Chapter 42: (Cora)

After I was sure Lydy was fine, all three of us went down to the medical wing to see those who were injured. As we entered the room all eyes seemed to gravitate towards Ara. He seemed to silently command any room he walked into. Many of those who were able to get up tried so they could bow towards us.

While Ara went to talk to one of the doctors about the different injuries on some of his men. I went to see Mary and the other three servants who had come with me. Mary was sitting up in bed, her head was bandaged but seemed to be alright. While the other three had similar bandaging on different parts of their bodies.

“Good morning Your Highness. I am so glad to see you healthy and alive'' She greeted me as she tried to get up. Pushing her down I just shook my head so she would stay seated.

“How are you doing?” I asked, wanting to make sure there was nothing I couldn’t see.

“I’m fine, I had fallen off the carriage in all the chaos and had hit my head. Thank goodness Lydy had dragged me to safety or I would have been engulfed in the fire." her voice cracked as she thought about how close she was to dying.

She looked to Lydy the gratefulness she felt was written all over face. Mary went on to tell me what they had gone through. Something I had not asked Lydy thinking it would be too much for her to tell me.

“We were in the second carriage with a few of the Andal servants we had heard shouting from the carriage behind us. Tate had come up to warn us of the impending danger, before throwing himself back into the chaos. As we were trying to exit, our carriage was lit by a soldier with a torch.” she recalled shuddering from the memories of it all.

“I was rushing to get out the door when I tripped on my skirt and hit my head. I fell unconscious.” she pointed towards her bandage wrapped head. “I was told by some of the other servants that Lydy refused to leave me behind and dragged me to safety.” she looked over again at Lydy, as she told me what happened.

“Of course Ma’am I would never leave you. You have always helped tend to my wounds, how could I not help you?” Lydy spoke up.

“I came here to make sure you guys are ok, but this morning I was informed we will be touring the kingdom before we head to the capital. I do not delay your departure back to the palace. So I will have you rest up here until you can return.” I instructed her, trying to sound confident in my decision.

Thanking me profusely for letting them go back on the scheduled date. I left her to talk with Lydy, so I could find Ara. I saw him talking to a man whose upper chest and right upper arm had been wrapped up in bandages. It looked to be bleeding through and he seemed to be in pain. Helana, who I had not seen since last night, was sitting next to him, the concern on her face very evident.

“Nareh, This is my Knight’s commander Sir Claus.” Ara introduced me to him. “Claus, you can call her Queen Nareh from now on. I do not wish to hear the name Elanora anymore.” he demanded of him. Catching all of us off guard.

“Greetings Your Majesty, Queen Nareh. Forgive an old man for not being able to bow to you at the moment.” he winced as he tried to stand to greet me.

“Greetings Sir Claus, it is a pleasure to meet you. Please don’t move, you'll tear your wound open even more.” I suggested to him, not wanting him to bleed anymore.

“Your Majesty, I doubt I will be able to ride in this condition. If you could please use Sir Ethan to replace me on your travels it would put my mind to ease.” He finished his conversation with Ara. They had been in the middle of when I interrupted.

Ara didn’t seem too happy after hearing that news. Helana also protested against it. According to her, he was a no good pompous ass. Trying not to get into the middle of it, I couldn’t help but think I could help somehow if they allowed me too. The books I had read with my mother had taught me a thing or two about wounds. I had also stitched Tate and the other knights of the annex up more times than I cared to count after various monsters had gotten too close to the annex.

“If it’s ok with you I have some experience tending to wounds may I look at it?” I questioned knowing this would be an odd request. Both Ara and Sir Claus looked at me as if I had grown another head, but neither denied my request.

Slowly peeling back the bandage trying not to disturb it anymore than I needed I could see where he had been hit with a sword on the top of his shoulder. It was a clean cut thank god, but other than the bandage and a few stitches that hadn’t done much for it.

In one of the books my mother had, it taught me that thyme was good for numbing the pain while marigold was good for fighting off infections, a mixture I had used countless times before. I had seen some marigold growing wild outside the encampment and knew from breakfast that they had thyme in the kitchen.

Quickly rebandaging him up so it would help stop the bleeding. I asked Helana if she would escort me to get the things I needed to help Sir Claus heal faster so he could accompany us. Ara told her to stay with Sir Claus and he escorted me personally. As soon as we were out of the medical wing he stopped me, looking down at me as if he could read my thoughts.

"My Nareh, that look in your eye tells me you're about to do something I don't like. Why don't you tell me why you asked Helena for help when I am more than capable of helping you?" he eyed me suspiciously.

I needed to go outside the encampment wall, and while it was morning there were no monsters out. The soldiers that had been sent after us could have reinforcements waiting to ambush us. My mission to go out and pick flowers seemed almost suicidal, but it was necessary to help Sir Claus heal quicker. Now if only I could convince Ara of that.