Chapter 13:Whenever You Need Me...
Instantly, Lyude fell back to the pillows, his head protesting severely to his sudden motion. Almarde placed her hand on his shoulder and shushed him. "It's all right, Lyude, just lie still." said Almarde soothingly, "You're safe now."
"What is that imperial brat doing here!" shouted Rolf, causing Lyude to wince as the words echoed in his less than sturdy mind.
"Clam it up, Rolf! That boy saved your life, show a little respect." said Reblys.
Lyude closed his eyes willing his head to steady. Wondering if his head injury was causing him to see things. Would Almarde still be there when he opened his eyes? Or had it truly been someone else, and his befuddled mind had caused him to imagine her. He was almost afraid to reopen his eyes for fear that this would indeed be the case.
"Did he faint or something?" came another familiar voice.
"Matthias?" said Lyude daring finally to reopen his eyes. Almarde was indeed still standing there, as was Matthias, looking concerned and ashamed.
He tried to sit up again, but Almarde held him fast by the shoulder. "Be still, my dear one. You've had quite a rough time of it."
"Almarde..."
"Shhhh..."
Almarde stroked Lyude's hair back smoothing it behind his ear. Lyude sighed, enjoying the familiar contact, even if he wasn't quite himself. "What happened Lyude?" said Matthias unable to contain himself.
"The cloud passage...Stripers...three of them." he said attempting to explain, but found himself unable to respond with more than a few words at a time and for some reason his speech was slurred and he couldn't stay focused. What was wrong with him?" He groaned and raised a hand to his brow.
"Where?" he managed.
"You're in Katrina's house." said Matthias, Reblys and Justin found you about two hours ago. You should rest, I'm afraid you were found by a pair of cancerites first and they erm...gave you a bit too much to drink."
"Ugh..."was the only response.
"Rest now, Lyude. We can talk in the morning when you've had time to collect yourself." said Almarde. She began to draw away, but Lyude took hold of her hand. Gripping it tightly in his own. Almarde smiled in understanding and squeezed his hand bending down and kissing him gently on the forehead. "I'll stay with you dear." she said. "Just rest."
Lyude managed a small smile, satisfied that Almarde was indeed there, for whatever reason. There was deep concern in her eyes and he inclined his head slightly in a reassuring fashion. "I'll be all right." he said softly. Almarde smiled and nodded. He closed his eyes with a soft sigh and slowly drifted into a deep sleep.
Lyude woke that morning to find Almarde seated beside him sleeping, her hand still entwined with his. His head had cleared and he was in very little pain. He saw two mugs of empty tea and surmised that Almarde had been having him drink a little to help him regain his strength. The other was obviously for her. He stretched his back muscles from where he lay with a sigh. Almarde opened her eyes. "Good morning, Lyude, how do you feel?"
Lyude sat up slowly, testing out his other movements. "I'm all right, Almarde, but...what are you doing here?" he asked puzzled.
"Do I really need a reason to come and see the child I raised turn seventeen?"she asked with a smile.
Lyude's eyes widened. "Is it really...I totally forgot!"
Almarde shook her head knowingly. "Lyude, you always try to forget." said Almarde with sympathy in her eyes. "Dear child, you know it wasn't your fault."
Lyude sighed deeply. "I wish I had gotten to know her..."
"Your mother was a wonderful woman." said Almarde, inwardly screaming to tell him the truth. Year after year it had been the same. Lyude would be another year older and never the wiser to the truth. Vallye and Skeed had always been ordered by their father to entertain the idea that Lyude was their full blood brother, but that only seemed to give them licence to make the mark of his birth as the mark of their mother's death. Hence, even what should have been the most happy of occasions was darkened by a shadow of guilt. Unnecessary guilt.
"How are Vallye and Skeed?"asked Lyude as Matthias entered the room.
"The same as always." said Almarde frowning disapprovingly.
"Lyude?" said Matthias falteringly.
Lyude looked up and smiled kindly. "Hello, Matthias." he said.
"I'm so sorry!" said Matthias with tears in his eyes, "You almost got killed yesterday and it's all my fault!"
"Matthias!" said Lyude in surprise.
"I should never have left you like that! You didn't deserve it, I wasn't even really mad at you. I..."
Lyude sat up on the bed and placed a hand on Matthias' shoulder. "Matthias, it's all right. You could never have known I'd get hurt. You shouldn't blame yourself."
"What happened anyway, Lyude?"
Lyude explained about the stripers and the course he had been forced to take to survive the encounter. "If I hadn't jumped...I wouldn't have even stood a chance." he said.
"Why don't you have winglets?" asked Matthias.
"For and Ambassador, they are considered unnecessary equipment. I never had much need of them in Alfard."
"Looks like they'd save you a lot of trouble here." said Matthias.
Lyude looked down at himself and noticed what remained of his left boot, torn every which way on the floor a few feet away. He shook his head with a sigh. Those had been his only pair. He was in a fresh white shirt that obviously belonged to him and some clean red pants that fit him perfectly. He paused. He'd had a growth spurt that summer and his boots had been the only thing concealing that his pants had become a tad too short for him.
"I brought you some new uniforms."said Almarde noting his slight confusion. "When Vallye and Skeed learned my intentions to come here they gave them to me rather than having an imperial supply ship bring you what you needed. Don't worry, you have a few new pairs of boots too."said Almarde.
"Thanks Almarde..."said Lyude smiling slightly. "I can't believe you're actually here. I thought I had been hallucinating...I've missed you so, Almarde..." she hugged him tightly.
"How are you feeling?"asked Matthias.
"I'm all right. I suppose I should find Reblys and Justin and thank them for saving me. You say it was cancerites that found me?"
"Yeah."said Matthias.
"I see. That's why I couldn't string more than three words together yesterday...I was drunk?"
"Very."said Reblys walking in. "The quietest drunk I've ever seen. Of course, that's probably because you were only half awake."
"Reblys...I want to thank you for helping me..."
"Forget it. It's my job to look after the residents and guests of this village."
"All the same. My deepest gratitude to you and Justin."
"Yeah, whatever. You've got one stubborn nurse maid there. She wouldn't leave your side for a second."
Lyude chuckled. "Indeed, but a more kind woman you could never find." he said.
"Oh, you!" said Almarde smiling. You should get yourself freshened up, Lyude, I'm sure you will need to go and see the king."
"That's all right." said Matthias. "I'll let his majesty know that you're all right. I can see that you would like to have some time with your...who is she?"
"The foster nurse who raised me." said Lyude. "Thank you, Matthias."
"It's the least I can do. I'll go right away, after I see how you're moving about."
"I'm not really in too much pain, there's no need for concern." said Lyude smiling.
"All the same, I'll wait outside until you've had a chance to change."
After Lyude dressed and straightened himself up he walked out to meet Almarde and Matthias.
"Sir Lyude!" said Katrina. "It's so good to see you up and about!"
"Thank you." said Lyude. "I apologize for any inconvenience I may have brought you."
"Oh no! It's no trouble at all! I'm glad that I could do something to help you after all you did for my grandfather."
Lyude nodded with a smile and he and Almarde walked together from the house. Given the current dangers of the cloud passage, Lyude and Almarde walked on toward another place that Lyude knew of. It was a sweeping meadow where the wind blew across the land, rustling through the grass. It was quite a peaceful spot. He stretched out on the cool grass as Almarde remained standing.
"Almarde...I know you couldn't really afford to come here. I'll be happy to reimburse any expenses you met on your way here."
"Oh shush. Don't you worry about it." said Almarde.
"I still don't understand it, Almarde. How could the emperor...what kind of man can think so little of his subjects? I disobeyed my orders...but I can't imagine that I could have lived with myself if I had obeyed."
"Answers are not to be given, Lyude. Wisdom comes from having an answer ready. One has only to find the right question."
Lyude pondered Almarde's words. "Answers are not to be given...I understand. Almarde? How long can you stay?"
"I will be leaving on the liner tomorrow morning. I can't stay long."
"I see...it's good to see you Almarde."
"Whenever you need me, my dear one. I am always with you. You and I can never be separated though we may be miles apart. What we share is a bond that can never be broken. I love you as my own."
"Almarde...thank you. Thank you for everything. I know it's been hard for you."
Almarde laughed lightly. "Lyude dear, you are the least troublesome child I have ever known. As far as I'm concerned, you have done no wrong. I have something for you. I was going to wait until your eighteenth birthday to give this to you, but I will not be able to travel here next year. She handed him a small box and he thanked her and opened it. "My father's medal of honor! Shouldn't this go to Skeed? He's the eldest male."
"No, Lyude, Jareth wanted you to have this. There are other things that go to Skeed."
"Thank you." said Lyude. "This is...I don't know what to say."
"Thank you is enough." said Almarde smiling.
They spent that entire day talking about his life in Diadem and at Lyude's request, about Vallye and Skeed's progress in their training. Truly, Almarde couldn't see why Lyude was still so interested in his siblings' lives. But it was just Lyude's way. She couldn't help but admire Lyude's forgiving nature.
The time flew all too swiftly by for Lyude's wishes. His heart sagged as he walked Almarde to the liner that following morning. He escorted her arm in arm her other hand resting on his forearm. As they said goodbye Lyude felt his composure slipping. There were three other people on the dock.
"Goodbye Almarde." he said sadly. "Thank you for coming."
Almarde smiled and kissed his lowered forehead. He threw his arms around her then and hugged her closely. She returned the embrace. Both had shed a tear by the time they came apart and the final call for passengers was heard.
"I'll write you soon." he said.
"You'd better. I want to know all of your news." With a final nod and a smile Almarde boarded the liner and disappeared into the horizon.
AN: Decided to only post one chapter at a time so I could get more reviews. Leaves a little more room for suspense too. Glad everyone has been enjoying it so far.
Wingsofheart: I wasn't bothered at all, I advertise wherever I can too. :) Haven't quite gotten around to reading your fanfictions yet, but I will. Actually, I think I skimmed the first chapter of your first one once, but I didn't have time to give it my full attention. I'll make sure to review! Also thank you so much for the compliment! I'm wanting to be an author and these fanfictions are good practice.
TFRiD Queen: You'll find out what was really bothering Matthias in the next chapter. Thanks for your review and I look forward to hearing more.