~Aftermath~

By Utena Aston

PART ONE:

G A E A

T H R E E :

"Where in the world is she?!!" Eries screamed at the head maid in Domaris's chamber.

"I-if you p-please, Your Highness, I don't know," the maid said quivering with tears. "She done slipped out, r-right…under our noses. We none of us have seen her!"

Eries felt pity for the woman, but didn't show it. "Do you know where she could have gone?"

"She don't tell us her wishes, M'Lady. We don't know where she went!"

Eries dismissed the blubbering woman. It was just past dawn. Eries had been unable to sleep and finally decided to go and check up on Domaris. She found out from the maids that Domaris had been gone all night and still hadn't come back. Eries immediately had the grounds checked and the market, but had found no trace of her cousin. Now she was sick with worry. Suppose Domaris was unconscious somewhere and they wouldn't be able to find and help her.

Just then, a gate-man came into the hall where Eries paced.

"My Princess," he said.

"Yes," Eries said with impatience. She thought it was some trivial matter that the man had come about. "What is it?"
"We have the Princess, your cousin, the Lady Domaris and a man what come with her, in the main hall."

"What!" Eries cried out.

"They came in just a minute ago, all ragged and mussed. The man is cover't wi' blood…"

The gate-man would have gone on but Princess Eries walked swiftly past him and said, "Take me to them."

Domaris lay on the hard hall floor next to Allen, spent with exertion. Allen was beside her and she glanced over to see him with his eyes closed, his chest rising slowly with laboured breathing. The moment they had come through the gates of the palace, Domaris had been identified and asked for Princess Eries to be notified. Then she had told the men to lay Allen down gently and she herself had then sat down and eventually laid down to rest next to her traveling companion.

It had been an arduous journey, and Domaris had almost broke down physically and mentally more than once. But her strong will kept her going. Her spell on Allen's body had certainly helped, but as dawn approached, the magic began to fade and Domaris had almost had to drag Allen into the city and then the palace gates. She was sore all over from falling down countless times. Then after falling, it would be even more difficult when she had to heave Allen off the ground as well as herself. She had wasted her breath at first with giving small words of encouragement, but after a while she stopped that even and gave her silent support to the dying man. Allen had said nothing.

Eries entered the main hall and rushed across its length to the huddle of guards and gates-men. They parted for her and she saw on the floor two of the most helpless figures she had ever seen. Domaris looked as if she had been to hell and back and if she had not been told that it was Allen, Eries would not have recognized him in his current state even if it were worth her life. Her heart throbbed in pain; she could tell how near death he was. She turned to the head gates-man.

"Take this Knight to the best healer in the palace and see that he lives. You understand? He lives," Eries commanded and it was done. Eries knelt on the floor next to her cousin. The young woman's hair was coated in dirt and grime, leaving its previous whiteness a dull brown. Carefully Eries lifted the girl's upper body into her arms and cradled her there. After a moment, Domaris's eyes opened.

"Mother…" Domaris breathed. Eries felt pain tug at her heart. She would never forgive this girl for what pain she was causing her! How could she!? But, she had saved Allen…and she was alive. Eries stilled her anger. She was just angry because she cared, she knew, but still it hurt.

"Domaris," Eries said quietly. "You are…safe." The large eyes closed again. Whether Domaris had heard or not, Eries couldn't say. "If only you would let me protect you, care for you." Eries said bitterly, the frustration clear in her voice. She hated things that she could not predict, could not control. And yet she could not help but care for those whose souls wandered and were lost. That was why she loved Allen. That was why she loved Domaris. That was why she had loved Marlene…

Domaris woke up and saw the worried face of Eries peering over her. She blinked and tried to sit up, but Eries pushed her down and said gently, "Lie back and rest still. You've been through a lot and a few hours rest isn't enough time to get over such an ordeal."

Domaris let her head slid back onto the pillow. "How is the man. The…Allen?" she asked.

"Better than when he arrived, but still unconscious. Millerna is helping the healer Makrim attend to him. They are doing their best."

"How long has it been since…?"

"Six hours. You recover fast mentally, but your body isn't yet ready, so just rest. I'll wake you in the evening." Eries left the room and gave the servants strict orders that no one was to disturb Lady Domaris's rest except herself and the healers.

In the room where Allen was being tended, no one was allowed except by the approval of Makrim. Millerna had become his apprentice over the last year and had learned much, despite Eries's disapproval, but Makrim still had the final say.

Eries waited outside until he was ready to see her. He came out and closed the chamber door behind him. He was a small man with a thin, stringy beard and a bald head. He wore robes of deep blue embroidered with the healers sign stitched in gold thread. He also attended to King Aston, but he was needed here much more for the moment.

Eries went to him and leaned down to be on eye level with him. She was a tall Princess.

"How is Allen Schezar?" she asked calmly.

"He is deeply wounded and broken. His wrists are cut badly as well as his throat. And he has five broken ribs. Other than that he is bruised almost all over. He suffers from lack of blood mostly, and over exertion. They said he walked all the way from Freid's border to Palas. But that is impossible!!" The old man squinted in disbelief and smacked his gums.

"Will he live?" Eries asked.

"It's amazing he is living and has lived this long! But I cannot tell as yet. It depends."

"On what?"

"Whether or not he does not give up fighting for life. He is so wearied, I do not know if he has the energy to even form the will or reason to fight." The healer looked worried and gentle for a moment. "It is a pity," he said, "that one so brave as to come that far…" In a flash, Makrim caught himself and went back to his usual feisty manner. "But perhaps he was just a fool! Only a fool would walk in pain. Only I cannot see how he could have walked. It is impossible!" The old man beckoned Eries inside the room as he reopened the heavy door. "But of course you will want to see him now. He is your friend, is he not?" Eries gasped, but only slipped a moment before answering.

"I know him. Yes," was all she said.

Makrim, who had an uncanny ability to see into the hearts of men and women, read her true feelings and frowned grimly. He had been the one to deliver Eries into the world and he felt a special bond to her. She was sensible and strong. So unlike her younger sister. Of course, Makrim loved his apprentice as well, he only wished she would not be so foolish sometimes!!!

Inside the chamber it was dark and stuffy. Eries allowed her eyes to adjust to the dark, and then felt Millerna take her by the hand and lead her to Allen's bedside. Allen's body and face had been washed and he was clean of blood and dirt, and yet still Eries felt that she would not have recognized him if she had not known it was he. He looked so weak, so pale, so unlike himself, the strong warrior, Knight of Caile. She showed no sign of her horror, but her worry could be read by those who knew her in the depths of her eyes.

"He has not once awakened?" she whispered. Millerna shook her head. Eries did not even turn to see the movement though. She had known the answer and was merely talking to herself more than to anyone else. The pain in her usually calm voice was audible. Makrim excused Millerna, saying that she needed a break. Millerna left humbly, obeying her master, but she felt that he only said that so that Eries could have more privacy with Allen. But she noticed that Makrim did not leave the room. The reason was because Makrim did not want Millerna to see her older sister, whom he knew that she depended on, looking and acting this way.

"A woman in love is always the most disturbing thing to see," Makrim muttered to himself.

Eries sat in silence, holding Allen's hand. But a few times she leaned forward and whispered to Allen. Makrim never did know quite what she said. But it helped induce the miracle that followed, of that he was sure.

"You are better, aren't you?" Millerna asked as she fawned over Domaris who sat on a chaise lounge in a long, loose robe.

Domaris laughed quietly at her cousin's dismay. "Better, better, I'm all better," Domaris sang. "Just don't jostle me too much! I'm still a little, um, sore."

Millerna laughed along with her tired looking cousin. Domaris's spirits were up, that was for sure. Knowing this made Millerna feel better in spite of the fact that her idol, Allen, was still unconscious. Eries visited him no more. Millerna was there to help Makrim, but she was never alone with him, and Millerna had a suspicion that that was Makrim's doing. Why, though, she had no idea. But she thought it might have something to do with Eries.

Three days of rest seemed to do the trick for Domaris though, and now she wanted to see the man whose life she had saved. She didn't yet have the strength herself to go to him, though, so one of the knights picked her up and carried her across the palace to the chamber that Allen occupied. Makrim waited at the door. He had not seen Domaris since he had not been the healer to attend her. In fact he had never seen her before. (He didn't attend her arrival banquet, he was much too busy, much too busy!) Seeing her now as the knight set her down before the door, Makrim was in awe. She struggled to straighten her weak body and stand firmly by herself, but the kind young knight, (who was a bit in awe of her himself, hoo hoo!), would not allow it and put his arm about her so that she could lean on him. This, Domaris resigned to, but not unkindly.

Makrim held out his old, withered hands to her and she gratefully put both of hers in his grasp. The moment her skin touched his, Makrim felt a strange sensation go up his arms. He looked at her in bewilderment, but Domaris seemed not to have noticed. Makrim's face was solemn as he led her into the chamber. The knight remained outside so that he could carry Domaris back to her chamber when she was ready.

Domaris was able to walk to the bedside with the help of Makrim. She gazed for a long time at Allen's pale face. She had not realized how handsome he was. Of course, that could have been because he had been covered in filth and dying. Domaris almost felt herself crying as she thought this. No man like this, this strong and good, should die such a death. It wasn't right!

Makrim stood back and watched. He knew now what he had felt. Magic. But what kind, and how strong? Was this beautiful princess a dark witch?

Domaris eventually turned away from the bed and back to Makrim, apparently ready to leave, but Makrim stopped her.

"What did you do?" he asked her. Domaris stared down at him blankly. Makrim put his hands on her shoulders, and not ungently shook her. "WHAT DID YOU DO?" he repeated heavily.

Domaris narrowed her eyes and then an expression of helplessness came over her face. Makrim didn't move an inch.

"You made him walk!" Makrim said. It was a statement, not a question.

"I made him walk," Domaris said in a flat tone. Whether she was agreeing or admitting, he couldn't tell.

"And what else?"

"I eased his pain. I numbed him. Then I made him walk. It was to save his life. I swear…" with these last words, Domaris looked up pleadingly at Makrim. His eyes held no pity.

"How dare you. How dare you use magic, daughter of this noble house. Have you become a darkling?"

Domaris stared at him, at first with a blank expression. Then her eyes widened and she looked like a frightened child. "I don't know what you mean," she protested.

Makrim's own expression melted into a kinder one. He loosened his grip on her shoulders. She doesn't know about what she has done, thought Makrim. She thinks she helped him. But the magic, though it enabled him to arrive here, no doubt, it also drained even more of the life out of him!

"It is alright, my dear," Makrim said kindly. "I will talk to you another time. Be not afraid. The Princess and I will not let him die. You did what you thought best." Makrim opened the door. Domaris at first did not know which princess he meant, but she thought it must be Millerna, whom she understood was his apprentice. She was to find out later that she was wrong, he meant Eries.

The knight smiled at Domaris but then looked worried at the worn expression she had. She held out her arm and he bent lower so that she could drape it over his shoulder and then he stooped to pick her up.

Walking away, the knight tried to get closer to the beautiful princess. "Your Highness is so light. I could carry you around the whole palace and not tire!"

Domaris glanced at him. He smiled winningly. She let her lips smile back. "You are sweet, Dorian," she told him. Then her smile faded. "Did you know that man. Allen?"

Dorian didn't let his smile fade; though his spirits fell slightly. Allen always attracted women, even on his sickbed! But Dorian respected Allen, and had been friends with him. Dorian was also a Knight Caile.

"Yes," he answered finally. "He is a good man. He is too young and valuable to die. You were noble to save him. Many great men could not have done such a thing."

Domaris smiled again and Dorian set her down in front of her door. She had thought she had helped to save him, but the words of the healer Makrim had bothered her. The truth was that she really didn't know about her magic that much. She said goodbye to Dorian and he kissed her hand before parting.

Lord Singleton waited inside her chamber to greet her. Her maids left her after helping her sit down in the window seat.

Lord Singleton looked at Domaris. "What is troubling you?" he asked.

Domaris's lips pouted. "Do not worry about it. It is nothing."

"You used your powers on that man, did you not?"

Domaris nodded.

Lord Singleton smiled and went to her. He took her hands in his. "You grow stronger, my pupil," he said in a low voice. Domaris looked out the window. She had a fear and suspicion growing in her heart and it felt hard and cold. Lord Singleton's hands felt like icy claws around her small warm ones. His eyes flickered in amusement.

"Perhaps it is time that I told you how your father died," he said to her. Domaris felt as if those hands had just slipped around her heart.