Chapter Thirteen

Yue had warned her that Coran would be quite displeased when he awoke, and she had not been exaggerating. The prince entered the royal lounge roughly two hours past daybreak where his makeshift envoy had assembled, every bit as irritated as Yue had foretold.

No one was doing much of note; Yue and Aidan had apparently struck up what amounted to small talk for the both of them, trading notes on scouting techniques; Vekk was scribbling gods-know-what on a pad laying on the short beverage table, growing increasingly frustrated with whatever it was judging from the muttering under his breath, growls, snarls, and furious scratching with his stencil; the other Asura (many of which she still didn't know by name), had congregated in the northwest corner talking quietly amongst themselves; and Cynn was sprawled belly up across a three seated sofa, her ankles dangling over one end, where Mhenlo was dutifully massaging her arches and soles.

All that changed save Mhenlo's ministrations the moment Coran appeared, his scowl apparent, and his nostrils visibly flared. The Asura cringed as their headmaster's eyes passed over them, and locked onto the assassin across from them. Devona could barely detect the slight assassin stiffen defensively, despite Yue's best efforts to look non-plussed.

"What did I tell you the last time you pulled a stunt like that?" Coran snarled, "I will not be drugged like some animal, especially by some Vanguard rat who continually forgets her place. I'm of half a mind…"

"To do absolutely nothing!" Devona cut in, drawing the prince's attention as she stood and stepped right up to him, to the point where the toes of their shoes were touching. "It is not Yue's fault that in your thirst for knowledge and conclusions that you have abandoned the common sense required to sleep at night! I don't know what makes you think that you can berate people for looking after you when you clearly can't be bothered to do it yourself, but I for one will not tolerate it! Now you will apologize to Yue this instant, and get back to the work that is apparently not nearly as important as you made it out to be since you are here blustering instead of tending to it."

The scene then dissolved into the silent awe that had stirred from the episode. No one present could have imagined anyone addressing either a prince of Ascalon, or the Headmaster of Atal Ra, in such a manner… and that apparently included Coran himself. His jaw dropped momentarily as his ample intellect tried to construct a response, eventually coming to the conclusion all males, regardless of status, conviction, or creed reach at some point in their lives. The smarter ones reach that conclusion faster than the others; and there was little doubt that Coran was a very smart man.

The seemingly infallible headmaster turned completely on his heel, gave Yue a slight bow, and said, "My dear Devona is correct… I was out of line. I know I need to learn when to call it a night… and I extend my apologies for taking you to task for my failings."

Yue momentarily locked eyes with Devona, and the assassin gave the warrior a small appreciative nod and smile, which Devona returned conspicuously as Coran scrambled his thoughts back together.

"As for my work… I finished the diagnosis before I came in here." He then added, "So, by your logic, it was as important as I claimed it to be. The news is neither as good nor as bad as it could have been. He has taken on a viral infection; careful monitoring will be required, and it might take time, but under the care of myself and Japphe's Medical Krewe, he should make a full recovery given time."

He straightened his chestpiece on his shoulders, then declared, "I suppose I should get to preparing a treatment regimen, since I've appraised everyone on the situation. Everyone should get comfortable; we could be here up to fifteen days or so."

Another well timed glare silenced the groans that were bubbling in the throats of the Asuran contingent. "You will have plenty of time when you all return home to resume tinkering with whatever machination each of you had that was going to inadvertently explode in your faces. For now, it's time to get to work. Japphe, I need you to oversee a least fifteen days worth of intravenous fluid solutions, rich in anti-oxidants… a precise formula is waiting you in the mobile laboratory. Get to it. All of you."

The Asura filtered out single file, and Vekk finally peered up from his work, "Were you including myself in that order?"

"If you want to be of use, you could prepare communication to Atal Ra to get them up to speed… but that can be done at your leisure. I certainly am not going to be so bold as to interrupt a gifted mind in his attempts to decipher the Eternal Alchemy."

Vekk sighed, "That obvious, I assume?"

Coran smirked, "There is not an Asuran mind that doesn't parse every equation they know to the most minute argument they can seeking to find the key to the unsolvable theorem whenever they have a free moment. I myself have devoted an obscene amount of private time to that onerous task."

"You'll have to tell me what conclusions you've reached sometime."

Coran wagged a finger in playful chiding. "Now, now… there are two things an Asuran never gives; his money or his calculations. You know that."

"You're not Asuran." Vekk noted the obvious.

"Close enough as far as you should be concerned." He then made another full about turn, but just before he made his leave, he leaned back through the entry, and gave an appraising look towards Mhenlo and Cynn. "Mhenlo, my friend, an expecting woman's feet don't start becoming significantly stressed until the growth of the child has reached a point where it affects the mother's normal center of balance. I suspect Lady Cynn here is at least another half-season, if not more, away from that point… just in case you weren't aware."

The prince didn't wait to see the aftermath of his observation, but Devona did, and the warrior had to admit it was a rare occasion to see Cynn caught in the act, her lips turned upward in a toothy, nervous grin while her husband stared her down with a narrow, miffed expression.

"But… I'm cute." Cynn chirped hopefully; then sighed in resignation when her husband promptly stood, and joined Yue and Aidan's just resuming discussion.

* * * * *

Japphe looked in on the king, then at Devona, and said, "I suppose you may speak with him. Just make note that Coran wants to do one final examination, so try not to get in the way."

"I will. Thank you, Japphe." The warrior replied, giving the Asuran Medical Krewe leader a respectful bow, then stepped into Adelbern's chambers. In the mere ten days since Coran began his treatment, the differences were startling. The king was still thin, but Devona could see the vitality in his body and the drastically improved color to the monarch's skin. Also notably was that he was sitting up, rather than helplessly prone and barely able to move.

But Adelbern's voice still betrayed how close to death he had come. While the volume and vigor had improved, hints of the strangled rasp still remained as the old king spoke. "Greetings, Captain. What brings you to see me? Come, sit."

Devona bowed again, and sat down tentatively on the short stool at the king's bedside. "I know this may seem bold… but I would like to be reinstated in the Ascalon guard."

Adelbern's right eyebrow rose. "Is that so? That is indeed a audacious request; especially since I am fairly certain that I was quite clear that anyone who followed Rurik to Kryta would not be welcomed."

"Yes, well… you already demonstrated your forgiveness on that count by allowing my audience all those days ago, your highness."

The king chuckled faintly, "That I did, didn't I? Although I must ask what brings you make such a petition. It wouldn't have anything to do with my long-lost son, now would it?"

Devona couldn't manage to fight the blush. "It might… Coran and I… we're trying to 'get to know each other' again… that would be difficult to do with the Shiverpeaks in the way."

"I see… so the betrothal still stands, does it?"

At that point, Coran's voice interjected from the doorway, "It does; not that it is terribly much of your concern at the moment."

Once again, Devona found herself almost shivering at the cold intonation Coran's voice took as he addressed his father. "Your concern should be to regain your health. Then you can worry about who is marrying whom and how to spoil your future grandchildren."

"Excuse me, my dear." Coran said, nudging her gently on the shoulder. Devona gave up her seat and let the prince take her place as he underwent another one of his routine examinations. Apparently, he was quite pleased with what he was uncovering, because he released a large, relieved sigh, even if the bitterness in his voice when addressing his father returned quickly. "I do believe you are through the worst of the illness. Now, I would recommend another two days of bed rest at least before you go stomping about on your hell-bent crusade to reclaim the lost lands of Ascalon… but since you've never listened to me before, I can't imagine why you will this time. Nonetheless, I think I can declare my work here completed."

He stood, bowed, then said in parting, "We shall be out of your presence within the hour. Do try and take care of yourself, your highness."

And with that, Coran was out the door, leaving two flabberghasted humans behind. It didn't take Devona long to stir to action, though, and she dashed out after the retreating prince, her demand echoing down the hall. "Where are you going?"

"I'm returning to Atal Ra." Coran answered darkly. "I've done what I set out to do here."

"You have responsibilities to Ascalon!" Devona shouted. "We all do!"

He scoffed and corrected, "No, I have responsibilities to Atal Ra. My father does not delegate power. He never has, and he never will. I see little point in me staying where I will be ignored. I will be where I am most needed… when that place becomes Ascalon again, I will return."

Devona's eyes grew dark. "So… you're just going to walk away from me… I mean, our country all over again?"

"If that's how you want to view it."

"Then I do believe our business is concluded, Headmaster."

For a moment, Coran seemed hurt, but his composure quickly reasserted itself, "Yes, I suppose it is. Have a pleasant day, Captain."