, she turned to the door and headed to the barracks, a spring in her step.)
Hyrne: Rubern, come here; your sister needs you. (He stood relinquishing his position as bedside carer so he could focus on the pitcher and glass.) Now, Amelia, please drink this.
Amelia held onto the small glass. One hand gripped it much tighter than the other. She placed the water on her lips and began to drink. (coughing as the water swashed around her dry mouth and throat.)
Eral: Take small sips, my lady, and drink it slowly. Your arm may have healed, but it will take time for the strength to come back to it. Also, the incantation will make you very weak for a few days, so rest is paramount.
Rubern's eyes were locked on his sister as he made his way to her bedside. As soon as the young boy sat on the side of the bed, he blurted out a question.
Rubern: What happened in the forest? (without hesitation.)
Both men standing in the room also wanted to know what had really happened last night, playing on the thoughts in their heads.
Amelia: I was... (broken voice)
The healer stopped the young lady before she could answer Rubern's hasty question, with his hand in the air in a stopping gesture. He also wanted to know, but now wasn't the time for this.
Eral: Before we get into what happened, Rubern, please understand that your sister has been through a lot; she is safe now, as is everyone else. (Pausing.) It is best to leave the details of what happened until your father returns; you can rest until then (looking at the girl on the bed).
Amelia's eyes lit up when she heard that everyone was safe and sound.
Amelia: Is Tristyn?
Hyrne: (chiming in) He is in his shack; everyone is fine. (smiling at the young girl.)
Rubern looked down when he heard the mention of his father's return, not out of fear. He loved the man, but at times, he often wondered if the man he knew as his father loved him back.
The mystery of what happened was on his mind. (He gripped his trousers tightly upon hearing the name Tristyn.) Now wasn't the time for hatred; this was a time for Amelia. Gradually, his grip faded, and he wiped the creases away.
Rubern: I'm sorry. I just wanted to know.
The butler took the now-empty glass from the little girl's hands and placed it on the wooden table. He pulled a napkin from the table and wiped the young lady's lips.
Hyrne: (Turning to Rubern.) Don't apologise. We all have our questions, even me. But I agree with Eral. (Looking at Amelia.) It's for the best that we wait for your father to return. Until then, please, Lady Amelia, just lay back and rest. Rubern and Eral will stay with you. I will make some light Grover soup for you both; I bet you are both hungry. (looking at Rubern, then at Amelia.)
Amelia: Yes, please. (dry, happy voice)
The faces of both of the children were now much calmer and happier. Amelia even smiled a little, slumping back into the large bed, the night before still taking its toll.
Eral could see something in the eyes of the little girl; this was a façade; she was acting strong, but something was bothering her.
Eral: Soup is good. Make that three. (coughing) Please. (grinning.)
The butler smiled.
Hyrne: For a healer of the Luminar, that is one magic word that is a rarity to hear. Though the magic word never fails, I will make us all some. I will return as soon as it is ready, Eral. I will leave them in your hands. (Nodding.)
Eral: I'm not going anywhere, not until I have the Grover special, that is.
Amelia's smile grew wider, and her tired-looking face started to glow—just as brightly as her golden hair.
The healer moved to the window he once stood at, the one where he watched the men below in the courtyard.
Hyrne had already left, and Louvan had found her messenger. A figure of a guard was now walking in the direction of the broken wall.
Eral: (talking to himself) Now it's the waiting game.
Something was on the mind of the healer; he wanted to ask the question Rubern put forth, but now wasn't the right time, at least not yet.
In the distance, a shout could be heard.
Hyrne: ERAL! Where did these crates come from? THERE EVERYWHERE!
The man sitting by the window looked at the two children and shrugged.
Eral: I might have misplaced a few of them. It looks like there will be no Grover Special for me. (smiling.)
Both of the children giggled, and Rubern could be heard saying "fire magic," and they both looked at Eral once more.
Eral: I've gone and done it... (Looking outside at the soft grey clouds.)
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in the hallway by the pantry, where the lover's quarrel broke out not that long ago.
A glimpse of black appeared in the corner of his eye; it was from down the corridor, near the barracks, the same blur that Eral saw not long ago from the balcony.
Hyrne: Louvan! I need your help.
The lady turned to see a man carrying a large amount of meat and herbs under each arm.
Louvan: Hyrne, are you cooking for the village? Here, let me take some of that.
Hyrne: Thank you. Yes, and no. I am doing my Grover special for the young lady and Rubern. But the men this morning didn't have anything to eat. So…
The woman who took the supplies of the mixed cooking ingredients from the man went bright red.
Louvan: It's my fault they didn't eat anything this morning.
A consoling voice moved her away from the ill feelings of the argument and missed chores, comforting her.
Hyrne: No… I said some things I didn't mean this morning. (Walking down the corridor side by side to the kitchen.) I am sorry, Louvan Gurret. Could you find it in your heart to forgive me?
The face of the woman went bright red.
Louvan: Hyrne! Not while we are working; also, we aren't married yet. (Pausing.) I said some harsh things as well. I forgive you, as long as I get a bowl of that Grover special (smiling); though, I was about to head to the shack to tell Tristyn the good news.
A stillness filled the air, not one of a looming fight; this time he chose his words carefully.
Hyrne: I think it would be best to wait until the Lord returns before you see him.
The tapping of feet came to a stop.
Louvan: Why? (questioning tone.)
The man, who was now in front, spoke in a calm manner. Speaking forward of him, he didn't want to look into her eyes and see the brokenness if it turned into another argument about the boy.
Hyrne: Because, without it sounding like I am scheming, it would be best to let the Lord see Amelia first; she can then tell him what happened. Thus, settling the air around him and Tristyn, wouldn't you agree? Amelia has that affect on him. I will make enough soup to fill everyone's bellies so we can all think with a full stomach and open minds, even Tristyn.
The woman contemplated Hyrne's words. She closed her eyes and looked at the back of him.
Louvan: I guess so... (questioning the idea and herself.)
Hyrne: No one is going anywhere; Tristyn is in his shack; the Lord will return; and Amelia will set all of this straight. We will move on from there.
Louvan: Okay, but as soon as the air is settled, I am going to see him.
Hyrne: I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, we have Grover soup to make! (determined.)
Louvan: Don't you mean Hyrne Gurret's Grover Special soup? (Her face was glowing as she moved closer to the man once more.)
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A flame flickered in the distance. A flame that was not on the manor was in a darkness of its own.
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