Chapter Fourteen: Teryn Caspian
A few days later Aaron's uncovered left eye opens. Groaning in pain sharp pains can be felt on his face. Rocking his head left to right as he tries to regain his bearings.
"Wha-" Is all he can say. As he raises his hand to feel his face. Bandages, thickly applied.
He then feels a gentle touch on his cheek.
"Call Mali! He has awakened!" Iolene demands as she looks down at Aaron.
"Thank goodness!" She says with much relief. Quickly kissing his un-bandaged cheek before anyone witnesses.
"Wha-" Aaron tries to speak again as Iolene gently shushes him. "Do not speak... I explain what happened."
Aaron nods as he lets Iolene explain what happened.
"When I was treating Hugo's injuries, he pushed me away. He charged at you with full force. He sliced the right side of your face. You collapsed unconscious right after the blow... I thought he ended your life there, there was so much blood. You managed to jump out of the way enough, avoiding enough losing your eye." Iolene's voice wavered. "Lei in turn impaled Hugo's right leg. Telling Hugo that he is a man of no honour. Losing his ability to walk, him falling to the ground. I was treating you when Lei managed to carry Hugo back to the castle. Mali and Stein came to us... Mali with his mag energy lifted you up and carried you here."
Aaron coughs as he absorbs the information. Iolene holds onto his hand caressing it gently.
"Alphonse was planning on executing you after seeing Hugo. Lei however pushed the fact that Hugo attacked him first. A prince of another nation... Putting our alliance in jeopardy. Let us just say Alphonse had no choice but to let the matter settle. The last thing we need is to bring Empress Zhen into your family dispute."
The door opens as Lexi walks inside. Folding her arms as she looks at Aaron. "Iymp and I go to explore the city and come back to this... Don't worry Aaron. Women love scars, it builds character." Lexi says proudly. Noting to herself that Aaron has many scars on his back, legs, and arms. Not the first or the last... He hated talking about them. But when she saw them, she admired them. He has lived a harsh life and survived Dominus Sahara. She remembers how she rubbed his scarred back as they slept together. Underneath him as her hands explored his back. She shakes her head away from those thoughts. Their relationship is over and was only a fling. The only thing she can do is try to make Aaron feel better. But she never has been the best consoler.
"Scar?" Aaron manages to speak. As Mali, Lei, Stein and Alphonse enter the room.
Mali sighs as his face is of complete sadness. "We should not have come here... I am so sorry Aaron. We should have taken the long sail route to Ramel."
Aaron groans as he sits up. Noticing that Alphonse is also present in the room. His eldest brother's glare can cut diamonds. Not saying a word to his injured younger brother. After seeing Hugo's injuries made him furious. He wanted Aaron out of this region as quickly as possible.
"I want you to leave now that you are awake and get the fuck out of Watersgate. Go to Ramel where you belong in exile." Alphonse said that made the room feel cold as ice.
"Not until he is healed." Lei insists, mimicking Alphonse's glare.
"You don't have the privilege to dictate my home, Lei. You are not my Prince." Alphonse replied.
"Oh, you can rule your home however you please. But I have already sent a message to King Marlowe and Empress Zhen my mother... Think carefully Alphonse Caspian. They will not be happy to think that two guests who are under your care, almost ended up dead. Aaron will be compensated for your brothers' selfish madness." Lei said it ever so calmly that everyone is impressed.
Alphonse remains quiet as his steward walks up to Alphonse and whispers in his ear. Alphonse's face changes to a subtle surprise. "He wants to see you, bastard," Alphonse says with disdain.
"He?" Mali questions.
"He... Wants to see me?" Aarons ask weakly at Iolene for confirmation. Oddly it gave Aaron a small glimpse of hope. He knew his father will never love him; he learned that multiple times. Maybe something... Like an apology, it will make all the difference in the world to him.
"He must..." Iolene answers holding Aaron's hand lovingly. Stein quickly clears his throat and Iolene lets go.
"Iolene he needs rest, come. We need to talk." Stein says sternly as Iolene follows behind the old priest. Having a quick glance at Aaron before closing the door.
Everyone leaves until it is Mali and Aaron alone. Aaron feels the cloth in his eye. The blood is cleared, but the throbbing is still going strong. He couldn't help but think of his mother. When he once tripped and scrapped his knee. She would treat it by saying playfully she told him not to run.
Mother... He thought as he tries to keep her picture in his mind's eye. She was indeed beautiful. Smooth white skin and long wavy brown hair. Large brown doe eyes and a loving smile that can make anyone feel better. Aaron misses her every moment of every day.
It was hard just for the two of them, but Ariana always made sure Aaron was fed. They lived in a small hut in Shrimp Row. It was mud and hay, but it was always warm and comforting. He had good memories there. The days when he was loved... His mother told him stories before bed and chased him around as they played.
"Do you want to see him?" Mali asks interrupting Aaron's thoughts. "You don't have to. The man is almost dead. I hear he is a breathing corpse."
"I have to see what he has to say." That is all Aaron says breathily as he attempts to stand up. Collapsing onto the bed, he tries repeatedly but fails. Aaron had no choice but to rest.
It was another few days until Iolene unwraps the bandage from his face. A deep large cut stretches from the middle of his forehead. To the middle of his right cheek. Aaron's right eye is blurry as it adjusted to the bright light.
It is just him and Iolene alone. Iolene kisses the scar tenderly. "You still look handsome." She says encouragingly. She inspects his stitches as his skin is healing. Her magic speeds up the healing process and eases much of his pain. Aaron trying his hardest not to pick at his injury as scabs have formed and sometimes made it unbearably itchy.
In the next week, Aaron was ready to see him, his father. Stitches removed and dressed he follows a servant through the Watersgate castle. Swallowing hard as he climbs the stairs and walks deep into the castle. The guards rush ahead to let Sedna know of Aaron's arrival. He waited until she left the room and hides behind a door. Catching only a glimpse of her shadow.
Aaron wanted to throw up his breakfast. But he held it in just enough, coming out of hiding. The guard opens the door as Aaron walks inside Teryn's room. A large room in the centre is a massive bed. Where Lord Teryn rests.
Loud rasping breathing is heard as the old man coughs. Aaron walks up to the bed, trying his hardest to hide his trembling. He had no idea of what to expect. A strong and tall man is now nothing more than a frail skeletal man. His left eye is wrapped by a bandage as most of his teeth have fallen out.
Aaron looks down at him as Teryns' one eye looks up at Aaron.
"Hey..." Is all Aaron can say. Deciding to sit on Sedna's chair. Close facing the old lord.
"Look at you..." Teryn says rasping at each breath.
"Look at you," Aaron says in reply slumping in the chair. Hiding his nerves, still trying to hold his breakfast inside him.
It was a long silence until Aaron asked the question. "Why did you ask me here?" Almost trying to hide his frustrated tone.
"I was curious..."
"I survived, sorry to disappoint you."
"Yes you have disappointed me, you are my cursed mistake... Yet I also respect it. I sold you to the most dangerous place on this planet. To be a slave forever or be dead. Yet here you are..." Teryn coughs.
"Here I am," Aaron says sharply, avoiding the old man's gaze. Trying to look at anything else that is interesting. A nearby vase is filled with various wildflowers. The arrangement is beautiful as it must have been put together by a master. The centerpiece is a large sunflower surrounded by other colourful flora.
"You and Hugo fought, he failed... Should have killed you." The old man coughs.
"Well, he knows I am not easy to kill." Aaron is not remotely surprised that his own blood expected Hugo to beat and kill him.
"Are you thinking of killing me?" Teryn coughs as blood splatters on his white bedsheet.
It is an interesting question as Aaron had a split thought. Any other person would end their family member for revenge. His father wanted to straight up kill him at first, the priest saying they needed a new kennel hand. And so Aaron went to work with the kennel master drunkard. Where he starved most days as he was to only eat porridge, bread and if lucky a piece of fruit once a day. Sleeping on the cold hard ground, not allowed to use hay to sleep on, since it is reserved for the hounds. Teryn and Lady Sedna made it clear that no one was to speak to him. Aaron had never felt lonelier or isolated only having a drunk man to talk to. Even then the kennel master loved abusing him. But when he is sober it turns out he can be a good man if he wanted to. But he loved his drink and so he drank.
All Aaron wanted was a loving family. Loving brothers and father... Even one day dreamt of having his own. Thinking of a lovely wife with both a son and a daughter. He quickly learned it will never happen and learned to cope with that knowledge day by day. Hugo and his friends bash him up because they hated his existence. They are his family whether he liked it or not. Aaron clenches his fists as the memories still stick with him.
It was until Iolene that Aaron felt something that was not depression and despair. A friend... Someone who didn't know who he was. She made him smile after him thinking he would never smile again. She never saw him as a cursed child. Then she found out about Aaron's lie... He was no Sabrael. She was mad and began to affiliate with Hugo and Alphonse more.
Which led to Aaron showing up Hugo. Shooting that one arrow, hitting the bullseyes as everyone witnessed. Soon following Teryn soon finding out about Iolene and him. That very night it was cold, dark, and rainy. Heavy rain can be heard on the roof of the kennel. Aaron was deep asleep as he was exhausted after the long day. Conflicted of his actions... He hoped that he gained respect from everyone who saw him. Little did Aaron know what was going to happen to him.
He was dreaming of his mother. Remembering he was smiling as her voice smoothed him. As little it was the dreams of her gave him comfort. Until they were harshly disturbed as Aaron was dragged on the floor. Opening his eyes as he begins to struggle. His face getting cuts and abrasions from the ground as his legs were lifted high. He had no chance of fighting back.
"That is him." A muffled Teryn voice speaks as a beaten Aaron tried to hear. The boy slowly regains his senses. The man slams the boy onto the floor as Aaron looks at his father. It is still dark as they stand on the other side of the golden gate. They are at the docks.
Aaron gazes up as he sees three tall orange dragons looking down on him. The first time he ever saw such beasts. Their brains are visible as their orange and blue scales shined in the fire torch light. Yellow eyes glowing with eagerness as they smiled. Then they all laughed revealing their yellow sharp teeth.
Aaron begged and begged. Teryn remained stoic as the boy begged for his life. Hearing of the endless horrors that come from the Orange Empire.
"Father! Please! I beg! Don't sell me! I will be a kennel hand forever. Just PLEASE! " Aaron kneels and clasps his hands together. Tears fall heavily down his face as the rain pours on him. Soaking him to bone freezing him.
The Teryn twitches as the word father comes out of Aaron's mouth. "You are no son of mine..." Was the last words the Teryn said holding his hand as the dragon gave him the coppers. The dragons' mag chains onto Aaron. His wrists and ankles bound there was nothing he could do.
Aaron is dragged away as it felt it would have been better if he was dead. Becoming limp as a doll when he sees his father walking away. Teryn never glanced back as Aaron is placed on the ship.
Aaron sees the pillows as it is easy just to grab one and smother Teryn. "I am not in the habit of trying to kill the young, sick and elderly," Aaron says in admittance. Even though the dark curiosity he admitted is lingering in his mind.
Teryn laughs as he has another cough. His cough being deep and rough, taking much energy out of the old man. Spewing out the phlegm in the process. Aaron remains still as he only watched with a still expression.
It is clear Aaron's short time with his father is over. As the old man finally stopped coughing.
"Are you going to apologise to me?" Aaron asks.
Teryn laughs again, "No..." He simply said.
Aaron decides to leave, but with courtesy, to not slam the door.
