From the Depths

They headed out into the town, she’d only been a few times now. Henry had made it a point that she come with him once in a while to learn the streets and vendors. He hurried them through to the merchant’s area and into an apothecary store. Every time she tried to speak he shushed her.

A man behind the counter eagerly greeted them on their entrance.

“Ah Henry! I haven’t seen you in quite some time.” The clerk smiled at the knight.

“I need the stuff you prepared for Nissa.” Henry proclaimed.

The clerk and Kirea shared the same confused expression. “You don’t mean...?”

Henry nodded a grim expression on his face.

The clerk turned to Kirea, a look of worry on his old worn features. “And who might you be in relation to Sir Henry?” He inquired.

“Does that mat-”

Kirea cut Henry off. “Henry!” She linked her arm with his and smiled sweetly up at him. “It’s okay.” She reassured him. Turning to the clerk she added. “I’m his girlfriend.”

The clerk was stunned for a time, his jaw dropping open as Henry looked at her just as shocked.

“Heavens, has the world come to an end.” The clerk shook his head as his shock turned to pure excitement. “I never thought I would see the day! Congratulations my boy.”

Henry cleared his throat unsure of what to say. “Yes, well...”

“It’s quite alright Henry dear, you did already lay claim to me in front of all the knights.” She giggled shying away from the clerk slightly.

Henry scratched at his head with his spare hand. “I did, didn’t I...”

Good, she thought. He was finally playing along.

“In that case, let me whip you up a new batch, after poor Nissa passed I was hoping we would see the end of that blasted disease.” The clerk saddened again before disappearing behind the counter.

“Who’s Nissa?” She asked letting him go now that they were alone.

“My sister.” He shook her off and walked away from her to study some jars didn't he other side of the room, he clearly didn't want to talk about it.

Kirea was shocked, had that been why he had freaked out as much as he had? Her mind was racing. The only place where someone could get the disease in the last twenty years was her village.

The clerk returned with a small pouch and a kind expression. "My Lady, if you would." He motioned for her to join him.

He explained how much to take and how often to take it. The herbs and medicines were far beyond anything that she could afford, but she knew the properties and how they worked in the body. It would indeed help her.

"Ah, mister?" She kept her voice low. "Henry doesn't;t like to talk about his family, they wouldn't be from Orestul aswell would they?"

His expression saddened. He glanced at the Knight who was in his own world, before answering. "Correct my dear. He was called to arms with his father while his sister and mother were forced to work in those horrible mines. We worked his way to Knighthood and his entire wage went of medicine for his sister and mother."

Kirea was shocked, they were from the same town! Had she known his family? The name Nissa didn't ring a bell, though it could be a nickname.

Henry joined the two cutting the conversation short. She remained silent while Henry paid the clerk and walked her back to the castle. She couldn't find the words to say, all her smart remarks just evaporated with this new knowledge. Until finally, he left her in her room, medicine in hand. Telling her to take it twice a day rather sternly.

Leaving her to her alone and to her own devices, her mind was finally settling down, the ache in her temples dissipating. Thankfully after coughing up her lungs, she felt a little better. She normally got better after a fit, at least for a while, until the buildup in her lungs was too much again and she had to expel it.

This whole situation wasn’t sitting right with her. She stood staring down at the small pouch in her hand. He’d dragged her around town then just abandoned her with no explanation. She stood in the same position as when he had left her, she should feel grateful, but honestly, his actions just spiked her anger.

The more she thought about it the more her blood began to boil. If he had truly lost his sister in such a horrible way, to the same disease she had then he would understand. If he had that much concern for family, then how could he treat her own mother, someone he would have known, the way he did the day she was summoned?

The image of her mother on the ground with a bloodied face and trembling limbs played over and over again as she clenched the vial tighter. Her mother knew that her time was limited, and even prepared simpler medicine for her. The fear in her eyes that day was of never seeing each other again. Why was she treated with this kindness while he treated others with cruelty? It had to be out of pity, comparing her to his sister. Just the thought was infuriating.

She wasn’t having this, being treated like she was some damsel in distress that needed his help. She stormed out of the room to find him. She would give him a piece of her mind and show him that she wasn’t a weak woman to be trifled with. She was perfectly capable of looking after herself! Just as she had been doing all these years. Skidding to a halt outside the training grounds she could hear voices. She planted her back against the wall as she listened in to their conversation.

“You sure got yourself a nice piece of ass commander.” Some random stated.

Of course, they were talking about women. She rolled her eyes. Typical barbarians.

“Must you!” That was Henry, his tone sounded displeased.

“What! If you wouldn’t have backhanded that older one on that day we could have taken them both. Those were our orders after all. Then we would have our own piece of meat to play with as well.”

There was a disapproving growl, she could only guess it had come from Henry.

“Though I get it, with her injured we would all be punished for mishandling the merchandise.” The younger knight added as though in defence. "Nice cover by the way claiming that the little lady would work harder under the pretence that her mother would be next."

Her eyes widened. Her mother was meant to be here too? They were both summoned? Her heart began to pound as she realized something, that actually made sense. Though Kirea was well known for doing well with animals her mother had trained her and taught her everything she knew. And having both of them here would be a better bargaining chip, threatening one to make the other work harder.

“There was no point in both, the younger one was far more skilled for what the King needed.” Henry retorted bluntly. “If you need release, go to the brothel!”

She could hear the clash of metal in between statements. They must be sparing.

“You really won’t share? After all we’ve been through together, come on man! You normally do.”

She heard what sounded like a low growl again, and then someone cried out in pain. She really wanted to see what was happening, but making an entrance now would mean a loss of vital intel, she wanted to know more.

“I’ve never seen you like this.” The younger voice was struggling now, breathless. “Have you even bedded her yet?”

She yelped as she felt an arm wrap around her waist and drag her out into the open. Blast it! She’d been caught.

“Look what I found, spying on us from the corner.” The knight who had a hold of her chuckled.

“Kirea?” Henry righted his stance and turned to look at her confused.

“Sorry...” She didn’t know what to do. Might as well keep up the act. “You... you didn’t say goodnight to me.” She played the shy, needy girl card, in the hopes that it would work. Gods, she hated herself for it.

Henry rolled his eyes as the other knights laughed.

“Not treating your girl right!” The younger man Henry had been talking to earlier was clearly enjoying this.

The knight holding her lent his head down to whisper to her. “If you ever need someone to keep you company at night, my lady.” He pulled back with a wink before releasing her.

A rather annoyed-looking Henry was advancing toward her. “What is it, woman?”

She reached up wrapping her arms around his neck, she had to stand on tip toes to whisper in his ear. “You’ll be joining me again tonight right?” She said a little too loudly for a whisper. It was intentional for his men to hear.

One arm snaked around her back while the other held his sword. He pushed her into him making her arch her back. She hated the feeling of his hands on her, but she forced a gasp as he bent his lips to her ear.

“You better explain this to me tomorrow.” He whispered so only she could hear.

She giggled biting her bottom lip. Nodding her head she peeled herself out of his grip. “I’ll be waiting.”

She couldn’t get out of there any quicker. Rounding the corner, she took off at a run back to her room, forgetting about her original purpose entirely. With no one around she planted her back against the stone wall and slid to the ground, holly crap that had been embarrassing! Not to mention a little too confronting.

She sighed, but he’d done it again, he'd protected her mother from this place. Why was he protecting them so? It was breaking her resolve, she couldn’t figure him out. It was starting to be a little hard to continue hating the man that was inadvertently saving her, constantly. Not to mention she had probably made things ten times worse for him with the Knights. Gods she was going to hear about this in the morning, she knew it.