A/N: Okay, for your information, this chapter is about five pages shorter than the last one. I know being able to write long chapters is a good thing like my pal The Blazing Blade said, but I've decided to take this reviewer's criticism and shorten it up a bit. This chapter--the beginning in particular--was pretty hard to write. Describing all those senses in minute detail...well, I'll let you read and find out for yourself.

Disclaimer: (stares) ... (stare continues) ... (mintues stretch as the stare continues still) ...All right! I give up! You win! Note to self: don't have a staring contest with the Disclaimer. I own nothing.

Part Three: Recovery

It was silent. And dark. The two seemed to go together nicely in a gloomy sense of the perfect couple. It felt like being suspended in time with no sight, no sound, no feeling. Nothing. It was bewildering and wonderful all at the same time. It was that odd sensation of sleep that no one truly felt and could never remember no matter how hard they tried. Memory and time didn't exist because it was swallowed up in the black hole of emptiness. But it wasn't really empty. For anything to be empty, there must be something to begin with or something there previously, something absent. There was nothing to begin with and there was nothing here before. The idea of sensations, of feelings, faded away. Oblivion was just that.

And then . . .

A sound. A low, pulsing sound. A beat. A pause. Another beat. Another pause. A rhythm was established and it was peaceful. It traveled as well. It was strange. The pulse extended outward and traveled back. All of it was perfectly spaced, never faltering, never speeding up.

But then . . .

Another sense was added. Feeling the beat was a whole other experience. Feeling the pulse was amazing. Movement. It was movement. Being caught up in the feel, the sound, felt new. It felt like nothing ever experienced before in this nothingness. New and sudden sensations came forth. It felt white-hot. Hot. There was a difference between cold and hot. Warm and cool. Hot, it hurt. Hurt? It was an unpleasant sensation. Get away from it. That was the only thing to do. Move and escape the hurt. No! Movement hurt worse than not moving. Stay still. But . . . it was growing, building. It couldn't be borne any longer. Perhaps moving hurt, but it was better than being consumed by pain.

". . . Innes . . ."

This sound was louder than the pulsing and it left quickly. There was no rhythm to it, but it was pleasant all the same. More pleasant than the burning centered in one part of the nothingness. The hurt was secluded to one side, one portion. There was a sudden sense of place. The pain was here, on this side. The slow, dull beat extended only so far. The louder, but soft, sound was over there, beyond the pain and beyond the pulsation. Nothingness was disappearing and something was filling the vacuum.

". . . Innes . . ."

Familiarity drew out of the receding fog of nonexistence. The sound was a name. His name. And the sound was a voice belonging to someone he cared for. It all rushed back with enough intensity to leave him breathless. The reality of the situation became clear to him and he felt a heavy weight rest upon him. It was a load akin to the burden of carrying the title of King. It was the weight of responsibility and it was the fear of failure. It was the sense of guilt for causing people to worry. It was the feeling of failing his people and it was knowledge of knowing the fault of innocent people dying was his. He wanted to sink back into that land of nothing. He wanted to fall back into the embrace of oblivion. Nothing hurt there. Nothing was anyone's fault there. No one had burdens to bear there.

"Eirika . . ." he moaned out, gritting his teeth against the fire in his shoulder. Why did everything hurt so badly? Hadn't he been healed? Of course he had to have been healed. No one would let him suffer this way. . . would they?

"I'm here, Innes."

Her voice was gentle, a dousing of water on the flames. There was unexpected, pleasurable warmth in his hand that squeezed sympathetically. He willed his hand to press back. And when he opened his eyes the sight was a dizzying vertigo of color and shape. His vision soon focused and the first thing he saw was Eirika's joyful smile and bright aqua eyes.

"How long?" he asked hoarsely with a sigh.

He was conscious so he might as well resume his role and begin helping the victims. If he had been unconscious for longer than a few hours, he was getting out of this room, regardless of the costs. He could not lay there while others were most likely worse off than he was. It was unacceptable.

"Almost a day." She replied hesitantly, as if she was realizing for the first time how long it had been.

"A day . . .?" he echoed faintly.

How could I have been unconscious for a whole day? That's twenty-four hours of drifting in nothing, twenty-four hours of lying on my back, twenty-four more hours my people had to suffer at my expense.

"Yes," Eirika responded. "We've all been worried, Innes. But I'm glad you're awake now." She hung her head as if she were almost ashamed. "I've missed you more than I can explain."

That struck a cord within him. It was like a door had been open to reveal the light and warmth inside. He felt the rush of feelings he'd felt when he first saw her a day or so ago. He smiled back at her, feeling better than he had in months in spite of the pain he was in now. He laced his fingers through hers and looked up at her.

"What happened? I only remember pushing you away." He asked. Perhaps the answer would solve the reason for the pain in his shoulder.

Her eyes darkened and she glanced down at their intertwined fingers. "The whole wall just . . . fell. There was an awful groaning before it fell with an earsplitting snap. I was safe, but you—you were caught beneath it. There was so much dust and I couldn't see you. It was like you had disappeared. The workers found you after what felt like an eternity. There was a—a spear of wood im—imbedded in your shoulder. Light above, I thought you were d—dead." She recounted the incident in a stammering whisper.

He squeezed her hand tight as he remembered the sudden darkness. "There's more . . . isn't there?" he asked her, feeling cold.

She nodded and met his eyes momentarily. "A priest came immediately once the people found out their King was wounded. But . . . the priest wasn't experienced enough to heal you properly. A few workers brought you to the palace and the priest still couldn't heal you. Tana snapped and told him to fetch Moulder." Innes smiled faintly at this. "Moulder came as quickly as he could. It . . . seemed you were fine. You stayed unconscious for the rest of the day. This morning Moulder came back and found there was still lasting damage. Apparently, the novice priest caused more harm than good. Moulder had to repair that as well. You had a fractured collarbone, dislocated shoulder, mass muscle damage, and an almost severed artery. It's a wonder you didn't bleed to death or lost use of your arm." She continued quietly.

Panic swept him up in its current. Lose use of my arm? But I'm a sniper! I can't lose the use of my arm! Eirika must have seen his stricken expression for she moved her hand to the hand on his previously wounded arm, which Innes found bound in a sling. She squeezed his fingers gently.

"Can you feel that?"

"Yes," It was a sigh of relief. "Why do I need a sling?" he asked, puzzled. He stared down at the white cloth curiously.

"Moulder told us that there was still some damage to the muscle he couldn't heal." She looked at him, with a plea of understanding. "But, Innes, he looked so exhausted. I can only imagine the people that needed to he healed. He didn't want to leave without making sure you were completely healed, but Innes, you should have seen him. I couldn't bear for him to continue in that state. I sent him away to rest. I hope you understand."

"Of course, Eirika." He replied. "I understand and I don't mind. I would have sent Moulder home as well . . . had I been conscious. I need to know how the people are faring. I need to get back to work and find out how this is happening." Innes pushed himself up with a restrained groan. Sacred stave users healed injuries, not pain. He gritted his teeth and clutched his shoulder protectively.

"Innes, you should rest." Eirika said quickly, trying to coax him back into a more comfortable position.

But he shook his head determinedly. "No, I can't abandon them. Not even now."

"Innes, your people will understand. Please wait until you're feeling better." She pleaded, her face etched with lines of concern.

Innes swung his feet over the bed and stood a bit too quickly. He waited for the walls to stand back in their rightful positions before hunting for his boots and his tunic, both of which had disappeared without his knowing. He found his boots at the foot of the bed and stuffed his feet into them. Walking to his closet, he pulled out a plain off-white tunic. He stared at it with a thoughtful frown. Now, how to get my arm through the sleeve . . .

"Innes, you shouldn't be doing this so soon. Rest awhile and let your arm heal before rushing into anything." She complained and urged. "I know you've heard this from Moulder before, but I'll say it as many times as needed to get it through your thick head!"

Innes turned to her. "Eirika, I don't pride myself on being brash or arrogant—despite popular belief—but . . . if you wish to help me, you'll help me put this blasted tunic on."

Eirika blinked at him with surprise, but moved forward to help him. The task was awkward and uncomfortable in more than one way. Innes's shoulder burned whenever he moved it, but it was worth being close to Eirika. As for her, Eirika kept her head bowed—perhaps to hide a blush. Her hair smelled floral, a subtle scent like lilac. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. She glanced up at him with slightly wide eyes.

"I—Innes?"

He leaned his forehead against hers. "You're too good, Eirika. That's why I love you. Generous, kind, and lovely. In the face of your brilliance, I feel unworthy. But I will prove myself deserving . . . someday."

"Oh, Innes, not this again." She sighed. "You don't have to prove anything to me. I know, Innes, I know you're worthy. You don't have to be worthy in the first place!"

He chuckled and traced her cheekbone. "I need to do this, Eirika. I need to feel worthy. And right now I need to take care of my people."

Innes released her and left his room. He felt fine as long as he didn't jar his shoulder too much. He took a breath as he stepped outside to view the damage personally. He was surprised to find it was late in the afternoon when he walked through the city. The distant sound of construction could be heard and everyone he passed wore a relieved expression. Innes came upon the scene and let loose a weary sigh. A gaping hole glared at him from the side of the building. Men were hauling the debris away and all of them looked as tired as he felt.

He ran his free hand through his hair. At least the entire wall didn't collapse. But this means more supplies. There's money enough to cover it, but that money should be spent trying to bring in food.

"King Innes? Out and about already, I see."

Innes turned. "Ah, hello, Karlen. Yes, I've recovered."

The wiry man nodded, looking at Innes's sling. "But not as quickly as you'd hoped, right?"

Innes grinned crookedly. "No, not nearly as quickly." He nodded toward the orphanage. "How bad is it?"

Karlen sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Frankly, we still have a chance now that our King is mending."

"Karlen, I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine. It'll take more than a wall to stop me. I've survived a war, after all." Innes pointed out.

"Of course," he agreed with a single nod. "The debris should be moved out of the way by this evening at the latest. Unfortunately, a lot of the lumber isn't reusable. But what can be reused will be in the best way possible."

"How many have been injured . . . or killed?" Innes asked softly, looking on as the workers plodded through their work.

Karlen shifted uneasily beside him. "Ah, ten killed, sir, and thirteen injured . . . including you and the Princess."

Innes's brows knit together and he turned a demanding scowl-and-stare combination on the architect. "The Princess? Who do you mean, Karlen?" Eirika didn't seem to bear any injuries.

"Princess Eirika of Renais." He answered uncomfortably. "But it was only a scratch, Highness." He added quickly upon seeing Innes's expression darken.

It must have been a superficial wound; I didn't see it. Karlen must be right, though I'd rather he wasn't. "I'm glad she wasn't seriously wounded." He said calmly, turning his gaze back to the pile of debris which was decreasing steadily. "I know how much you want this orphanage finished, Karlen—I do as well—but the men are weary; anyone can see that. Give them a day or two off to restore their energy. I can't allow this to go on."

"Yes, sire." Karlen shot him a curious look. "Do you have plans to stop these . . . ill-timed occurrences?"

"Ill-timed I agree with, but 'occurrences'?" Innes arched one brow skeptically. "As you said a few days ago, I believe there is more at work here."

Karlen scuffed his boot. "Well, Your Highness, I've been thinking. I know it's not my place, nor my right, but I'm starting to believe that this is simply the working of the gods above." He glanced at Innes quickly. "I don't mean that nothing is happening to cause this. There's a reason for everything, as they say. But . . . night after night I check everything and the guards are always in place and still these accidents occur. There is no sign or trace of sabotage, no evidence to prove anyone besides the guards and I are around the sites at night. I think the gods don't want us to continue."

Innes studied Karlen for several long, silent minutes. The man dug his hands into his pockets and looked on mournfully at the scene before them. "And why would the gods refuse reconstruction and restoration?" he asked evenly.

The short, thin man shook his brown haired head. "I don't rightly know, Your Highness. No one knows the ways of the gods. Honestly, what else could it be?"

"I'll be joining the guard tonight." Innes stated woodenly.

"What?!" Karlen exclaimed, turning to him quickly with wide caramel eyes.

"I said, I'll be joining the guard tonight." He repeated patiently. "Is that so difficult to understand?"

"Well, no—I mean, you? Why would you want to—? But—"

"Karlen," he interrupted. "Please get to the point of your stammering. I'm tired and I would like to stay awake the entire night. Your babbling is preventing me from performing my duties as King."

The man visibly swallowed, dropping his eyes to the ground. "Ah, yes, sire. I mean to say: why would you want to join the guard? Don't you have faith in your men? The night watch is no place for a King and—."

"Where is my place, Karlen?" Innes pondered aloud. "Is it upon a throne? In a castle? Behind a desk? On the front lines? Among my people?" He smiled thinly at him. "If you want to get a job done right, you have to do it yourself."

"Hello, Tana," Eirika said as she glanced into the sitting room.

The violet haired young woman looked over at her from her seat on the couch. "Oh, hello Eirika." She responded with a sigh creeping into her voice.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Eirika sat beside her. "You look a bit gloomy. Is everything all right?"

Tana waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, no, nothing's wrong. My brother was almost killed and all those homeless children will have to stay in crowded homes, but nothing is wrong."

Eirika frowned. "Tana, it certainly isn't like you to sarcastic. This has affected me as well, but I know things will get better soon."

Tana forced a smile. "You're right, I know you are. But . . . this is all so frustrating and sorrowing. Every time we try to make something better, something else—a saboteur, a freak accident, the might of the gods—tries to take it down. How many times have we repaired the Sacred Stone Tower since we've returned from the war? The houses the workers try to put back up are torn down by a force no one can name!" She sighed, closing her eyes. "I wish I had the patience and faith my brother has." Then she cringed. "Well, he doesn't always have patience. I remember a few times where he, ah, exploded. It wasn't pretty and I'm positive all of Frelia heard."

Eirika laughed softly at this. "In the war Innes wasn't exactly the paragon of patience. There was more than one occasion that he and another soldier almost came to blows." She shook her head. "Despite that inconvenient trait, he's a good man."

Tana arched a brow. "So long as you're not his sister." She added.

The turquoise haired princess laughed, throwing her head back. "Yes, I suppose you're right. At least Ephraim and I don't have quite the relationship you and you're brother have."

"Oh, but Ephraim is a wonderful man. Selfless, honorable, brave, determined, handsome." Tana let out a dreamy sigh with a small smile on her lips.

"Easy, Tana, I wouldn't want you to float away!" She joked, tugging on the sleeve of Tana's gown.

She simply rolled her eyes with an exasperated sigh.

"Sounds like you two are enjoying yourselves." An all too familiar voice said from the doorway.

Tana elbowed her friend. "Don't float away!" she whispered loudly. "You don't have a pegasus like I do."

Eirika scowled at her and then turned to Innes. She saw with some dismay that, in spite the rest, Innes still had dark bruises beneath his eyes. His arm was still in a sling and it was apparent that he detested it. Otherwise, he seemed perfectly collected and just a bit arrogant.

Tana eyed his day clothing. "Isn't it a bit late to be all trussed up in that peacock outfit?" she asked. She was right about it being late; Eirika was ready to turn in. The girls were in their nightgowns, wearing soft cotton robes and leather slippers.

"I have business to attend to." He replied haughtily.

"At this time of night?" she asked skeptically.

"Yes, at this time of night. Simply because the sun has set doesn't mean the duties of a King end."

"That sounds like something you had to recite to the schoolteacher."

Innes fixed her with a stare. "I'll be on my way. I have better things to do than quarrel with my sister." He nodded at Eirika and then at Tana. "Goodnight, you two." He turned away and disappeared from sight.

Eirika had the impression he was upset about something. He wasn't the perfect gentleman tonight. She shrugged mentally. She couldn't help him with this. It wasn't her place to push herself into other's matters. "Well, Tana, I'm ready to retire to bed. Are you?"

Tana yawned and covered her mouth. "I would like to, but not yet. I do a few drills before I turn in. I know I don't have to, not with the war being over, but it's become a habit. I believe everyone should know how to defend themselves. It's not a perfect world; there will be people who wish to harm others. I don't want to be the helpless damsel." She smiled halfheartedly at Eirika. "Besides, I hear men fancy a warrior princess rather than a primped and pretty doll."

"Oh, Tana." She shook her head. "You don't have to impress Ephraim with remarkable skills. He loves you for who you are. And, before you get to the obsession of what you look like, know that he doesn't care if you're wearing the finest silk adorned with diamonds or a dishrag. Do you realize how lucky you are to have someone like my brother love you?"

Tana blushed a cute rose color and tangled her fingers in the belt of her robe. "Yes, I know how lucky." She said shyly. Then her purple eyes brightened. "But you know what this means, right? We'll be sister-in-laws!"

"You're already planning for a wedding?" Eirika said, a bit surprised. She had hoped to shock them with a detailed set of plans for their wedding. But if the soon-to-be bride was already planning, then that just helped things along.

Tana ducked her head. "Well, I couldn't help not to. It's not like I have everything already thought out." Eirika gave her a doubious look. "Alright, fine, I only have the guest list, the colors, the flowers, and the dress picked out."

"Only?!"

Tana shrugged. "What? I couldn't decide on the napkins."

Eirika sighed exasperatedly and shook her head. "I guess my brother can't say no now."

Tana beamed.

Innes met Karlen outside the doors of Castle Frelia. The man only nodded at him and led him silently to the first construction site. The night was still and the air was crisp. The moon peaked out from behind a few clouds, lighting the sky with a soft, dull gray color. No stars could be seen amongst the thick cloud cover. Their footsteps were quiet on the beaten earth. Innes could see a few small lanterns in the darkness and assumed they were the night crew. Karlen beckoned the men over to them.

"King Innes shall be joining us tonight, men. We must be especially on guard tonight." Karlen looked each one in the eye. "We wouldn't want to disappoint him or put him in danger." A few men nodded. Others remained silent.

And so began an uneventful, long and tiring watch. They found nothing out of place and there were guards at every site. Nothing was suspicious or odd. It seemed like everything had gone right and nothing bad would happen the next morning. Innes tried to stay alert throughout the entire watch, but his mind was foggy from lack of sleep, his eyes burned, his vision blurred just a little bit, and his shoulder was aching as if to tell him to retreat to his bed. By the time the inspection ended, Innes wondered how he had even stayed awake through it all. And as this became a nightly pattern for several more days, he would wonder how he had managed it at all.

Now as he staggered through the palace halls, a few servants offered to help him, but he declined wearily. His feet were set to automatic and his mind was numb. He leaned against the rail on the stairs and paused to yawn, cracking his jaw as he did so. He rubbed at his eyes and resumed his slightly swaying course.

Hadn't he just slept through most of a day? Or did being unconscious not count? His weariness was most likely a combination of sleepless nights, stress, and typical tiredness from his injury. Innes leaned against the wall for a moment, relishing the peace of the pre-dawn silence, and allowed his scratchy eyes to close.

Just one moment. I'll stay here for just one moment and then I'll go back to work. I'll get to that later, but for right now I just want to stay here and close my eyes. Just for one moment.

Eirika paused on the stairs to yawn. She blinked blearily and continued on her way. She had said goodnight to Tana, leaving her friend to her nightly exercises. Her slippers made a soft scraping sound on the stone floor as she walked toward her bedroom.

She sighed contentedly. Tana and Ephraim will make a good couple. They suit each other nicely. Oh, I can see them together when they're old and gray. And my nieces and nephews! She smiled softly. I'll spoil them rotten. I'll be the aunt everyone loves. I'll hold them in my arms and sneak them sweets before supper, and I'll tuck them into bed and sing them to sleep. She paused, a thought striking her. I would be married and have children of my own by that time.

She let that thought soak into her mind and smiled softly. Eirika continued down the hall to her room with lists of names running through her head. Something made her pause and she squinted down the dim hall. The torchlight didn't extend very far, but she thought she saw something down the hall. She crept closer.

"Innes?" She frowned and looked down at his slumped form on the floor. "He must have fallen asleep." She crouched beside him and peered into his face. "Innes, wake up. You shouldn't sleep on the cold, hard floor like this. Innes?"

She shook his shoulder, but didn't manage to wake him. She shook her head with a slightly amused smile. "I don't know how many times I've found Ephraim like this in a similar situation." Eirika shook him a bit more forcefully. "Innes. Innes! Wake up!"

His brows knit together as he frowned. His eyelids fluttered and he raised his head to look at her hazily. "Eirika? What are you—?" He rubbed at his eyes and glanced around. "What am I doing here?"

She bit back a giggle. "You fell asleep, Innes." She explained.

His frown deepened. "Fell asleep?" he echoed.

"Yes, Innes. You were sleeping."

"Sleep? What's that?" he grumbled while pulling himself into a more upright position.

This time she frowned. "Innes, you really shouldn't work yourself so hard. You wouldn't be falling asleep in the hallway if you just went about things less strenuously."

"I can't be lazing about when people need me, Eirika." He muttered, rubbing his face with one hand.

"You'll make yourself sick if you keep this up. What you need is a good, solid eight hours of sleep." She glanced at the splotchy marks beneath his eyes. "Maybe even more than that."

He scowled and rolled his eyes in a way that reminded Eirika of the arrogant prince that strutted about the battlefield, taking down foes like he was casually throwing darts in a tavern. "I'll be hideously behind in work and—"

"Innes, they aren't going to lynch you for getting a decent amount of sleep." She broke in. "Here, I'll give you a hand up." She grabbed his hand firmly before he could protest and pulled him up with her as she stood. Eirika realized she was entering an awkward moment quickly for she couldn't decided what to do with their grasped hands.

Innes solved it for her, lacing his fingers through hers. The movement seemed so casual that she didn't ponder on it too long. "I'll escort you to your room." He offered.

"I'll go only if you promise me you'll get a decent amount of sleep." She said with a stern look that offered no room for discussion.

He drew in a breath and let it out slowly, realizing he didn't have another choice. "Very well. Now, allow me to escort you to your room."

She nodded approvingly. Innes walked her to her room, which wasn't all that far away. They stood at the doorway for a moment, simply staring at each other. Eirika felt the heat of the moment and every fiber of her being seemed suddenly alert. The way his gray eyes bored into hers, as intense as a storm. The way his hand, even calloused as it was, felt soft and gentle in hers. The way his lightly spiced scent invaded her senses. She saw him slowly lean forward and felt her heart begin to race. His face was inches away, his breath ghosting over her lips. She tilted up her head without encouragement, slowly closing her eyes.

It never came.

"Innes?" she asked a little breathlessly, confused. She looked up at him with his tightly shut eyes. He reeled in a ragged breath.

Innes shook his head and took a step away. "I'm sorry. I'll shouldn't have done that." He apologized. "I haven't proven myself yet. I can't."

She deflated. She even felt a little hurt. "That old mantra again?" Eirika huffed out an exasperated breath. "Innes how many times must I—"

He smiled halfheartedly. "That doesn't matter. A kiss is an intimate trade of two peoples' souls. A kiss shouldn't be taken for granted. If an unworthy man kisses a woman, it would be as if he were stealing a piece of her soul. No one should have something as personal as their soul stolen away." He replied wistfully. Innes trailed a hand through her hair in a longing manner. "I cannot." He repeated in a whisper.

Eirika bit the inside of her cheek to hold back the hasty words that struggled to break free. She could see the yearning in his gray opaque eyes. She didn't understand this part of him at all. But she would wait until he felt "worthy". Forcing him into this felt as bad as his speech sounded. It felt greedy and dispassionate. If she truly loved him—and she did—she would wait and she wouldn't ask why.

"All right, Innes." She said softly.

His smile seemed real, not halfhearted as it had been a moment ago. "Thank you, Eirika."

His hand sought hers and squeezed it gently. He pulled away after a moment, his hand slipping from her grasp. Just like that he was gone. She could hear his footsteps fade away just as he had faded from sight in the dimly lit hall. Eirika silently closed her door.

A/N: I know you're all growling in frustration; I am too. So close! But then that would have spoiled the whole climax, right? I'm getting a bit annoyed with his motto. That's gotta change. But not right now. A few things have to happen first... Please review and tell me how much you love me!

(Innes suddenly appears) Innes: Conceited, much?

Oh, like you aren't any better. (sticks out tongue)

Innes: This may be very undignified, but...(sticks out tongue)

Fine. (turns to readers) Send a review and tell me how much you love them. Better?

Innes: Much.

And you can wipe off the self-satisfied smirk, Innes.

Innes: (glowers) Can we end this now?

Yes, we can. (waves to readers) Bye!