Reign of Fire: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter Nineteen- All for you

It was a little after ten and while the sun was still rising, most of the inhabitants of the castle were getting ready to turn in and catch up on some much needed rest. Mothers and children huddled closely together as the men set up a schedule for taking turns on watch. The roads towards the castle were completely blocked off now, ensuring not a living soul would pass without Quinn knowing of it. While agreeing to join Alex in her slumber, he had insisted to be woken up should any problem occur. Creedy had insisted on the same, but didn't know he had been secretly over ridden by Quinn who had instructed no one was to disturb him save himself. He knew his best friend had suffered blow after blow these last 24 hours and now might even be losing the love of his life…and should that happen he would be needing a clear and well rested mind to cope with it.

Down at the infirmary things had quieted down as well. Most of the wounded would live to see another day, their scars being mostly mentally, and had been sent back to their own rooms. There now remained six 'ICU' patients, all stable but dangerously balancing on the edge. As Doc looked down on Holly's sleeping frame, happy to find her relatively peaceful, he realised it was solely due to her that his practice was so empty right now. Who knows what would have happened to those abducted if the rescue party she led had arrived too late?

He nodded at the young woman who had volunteered to stay behind and keep up work as a nurse, she smiled and slipped into Holly's little room; sitting herself in the chair next to the bed. Doc left, he needed to see some of the others who he had admittedly been neglecting- Kayleigh had popped by in need of more pain relief but he had told her she couldn't have any; it wasn't his fault his mind was on other matters. I should go track her down and give her some, poor thing must be in a lot of pain by now. Grabbing a bottle of pills he checked his patients one more time before going to find her and apologise for his behaviour.

Kayleigh had been able to sneak successfully into Holly's room, finding one of her smaller hunting knives under her pillow. How ironic that I'll stab her with her own knife. She tucked it into the waistband of her trousers, hiding it from view with the jumper she had acquired from Creedy not long before. Making her way through the corridors to the infirmary she didn't have to worry too much about being seen, everyone who wasn't on watch was asleep.

The young blonde woman hid when she saw the doctor leave the infirmary, causing her to frown, who is watching Holly then? If it's Creedy this won't work at all.

Quietly passing the sleeping patients, Kayleigh came to the door that led to Holly's private room; that thought made her sneer, of course Holly would get her own room, being as 'special' as she is- God it's sickening. A crack in the door showed her it was not Creedy or someone else as close to Holly watching over her, but a young woman she could only presume was the nurse. Kayleigh coughed to get her attention.

The girl spun round, startled at the sound. She had been staring intently at Holly for the past five minutes, she was awed by the woman in front of her; Holly was actually three years younger than herself but she didn't seem it, behind her youthful appearance was a soul who had seen so much. She had been wary of Holly at first, but her strength and courage were things she could not deny and could only admire her for.

"Can I help you?" She asked Kayleigh quietly.

"Is Holly all right? I was hoping it would be OK for me to sit with her a while. I feel so terrible about all that has happened." Kayleigh's eyes began to well up with tears.

The nurse stood and walked over to her, looking back at the sleeping Holly as if unsure.

"I don't know, I'm not supposed to leave her alone, in case anything...happens." Kayleigh whimpered.

"Well I suppose it wouldn't hurt for you to sit in for five minutes, that way I can check on the others."

"Thank you" Kayleigh whispered, hugging the girl. Sure hun, let's make sure you take your time checking on the others, OK?

As the nurse turned to leave, Kayleigh grabbed the bottle of chloroform she had seen standing to the side, probably left there from the operation earlier. Dabbing a cloth in it she followed the nurse to her station, jumping her before the poor girl could turn around.

"That's it sugar, just keep breathing, you'll have a lovely long sleep is all…" And with that the girl sank to the floor.

Quickly checking if no one had spotted her, she strolled back into Holly's room. "Now, as for you little miss 'Oh-pity-me-all-of-you'…we have some unfinished business to take care of…"

After searching the dining hall, the courtyard outside and finally Kayleigh's room, Doc concluded there could only be one more place Kayleigh could be at: Creedy's. Both of them seemed to be really upset and from what Doc understood from the others, the pair of them were quite good at seeking, and finding, comfort in each other's arms. Strange, he figured, considering the guy's obvious feelings for Holly. But being the old bachelor he was he figured he would never get to know the hearts of lovers that well and shrugged it off.

After a cautious knock -he didn't feel like running into any uncomfortable scenes- he stuck his head in, being greeted by a very sleepy, but single, Creedy.

"Doc? Is everything all right? Holly, is she…" He was up in seconds, his head spinning from the sudden movement so much that Doc had to push him back down with a smile.

"She's at ease mate, don't worry. I was actually looking for your other lassie. That shot wound has been bothering her quite a bit and I was on my way to get her some more painkillers. When I didn't find her in her room it was suggested I might just find her in here, so…"

But Creedy suddenly cut him off: "You're saying she's not in her room?"

Doc slowly nodded: "Yes, I checked...I'm beginning to think that's a bad thing?"

Their eyes locked as Creedy made a second, now successful attempt at getting up and dressed: "Holly!"