Chapter 36: The Conditions
It was strange how, despite the din of all the people caught up together, the sound of the splashing water seemed impossibly loud. Skyla didn't move as she felt a wet cloth travel over her back but rather found herself staring at the bloody bowl of water beside her. She could see pieces of darker grime swirling around it and wondered vaguely what she looked like.
"Some of these look as if they need stitches," Faolin growled behind her though, despite her harsh tone, her touch was very gentle. There was another bowl beside her, one in which lay what looked like a dozen or so bloody glass pieces.
"Can you do it?" Skyla asked softly turning her gaze up to the rest of the room. More people were coming in, most supported by others. It worried her that there were so many of their guards among the wounded.
"Do I look like a physician to you?" Faolin was very snappish. She had had a fit when Skyla came in with the guards, bloody, dirty and hurt from her escapade outside. "I can't do everything and neither can you."
Skyla sighed. "I know that," she said simply flinching when Faolin paused and pulled what felt like another piece of glass from her back. They were pressed in the corner, with a small lamp lit beside her old friend to assist her with the task of removing all of the fragments from her body. Vainly, Skyla wondered if the cuts would scar…
"You don't," Faolin said with vehemence. "You still don't after all these years. I am pretty sure we had an argument about it. You are a queen, you cannot do what the rest of us do and that includes running around trying to save people. Stars, Skyla, what would have happened to us if you died out there?!"
Skyla didn't think that way.
"I think many people died today," she spoke quietly. "Not everybody had royal guards who saved them. There weren't enough people out there. And those that were… They weren't strong enough."
We need Sky Dancers.
"Skyla," Faolin's tone became a bit more somber. "I know that. But, think of Skyler. I… If you had died… It would have been a terrible day, Skyla. A terrible day for all of us. His grief and not these… these creatures might have destroyed us."
Frowning, Skyla turned around and looked at Faolin, clutching the towel to her chest. She had had to get out of her top in order to let her friend work on her.
"Skyler wouldn't do that," she spoke quietly. "He won't, Faolin." It unsettled her that her friend looked unconvinced.
"He will do anything to protect you, Skyla. That man will die long before you do."
Her words chilled Skyla to the bone and she turned away from Faolin quickly, shivering as she repositioned the towel around her. "Can we finish here?"
"Can I get a physician?"
Skyla shook her head slightly and looked at those around them again. "No," she said. "There are those who are in more dire need of them than me." Snorting, Faolin lay her fingers on Skyla's back again, tracing lines across her shoulder blades as she searched for more glass.
"Then you will sit here as long as you have to," she said. "I told you, this is not something I was trained to do."
Skyla had to bit her lip against the pain as Faolin found another piece of glass lodged in her back and, with perhaps a bit less force than was required, proceeded to try and remove it. They said nothing else to each other, Faolin focused on a task she wasn't equipped to do and Skyla shivering under her touch from the pain it caused her but also, out of fear for her husband.
What would I do if I lost him?
She could not answer that question, could not even begin to imagine his end even though the thought of it now plagued her. She found herself frantically looking at every person who came in, both hoping and fearing that it would be her beloved. When Faolin finally finished with her, satisfied that she had found every single piece of glass shard that had lodged itself in Skyla's person, she bound her back and arms as best she could, then helped her get dressed with some semblance of privacy. That palace had become very full, its halls and the rooms of safety in its foundation packed with all who had fled their homes. Skyla went around, offering words of encouragement, of condolences and comfort in grief. She found Yolanda, whom she had helped out of her home, sitting with her three children, the young boy fussing while the other two played with some of the other children around despite their mothers' desperate attempts to settle them down. Yolanda was particularly happy to see her, embracing her the moment she saw her and holding her tightly, whispering words of thanks. Skyla soothed her, telling her it was nothing while she watched the children playing – wondering at their resilience.
Her prayers were answered in the darkest hour of the night, when her husband finally returned. They saw each other almost immediately; they always seem to in a room of crowded people but he didn't approach her immediately. Skyla kept herself at bay as Skyler went past his subjects much in the same way she had done, focusing on the wounded soldiers and guards in particular. When he finally reached her, Skyla wanted to throw herself into his arms, longing for his comfort but she was aware of their lack of privacy, of how everybody was staring at them. And, she was aware of the children, playing no more but looking at them, those who were still awake. This was not the time to break, nor was it the time to show weakness. After she was poisoned and Skyclone's banishment, she had vowed never to show weakness again and be the pillar that her husband needed. So, she took Skyler's hands as he closed the distance between them and simply brought them to her lips. The Skyswirlstone winked between them, the royal scepter still clutched in his hands. She could not help but notice as she looked up to meet his gaze that he was not the man who had left her side earlier that evening.
"My love," she breathed. "You have returned to us." She felt a faint spark of hope. "Are we safe?"
It was his eyes that answered her question and it made her stomach turn with fear. Skyler pulled his one hand from hers and raised it to her chin. He breathed in deeply as if drinking in her presence.
"Beloved," he spoke quietly. "We must speak in private." He looked around and found the person Skyla knew was always close.
"Faolin, please find us a room."
Faolin, Lady Faolin had not been one of their servants for many years now, proving herself to be as an astute politician and council member as Skyla had known she would be. Still, in that moment, she curtsied to them as she had all those years before, casting the shadow of the woman she had once been.
Skyla watched her go, then felt her husband's arm settle around her back and shoulders. She didn't know who had stepped closer to the other but the touch was welcome, oh so welcoming. They stood like that until Faolin came back, silently bidding them to follow her. They left the hall where most of the people were huddled and followed Faolin in the direction of the kitchen. No one had been allowed to be in rooms where there were windows or entrances as most of them had been sealed off and they were considered dangerous. When Faolin led them through the kitchen Skyla knew immediately where they were going and felt… strangely humbled.
I began here, she thought. In the scullery, helping the cooks in order to justify my mother keeping me around.
It was a very long time ago and it made her feel a little hollow and sad. A lot of their staff were huddled here but the ovens were on and there was a constant commotion as they tried to figure out how they were going to get at least some food into all who were present. Skyla found herself looking past the commotion into the furthest corner of her memory where she saw her mother standing by one of the benches as she collected Queen Alima's breakfast. It was strange how, in that memory, she remembered thinking that her mother was one of the most beautiful women that she had ever seen, her long blonde hair hanging below her waist with a series of small braids woven into it. When she had come over, her mother had smiled at her and bent down to pick her up, allowing her to sit on the table and watch her pack the plate out.
"I'm just waiting for the bread," she had said. "There is nothing better than fresh bread in the morning. It is a moment of happiness you will learn to appreciate when you are older." Her smile had been beautiful and filled with love.
"Can I help you?" Skyla had asked, because something in her mother's expression had told her that she wanted to be a part of this strange ritual. As if it was special to the woman somehow.
"You can go and get me flowers from the garden," her mother requested. "Where I showed you last time."
"Skyla?"
She came back to herself, unable to stop from flinching when Skyler touched a particularly sensitive spot on her back. Faolin had left them and they were now standing by one of the doors leading to the servants sleeping quarters.
"She said we can be here," he spoke. "This was her old room and it's not being used."
Breathing in the heat and smell of fresh bread, Skyla allowed Skyler to guide her into the room and close the door behind them. It was small, so small and it made Skyla marvel at how her perception had changed. I slept in a room just like this once…
"What happened to you, Skyla?" Skyler insisted, drawing her attention to him. "You're a mess."
Taking in a deep breath, Skyla looked at him and didn't miss what looked like dried blood that wasn't wiped away from his cheek and still lodged in his beard. She raised her hand to his head, running her fingers through his hair until she found the cut.
"So are you, husband."
Strangely, he didn't question her again. Instead, he stepped closer to her and embraced her, his touch desperate and strong. It hurt, but Skyla embraced the pain and discomfort because she knew it meant her husband was there. The dark thoughts that she had been entertaining about his death vanished as he leaned in and kissed her passionately. His touch also amplified what she had felt in him when they were first reunited.
Fear. He is afraid.
"Skyler," she breathed when they broke away from each other. "What happened? Is it true? Is Skyclone behind all of this?" Saying his name felt strange. They had simply stopped talking about him all those years ago. Skyler turned away from her, his expression one of shame and regret.
"I should have incarcerated him when I had the chance, Skyla," he said. "Now… He has come here with massive creatures unlike any I have ever seen before. They command strong winds, as you no doubt have seen. And, they are strong, it takes a lot of energy simply to take one down. We had had some measured success, but there were simply too many of them. We've had to retreat, but not before I had a chance to listen to his demands." He moved away from her and went to sit down on the old mattress. Skyla felt cold as she watched him, worried by what she saw. He looked… defeated.
"What does he want?" She asked, even though she already knew.
"The stone," Skyler said and slowly put the Skyswirlstone down on the table beside the bed. "The throne. Power, though I believe he already found that in those creatures of his. He wants all of this. The rule of ascension be damned, he still wants to be king. And, if he cannot be king he will destroy all that we know."
Staring at her husband as she tried to process all of it, Skyla slowly approached the bed and sat down beside him, taking his hand and bringing it to her lap.
"Skyclone is… if you give in to his demands…" She tried to imagine her brother-in-law as a ruler, doing all that she and Skyler had done in the past couple of years. "The wingdom will be doomed."
"I know," her husband said fiercely. "I will not give him the stone, Skyla. Cannot. But he is not open to negotiation or persuasion. His hatred for me has festered in him like a cancer. He will not hear what I have to say or listen to reason."
Skyla was quiet for a moment.
"But then, Skyler," she spoke quietly. "Even if you give into his demands… Surely he will kill you." Her heart beat was rapid and strong in her chest. "That has been what he meant to do all along and alive you will be a threat to his power." Now she felt true fear. "That cannot happen. What will we do?"
"I don't know."
The words were hard to hear. Skyla wished in that moment that her husband had rather lied to her and told her that all would be alright. But, as he turned to her and looked at her, she realized it wouldn't have worked anyway. They could never lie to each other. Swallowing down her panic, Skyla put an arm around him and rested her head against his.
"What do you need to do, Skyler?" She asked. "What can I do for you? Should I call the council?"
He sighed deeply and shook his head. "This decision is beyond them," he spoke. "They are good at small crisis management, of bringing the wingdom's needs to me. But this? This is no decision they can make." He grimaced. "I need to think," he admitted. "I need time to think, but we don't have a lot of that. I also need to try and catch an hour or two's sleep. I am exhausted and am afraid to trust my own judgement in this moment" He looked at her. "Will you stay with me?"
She dared to smile. "Do you even have to ask, my love?" she responded. "I will be here with you." She returned his kiss then stood up. "Let me just go and organize a wakeup call. If we sleep, I do not want us to do so through the deadline." She could tell that he tried to laugh, but failed.
"That would be disastrous."
Skyla wasn't gone for long, only going to the kitchens and asking the staff there for assistance. Then, she returned to her husband to find that he had already stripped off his dirty clothes and was lying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Skyla found herself taking in the sight of him, looking at every bruise, every scratch she saw on his person. She looked at the old scar on his forearm, a memory from when they were still children. It was before they knew he would be king. Before the world changed.
Slowly, she undressed as well, allowing him to see her injuries, knowing it was no use to hide them. He didn't comment on any of it but held out a hand in her direction and slowly pulled her to the bed and down beside him.
"Skyla, I love you more than this world," he spoke quietly. "Let me send you back to my mother when we wake. You will be safe there. Please."
She snuggled up to him as he put his arms around her and drew her close. Resting her head on his shoulder, she put her arm around his chest and tried to slow her breathing and still her own heart.
"No," she spoke quietly. "No. I will be here until we find a resolution to this. And, if you truly love me, you won't send me away against my will. Let me be here for you."
He chuckled softly, the sound rich against her ear.
"I… wouldn't consider it," he said though she knew he probably did. "Knowing your determination, you'd probably find a way to come back here and make me pay." He sobered up a little. "But, you cannot blame me for thinking of it."
"No," she breathed. "No, of course not." She sighed. "I am just glad Alima is safe. With Whirl and Twirl. At least they are… away from all of this." It was easier to think of their future rather than that of the wingdom. Skyler continued to hold her tightly, his hand lightly tracing the trail down her spine, his fingers lingering on every wound he found.
He didn't say anything else and she gave him his silence, knowing that he was thinking and needed to do so. They lay quietly for about an hour before he finally seemed to find sleep, his breathing slowing and deepening. Skyla did some thinking of her own in that time, thinking about Skyclone, thinking about her parents and of Alima. Thinking about King Skyhawk and his decision not to make it known that Skyclone had tried to kill his brother. Would the world have been different if he had? What would it have changed?
Would she have had her own children?
Perhaps, Skyla thought. But perhaps she would have lived half a life, never realizing what her full potential was. Never realizing the depths of her own strength and her love for this place. When she was sure Skyler was sleeping deeply, she got up slowly and gathered up her clothes, dressing as quietly as she could and leaving the room. There were two guards stationed outside now, probably thanks to Faolin, who both bowed when they saw her.
"The king is sleeping," Skyla spoke quietly. "Let him do so for another hour but wake him if there is any danger. If he asks, tell him that I have gone to see to our people. I… will be back shortly."
They bowed at her and let her be on her way. Skyla didn't go far, but made sure that no one saw her when she slipped into one of the servants' passageways that led all throughout the palace and beyond. There was a moment in which she was worried that she might get lost but her feet found the path she had walked so many times before and soon, Skyla was out in the garden amidst the roses. When she was still alive, her mother had given one to Alima every day that they were here, perhaps as a reminder of the world they would return to after the queen's duties were completed. There were roses at the academy as well, a maze of them that Alima kept well-tended.
What would be the symbol of our love? Skyla thought as she flew up. What would remind people of our love one day?
It didn't take her long to find what she was looking for or… for her to be found by what she had been seeking. A massive shape reared up in front of her in the dark, its presence frightening. Skyla looked at the creature Skyclone had been using to wreak havoc on her world and people but tried to remain calm as she spread her arms, hoping that it would show her that she meant no harm. It looked at her curiously and slowly reached out with a massive hand, enclosing it around her body and bringing her close to his face for inspection. Hoping against all hope that she wasn't making a mistake, Skyla met the creature's gaze.
"I need you to take me to your Master," she said. "Do you understand?" She hoped he did because this monster was so big, he could kill her simply by closing his hand. "Take me to Skyclone."
It looked at her for longer than she expected, the wind blowing around them, tossing her hair. The city laid ruins around them, smoke from fires that weren't doused trailing into the sky and providing her with just enough light to see all the devastating destruction. She knew that not all had come to the palace for protection and prayed for their safety.
She didn't realize that she had held her breath as the monster decided her fate until its other hand moved, its thick finger coming towards her head. Skyla's breathing was shallow as it touched her head and seemed to puzzle at her hair for a moment. Then, it carefully enclosed its other hand around her, making it hard for her to see where they were going and flew off into the night.
888
AN: This is very close to being finished. The bit is in my mouth, so to speak – in a none horseplay kind of way (neigh). I see this reaching a conclusion within the next fortnight (two chapters, maybe three at the most).
Having re-watched the series, I actually have quite a lot of ideas again for stories, specifically in my Joanie Ellen Universe. My question to you is, should I write it? The plan is to finish the others stories on this website. This is not the only fandom I have neglected terribly but it was the first one I wanted to come back to, because this is where I started, in this universe. The reason for it is deeply personal, stretching back nearly seventeen years now. One day perhaps I will tell you all.
These stories are also the first ones I ever allowed others to read. Which is sort of funny in itself, considering how obscure and small the fandom is. But, in that was perhaps the push I needed. The readers have been nothing but kind and here, amongst friends, I grew as a writer and in confidence. So, I would like to once again say thank you for this.
I might also have to (urgently) update Feather in the Wind because having read it, I've decided it is… really badly written.