Authors: Dena Garson
Danet’s father and the housekeeper, Ryana, met her at the
front door when she reached their home.
“What’s happened?” Sebak asked.
“Nothing, really.”
“Then why have you been escorted home? Are you ill?” Ryana
asked.
“No, no. I am well, I assure you.” Danet unwrapped her shawl
from around her hair and draped it over a hook just inside the foyer. “The
queen wanted me to return quickly and offered an escort, that is all.”
“So you are to return to the palace then?” Sebak asked.
“Yes and soon. I just needed a couple of things.” Danet
reached for Ryana’s hand. “No need for worry, Ryana.”
“So we should not plan on you for dinner, then?”
Danet smiled. “No. But I will take some of your sweetbread
for the morning if Father hasn’t eaten it all yet.”
“Even if he did, I would have another ready for you by the
morning.”
“You are too good to us.”
Ryana took her cue and returned to the kitchens, allowing
Danet a chance to speak to her father. Without a word, they went to his study.
“The queen sends her regards,” Danet began.
Sebak nodded his acknowledgement.
“She has asked me to attend the prince during his illness.
Knowing Darius would likely frown upon interference from any outside parties,
she has agreed that my role should be daily monitoring to ensure the prince’s
medicines are administered as ordered by the royal physician and the prince’s
every comfort is ensured.
“However, if I were to convey any observations I made to you
and you were to suggest alternative care methods, the queen would be open to
them.”
“I see.” Sebak fingered the edge of his robe. “It is a fine
line that you walk, daughter.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Are you sure it is one you should travel?”
“You know I cannot turn away. Even if the queen had not
asked it of me, I could not allow the prince to linger in that state when you
or I may be able to help.”
“I know. I just wanted to be sure you did. What have you
learned of his condition?”
“All outward appearances indicate he is a healthy man. He
seems to be in excellent physical shape. No infections or disease marks that I
could see. When I inspected his hands and feet, I found nothing to indicate he
had grabbed or stepped on anything.”
“Very strange.”
“Indeed. Until I found this.” She pulled out the linen she
had stashed in her bag and carefully unfolded it, revealing the thorn.
Sebak moved so the light from the window fell upon the
cloth. “Where did you find it?”
“Buried in the skin, just inside the hairline behind his
ear. Do you know what kind of plant it came from?”
“There is something familiar about this. Where have I seen
this recently…” Sebak stood and crossed the room to one of his bookshelves.
“There is more, Father.”
He turned to look at her, his hand poised in the air to
retrieve a book.
Danet moved closer so she could speak softer. “I can hear
him speaking.” She paused. “In my head.”
If he was surprised, he managed to hide it. Sebak lowered
his hand and his eyes met hers. He took a deep breath and released it. “Are you
sure it is him?”
“I am afraid so.”
“And does he know who you are?”
“He does now. The queen came in while I was changing the
linens and spoke to me. She called me by name.”
He nodded then turned away to stroll to the window. “Does he
know why the two of you were able to speak to each other this way?” he asked as
he looked out.
She chuckled. “No. I’m not certain, myself.”
Sebak looked back at her, his eyes sad. “I think you do,
child.”
Danet tried to swallow the lump that had formed in her
throat. “But how can that be, Father?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “It is something that is beyond
our control. If he is truly your destined mate, it is for a reason. One that
you may or may not be able to see in your lifetime.”
“Is there no other explanation for it?”
“None that I know of.”
“I had hoped that perhaps it was another of my gifts that
had been triggered by the prince’s outburst of emotion.”
Sebak’s eyes sparked back to life and he moved away from the
window. “So he is conscious inside his unmoving body, then?”
“Yes.”
He continued toward her. “Is he alert or groggy? Fade in and
out?”
“When I have spoken with him, he’s been alert and lucid. The
only thing that seems to make the conversation fade out is distance.” At his
questioning glance, she added, “I cannot speak to him if we are far apart.”
“That will get stronger over time.” He held her gaze.
“Assuming you want it and if the two of you are together.”
“Oh Gods, Father. What am I to do about this?” Danet sat on
a nearby chair and rubbed her hands over her face. “He is the prince. Actually,
now he is the heir to Licosia. Even if I am able to hide my abilities from him,
he’s going to want an explanation. I’m sure once he’s recovered, he’ll try to
learn anything he can about it. If I were him, and slated to be the next ruler,
I wouldn’t want a stranger having access to my thoughts.”
Sebak came and stood next to her, his hand resting on her
head. “It is a strange thing to become accustomed to.”
When she looked up at him, she saw the sadness had returned
to his eyes. “But when it is a connection between two people who love and
respect each other it is a comforting and beautiful thing. You’re never alone.
You know when the other is in need and you are certain of their feelings for
you.” He paused. “I miss it terribly. Almost as much as I miss your mother.”
Danet reached for his hand and laid her cheek against it.
“I’m sorry, Father.”
“For what?”
“That Mother was not meant to stay with us.”
“It wasn’t for us to decide.” He pulled her face up by her
chin until she looked at him. “And I know that I will see her again when my
time comes.”
She smiled though her eyes were watery.
“You had best get your things and return to the palace.”
Danet stood. “You are right.”
“I will find out which plant this,” he pointed to the thorn
on the linen, “came from and I will send word as soon as I do.”
“I plan to come home as often as I can.”
“Do what you need to, my dear.” He pulled her into a hug.
“But take care.”
“I will.” She smiled as she pulled out of his embrace. She
grabbed her bag then darted up the stairs to her room.
A change of clothes and a hairbrush went into a bag along
with her journal. At the last minute, she grabbed a few hairpins and a length
of ribbon. In case she needed to tie her hair out of the way, she told herself.
Not because she wanted to look nice once the prince was healed and fully awake.
When she returned to her father’s study she found he had
piled three books on his side table and was poring over them. The scholar was
already hard at work on the puzzle. Occasionally he would stop to take a glance
at the thorn still displayed on the linen.
“Is there anything else I should be looking for or doing to
help the prince, Father?”
Danet could tell he had to make an effort to drag himself
away from his books. “If you treated the site where you removed the thorn,
there is nothing more I can think of for now. Watch for fever and shallow
breathing.”
“I will.”
He started to turn back to his books then added, “You might
also try manipulating the muscles. It won’t help with his condition, but it
does seem to help patients confined to a bed once they are recovered.”
“Good idea. I can start that this evening.” She shifted the
weight of her bag to a better position. “I will send word of any changes if I
cannot make it home myself.”
He mumbled some response but was already engrossed in his
work so Danet slipped out the door to rejoin her escort. She decided it was
much easier getting back and forth to the palace with a guard. The crowds in
the streets made room to allow them easy passage so she didn’t work up a sweat
skirting around street vendors and boisterous children.
As she passed through the palace gates, she attempted to
connect with the prince.
Are you awake?
His voice came through, but it was faint and sounded hollow.
Unfortunately for me, I am.
Why is it unfortunate?
Darius has some poor soul cornered and has been telling
him all about the days he spent studying with the great physician, Masiurus.
Oh dear.
I bet you didn’t know that Darius almost single-handedly
cured a town of some pox.
Actually, I have heard that story before.
Would you please hurry back so you can stuff something
into my ears? Or perhaps just smother me. I don’t care which at this point.
Danet giggled then tried to stifle the sound when one of her
escorts looked at her oddly.
He’s not that bad.
He’s been here for what feels like hours.
I haven’t been gone that long.
So you say.
She rolled her eyes.
I’m coming in the front entrance,
I’ll be there momentarily.
Despite her amusement at the prince’s annoyance, she was not
looking forward to the confrontation with Darius. She knew it wouldn’t be long
before he made an appearance, but she had hoped to avoid him a bit longer.
Getting through the guards at the prince’s quarters was no
problem so obviously she was still assigned to his care. She glided into the
prince’s room and found Darius seated on the chair the queen had occupied
earlier. He was speaking to a young man who was wearing apprentice robes.
Danet guessed the younger man was a new student Darius was
training.
She made her bows and greeted Darius. “Good afternoon,
Master Darius. How are you?”
“Good afternoon, Danet.” He stood. “I am well, thank you.”
He swept a hand toward the young man, who also stood. “This is Ishaq. He has
recently come to Licosia and will be studying with me as an apprentice.”
Poor bastard
, the prince mumbled. Danet tried to
ignore his comment, even though it was amusing.
Ishaq tipped his head, not quite in a bow, but neither was
it a formal greeting. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, Danet.”
Inwardly she sighed. She wasn’t sure if Darius failed to
give her proper credit for rank on purpose or not. It was hard to tell with
him.
“Mistress Danet,” she gently corrected Ishaq. “Welcome to
Licosia. I hope your tenure is educational. Even though my tenure was served
with another, I have frequently benefited from Master Darius’ experiences here
at the palace.”
Well done. In one breath you let the new kid know where
he stood in rank and left it open as to whether or not Darius’ experiences were
positive or negative.
Don’t distract me while I’m verbally sparring.
She tried to maintain a neutral expression and not react to
the prince’s comments or Darius’ borderline insults.
“Yes, Danet is the daughter of an old colleague of mine.
I’ve known her since she was a babe. She has served the queen and her daughters
for many turns of the suns.”
“Ah.” Ishaq glanced back and forth between them, obviously
uncomfortable with the undercurrents in the room.
“Speaking of the queen.” Darius made a poor segue to the
subject he was really there to discuss. “I understand you will be handling the
prince’s daily care.”
“That is correct.”
“May I assume that any changes in the prince’s condition you
notice will be reported to me immediately?”
“Naturally.”
Unless I tell you otherwise,
the prince added.
“And will you be administering his medicines?” Darius asked.
“I will ensure they are given at the correct intervals and
oversee the doses.”
Darius held her gaze. “I assume you will monitor any food
and drink also?”
“Of course.”
“Very well.” Darius straightened his robes. “I will make it
a point to check with you each day to get a report.”
Danet nodded once to show her concurrence. “Before you go, would
you mind making a note of everything you have ordered so far?” She pointed to
the desk across the room from them. “Any foods or drinks as well as any herbs
or medicines would be good to know. I assume you have ordered bland fluids and
water for now.”
“Yes, for now.”
“Then I will continue your suggested course.”
The prince grumbled something about lack of nourishment.
“I expected no less. I’ve only ordered a few herbs until we
can determine the reason for his condition with certainty.” He scribbled a few
things on the paper lying on the desk. “Ishaq and I must go. Aleric expects us
shortly.”
“Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.” Danet pasted a smile on
her face.
Ishaq mumbled some farewell as he followed Darius out.
As soon as they were gone, Danet rolled her eyes and
mumbled, “Thank the Gods.”
Is he always that condescending to you?
Yes. When he does bother to speak. Most of the time he
ignores me.
I’ve often wondered how he acted with other people. I
remember him as being very self-important and meddlesome yet highly submissive,
all at the same time. It’s rather annoying.
Unfortunately I’ve seen it in action so I know what you
mean.
Danet retrieved the list Darius had written. Nothing
unexpected there. However she would verify with Hesina’s staff that nothing had
been left off.
Enough about him. Now that Mother has made it allowable
for you to be in here, what’s your plan?
My plan? It’s simple really. Figure out what’s wrong and
stop it or make it go away.
Good plan. Any more information than that?
Not as much as I’d like, but we’re working on it.