candle in the window
Sorry for the wait. I've had hideous writer's block. It's more than that though. I've been scrutinizing over the next step in the story and it's been torturing me all this time. I finally busted up some mafia brain cells in my head that were holding out on me and came up with this. Enjoy the offer you can't refuse. Mya, see, mya.
Chapter 33
The dragon knight of water was determined to reach his destination and report back to Alfeegi in a timely manner. For this reason he had switched carriage at nearly every stop, but hadn't slept since yesterday, when he left Luwa. He was tired but he wasn't the one driving so it was okay. Besides, fatigue was the furthest thing from his mind on this very early morning when the sun would not shine for several hours.
"Ouch!" The blond haired, blue eyed, former elf held his elbow and used his feet to secure his position in this seemingly run away carriage. Through the throbbing pain coursing up his arm and into his shoulder, he grit his teeth and bared it. It was Rune's fault really, anyway. He had insisted on haste no matter the terrain. The northern territories didn't have an extensive highway system. There were only three major roads in the north and the water dragon knight was unlucky enough to have a destination smack dab in the middle of two of those directions.
Rune had done a little research for this trip because of the seriousness of the matter at hand. The nature of his mission was information gathering, normally Kai-Stern's job. After the unfortunate incident that has already delayed his assignment, he hoped never to have to replace the secretary of foreign affairs on a long term basis. A job like this was best suited for a traveler. And between you, me and the cloudy sky, Rune hated traveling. A sharp thunk echoed through the box. (Hated traveling by carriage at least.)
"Hsss." That was his knee. He made a silent vow to never travel in a carriage again, unless necessity demanded it. When he was just a simple elf living a simple life, his role was always clear and his heart anchored firmly in one spot, he didn't need to travel. Now...well, now...well, let's just say that the world is in constant motion and this former elf has never felt it so acutely.
The carriage suddenly jumped, tossing the young man off his seat for a brief moment. The water dragon knight half expected to hit his head on the way up. He winced and reached up to comfort the impending throb, but he didn't. He stood there for a moment and looked around as this poorly made death trap that rocked about like a jack in the box that had just sprung. The blond let out a sigh of relief and sat back down only to hit his head on the board just above the back of his seat. The former elf leaned forward, holding the back of his head and whimpering. Maybe taking their time wouldn't be so hazardous, then again Rune was behind by a day and a half. Totally unacceptable, but keeping his body intact was equally important. As if the driver heard Rune's thoughts the carriage began to slow down.
"Good Sir." the driver suddenly shouted back to his passenger. "I've taken us as far as the trail goes. The rest the way will be rough."
"That wasn't rough?" Rune kept this comment to himself.
"Beggin' your pardon, but we'll have to take it slow from here on out."
"I understand, use your best judgement." the blond shouted back.
"Yes, Sir." The former elf sat back in his seat, relieved.
This gave them an unavoidable reason to take it easy. What? Why not take his dragon out of his sword and just fly? Simple. He's trying to keep a low profile. Information gathering is a delicate business.
It was colder in the north, for obvious reasons. The blond took a cloak from his smaller carrying bag and laid it over his legs. As the carriage lulled along at a shaky but even pace Rune found the most relaxing position possible. The former elf decided it would be best to ignore his head ache so focused his thoughts on what he had learned for this journey. He would have to pass through certain territories to reach his contact and there are twelve nomadic tribes in the north.
Why twelve? Here's the deal. Three of the kingdoms are farming communities, producing from the land and trading their harvests within the entire continent. What makes them so nomadic? The communities move from the north west farm to the northern most farm to the north east farm every four months. A kind of trade off that has functioned as an excellent check and balance system. The three roads mentioned earlier lead to those farms, but you might not meet the same community depending on what time of year it is. Another two tribes are the huntsmen. They collect animals and trade meat, furs and other animal parts. It has been rumored that one of these tribes specializes in not only hunting natural, but mystical creatures as well, a frightening thought if you're a fairy. To date, these rumors have been unfounded and strangely un-investigated.
Moving on. Three more tribes are scavengers, primarily living off the land, these are the most nomadic of the twelve tribes. They live far from the farms but trade with them some times. Having access to unusual ingredients its not surprising, many of the healers in the area come from these tribes. Herbs and spices abound in their trading, but they are famous for their oddities. They are the fore most suppliers of rare items and supplies, organic or inorganic. From stones possessing mysterious properties to trance inducing mushrooms.
The next tribe herds and raises wooly animals to make thread and woven cloth for trade. In recent years one tribe has been merging slowly, but surely with one of the farming tribes. It's easy to see why. The last two tribes of the twelve are the miners and forgers. They mine metals and jewels and create jewelry and weapons of every kind. Unfortunately they have no skills at gathering, or hunting food. Apparently, there was a particularly poor winter that buried many of the tribe's men and women in a mine under an avalanche. The farming tribe assisted with food and man power to rescue those poor people. The two tribes have been close ever since and mingle often making many of the tribes wonder if they wouldn't prefer to be considered one tribe.
Another well known fact deals with an anticipated event that all the people of the capital look forward to every twelve years, noble and commoner alike. You see, every twelve years the twelve tribes send representatives to trade directly with the citizens of the capital. This is often a time of games and vending so it's turned into a festival accompanied by a twelve days of leisure for hard working citizens. Come to think of it, Rune folded his arms across his chest to guard against the cold draft, they'll be preparing for it soon. Rune was exhausted and began to dose. It was the first time in over ninety miles that there had been such smooth riding. The lulling motion seemed to rock the water dragon knight to sleep.
In Draqueen!
"That can't be...blood." Ruwalk managed through his shock. The moon light glistened on the dark, granulated mess that Kai-Stern had just... Brown eyes looked at the unconscious blue dragon officer. "Can it?"
"There's no doubt in my mind." Black eyes glanced at the dragon fighter just beside him. The young man reacted without a command.
"My lord." The fighter approached the dragon lord with body language that said, protect and contain. "I'll escort you to your chambers."
"Hold on a moment." Lykouleon confronted his security officer. "I hope you're not suggesting that this is any kind of proof that Kai-Stern has committed a crime."
"We can speculate later. Right now, you shouldn't be here." The black dragon officer nodded to his subordinate.
"Your majesty. Please come with me." The young man was just doing his job, Lykouleon knew that, but this was getting frustrating.
"Tetheus!" The dragon lord would not be moved. "Kai-Stern is my friend. I won't leave until I know he's alright."
"Your majesty." Alfeegi's expression was hidden by his strawberry blond bangs and Kai-Stern was positively trembling.
"Tetheus is thinking of your best interests. Please don't make his job anymore difficult than it already is."
"Alfeegi..." The blond was grateful that Alfeegi seemed well, but he's been asleep for three days and doesn't know anything about what happened while he was sleeping. "You don't understand..."
"I understand!" the white dragon officer's sudden shout silenced the night, as a soft breeze played with their hair. Green eyes noticed the chief secretary's arms held the unconscious dragon tighter. The moon lent a soft glow on his outline, like a gentle aura. As the confused and surprised dragon officer's looked on, Alfeegi's shoulder's relaxed, as if he found himself again. "I understand my lord Lykouleon...so please trust us." Crystalline copper eyes revealed themselves, "We'll take care of him."
"Alfeegi." The dragon lord let out a held breath. "I do...trust you. I understand. I'll leave him to you." He turned to leave, closely followed by the young dragon fighter. But before he departed the scene green eyes met black "Keep me posted." he left this order with them.
"Right this way your majesty." The dragon fighter now led his lord. Lykouleon glanced back after several paces and saw the doctor had arrived with two aids and a stretcher. Alfeegi seemed to stay very close to Kai-Stern. As they continued inside, they made their way through the dimly lit hall the blond hoped that Alfeegi's actions were a positive sign that the secretary of foreign affairs wasn't responsible for the attack in the Vault...probably.
"Not that way your majesty." The young man stopped him. The dragon lord smiled his usual amazing smile.
"I just needed something I forgot in my office." he explained simply.
"Your office?"
"Yes. It's very important that I get it." That innocent smile never works on Alfeegi, but others were more susceptible.
"Uh..." the dragon fighter was hesitant to let the dragon lord wonder at this hour.
"Perhaps you'd prefer to get it for me. I can go on ahead to my room and I'll wait for you to bring it to me." Lykouleon suggested innocently. "It's a little beat up looking journal about this big. It's in the upper right hand drawer of my desk." he described.
"Well..." The young dragon didn't seem do be as opposed to this idea.
"I'll be waiting." Lykouleon waved as he began to walk in the direction of his bed chambers.
"Yes, my lord." the dragon bowed, not realizing that the decision was just made for him, and took off. Most likely he wanted to be quick about it so that he could be sure Lykouleon wasn't alone for too long.
"Wow." Green eyes blinked, genuinely surprised. "He must be new." Lykouleon shrugged and walked to the end of the hallway. There were a pair of stairs winding up to the next floor on either side and a statue that seemed to look on all passers by. He approached the stone lady, her two sculpted hands touching the ground just before her knees. The dragon lord took hold of her firmly and moved the entire statue to the left. A soft click could be heard some where in the wall.
The blond stepped past the stone lady and slid his hand down the marble wall to a subtle impression in the stone. He pressed it and a click sound was followed by a creaking hinge. Lykouleon watched as the wall moved inward, revealing a passage. He entered and closed the entrance which slid the statue back to the center of it's perch.
A moment later down a separate hall way a lamp went out and a sprinkle of dust fell from a crack appearing just above it. Suddenly the lamp moved to the left, sliding slowly...It wasn't just the lamp it was the whole section of the wall. A blond head peaked out from the dark door way that was suddenly there. After a quick glance he closed the door by lighting the lamp.
"Alright, now to..." The hall was empty and dimly lit like the others except. "Who's there?" He had a feeling he wasn't alone after all.
"Are you the dragon lord?" A young man with red hair and scars on his face appeared from the shadows.
"It's you." Lykouleon could feel that sinking feeling of a demon's influence. The expression on his face and the look in his green eyes said more than any words ever could. "You poor soul." The blond barely mouthed these words.
The infirmary...
"How is he?" Alfeegi asked the doctor, who was taking Kai-Stern's pulse.
"He's stable." Doctor Arvis stood and walked to a counter cluttered with powders, gels and all manner of apothecaric articles. The physician looked at some notes he had taken from earlier.
"Thank you, doctor." Tetheus told him. Just then one of the many dragon officer's entered the room with a quick excuse and then whispered something to Tetheus. "I don't believe this." He turned back to the two dragons. "Excuse me. I'll be back later."
"Of course. We'll be fine here. The doctor did mention Kai-Stern is stable. Don't worry about us." Alfeegi told him from a chair by the blue dragon officer's bed. He nodded and left with his subordinate.
"I don't think I would have been able to say that so easily if it were not for you advice." The doctor glanced back at the chief secretary. The white dragon officer sat by Kai-Stern, watching his sleeping face with an expression difficult to translate. "You seem to have quite a knack for blending. Perhaps you missed your calling to be an apothecary, or maybe an alchemist."
"What did you say?" The strawberry blond's neck nearly got whiplash for how fast the doctor caught his attention.
"I was only saying that maybe you should have applied your efforts towards medicine. You could do great things."
"No after that." Crystalline copper eyes narrowed as he stood.
"Uh...alchemy?" The doctor felt a sweat drop on his temple. He wasn't sure what he was being asked for only that the chief secretary could be very intimidating and mysterious, it seemed.
"Alchemy?" Those eyes looked away, lost in thought. "That's right, it can have medicinal qualities when properly applied. That's it. I'm sure of it." He sat back down in his seat talking to himself. "That's what she was trying to tell me. But who is she? I feel like...I should know something...more." He bit his knuckle trying to think.
"Chief secretary." Dr. Arvis's voice was suddenly calling him.
"Huh?" Alfeegi jumped when he realized how close the doctor was. The white dragon officer had a very sensitive space bubble usually, but he let his guard down while he was concentrating. "Doctor." The strawberry blond scooted his chair back, it scraped a horrible sound against the tile but he didn't care. That face was way too close. "Can I help you?"
"Actually I was wondering if I could help you." he smiled innocently.
"Me?"
"Are you feeling alright?" he took an unwelcome step forward.
"Yes, thank you I'm fine." The chief secretary swallowed hard. He had a bad feeling about this, especially with how the doctor kept coming closer.
"Good. That's a good sign." That smile, was it painted on? "Still you were unconscious for three days. I should check for any tissue deterioration. Please remove your clothing."
"What?" Alfeegi jumped out of his chair and backed into the wall. He knew he had sensed danger, now he knew why. "I couldn't possibly. You can't be serious."
"I need to examine you." The doctor walked to him calmly and took hold of the front of his robe, opening it casually. A trail of prickly sensations crawled up his spine and his stomach suddenly felt nauseous. "I also need a stool sample, a urine sample and a sperm sample." That did it. The prickly sensation finally hit Alfeegi's head and before he knew it his authoritative fist was directing the Doctor to prioritize his services to the most urgent of cases first, namely himself.
That was not a proud moment for Alfeegi so we'll follow up to the next day.
"HA HA Ha ha." Lykouleon was practically rolling, trying to catch his breath from laughing. "I can't believe you punched out the doctor. I mean out cold. That's just cruel. HA HA Ha ha ha ha. Ouch my sides hurt. I think I need a doctor. Ha ha ha. But ours is out! HA HA HA!"
"If this is the only reason you called me," Alfeegi's irritation marks were multiplying so fast they practically obscured his face. He felt bad enough, punching out the poor man, he was just too embarrassed to allow...anything. But in this case... The blond pounded his fists on the floor a few times before he started rolling again. ...He wanted so badly to use that fist one more time. "I have more important things to attend to so I'll excuse myself."
"No wait." Lykouleon had materialized behind the chief secretary, touching his shoulder to stop him. His expression and voice were suddenly serious. This was far more tolerable. "I really do need to talk to you. Please tell me what happened after I left."
"But my lord," The white dragon officer sat with Lykouleon,
"Tetheus should have reported..."
"I received his report earlier this morning." the dragon lord explained. "I want you to tell me."
"I see." Alfeegi sat back in his chair, while maintaining his perfect posture. "Tetheus won't let you see him will he?"
"Please Alfeegi tell me." He grabbed the dignified dragon in a most undignified way.
"My lord, get a hold of yourself!" The white dragon officer held his hands up, not really sure what to do.
"Sorry." He let go, turned away and curled his legs up on the couch. Alfeegi let his hands lay in his lap as he listened. "I need to know what's happening. I want to figure out how to help him."
"Lord Lykouleon," Alfeegi sighed, he understood but wasn't sure if he could help. "He's your friend and his health is essential for producing your heir, but..."
"This isn't about the heir anymore." Lykouleon spoke so quietly, he didn't think Alfeegi even heard him.
"What do you mean?"
"Huh?" Those green eyes were confronted by Crystalline copper over a silk covered shoulder.
"Do you mean...you don't mean you already..." The white dragon officer's cheeks started turning red but more than that. There was something in his eyes, a concern, unspoken.
"No, no no no." Lykouleon put his legs down and faced his friend. "Nothing has happened...like that...I mean." Darn that blushing dragon, it was turning contagious. "Then...what..." The two seemed frozen just staring at each other like a window had been opened to Lykouleon's inner heart. "Something did happen...didn't it?" Crystalline copper was looking closer and it was too late, green glass couldn't be obscured.
"I...don't know what you're talking about." Lykouleon summoned up his indomitable will power and finally managed to rip his gaze away. Hopefully making it look more casual, he tucked a lock of hair behind his ear.
"Forgive me." Alfeegi blinked before looking at the hands in his lap, his face still painted with hot rouge. "I didn't mean to...I didn't know..." The strawberry blond clenched his fists and eyes closed. He was just shoving his foot deeper into his mouth. "Perhaps I should go." he stood. "I have a lot of work to do and..."
"Didn't know what?" Green eyes were hidden behind blond bangs.
"My lord..." Why did the white dragon officer feel so guilty over this. He found out something he shouldn't have. Perhaps it was a secret like...his own. He wanted to just forget he ever knew...Crystalline copper eyes grew wide with a sudden realization. He wanted to just forget he ever knew...to protect them. What if Kai-Stern stumbled onto a secret, a secret he didn't mean to discover. Something he felt guilty over. Something he'd forget...to protect those who keep it. But...this was only a theory. Conjecture never solved anything so he decided to keep his theories to himself for now.
"Alfeegi." the blond's piercing gaze seemed to bore into the chief secretary's back.
"I didn't know..." think of something to tell him... "that..." anything, even if it's a lie. A lie? Can I...lie to him? It's immoral but I could make him think I misunderstood his feelings. It would be easy. It's not like it would have to last. When the time is right, he could reveal everything he knew. Everything he know! That's right. The only thing he was really sure of right now was that Lykouleon seemed to hold romantic feelings towards Kai-Stern. He didn't know if the feeling was mutual or if lady Raseleane knew or...Lady Raseleane? That might work... "I..." A sweat drop touched Alfeegi's temple. He hadn't lied in a long time, willfully participated in a campaign of misinformation maybe but to flat out lie and to his lord...He would be kicking himself for this for some time. "I didn't know that Kai-Stern was also in love with Lady Raseleane. Poor hopeless fellow." He shook hishead slowly for emphasis. Oh gods, he did it. But did he buy it? Crystalline copper eyes peered over his shoulder to see if he could answer that question.
"Raseleane and Kai-Stern? That's what you think?" Apparently his majesty was getting lots of exercise for his funny bone, because he burst out laughing.
"Then I misunderstood." Alfeegi's eyebrow twitched. It worked but he didn't appreciate his lord rolling on the floor for a second time. Think of the laundry bills. "I'll be going now." This time Lykouleon couldn't protest through his laughter. He just pounded the floor harder as the chief secretary closed the door. Outside, he leaned against the door and let out an exasperated breath. He touched his strawberry blond hair and covered his face with his palm. Allowing himself to laugh just a little, but a tiny crystal tear could be seen beyond his thumb. Betraying the pain that even now tightened a knot around his heart.
Sorry for the wait. I've had hideous writer's block. It's more than that though. I've been scrutinizing over the next step in the story and it's been torturing me all this time. I finally busted up some mafia brain cells in my head that were holding out on me and came up with this. Enjoy the offer you can't refuse. Mya, see, mya.
Chapter 33
The dragon knight of water was determined to reach his destination and report back to Alfeegi in a timely manner. For this reason he had switched carriage at nearly every stop, but hadn't slept since yesterday, when he left Luwa. He was tired but he wasn't the one driving so it was okay. Besides, fatigue was the furthest thing from his mind on this very early morning when the sun would not shine for several hours.
"Ouch!" The blond haired, blue eyed, former elf held his elbow and used his feet to secure his position in this seemingly run away carriage. Through the throbbing pain coursing up his arm and into his shoulder, he grit his teeth and bared it. It was Rune's fault really, anyway. He had insisted on haste no matter the terrain. The northern territories didn't have an extensive highway system. There were only three major roads in the north and the water dragon knight was unlucky enough to have a destination smack dab in the middle of two of those directions.
Rune had done a little research for this trip because of the seriousness of the matter at hand. The nature of his mission was information gathering, normally Kai-Stern's job. After the unfortunate incident that has already delayed his assignment, he hoped never to have to replace the secretary of foreign affairs on a long term basis. A job like this was best suited for a traveler. And between you, me and the cloudy sky, Rune hated traveling. A sharp thunk echoed through the box. (Hated traveling by carriage at least.)
"Hsss." That was his knee. He made a silent vow to never travel in a carriage again, unless necessity demanded it. When he was just a simple elf living a simple life, his role was always clear and his heart anchored firmly in one spot, he didn't need to travel. Now...well, now...well, let's just say that the world is in constant motion and this former elf has never felt it so acutely.
The carriage suddenly jumped, tossing the young man off his seat for a brief moment. The water dragon knight half expected to hit his head on the way up. He winced and reached up to comfort the impending throb, but he didn't. He stood there for a moment and looked around as this poorly made death trap that rocked about like a jack in the box that had just sprung. The blond let out a sigh of relief and sat back down only to hit his head on the board just above the back of his seat. The former elf leaned forward, holding the back of his head and whimpering. Maybe taking their time wouldn't be so hazardous, then again Rune was behind by a day and a half. Totally unacceptable, but keeping his body intact was equally important. As if the driver heard Rune's thoughts the carriage began to slow down.
"Good Sir." the driver suddenly shouted back to his passenger. "I've taken us as far as the trail goes. The rest the way will be rough."
"That wasn't rough?" Rune kept this comment to himself.
"Beggin' your pardon, but we'll have to take it slow from here on out."
"I understand, use your best judgement." the blond shouted back.
"Yes, Sir." The former elf sat back in his seat, relieved.
This gave them an unavoidable reason to take it easy. What? Why not take his dragon out of his sword and just fly? Simple. He's trying to keep a low profile. Information gathering is a delicate business.
It was colder in the north, for obvious reasons. The blond took a cloak from his smaller carrying bag and laid it over his legs. As the carriage lulled along at a shaky but even pace Rune found the most relaxing position possible. The former elf decided it would be best to ignore his head ache so focused his thoughts on what he had learned for this journey. He would have to pass through certain territories to reach his contact and there are twelve nomadic tribes in the north.
Why twelve? Here's the deal. Three of the kingdoms are farming communities, producing from the land and trading their harvests within the entire continent. What makes them so nomadic? The communities move from the north west farm to the northern most farm to the north east farm every four months. A kind of trade off that has functioned as an excellent check and balance system. The three roads mentioned earlier lead to those farms, but you might not meet the same community depending on what time of year it is. Another two tribes are the huntsmen. They collect animals and trade meat, furs and other animal parts. It has been rumored that one of these tribes specializes in not only hunting natural, but mystical creatures as well, a frightening thought if you're a fairy. To date, these rumors have been unfounded and strangely un-investigated.
Moving on. Three more tribes are scavengers, primarily living off the land, these are the most nomadic of the twelve tribes. They live far from the farms but trade with them some times. Having access to unusual ingredients its not surprising, many of the healers in the area come from these tribes. Herbs and spices abound in their trading, but they are famous for their oddities. They are the fore most suppliers of rare items and supplies, organic or inorganic. From stones possessing mysterious properties to trance inducing mushrooms.
The next tribe herds and raises wooly animals to make thread and woven cloth for trade. In recent years one tribe has been merging slowly, but surely with one of the farming tribes. It's easy to see why. The last two tribes of the twelve are the miners and forgers. They mine metals and jewels and create jewelry and weapons of every kind. Unfortunately they have no skills at gathering, or hunting food. Apparently, there was a particularly poor winter that buried many of the tribe's men and women in a mine under an avalanche. The farming tribe assisted with food and man power to rescue those poor people. The two tribes have been close ever since and mingle often making many of the tribes wonder if they wouldn't prefer to be considered one tribe.
Another well known fact deals with an anticipated event that all the people of the capital look forward to every twelve years, noble and commoner alike. You see, every twelve years the twelve tribes send representatives to trade directly with the citizens of the capital. This is often a time of games and vending so it's turned into a festival accompanied by a twelve days of leisure for hard working citizens. Come to think of it, Rune folded his arms across his chest to guard against the cold draft, they'll be preparing for it soon. Rune was exhausted and began to dose. It was the first time in over ninety miles that there had been such smooth riding. The lulling motion seemed to rock the water dragon knight to sleep.
In Draqueen!
"That can't be...blood." Ruwalk managed through his shock. The moon light glistened on the dark, granulated mess that Kai-Stern had just... Brown eyes looked at the unconscious blue dragon officer. "Can it?"
"There's no doubt in my mind." Black eyes glanced at the dragon fighter just beside him. The young man reacted without a command.
"My lord." The fighter approached the dragon lord with body language that said, protect and contain. "I'll escort you to your chambers."
"Hold on a moment." Lykouleon confronted his security officer. "I hope you're not suggesting that this is any kind of proof that Kai-Stern has committed a crime."
"We can speculate later. Right now, you shouldn't be here." The black dragon officer nodded to his subordinate.
"Your majesty. Please come with me." The young man was just doing his job, Lykouleon knew that, but this was getting frustrating.
"Tetheus!" The dragon lord would not be moved. "Kai-Stern is my friend. I won't leave until I know he's alright."
"Your majesty." Alfeegi's expression was hidden by his strawberry blond bangs and Kai-Stern was positively trembling.
"Tetheus is thinking of your best interests. Please don't make his job anymore difficult than it already is."
"Alfeegi..." The blond was grateful that Alfeegi seemed well, but he's been asleep for three days and doesn't know anything about what happened while he was sleeping. "You don't understand..."
"I understand!" the white dragon officer's sudden shout silenced the night, as a soft breeze played with their hair. Green eyes noticed the chief secretary's arms held the unconscious dragon tighter. The moon lent a soft glow on his outline, like a gentle aura. As the confused and surprised dragon officer's looked on, Alfeegi's shoulder's relaxed, as if he found himself again. "I understand my lord Lykouleon...so please trust us." Crystalline copper eyes revealed themselves, "We'll take care of him."
"Alfeegi." The dragon lord let out a held breath. "I do...trust you. I understand. I'll leave him to you." He turned to leave, closely followed by the young dragon fighter. But before he departed the scene green eyes met black "Keep me posted." he left this order with them.
"Right this way your majesty." The dragon fighter now led his lord. Lykouleon glanced back after several paces and saw the doctor had arrived with two aids and a stretcher. Alfeegi seemed to stay very close to Kai-Stern. As they continued inside, they made their way through the dimly lit hall the blond hoped that Alfeegi's actions were a positive sign that the secretary of foreign affairs wasn't responsible for the attack in the Vault...probably.
"Not that way your majesty." The young man stopped him. The dragon lord smiled his usual amazing smile.
"I just needed something I forgot in my office." he explained simply.
"Your office?"
"Yes. It's very important that I get it." That innocent smile never works on Alfeegi, but others were more susceptible.
"Uh..." the dragon fighter was hesitant to let the dragon lord wonder at this hour.
"Perhaps you'd prefer to get it for me. I can go on ahead to my room and I'll wait for you to bring it to me." Lykouleon suggested innocently. "It's a little beat up looking journal about this big. It's in the upper right hand drawer of my desk." he described.
"Well..." The young dragon didn't seem do be as opposed to this idea.
"I'll be waiting." Lykouleon waved as he began to walk in the direction of his bed chambers.
"Yes, my lord." the dragon bowed, not realizing that the decision was just made for him, and took off. Most likely he wanted to be quick about it so that he could be sure Lykouleon wasn't alone for too long.
"Wow." Green eyes blinked, genuinely surprised. "He must be new." Lykouleon shrugged and walked to the end of the hallway. There were a pair of stairs winding up to the next floor on either side and a statue that seemed to look on all passers by. He approached the stone lady, her two sculpted hands touching the ground just before her knees. The dragon lord took hold of her firmly and moved the entire statue to the left. A soft click could be heard some where in the wall.
The blond stepped past the stone lady and slid his hand down the marble wall to a subtle impression in the stone. He pressed it and a click sound was followed by a creaking hinge. Lykouleon watched as the wall moved inward, revealing a passage. He entered and closed the entrance which slid the statue back to the center of it's perch.
A moment later down a separate hall way a lamp went out and a sprinkle of dust fell from a crack appearing just above it. Suddenly the lamp moved to the left, sliding slowly...It wasn't just the lamp it was the whole section of the wall. A blond head peaked out from the dark door way that was suddenly there. After a quick glance he closed the door by lighting the lamp.
"Alright, now to..." The hall was empty and dimly lit like the others except. "Who's there?" He had a feeling he wasn't alone after all.
"Are you the dragon lord?" A young man with red hair and scars on his face appeared from the shadows.
"It's you." Lykouleon could feel that sinking feeling of a demon's influence. The expression on his face and the look in his green eyes said more than any words ever could. "You poor soul." The blond barely mouthed these words.
The infirmary...
"How is he?" Alfeegi asked the doctor, who was taking Kai-Stern's pulse.
"He's stable." Doctor Arvis stood and walked to a counter cluttered with powders, gels and all manner of apothecaric articles. The physician looked at some notes he had taken from earlier.
"Thank you, doctor." Tetheus told him. Just then one of the many dragon officer's entered the room with a quick excuse and then whispered something to Tetheus. "I don't believe this." He turned back to the two dragons. "Excuse me. I'll be back later."
"Of course. We'll be fine here. The doctor did mention Kai-Stern is stable. Don't worry about us." Alfeegi told him from a chair by the blue dragon officer's bed. He nodded and left with his subordinate.
"I don't think I would have been able to say that so easily if it were not for you advice." The doctor glanced back at the chief secretary. The white dragon officer sat by Kai-Stern, watching his sleeping face with an expression difficult to translate. "You seem to have quite a knack for blending. Perhaps you missed your calling to be an apothecary, or maybe an alchemist."
"What did you say?" The strawberry blond's neck nearly got whiplash for how fast the doctor caught his attention.
"I was only saying that maybe you should have applied your efforts towards medicine. You could do great things."
"No after that." Crystalline copper eyes narrowed as he stood.
"Uh...alchemy?" The doctor felt a sweat drop on his temple. He wasn't sure what he was being asked for only that the chief secretary could be very intimidating and mysterious, it seemed.
"Alchemy?" Those eyes looked away, lost in thought. "That's right, it can have medicinal qualities when properly applied. That's it. I'm sure of it." He sat back down in his seat talking to himself. "That's what she was trying to tell me. But who is she? I feel like...I should know something...more." He bit his knuckle trying to think.
"Chief secretary." Dr. Arvis's voice was suddenly calling him.
"Huh?" Alfeegi jumped when he realized how close the doctor was. The white dragon officer had a very sensitive space bubble usually, but he let his guard down while he was concentrating. "Doctor." The strawberry blond scooted his chair back, it scraped a horrible sound against the tile but he didn't care. That face was way too close. "Can I help you?"
"Actually I was wondering if I could help you." he smiled innocently.
"Me?"
"Are you feeling alright?" he took an unwelcome step forward.
"Yes, thank you I'm fine." The chief secretary swallowed hard. He had a bad feeling about this, especially with how the doctor kept coming closer.
"Good. That's a good sign." That smile, was it painted on? "Still you were unconscious for three days. I should check for any tissue deterioration. Please remove your clothing."
"What?" Alfeegi jumped out of his chair and backed into the wall. He knew he had sensed danger, now he knew why. "I couldn't possibly. You can't be serious."
"I need to examine you." The doctor walked to him calmly and took hold of the front of his robe, opening it casually. A trail of prickly sensations crawled up his spine and his stomach suddenly felt nauseous. "I also need a stool sample, a urine sample and a sperm sample." That did it. The prickly sensation finally hit Alfeegi's head and before he knew it his authoritative fist was directing the Doctor to prioritize his services to the most urgent of cases first, namely himself.
That was not a proud moment for Alfeegi so we'll follow up to the next day.
"HA HA Ha ha." Lykouleon was practically rolling, trying to catch his breath from laughing. "I can't believe you punched out the doctor. I mean out cold. That's just cruel. HA HA Ha ha ha ha. Ouch my sides hurt. I think I need a doctor. Ha ha ha. But ours is out! HA HA HA!"
"If this is the only reason you called me," Alfeegi's irritation marks were multiplying so fast they practically obscured his face. He felt bad enough, punching out the poor man, he was just too embarrassed to allow...anything. But in this case... The blond pounded his fists on the floor a few times before he started rolling again. ...He wanted so badly to use that fist one more time. "I have more important things to attend to so I'll excuse myself."
"No wait." Lykouleon had materialized behind the chief secretary, touching his shoulder to stop him. His expression and voice were suddenly serious. This was far more tolerable. "I really do need to talk to you. Please tell me what happened after I left."
"But my lord," The white dragon officer sat with Lykouleon,
"Tetheus should have reported..."
"I received his report earlier this morning." the dragon lord explained. "I want you to tell me."
"I see." Alfeegi sat back in his chair, while maintaining his perfect posture. "Tetheus won't let you see him will he?"
"Please Alfeegi tell me." He grabbed the dignified dragon in a most undignified way.
"My lord, get a hold of yourself!" The white dragon officer held his hands up, not really sure what to do.
"Sorry." He let go, turned away and curled his legs up on the couch. Alfeegi let his hands lay in his lap as he listened. "I need to know what's happening. I want to figure out how to help him."
"Lord Lykouleon," Alfeegi sighed, he understood but wasn't sure if he could help. "He's your friend and his health is essential for producing your heir, but..."
"This isn't about the heir anymore." Lykouleon spoke so quietly, he didn't think Alfeegi even heard him.
"What do you mean?"
"Huh?" Those green eyes were confronted by Crystalline copper over a silk covered shoulder.
"Do you mean...you don't mean you already..." The white dragon officer's cheeks started turning red but more than that. There was something in his eyes, a concern, unspoken.
"No, no no no." Lykouleon put his legs down and faced his friend. "Nothing has happened...like that...I mean." Darn that blushing dragon, it was turning contagious. "Then...what..." The two seemed frozen just staring at each other like a window had been opened to Lykouleon's inner heart. "Something did happen...didn't it?" Crystalline copper was looking closer and it was too late, green glass couldn't be obscured.
"I...don't know what you're talking about." Lykouleon summoned up his indomitable will power and finally managed to rip his gaze away. Hopefully making it look more casual, he tucked a lock of hair behind his ear.
"Forgive me." Alfeegi blinked before looking at the hands in his lap, his face still painted with hot rouge. "I didn't mean to...I didn't know..." The strawberry blond clenched his fists and eyes closed. He was just shoving his foot deeper into his mouth. "Perhaps I should go." he stood. "I have a lot of work to do and..."
"Didn't know what?" Green eyes were hidden behind blond bangs.
"My lord..." Why did the white dragon officer feel so guilty over this. He found out something he shouldn't have. Perhaps it was a secret like...his own. He wanted to just forget he ever knew...Crystalline copper eyes grew wide with a sudden realization. He wanted to just forget he ever knew...to protect them. What if Kai-Stern stumbled onto a secret, a secret he didn't mean to discover. Something he felt guilty over. Something he'd forget...to protect those who keep it. But...this was only a theory. Conjecture never solved anything so he decided to keep his theories to himself for now.
"Alfeegi." the blond's piercing gaze seemed to bore into the chief secretary's back.
"I didn't know..." think of something to tell him... "that..." anything, even if it's a lie. A lie? Can I...lie to him? It's immoral but I could make him think I misunderstood his feelings. It would be easy. It's not like it would have to last. When the time is right, he could reveal everything he knew. Everything he know! That's right. The only thing he was really sure of right now was that Lykouleon seemed to hold romantic feelings towards Kai-Stern. He didn't know if the feeling was mutual or if lady Raseleane knew or...Lady Raseleane? That might work... "I..." A sweat drop touched Alfeegi's temple. He hadn't lied in a long time, willfully participated in a campaign of misinformation maybe but to flat out lie and to his lord...He would be kicking himself for this for some time. "I didn't know that Kai-Stern was also in love with Lady Raseleane. Poor hopeless fellow." He shook hishead slowly for emphasis. Oh gods, he did it. But did he buy it? Crystalline copper eyes peered over his shoulder to see if he could answer that question.
"Raseleane and Kai-Stern? That's what you think?" Apparently his majesty was getting lots of exercise for his funny bone, because he burst out laughing.
"Then I misunderstood." Alfeegi's eyebrow twitched. It worked but he didn't appreciate his lord rolling on the floor for a second time. Think of the laundry bills. "I'll be going now." This time Lykouleon couldn't protest through his laughter. He just pounded the floor harder as the chief secretary closed the door. Outside, he leaned against the door and let out an exasperated breath. He touched his strawberry blond hair and covered his face with his palm. Allowing himself to laugh just a little, but a tiny crystal tear could be seen beyond his thumb. Betraying the pain that even now tightened a knot around his heart.
