How, despite my best efforts, King Drexel married Drusilla, the daughter of his enemy, and her sworn enmity towards me that had led to my assignment to the Court of Florenza. More slowly, I told her how I’d astrally followed and tried to destroy Raven after her attempt to kill me for the new queen. Lastly, I recounted my attempt to kill Raven and the force of the spell throwing my body against a tree, resulting in my current paralysis.
“I don’t even know if I was successful in destroying Raven,” I concluded bitterly.
Aunt Elaine rested her hand on mine. I looked at her slender hand, but couldn’t feel it. A lump rose in my throat. She must have seen my turmoil as her eyes welled up.
“Conran, try to relax while I examine you. Ilena, can you help me roll Conran to his side?”
“Of course, but are you sure we won’t be causing more damage?”
“We’ll keep him as straight as possible.”
I shut my eyes to keep back any tears, fervently praying that Aunt Elaine could help me. Unable to feel anything, I used my other senses.
I heard her lift my shirt and assumed she was gently poking my back. I smelled something rather piney and astringent. I heard a click and felt a sting. For a moment, I missed the significance. There was a second sharp poke.
“Conran, did you feel that” Aunt Elaine asked softly.
“Yes,” I said, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice. “What did you do?”
“I felt a nerve out of place and manipulated it where it belonged. Your lower back is very swollen. Lady Ilena, we can roll him back now.”
“Please, just call me Ilena.”
“After you get some rest, we will roll you over and lay some warm compresses along your back. Conran, I think you will be able to move once the swelling goes down.”
“Are you sure I’ll be fine?” I whispered.
“I would never risk raising your hopes if I wasn’t, Conran.”
Reassured, the fear that had been knotting my insides began loosening. Ilena and Aunt Elaine slowly rolled me back until I was looking up. I heard the door open and looked past the end of the bed to see Jamila holding a tray with a steaming pottery cup. I smelled some sort of tea as she slowly approached.
“It is good to see you smile, Conran.”
“My aunt has given me renewed hope,” I replied, smiling more easily than I had for days. I hadn’t been willing to see many people after my accident.
“I prepared the draught as you directed, Mistress Elaine.”
My aunt stood with a soft whisper of skirts and quickly took the tray from her.
“Thank you, Jamila.”
Ilena propped me up with pillows as Aunt Elaine set the tray down beside my bed.
“This will help relax you, Conran. You need the sleep and your muscles need to loosen, so they can heal better.”
She held the cup to my lips and I tentatively sipped. Much to my relief, the flavor was mild. Aunt Elaine kept taking the cup away to allow pauses between drinking. I had to force the last grainy, bitter dregs down. I must have made a face as Ilena and Jamila both started smiling.
“I don’t think either of you would be grinning if you had to swallow that last bit,” I commented wryly.
“It’s good for you, Conran. Now rest. I won’t bring the poultices until you’ve had a good sleep as we’ll need to roll you onto your stomach.”
“Thank you for giving me hope, Aunt Elaine.”
Smiling, she replaced the cup on the tray.
“The power of the mind is important in healing. Stay focused on getting well and you will.”
Her advice reminded me of Mother but I knew she meant well. I wanted to believe I would get well instead of wallowing in self-pity.
“I will, Aunt Elaine.”
My eyes drifted shut before my friends had time to leave. Belatedly remembering the letters I needed to dictate, I struggled to open my eyes and call Ilena’s name… My dreams were a muddle of the past and scenes of the future.
Chapter 2
The rattling of the door roused me. I opened my crusty eyes and wished I could wipe my eyes.
“What time is it?” I mumbled.
“About ten,” Aunt Elaine replied.
Looking at the sun slanting across the bed, I knew it couldn’t possibly be night.
“I slept the rest of the day and all night?”
“Your body needed the rest, Conran,” she said as she lifted my shirt and studied my sides. “The swelling is better. Is there anything you want before we roll you over?”
“Can Nicholas wash me? My face feels grimy, so I can only imagine how the rest of my body is.”
“I don’t want you jostled yet. I will have him just wipe you down. He can help me turn you and wash your back. Will that do?”
“It will have to, but I really need to send a letter to my liege and another to the Florenza Court. Can you help me?”
“Lady Ilena sent letters out yesterday shortly after your arrival. I don’t believe you could have sent more flowery letters yourself.”
“How do you know my writing is flowery?” I asked, grinning.
“Lady Ilena told me so while she was laboring to write as she thought you would. She said you have quite a way with words.”
“King Drexel said it was an important skill and had me read all the latest missiles before they were sent out. I also had to compose several until he was sure I wouldn’t shame him. It did seem pointlessly extravagant,” I admitted.
“I’m sure it will serve you well. What is your new position?”
“King Drexel’s emissary to the Florenza Court. His Majesty said the position was like an ambassador to improve relations between the two courts.”
“Are relations bad?”
“That’s what I asked King Drexel,” I laughed. “He said he has neglected relations and needs me to establish a stronger rapport with Argelle.” I paused before quietly adding, “I hope I do not disappoint him.”
“I’m sure you will do fine,” Aunt Elaine reassured me. “Can you try to move a finger?”
The fast change in subject caught me off guard, but not enough for me to do as she asked. What if I couldn’t? Fearfully, I looked at my aunt.
“It won’t hurt you. Just try, Conran.”
I closed my eyes for a moment. Holding back a sigh, I looked at my right hand and focused on lifting my forefinger. Nothing happened.
Suddenly unwilling to accept defeat, I tried again. I thought I saw a slight jerk. I strained to move it more and was rewarded with a more noticeable twitch. Encouraged, I was able to slightly lift my right hand from where it was resting on the worn coverlet. Exultant, I looked up at my aunt to see tears shimmering in her eyes.
“I thought you were convinced I would be fine?”
“I was,” she responded in a trembling voice. “But I can still be relieved!”
Somehow the look on my face made her start laughing through her tears. Relief and happiness made me chuckle in response.
“Maybe I need that draught if it makes you wake up laughing,” Lady Ilena announced from the open doorway.
“I can move my hand,” I announced.
“That’s wonderful,” Ilena exclaimed before she began crying.
Confused, I couldn’t help asking, “Why do women cry at good news?”
“Hush, Conran! We’re emotional, because we care about you and are relieved,” my aunt admonished.
“I see,” I couldn’t help muttering, “not at all emotional for me.”
I thought the comment would likely earn me a cuff but they were both in too good a mood. While they were busy wiping their eyes, I focused on my left hand and arm. It seemed to take forever before I could just move it to the left. Finding that I could also shift my legs made me happier than I’d been in days.
“Stop showing off,” Lady Ilena said in a low voice.
Grinning, I looked up at her.
“Thank you for sending letters to King Drexel and Court Florenza. How long did
you say it would be before I could continue?”
“Your aunt was optimistic when she shifted your nerve, so I told them we expected to be on our way in three to four weeks.”
“That seems too long. I need to improve quickly and quit lazing about.”
“I hardly think healing is ‘lazing about’,” Aunt Elaine commented.
“I agree with Conran,” Nicholas said from the doorway. “I understand he needs a good scrubbing. If you ladies would excuse us?”
“I will see to your breakfast,” Aunt Elaine said as she swept out of the room. With a quick smile at me, Ilena followed her, closing the door behind them.
“How are you feeling?” Nicky asked in a subdued voice.
“Much better,” I answered. “I have movement in my hands and legs!”
A stunned look of relief crossed Nicky’s face.
“I knew Raven couldn’t have the best of you!”
He reached out as if to hit my arm but stopped himself short. Instead, he pulled the covers down and off of me.
“You do know I’m not a valet,” he commented as he dipped a cloth and carefully wiped me down.
“I do but you do a fine job nevertheless.”
“You’re at my mercy - best be civil to me.”
“I wouldn’t dream of being otherwise,” I replied dryly.
It was good to have things going back to normal. I shivered and twitched my right leg as he gently washed me. I saw him freeze, the rag dripping water on my foot.
“I can feel that,” I exclaimed. I felt tears well and couldn’t help mocking myself. “And I made fun of the women.”
“What?”
“Nothing. Thank you, Nicky.”
“I’m just glad you can move. It just startled me.” He started dabbing ineffectively at the bottom sheet with a dry towel. “Lady Ilena will complain about me getting the sheets wet.”
“How could you possibly clean me without getting the bedding wet?”
“Good point. I think she will be more likely to forgive me once she knows you can move your leg. Can you move the other one, Conran?”
Beads of sweat broke out as I barely shifted my left leg.
“I hope I can sit up and walk soon,” I couldn’t help gasping from my efforts. I was disgusted that so little effort was so tiring.
“I heard your aunt saying you had a lot of swelling that needs to go down. You probably can’t do too much until it’s all gone.”
I relaxed and nodded. I’d almost forgotten how swollen my Aunt Elaine had said my back was. I had hit the tree hard enough to crack its trunk.
“Are you sorry you agreed to come with me? Being a valet instead of a squire can’t be what you were expecting.”
“I’m not complaining. King Drexel thinks I will learn more by your side at the Florenza Court. Sir Greenwood is good, but Silvesto is a far better fighter.” He paused as he dropped the towel back in the basin that was on the floor. Nicky picked up a large towel and began drying me before he continued, “I spent too much time in King Drexel’s court. I was getting tired of the bad food and not being able to dress well.”
I couldn’t help laughing.
“I’ve missed talking and laughing with you. What do you know of the Florenza Court? I went to the library but it was pretty dry family history.”
Since I’d known him, Nicholas absorbed information and learned far more gossip than any normal person. If anyone could learn about the court we were going to, it would be Nicky.
“One of the knights came from there. He said that King Stefano and Queen Marguerite are good rulers. They have two sons.”
He paused with an odd look on his face.
“What else?”
“It was just superstitious gossip,” he replied as he carefully pulled a clean nightshirt from my trunk and snapped it.
“When has that ever stopped you from sharing?”
“True,” he chuckled. I heard his muffled voice as he slipped the shirt over my head and pulled each arm through the sleeves. “There seems to be some mystery about the queen. She is very well educated, which is unusual in itself. Sir Benito said that she is very strong-willed but very just.”
“That doesn’t seem very bad. What is the mystery?” I asked, trying to lift my back and buttocks as he pulled the shirt down.
“Stop, Conran. I can get the shirt down without you
straining your back.”
I gave him a wry look but didn’t reply.
“I didn’t think what Sir Benito said about Queen Marguerite was bad either but, when I pressed, he wouldn’t say anymore. Something just seemed odd to me.”
“As long as she isn’t another Queen Drusilla,” I responded thoughtfully. “Thank you, Nicky. I feel so much better being clean.”
“I don’t believe this is the first time you’ve needed assistance. You need to start being more careful, Conran.”
Before I could answer, we were interrupted.
“Are you decent yet?” Aunt Elaine asked from behind a slightly cracked door.
“I am.”
She pushed the door the rest of the way open. The aroma wafting from the tray she carried preceded her. I felt my stomach growl.
“That is a good sign,” Aunt Elaine commented. “I brought enough for you, Nicholas. I thought you might want to eat with Conran, since I made you miss breakfast.”
“I’m sorry, Nicky. I didn’t realize I interfered with breakfast.”
“You know I never forego a meal! Becky promised she would set aside a nice breakfast for me if I missed it.”
“Who is Becky?” Aunt Elaine asked.
“Probably a serving girl that Nicky has already charmed,” I guessed.
Nicky’s slight smirk told me I was right. Aunt Elaine looked between us and smiled.
“Can you pull that table over, Nicholas?”
“Yes, Mistress.”
I saw Aunt Elaine wince as the table’s legs scraped noisily on the floor as Nicky dragged it, placing it close to my shoulder. My aunt carefully set the tray on it. She removed the cover, revealing eggs, sausages and a small loaf of bread.
Aunt Elaine gently propped me up with pillows. Nicky helped her to shift me upright against the headboard.
“I will leave the two of you alone. Try not to be too much of a bad influence on my nephew, Nicholas.”
“I will try, but I hope you will call me Nicky...all my friends do.”
By the softness on my aunt’s face and the way her mouth twitched before answering, I knew my friend had made another conquest. I envied his gift with women.
“Very well…Nicky.”
I couldn’t help shaking my head.
“I wish I had a fraction of your charm, Nicky.”
“Then it is good that I will be with you. I can help charm the court on your behalf until you develop your own capabilities,” Nicky said as he filled two plates and began cutting the sausages into small bites on one.
He held a forkful of eggs to my mouth. I obediently opened my mouth and took a bite. While I chewed, Nicky took a bite himself. I swallowed and tried to hold my hand up.
Nicky watched my effort with interest. Once I could bend my elbow, I flexed and closed my fingers. I reopened them and met Nicky’s eyes.
“Does this mean you want to feed yourself?”
“I want to try.”
Nicky placed my plate on my lap after tucking a napkin under my chin. I quirked an eyebrow at him.
“I knew I wouldn’t make a mess. Not so sure about you.”
Knowing he was probably right; I didn’t object as he carefully placed a fork in my hand. Slowly, I tightened my grasp on the fork. He’d put it in my fist as if I were a child, so I used it to scoop my eggs instead of spearing them. I carefully raised the fork to my mouth. Some of the eggs dropped off but I managed to get most of it in my mouth.
It was the best forkful of eggs I’d ever eaten. It took me several tries before I was able to spear a piece of sausage. As I chewed, I worked to stab an
other piece of sausage.
“I think you are doing incredible considering you couldn’t move until yesterday, but wouldn’t a spoon be easier?”
I wanted to protest, but watched as the piece of sausage I’d been trying to spear went sailing off the plate. Nicky caught it in the air with a triumphant whoop that made us laugh. Sighing, I clumsily lay the fork down.
“I think you’re right. A fork seems to be beyond my capabilities,” I conceded.
“Only temporarily,” my friend assured me as he slipped a wooden spoon into my hand.
With the spoon, I was able to finish my breakfast with only a few more mishaps. As I was chasing the last piece of sausage around my plate, Lady Ilena and my aunt knocked and entered. Suddenly self-conscious, I set my spoon down. The sausage could take the victory.
“Conran, I expected to come in to see Nicho…Nicky feeding you. Have you been managing it yourself?”
“Yes, Aunt Elaine, though it wasn’t easy.”
“Maybe not but he has done far better than I expected,” Nicky interjected. “He never ceases to amaze me with his fortitude.”
“Nor I,” Lady Ilena said with a warm smile as she set a covered tray on the worn but ornate dresser. “Your nephew is an indomitable young man.”
Embarrassed by all the praise, I tried to change the subject.
“Do I need to go back on my front? It isn’t very comfortable.”
“Actually, I would like you to try walking later today. You seem to be recovering quickly. First, I need to put more salve and wrap a poultice around your back. Can you sit up more on your own or do we need Nicky?”
“Let me try.”
I straightened away from the headboard. My back protested the movement and a blaze of pain spread across my back.
“Are you all right, Conran?”
I forced a smile but I feared it was more of a grimace. I could only nod in response.
“I will work as quickly as possible, Conran.”
“Can I help?” Nicky asked.
“Stand close by in case he needs support.”
Aunt Elaine removed the old poultice, spread fresh salve and wrapped another poultice. I sneezed at the aroma and another sharp twinge flared. I sharply inhaled to prevent any unmanly whimper. True to her word, my aunt worked quickly. She piled the old poultice pieces into a bowl and stood.
The Sigil of Sobek: Book 2 The Chronicles of Conran Page 2