The Sentinel of Cassendar: Resquarian

Leal saw her thrown to the ground towards the cliff. He had just gotten close enough to the front to see what was going on, having glamoured himself as a Siccarian soldier, keeping in the middle of the group to avoid detection by Dracia. When the fighting had started suddenly, he found himself unable to see her as soldiers surrounded him.

He had been careful to not use his Cassendar power too much as he was still not in complete control of it. He didn’t want to harm any Siccarian soldiers around him, but now seeing Dracia hurt and in danger, he didn’t care. He jumped off his horse and ran towards her, sending a group of enemy soldiers flying with just a look. His power surged within him as he continued to run towards her. He saw Darron advancing on her on his horse, and he raised his hands, letting his power loose across the field, trying to shield all those on his side he could, especially Dracia.

He put his hands down to see dead soldiers everywhere. He looked at Dracia, and she was laying on the edge of the cliff very still. He hoped he had not harmed her. Before he could go to her, he saw Darron. Wanting nothing more than to kill the man in front of him, he felt his power build as he raised his hand. Before he could let his power go, Belleth rode up quickly, grabbing Darron and disappearing into nothing, leaving only a bright light.

Leal stood shocked for one moment, wondering what had just happened. He looked around, seeing if they reappeared somewhere else close by, but there was nothing around him but Siccarian soldiers and Elites finishing off the last of the Navalian army, while Ethen, Roderick, and Galen stared at Leal. Leal turned and walked quickly towards Dracia. He kneeled down, and gently turned her towards him, away from the cliff.

“What are you doing here?” she asked in obvious pain, sitting up slightly.

“Do not get up, dearest, not until we can do something about your leg,” said Leal as he looked down at her definitely broken leg.

“You didn’t answer my question,” said Dracia angrily. “Why are you here?”

“I couldn’t just let you go. I can’t just watch you go off into battle while I stay safe in some palace, not anymore, not after all you have been through. I had to be here to help you, and protect you if I could,” said Leal.

“What if you would have been killed, then what?” asked Dracia as she laid back down, grimacing in pain.

“I am not the one who almost fell off a cliff,” he said with a small smile. “I am well, Dracia. Now, quit fussing at me, and let us get you some help.”

Leal looked up to see Galen, Roderick, and Ethen approaching them. They all three kneeled down close to Dracia, Galen close to her side.

“It is just my leg,” said Dracia with some effort. “The rest of me is fine.”

Galen already had his hand over her leg, frowning as he moved his hands slowly back and forth. “It is broken, but I think it is clean. Is there a healer that traveled with us who could set it? I have not done it yet, only read about it.”

“I will go see Lord Owin and find out,” said Ethen as he stood. “Do not let her try to get up until I come back.”

Leal nodded as he picked her up slightly, helping her to sit up against him.

“Roderick, Galen, are you both well?” she asked.

“We are fine, Dracia,” said Roderick as he looked at her worriedly. “I was just scared no one would get to you in time to help you.”

“I was trying to shield you during the battle, but I lost focus after Aarit threw me off,” she said as she tried to sit up further and look around. “Is Aarit alright? Have you seen him?”

“I believe he is fine. He trotted off a bit after you calmed him. I will go find him in a minute. Why do you think he acted so?” asked Roderick.

“Belleth,” said Dracia. “She must have done something to him as I rode towards her. Where did she and Darron go?”

“I don’t know,” said Leal. “I was hoping to kill Darron with the others, but he must have been shielded somehow. Belleth grabbed him, and they both disappeared.”

“What power does she have?” asked Dracia closing her eyes and shaking her head.

“It must have something to do with old magic,” said Galen. “You have felt the power before, High Captain. She must have mastery over it.”

Dracia nodded. “We will need to learn as much about as we can when we get back.”

“First, we will get you well,” said Leal as Ethen walked up with two men and Lord Owin.

“Your majesty, when did you get here?” asked Lord Owin looking down at Leal.

“I’m afraid I infiltrated your group, and rode along with you since Radarial,” said Leal. “I am sorry for my deception, but I could not let my queen ride off to battle without me.”

Lord Owin said nothing as Roderick and Galen stood up so the two men could see to Dracia’s leg. Roderick went to go find Dracia’s horse, while Galen walked over to his own horse. The two men waved their hands over Dracia’s leg, one of them holding a stick and some binds of cloth. Dracia closed her eyes grimacing as she held on to Leal’s arm while the men worked.

When they were done, they nodded at Leal, saying her leg was set, and would take a few weeks to heal. She would need to be careful with it. Leal thanked them both as they stood up.

“How will we get you back to Radarial?” asked Ethen.

“I will ride,” said Dracia. “This is not the first time I have broken a bone, Ethen. It will not be comfortable, but I can ride Aarit back carefully. Leal, help me up.”

“Dracia, I am not sure you have ever broken a bone this badly. I am not sure you riding Aarit is safe,” said Leal, thinking maybe she could ride with him, keeping her leg up, or they could find a cart in the village.

“Help me up, Leal. I will ride back,” she said as she pushed up from him.

Leal sighed and stood up. He stood behind her and picked her up at her waist, setting her on her good leg, and keeping a hold of her. She grimaced a bit and leaned on him.

“You do realize you can barely stand still without being a pain,” said Leal. “How do you plan to stay on a horse?”

She shrugged. “I can do it. I want to at least try.”

Galen came over with a small vial. “You should drink this, High Captain. It will help with your pain. It is not the strongest thing I have to help pain, but you will be able to stay awake with this one. When we stop, I will give you something else to help you sleep.”

Dracia took the vial and drank it, making a face as she swallowed it. “That is very awful, Galen.”

“I know. It is bitter weed of Siccaria. It is not very appetizing, but it does well to numb pain,” said Galen as Roderick brought Aarit over to her.

Dracia hobbled over with Leal’s help and stroked Aarit’s nose, whispering into his ear.

“Are you sure he is safe to ride?” asked Leal looking at the large animal.

“Yes, he is well now,” said Dracia. “He will not hurt me. He never meant to.”

“We should get you back to Radarial,” said Ethen as he turned to Lord Owin. “I will ride back with the High Captain and her Elites if you will stay around here and clean up. Make sure all the dead get a proper farewell. You can inform their families when you return.”

Lord Owin nodded. “You are sure you will all be well protected on the road?”

“We have sixteen healthy Elites, two High Nobles of Siccaria, and the king of Lanoxan and his powers. I think we will be just fine,” said Ethen. “Come home as soon as you can, my lord.”

Lord Owin bowed. “Take care of yourselves, especially the queen. If she is anything like her natural mother, she will not admit to half the pain she is really in.”

“You are really going to ride?” asked Leal feeling a mixture of feelings for the woman he had married. He was very relieved she was well, and he admired her bravery, but could she not just let him take care of her for one moment?

“Yes, I would at least like to try. Will you help me up?” she asked.

Leal looked at Ethen and Roderick as they stared back, Ethen shrugging his shoulders.

“Fine,” said Leal as he helped her over to the back of Aarit and lifted her up by her waist, sitting her as carefully as he could on her saddle. She swung her good leg over and adjusted herself in her seat.

“Yes, I will do very well, I think. Should we get down the road a bit before we stop to eat and rest?”

Leal nodded as he looked for the horse he had ridden on earlier. He found the dark horse and mounted, seeing Roderick, Galen, and Ethen were ready to go. He nodded to Lord Owin as Dracia moved her horse forward, Leal riding by her side. Ethen, Roderick, and Galen followed just behind, with the remaining Elites bringing up the rear.

They rode back towards the village, Leal constantly looking over to Dracia as they rode.

“How many Siccarian soldiers did we lose, do you think?” asked Dracia looking back at Ethen, only a slight grimace on her face.

“Not as many as I feared when we were ambushed. I would guess less than seventy-five. We are fortunate over half our force wasn’t taken out, but you and Galen were impressive taking out a great number at once.”

“And Leal finishing off the rest at the end,” said Dracia as she looked at Leal. “Though he shouldn’t have been there at all.”

“We are on this again, are we?” asked Leal with irritation. “If I hadn’t have come, you would be dead Dracia, and I would have been waiting back at the palace, having no idea.”

“You don’t know if I would have died. I was still planning on putting up a fight. I was only resting,” said Dracia as she slightly moved in her saddle, closing her eyes, and making a soft noise as Leal was sure pain moved through her.

Leal shook his head. “I don’t want to argue with you, especially when you aren’t feeling well. I really do not like you angry at me, but I will take your anger over your demise any day.”

Dracia sighed but didn’t say anything further. She seemed to be concentrating on riding. They took a short break after passing through the village. Leal helped Dracia down, but she still did not speak to him much. He helped her to sit down and handed her a bit of food and water. She ate quietly as everyone else talked around her. Leal watched her. He had seen her annoyed with him before, and had experienced her silent treatment as well. Still, there seemed to be something despite her pouting with this bout. Perhaps her pain was affecting her. Whatever it was, Leal hoped she would snap out of it soon. He did not like being at odds with her.

They soon were on the road again. They rode through the afternoon and into the evening as the sun set, taking only one more break. They finally stopped after the sun was long gone in the sky, and Leal thought Dracia may eventually fall from the saddle in exhaustion and pain. He quickly jumped off his horse after they stopped and went over to her, as she almost fell from her horse and into his arms. He carried her over to a tree so she could rest against it as everyone else set up places to rest.

Leal grabbed some things from his horse, as Galen walked over to Dracia, giving her something for her pain and sparking a fire in front of her to keep her warm. She smiled at him and thanked him as Leal walked up to her. He sat down next to her as everyone else moved around.

“Are you really going to be angry with me for the whole way back?” he asked as he looked at her.

“I’m not angry, not really,” she said quietly as she looked down.

“Then what is it? Why are you so quiet? Is it the pain, or is it something else?”

She took a couple of breaths and continued to look at the ground. She licked her lips and sighed as she asked him, “Do you not trust me in battle? Is that why you have wanted me to give up my position as High Captain? Do you not trust me to lead your fighters?”

Leal drew back slightly, surprised by her question and the sound of her voice. She sounded hurt and disappointed.

“Dracia, how can you ask that, knowing the things I have seen you do?”

“You have always wanted me to stay behind from battles, and you actually glamoured yourself to sneak into the Siccarian army. Why would you put yourself at risk unless you thought I couldn’t handle this?”

“It has nothing to do with your skill. It never has,” said Leal. “Do you know what its like to see you ride off to some battle not knowing if you will come back while I wait behind like some damsel that needs protecting?”

“So, your pride has been hurt because I fight while you stay behind?” asked Dracia.

“No, not really. I think I would be fine staying behind if you were with me. I would worry for our other friends, but I would not feel ashamed. Perhaps I said it wrong. I am not ashamed you ride off while I stay behind. I am so filled with worry and dread, I can barely function. After Navalia, I promised myself I would never let you ride off to fight without being by your side. I would train and find a way to be worthy to fight with you.”

“I never thought you weren’t worthy, Leal. You are talented in many ways,” said Dracia. “But you are so important. You are our king now. We cannot lose you to some battle on foreign soil before we have even started to protect our kingdom.”

“You are important as well, Dracia, and I will not listen to you say I could find someone else to further my line because it is not true.”

“I don’t have the energy to argue with you about it,” said Dracia with a yawn as she leaned her head on his shoulder. “I just want to keep you safe.”

“And I want to keep you safe as well, my love,” said Leal. “I also want to share your burdens and your duties because they are mine too. You aren’t the only one who wants to protect others. I want to be a king who fights for my people, and your people as well. You are of Siccaria, Dracia, and I will see to the well-fare of your kingdom.”

“I am still not convinced you should have come, but I am glad you are here now,” she said as she closed her eyes. “I don’t like being away from you.”

“Nor I, you,” said Leal as he kissed her head. “Why don’t you lie down and sleep, or do you wish to eat first?”

“I am not hungry. I just want to rest,” said Dracia.

Leal helped her to lay down, placing her head in his lap.

“I am not some helpless damsel either, Leal,” she said softly. “You do not have to protect me.”

“I know you are not helpless, dearest. You are very strong, and I know you can take care of yourself, but I want to protect you as you want to protect me.”

She nodded, but was soon asleep as Leal smiled down at her. Galen came and sat on the other side of her. He gently took off her boot as she moved slightly in her sleep. He rolled up her pant leg where the men earlier had cut it and looked at her leg. Leal could see it was very colorful and swollen as Galen looked at it and placed his hand over it for a moment.

“It is still set well. I was afraid she might have shifted it somehow while she was riding, but it seems alright,” said Galen carefully putting her foot down, and moving her cloak so it covered her bare leg.

Roderick and Ethen came and sat down around the fire, Roderick handing Leal some food and water.

“Is she truly asleep?” asked Ethen.

“She should be very asleep with what I gave her,” said Galen. “I hope she sleeps for a while. It will be the best thing for her.”

“What are you going to do with her when its time to go to Lanoxan?” asked Ethen looking down at her.

“What do you mean?” asked Leal.

“Belleth obviously wants to be done with her. I am not sure what her true goal was sending a force here to Siccaria and joining the group herself, but it seems at least part of it was to get to Dracia. Think of the trouble she went through in Navalia to get Dracia alone.”

Roderick nodded. “Darron had one mission today it seemed, and that was to find a way to end her.”

“I wonder if Belleth is scared of the High Captain,” said Galen. “The High Captain told me she was able to defend herself against Belleth. She said when she escaped the winter palace, she was able to keep Belleth away from her somehow.

“Also, think of the prophecies the woman was studying. They all seemed to come down to Dracia, or they could at least be interpreted that way,” said Ethen.

“So, Belleth may see Dracia as the main thing in the way of taking over Lanoxan if that is her goal,” said Leal.

“I think her goal may be bigger than that, but yes,” said Galen.

“She should stay behind in Siccaria when you go to Lanoxan,” said Ethen.

“You know she won’t agree to it,” said Leal.

“I do,” said Ethen. “You will have to keep her safe as she fights. I believe there is a reason Belleth is scared of her. I am not one for prophecies, but if it has rattled a woman with the kind of power I saw today, then there must be something to it.”

“I won’t lose her,” said Leal as he moved some hair that had fallen into her face. “We will not move into Lanoxan until we are very ready. I know the kingdom may suffer, but we will do this right. She will be completely well first, and I will do all I can to make sure I have full control over my power. We will use the next few weeks to send messages throughout the kingdom, alerting our allies, and the Sentinel. We can send out Elites with messages.”

Ethen nodded. “We will spare all the Siccarian soldiers we can to travel with us. It seems drawing Belleth out will not be difficult. I wonder of Fannar’s part in all of this. He is the king now.”

“Dracia believes he is being controlled by Belleth,” said Leal.

“One woman, causing so much trouble. I’ve said it before, but it seems impossible.”

“But you saw what she did today,” said Roderick. “I don’t think she is an ordinary woman.”

“No,” said Galen. “I will use all the time I can in the next few weeks to figure out exactly who she is, and what she is doing.”

“You all seem to have jobs to do while we wait to go to Lanoxan,” said Roderick. “How should I spend my time?”

“Keeping your High Captain still so she can heal, Roderick,” said Leal with a quiet laugh.

“You might as well ask me to travel alone and kill Lady Belleth myself,” said Roderick shaking his head.

“Roderick, you will not spend your time watching me,” said Dracia quietly with her eyes closed. “You have another woman you would do better to watch than me. I guarantee you will be more successful with Lady Selene.”

Ethen chuckled softly as Leal smiled, bending down and kissing Dracia’s head.

“I thought you said what you gave her would keep her asleep,” said Roderick with red cheeks.

Galen shrugged. “It should have. She seems to be asleep now. I guess she feels fairly strongly about you succeeding with Lady Selene.”

“Or anyone being able to keep her still,” said Leal.

Dracia moved slightly and made a noise that to Leal sounded very much like the world “both.”

They arrived back to the Aurorial palace late at night. Riding up to the front door, they were met with some attendants. Leal helped Dracia down from Aarit, quickly picking her up before she could protest and bringing her into the palace, leaving the others behind.

“You are back,” said Lexine happily as she came out into the hall, her face quickly falling. “Dracia, are you not well?”

“I am fine, Lexine. It is only a slight injury with my leg, and your brother is being dramatic as usual. Your young man is outside, and waiting for you to see him.”

Lexine walked beside Leal. “Are you sure you are alright, Dracia?”

“Yes, of course. I only want to clean up and go to sleep. I know you are dying to see Galen so go to it,” said Dracia.

Lexine stopped walking, and Leal assumed she went to meet Galen, even though she was wearing a nightgown and robe. He could not blame her for being anxious to see him. How many times had he practically dropped anything he was doing and ran to meet Dracia when she had come back from a battle?

Leal finally got to the door of their room. He placed Dracia down gently so he could open their door, wanting to pick her back up when he had it opened, but she hopped in the room, and to the sofa by the fireplace, falling down on it.

“I imagine you will want to take a bath even though it is so late,” said Leal.

“Yes, and you should as well. Pull the cord and summon Malven. I am sure he is up as it is, though we are probably interrupting something.”

Before Leal could pull the cord, the door opened and Malven walked in. “I’ve already seen to water being brought to your rooms,” said Malven. “Lord Ethen sent for the palace healer to come as well. He should be here after your bath, High Captain.”

“So quickly? How did you arrange things so swiftly, Malven?” asked Dracia.

“I have been waiting for your arrival. It is my job to see to your needs, even anticipate them.”

“You are quite wonderful, Malven. Can you see to some food and tea, and alert Lanie I need her assistance?” asked Dracia.

The door opened again and Lanie walked in with tea and some simple food.

“This is too much, Malven. We need to have you in on our meetings to save Lanoxan as I believe you might either be able to read minds or see the future,” said Dracia as she slowly put her leg up on the sofa.

“He is just showing off for you, Dracia,” said Leal as he sat down in a chair near her. “Do not encourage him.”

“Don’t listen to him, Malven. I find you impressive and that is the end of it,” said Dracia.

Leal rolled his eyes as Malven beamed, but he didn’t argue with her.

After they had both bathed, and Leal helped Dracia to the bed, the healer came in and checked on her leg, putting a fresh splint on it, and clucking over the state of it. “You will have to be very careful for a few weeks, if you don’t want a limp, your majesty. I will send you a poultice to put on it to help with the swelling and discomfort, but you need to keep it elevated as much as possible, and definitely no more riding.”

Dracia huffed. “I just got well enough to do all that I love, and now I have to stay still for weeks? I will simply have to will my leg to heal quickly.”

The healer smiled. “I know it is frustrating, but there is still plenty you can do, including reading or sewing, perhaps you paint, your majesty?”

“She does not,” said Leal. “She has always been very active, preferring the outdoors.”

You can travel around the palace in a few days with help, and sit outside a bit, but mostly you do need to rest it.”

“I will see to it,” said Leal looking at Dracia.

“Very good, your majesty. Here is something she can take for the pain, and it will help her sleep,” said the healer.

Dracia took the elixir as Leal saw the man out. He put out candles throughout the room and then took off his robe, slipping into bed with Dracia.

“I am sorry you are hurt, dearest, but I am glad it was not worse,” said Leal as he turned to her and kissed her cheek.

“I am grateful for what you did for me, Leal. I really am, but I wish you had just told me you planned to go with us.”

“And how would that conversation have gone?” asked Leal.

Dracia sighed loudly in response.

“You aren’t the only stubborn one in this relationship, Dracia. When I feel I am right, I can be just as firm in my decisions as you, and from now on I will fight by your side. If you go to a battle, I will ride beside you.”

She was quiet for a few moments, and Leal began to wonder if she had already fallen asleep.

“I heard some of what you talked about with Ethen, Galen, and Roderick last night,” said Dracia. “I am not scared of Lady Belleth, you know.”

“I doubt you are scared of much of anything,” said Leal as he smiled at her. “But you must admit it does put you in extreme danger.”

“I know, but I will not stay behind here while you go fight for our kingdom. If you are adamant about being by my side on the battlefield, it goes both ways. You will not fight anywhere unless I am right next to you.”

“Agreed,” said Leal. “Now go to sleep. You will only be able to will your leg better faster if you get your rest.” He kissed her forehead.

“I do love you, Leal. You say I am not scared of anything, but I am scared to death of losing you.”

“You will not lose me, my love. I promise it,” said Leal quietly as she closed her eyes. He watched as her breathing quickly became even, and he could see she was clearly asleep. He whispered, “I promise I will not lose you, as well.”