Chapter One
The now twenty-two year-old Marquis of Athlum, David Nassau, had seen more than he cared to of the world and many of it's inhabitants. His friends remained the constant reminder that there was still good in the world. The horrors seemed to present themselves more often than the good still and this afternoon was no exception.
David sat on the throne waiting for nothing in particular. His troups were out on patrol though the threats to Athlum were gone. For the moment, there were no wars to be faught. 'Why trouble trouble if trouble isn't troubling you,' he thought to himself.
The moment the door to the throne room flew open he knew the peace he'd hoped for was shattered. What he saw didsturbed him more than he'd imagined possible. Several of the younger soldiers in his army were practically dragging a young woman who was shackled, bloody, and bruised. Without their support she would not be standing. She looked up at him with mistrust and pain blazing in her grey eyes but there was no fear there.
"What is going on," he demanded. Before anyone could answer he was on his knees before the girl looking at her wounds. When she didn't object or flinch a burning fury rose in him. "What have you done," he demanded looking around at the men.
"Lord David, she was heavy armed and refused to disarm before entering our city. When she..."
"So you thought it alright to engage in battle with a lone womans without even asking a superior officer or myself?"
"The laws state..."
"That is no defense for this intolerable treatment of a young woman traveling by herself. She should be armed," anger ate at him.
"Lord David," another of the men began.
"Silence. Unshackle her, immediately. Then return to your posts. I will retrieve you when I've decided what should be done."
The two who had been dragging her by her arms dropped her and glared a the young Marquis of Athlem. He caught her but though he wished to hold her and swear protection over her, he sat her in a kneeling position. Considering the destruction and misery his state had been put through recently, a dramatic devotion of his life, his forces and his homeland was likely dangerous.
"I've had enough of the two of you. Out of my sight before you make things worse for yourself." The youngest of the group unshackled her as he looked at David apologetically before darting out.
"I'm David Nassau, the Marquis of Athlum. I am truely sorry about how you've been treated here. We're going to make sure you recover and I personally will deal with the men who have harmed you." He turned to his generals, keeping a hand on her to steady her. "Two of you gather medical supplies. The other two, find the doctor."
"Yes sir," they said as they exchanging meaningful glances. After a moment the room was empty.
"My generals are suspicious of you. Is there anything you can tell me that will help in your defense? They're not happy in the least that I have not been more careful," he explained.
"You're soldiers... They're good people. Don't be too hard on them," she said before looking into his eyes. "All I can tell you is that I mean you no harm and that I have no idea how I got here." Her body swayed slightly.
"You say my soldiers are good men but how can that be so if they brought you to me like this," David asked as he reached his second arm out to keep her from falling the rest of the way to the gound.
"They didn't do all of this."
"Who did then," he asked.
"I can't remember," she shook her head as tears filled her eyes. "I just know they thought I was dead so they left me. Weapons and all in a large field between a mountain range and a forest. It all happened so fast," her head sank.
"It's alright. That's not going to happen again on my watch. Tell me, what is your name?"
"Aleka," she whispered. The tears that fell to the floor between them cut through him in a way no blade could.
"Aleka, I need you to trust me. My generals will not act without my command. You will be taken care of here. You have my word. It does not matter where you came from or where you are going. I do not believe you to be a threat to myself or my people. You have my protection," as he spoke the words he realized what that statement had cost him the last time but he was undetered by the painful memories of lost comrads. She nodded slowly in response but said nothing. She was getting weaker and more uspet by the moment.
The generals returned seconds later. "Here's the supplies you requested," one of them called as they headed down the corridor toward him.
"Take them to my chambers. She will not be left in the floor any longer," he called back the the most powerful people in his realm aside from himself. He pulled her into his arms and rose to his feet. Sweeping one arm under her legs he pulled her off her feet and made his way down the corridor with her pressed close to his body incase anyone got any ideas. To hurt her they'd have to risk his life and he felt sure they wouldn't do that. The foot steps that followed them were pensive, belonging to some of the most confused people in existance.
None of that mattered to him, though, even with the complete inability to understand the feeling, he truely believed the woman was not in Athlem to harm anyone. Briefly he wondered if she'd made up the story about his guard not being the ones who'd done most of the damage to protect them, him, or herself. He shook his head and swallowed his emotions. Looking down at her he smiled, awkward as it felt it brought a small smile to her face before her eyes closed and her head rolled against his chest. Whether she'd passed out or fallen asleep, panic struck him. He moved more quickly toward the large room he hulled himself in when he couldn't stand the thought of being around people.
"Emma [II], please go find her some new clothes. These are not only flithy but destroyed," he walked even quicker as he spoke but he felt more like running. Running from his guard, running from his feelings, his fears, his memories, her possible demise... He managed to keep his composure as the rest of the group sped up to match his pace. Carefully he lay her on the burgundy comforter that covered the massive bed. She opened her eyes drowsily, relief washed through him and reminded him of what it was he needed to be doing.
"Go back to sleep if you like," he whispered before the others entered the room. "I'll take care of you," he explained quickly for two reasons. The first was so she could go back to the sleep and the second was so that his generals wouldn't hear the exchange.
She winced and turned her body slightly to face him, watching his face as he began to look over her wounds once more. "I think we're gonna have some breaks but I haven't had time to check everything," he spoke as the group of people entered the room behind him. "Either way, I will do what ever I can while we await medical personel."
"Here you are, Lord David. We'll leave you until the doctor comes.
"Thank you. I understand you don't trust her but I do. Please continue to hold your judgments until she's well enough that we may know what happened to her and why she is here," he asked with weary eyes of the smallest member of the guard.
"Yes, Lord David, that would be wise," the small cross between a frog and a rabbit, known as a quitsi agreed with him. "Certainly no need to rush things."
"Thank you," he sighed before looking back down at her. When the generals left the room she was still awake though her eyes were glassy. "Is this soft enough," he asked hesitantly.
"Yes," she mumbled, barely audible.
"Alright this will be unpleasant," the blonde said as he began to dab at the most obvious wound, the cut on her cheek.
"It will be alright," she whispered. Her eyes were trained in on his face though her focus went in and out. She winced as he began to clean the cut carefully. Even though he could heal it without doing so, he thought she might appreciate not having an infection later on.
"The doctor will be here shortly, this may be easier if you are sedated..."
"No. Go ahead... Lord David, huh? You must have a lot of power and responsibility."
"I do," he nodded unconsciously.
"You're young though," she asked.
"Yes. Twenty-two. How old are you?" David asked, his voice quiet and stable but his emotions churning.
"Nineteen..." She closed her eyes for a moment, trying not to show the extent of the pain she was in. Though she felt sure it was a failed attempt, he said nothing. A moment later she opened her eyes. The blonde wiped her forehead with a clean cloth before moving on to the next wound. "You are tired as well," she spoke quietly.
"Yes. You are observant. There are more pressing matters than rest right now." His words were not scolding or chastizing though he felt they should have been. He was far too tempted to do all the wrong things without her speaking.
"Are there?"
"Yes. You're injuries are far more important than rest I would not be able to get anyway. Now try to relax. This will be painful." He spoke just before yanking her arm hard to set her shoulder back in it's proper place. Her scream pained him but he knew it had to be done. "I'm so sorry," he sighed as he moved on to her next visible injury.
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