Chapter 11 Foolish Pride

Though the medicine had arrived, the doctor cautioned that it would still be a day or two yet before he would show any signs of improvement. This was, to say the least, disheartening to Katrina. She was exhausted from the past several days and felt unable to rest lest her grandfather need her. So it was that Lyude arranged to stay at the Magnus shop for the next few nights or so, should he be needed.

There were villagers that were willing to help, of course, and the old woman next door helped Katrina as much as she could. Lyude, however seemed to be the only able-bodied man with the time to spare. The fishermen still had to earn a living and care for their families.

It was far too difficult for Katrina to move the old man alone and he needed to be adjusted periodically to prevent bedsores. Aside of that, Katrina was at her wit's end from lack of sleep. So Lyude remained. When he checked into the Magnus shop on the second night he was exhausted from the day's events and quite ready for a good night's sleep. However, he was woken only a few short hours later with a rather jarring knock. Lyude sat bolt upright, stood, and opened the door to find Shorty standing there. Before he could ask the trouble, Short had him by the hand and was leading him toward the house.

"Shorty!" said Katrina wearily when they arrived. "I told you NOT to disturb Sir Lyude! I'm sorry that he woke you.

"It's fine." Said Lyude with a reassuring smile and forcing himself not to yawn. "Is something wrong?"

"Katrina refuses to sleep." said Shorty's grandmother. before Katrina could reply. "And Shorty is insisting he won't go to bed until she does. I never thought he'd run out on us and go get you like this. I'm sorry he woke you."

Lyude looked at Katrina's weary expression. "You should get some rest. You're no good to your grandfather in this condition."

"But he..."

"I'll see to him."

"No, really. I couldn't ask..."

"You don't need to ask. Just get some rest. I'll watch over him tonight."

Shorty's grandmother took Katrina by the hand. "He's right, dear, you've hardly slept in days. Katrina nodded reluctantly and allowed herself to be ushered to her room. Lyude took a seat beside Rolf's bed and summoned a textbook. He may as well get some studying in. He settled into his book forcing his eyes to focus on the page. It was a summary of Anuenue and it's history. Being a peaceful land, many would have found it's history boring. Lyude, however, found it fascinating. Unfortunately the lack of sleep he had been experiencing for the past several days was taking it's toll and his mind refused to focus. Annoyed, Lyude closed the book and rubbed his shadowed eyes wearily.

He looked over at Rolf, pale and unresponsive. It was time again for his medicine, one of the setbacks of the treatment. It required almost obsessive attention. He poured the powder into some green tea and gently cradled Rolf in one arm as he began to allow the sweet drink to trickle down the old man's throat. The old man stirred a little in his arms, drinking of the cup that was offered gratefully. Yet unaware of who it was that held him. Lyude slid his arm out from under the old man laying him gently back as he groggily opened his eyes.

Lyude began to back away as he saw this, hoping to avoid the old man's gaze. But he had spotted him. His vision was fuzzy, but there was no mistaking Lyude's outline. He was a young man that stuck out quite a bit with that flaming red hair and distinctive uniform. He was yet weak, but that did not stop him from giving the young soldier an angry glare. "What are you doing in my house, Imperial?" he growled.

"You have been very ill.."said Lyude levelly. "Asleep for almost five days. I have been aiding Katrina in caring for you."

"I don't need or want your help."

"You would have died, sir." said Lyude softly and uneasily.

The old man weakly propped himself up on his elbows, noting the cup still grasped in Lyude's hand. "What is that?"

"Your medicine. We've been giving it to you every four hours for the last two days."

"We can't afford medicine, and you have a lot of nerve behaving this way." said Rolf.

"I only wish to help. You would have died without the medicine from Anuenue, I was the only one that was able to have it imported."

"You arrogant little whelp...I would rather die than be treated by the likes of you!" Rolf said harshly.

Lyude closed his eyes a moment. His patience was slipping. "How perfectly selfish." he said.

"What was that?" said Rolf.

"You heard me. That has to be one of the most selfish things I've ever heard. Do you even realize what Katrina has been going through these past several days? I'm here tonight so that she'll actually sleep. She's exhausted both physically and mentally. In a state of almost complete nervous collapse. And you have the audacity to profess that your death would be better than being aided by an Imperial soldier?

Your pride carries you too far. Why don't you try thinking about your granddaughter and the sorrow it would cause her? For her sake, sir, hold your peace. You owe me nothing but allowing yourself to get well."

Rolf was taken aback at how calmly and levelly these words were spoken. A hint of shame filled him as the words bit into his mind. It was a harsh rebuke and perhaps not completely ungrounded. Rolf grumbled unintelligibly and allowed himself to slip back into the pillows, slipping back into unconsciousness as he did so.

Lyude sighed and seated himself back at the table. He laid his face in his hands collecting himself. Had he spoken too harshly? He had not wanted to offend, but enough had been enough. Rolf needed to realize that foolish pride was not as important as his life. That there was someone that yet needed him and that for her sake, he must make sacrifice. Lyude felt that a small blow to his pride was a small price to pay. Lyude had paid far worse a price for less.

Early that morning, Shorty's grandmother came in to see how Lyude was holding up. He was standing next to Rolf's bed, obviously fearing to seat himself lest he fall asleep. He seemed almost ready to do so anyway, seated or not. It had been a long vigil, Lyude was beginning to show signs of needing a shave. Though it was barely noticeable. "Sir Lyude?" said Shorty's grandmother.

"Yes?" asked Lyude turning to her wearily.

"Why don't you go on back to the magnus shop and get some rest? I will keep an eye on Rolf." Lyude glanced at her gratefully. "Are you sure? I can stay..."

Shorty's grandmother smiled warmly. She had grown quite fond of the young ambassador, always so polite and kind. "I'm sure. Get some sleep, you look ready to fall over."

Lyude nodded. "Let Katrina know that her grandfather woke for a brief period last night. He will probably wake again sometime today."

"Oh he did, did he? Wonderful! It will be such a relief when he is well enough for Katrina to stop her fretting."

"She's only worried. It's understandable." said Lyude. "I will return later today to check up on Rolf's progress."

Shorty's grandmother nodded and Lyude walked slowly to the magnus shop. He checked back in an collapsed on the bed. Since this whole thing had started with Rolf , he could barely remember the last time he removed his boots unless he was bathing. He made no exceptions now, but had the presence of mind to allow his feet to dangle over the bed so as not to cause any damage to the sheets.

Lyude had about six hours of undisturbed sleep at the magnus shop, waking at about noon with a stretch and feeling much refreshed. At least he no longer had that floating sensation one acquires after so long from lack of sleep. He shaved and cleaned himself up, washing his face and letting the cold water wake him up.

He exited the magnus shop and knocked on the door to the home. Katrina answered and greeted him with a smile. "Grandpa is awake. He seems to be starting to get some of his strength back." Her face became puzzled a moment. "Did he seem a little strange to you when he woke? He's acting a little oddly, being very reassuring. Usually Grandfather is a lot more stubborn, but he's taking his medicine without complaint."

"Perhaps he just realizes how worried you must have been." said Lyude. "Even the most stubborn of people can adjust their attitudes for the sake of one they care for."

"You're probably right. Thank you for all of your help, Sir Lyude. I think Grandpa will be just fine now."

Lyude smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. I should return to the palace, there may be some duties awaiting me there. I just didn't wish to leave without ensuring things were going well here."

"Oh they are! Grandpa will be his old self in no time, I'm sure of it! Thank you so much. For everything!" she gave Lyude a quick hug and was immediately embarrassed afterwards at Lyude's shocked expression.

"Erm...you're very welcome." he said and smiled again in a reassuring sort of way. "Good day to you."

"Good day." said Katrina blushing furiously. Lyude then turned and began his trek back to Nashira.