Caeli slowly came awake. She felt as though she was forcibly dragging her mind from a tarry pool in order to come to consciousness. The oblivion of deep sleep clutching desperately at her, coaxing her back into slumber.
She was unsure of how long she struggled to come awake. It felt like centuries.
Suddenly she was able to feel her body again, and a throbbing pain radiated from her right shoulder. The sharp bombardment made her feel as though she would vomit.
Swallowing bile she tried to slow her breathing and take a look around.
She was terrified to realize that she was unable to move. She attempted to turn her head with no success. She then attempted to lift her hand to her face. She wanted to see. Had she gone blind? What had happened?
Caeli remembered up until she had clashed swords with Callon.
She huffed with a humorless attempt at laughter.
The imbecile. She had underestimated his madness.
Their swords had come together, her small amount of training had paid off somewhat. Although, admittedly, just a novice, Caeli could tell that Callon's skills with a sword were average. His movements predictable.
His insanity was more of a concern than anything else.
She told herself to focus. She needed to try and figure out what was going on.
Where was she?
Either it was black as pitch or she had lost her eye sight for she could see nothing.
Darkness had never been a stranger to her but always in the darkness had been the moon and the stars. Stepping stones to ground herself in the disorienting absence of light.
As time seemed to pass, she felt her panic rise. Was she dead? Was death an everlasting darkness in which you sit alone and with your own thoughts?
She did not realize how much that thought scared her until the moment was upon her.
Her breathing quickened and she could feel hot tears run down her cheeks, and still she could not move.
She heard a moaning, or maybe more of a groaning noise. Desperate, afraid.
The sound caused her panic to sky rocket, assuming that there was something in the room with her that she could not see. It took her a few moments to realize it was her voice. It was her throat pushing the sound into existence in the air around her.
Some of her panic subsided but she still felt as though she were drowning.
Where were her friends? Were they alright? Was she near the Ausia Mountains? And if not, how far away?
With each inquiry her panic rose until tears went from trickling down her face to pouring, only able to hear her own soft sobs.
Suddenly she heard a whoosh of air, felt it over her body. Just as she thought she couldn't be more frightened, she realized something was in the room with her in reality. Her breathing hitched as she tried desperately to look around with her eyes, to try and see anything. Anything.
There was a flash of brilliant light, burning her retinas.
After a few minutes her eyes began to adjust.
She found that the brilliant light was actually dimly glowing stones, like the quartz ones in Flumen, embedded in walls of what looked like black marble. She could not see any further down from where she lay and her body still wasn't responding to her commands.
"Caeli?", she heard a deep gravelly voice.
Caeli's breathe stopped, her eyes wide and wet with fear, her tears making it even more difficult to see in the dark room.
Her vision swerved and finally landed on a skeletal face hovering above hers. Attached to the skull was a dragons body, as black and hard as the walls that surrounded her.
"Raven?", she said through teeth that were clenched, unable to relax them.
A large clawed hand came to rest gently on the side of her face. The comforting gesture tore a gaping whole into her fear and she wept with relief.
Raven laughed shakily as tears fell from his hollow eyes. Not wanting to hurt her, he leaned his head forward and touched it to hers. He let loose a deep sigh.
Caceli continued to cry still fearful of what lay ahead but grateful for a familiar face, all things in the past forgotten for a moment.
"Shhh, I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you, I swear it. Shh now.", Raven said, his words reassuring despite the cracking and wavering of his voice.
Caeli tried as hard as she could to speak, to tell him she couldn't move but it came out as a clenched moan instead.
Raven lifted his head, realizing she was trying to say something.
"Are you having difficulty moving?", he asked without thinking.
"If yes blink once, if no blink twice.", he said. If she couldn't move then she wouldn't be able to answer his question.
Caeli took a shaking breath before blinking once at him. She tried with all her might not to resume crying from the thought of being paralyzed for the rest of her life.
"Easy. Easy. It is not uncommon for those with great Traveling abilities to experience sleeping paralysis. I am surprised that you have not experienced it before now.", he said as he gingerly embraced her to sit her up against his chest.
"You Traveled far Caeli. Far away from your body, and for an extended amount of time. Such Travels can mean your body is out of sync with your mind. Give it just a few more minutes. Your body will realize that you are awake. Just breathe.", he said softly. He rocked her gently in his arms as her sobs began to slow.
After a few minutes he could feel her head shakily moving in an attempt to turn.
Before long she was moving freely. Very weakly but her body was once more under her command.
"I have so many questions.", Caeli said, the words slow and halting in their effort. Her voice raw and rasping from disuse.
Raven nodded, leaned forward and stacked a few large pillows to lean her back against.
"In time.", he said, regretting it once he saw her expression of fear and hurt. "I swear it Caeli. I just mean that you should eat while you are awake, you have been living off of liquids for quite sometime. It will help you regain your strength. I will talk while you eat. I swear it.", Raven said hurriedly. The last thing he wanted to do was cause her pain again. He was sure she was recalling their time together, his betrayal, and he knew the pain it caused him.
He squeezed her hand before standing from his spot on the bed. He turned to pull the covers over her.
"Right back.", he said soothingly, it tore at him to see her expression of fear, and made him proud to see her determination in fighting it, but there was somethings he needed to address immediately, especially now that he knew his spell had worked.
For now.
He looked down into the swimming brown depths he remembered so well. In them he saw the battle that waged between her fear and her instinct to remain calm.
"You should not be alone.", he said just before a hollow sounding whistle was emitted from the skull that was his face.
Only a second later, a creature that resembled a large man with thin wings, resembling a bats, appeared behind Raven. His dark skin resembling the night sky.
"My lord.", the man said bowing deeply at the waist with a hand pressed to his heart.
Raven took Caeli's hand once more.
"This is Einar, I trust him with my life. He will stay with you until I return. You are in my home, you will be safe and he will not leave you. I'll return to you as soon as I'm able.", he said placing her hand in her lap before letting go and turning to talk to the man named Einar.
"Stay with her at all times, keep the lights lit. Her mind is as fragile as her body. Bring her whatever she needs to be comfortable, and get her something to eat. Something small. She hasn't had solid food for some time. And call me immediately if anything happens. You will do this for me Einar?", Raven said, bringing his large clawed hand to rest on the mans shoulder.
Einars heart raced. This was the woman. THE woman. The fairy child. And he was being trusted to be her caregiver, her protector, while his lord was away.
"Of course my lord. I will tend her well.", he said, bowing deeply once more.
Raven gave an approving nod before sandy smoke consumed him, dissipating to reveal that he was no longer in the room.
——————————————————
Einar took a deep breath, the poor thing was a ghost of a girl. Her body rail thin, her cheeks sunken. But despite these qualities, her eyes were deep dark pools of intelligence, her hair was silken. Her skin had a golden glow beneath the surface that one would not expect in a person who was so ill.
He could see why his master cared for her.
Although she was afraid, he could see the thick steel beneath. The strength.
The girl was an anomaly unto herself, so many conflicting qualities gathered into one. Her body frail and her mind tattered yet she fought and she survived.
*She's everything no one would expect, and exactly what everyone finds so alluring.", he thought to himself.
"I am Einar my lady, Chief of Staff and Royal General of the castle you find yourself in. Please inform me of anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable.", he said gently, her heart beating so loudly he could hear it.
The double title was almost lost on Caeli as she attempted to sift through the overwhelming fear and exhaustion she was experiencing.
Caeli gave a weak half smile, her eyes heavily lidded. The smile almost reaching her eyes.
"Thank you Einar, you are very kind.", she said quietly. She was silent for quite some time, her facial expression waxing and waning between fear, confusion and exhaustion. The sight was alarming to watch.
"Might I suggest a small meal? Then we can get you cleaned up after your travels, and new clothes as well.", he said moving slowly to the bedside where a bell sat, not wanting to startle her.
From what Caeli could see, it looked as though he had rung it, but she could hear no sound.
A moment later a woman appeared, her skin a work of art. Dark shades of blue and purple, some spots more vibrant, and what looked like small white lights shimmering across her entire body.
Her eyes and hair were pure white and she wore a simple outfit of loose black fabric.
She bent to one knee and bowed at the waist with her hand over her heart.
"A meal for the lady, two soup choices, an entree, and two desserts. Send women to assist in her bath and getting her dressed in something more comfortable. Send Lynx as one of the women, she will be considerate.", Einar said decisively.
The woman nodded before disappearing.
"Should only be a moment my lady. In the meantime, we will need to find you something to wear.", he said striding to a dark portion of wall where a darkly stained wardrobe of tremendous size stood.
He slowly swung the doors open, afraid to move too quickly and startle the girl further.
His master had mentioned her state of mind being fragile.
He would need to be beyond considerate, expertly anticipatory, focused. At peak performance.
Her comfort and safety his ultimate goal.
He browsed through the simply cut dresses that hung inside of the closet.
Something thicker, she likely was having trouble regulating her temperature due to her small size and lack of nutrition.
Something soft, as not to offend her senses.
Something secure in a time of instability.
He choose a black dress with a square neck line and long chiffon sleeves in the poet style. The bodice made of velvet was soft but thicker than linen. The dress would be floor length but loosely fitting. A slit on both sides would allow her legs to move freely.
*Under clothings can be determined by the female house hands.*, Einar thought to himself, his neck suddenly warm.
He pulled the dress out and hung it on an almost invisible hook that was on the front of the wardrobe.
Only a moment later two men, their skin similar to the woman Caeli had seen before, hoisted a large wooden tub into the room. Two more followed with large buckets of steaming water. The men filled the tub and quietly left the room.
Two women entered with arms full of things Caeli could not discern in the dimly lit room.
One last person entered, another woman, carrying unfolding privacy covers, placing them strategically to block Einars view, who now stood near the rooms entrance.
"The ladies will help you, please do not get up on your own, my lord says that you are weak and they are happy to assist.", he said.
Two of the women slowly approached the bedside, as they drew close Caeli turned her gaze to Einar.
He watched as the fear and courage fought in her eyes.
The expression crippling. Compelling him to comfort her, even knowing that this was not the intention of the girl. Maybe more so because of this fact.
Or was it the knowing eyes and the old soul he saw reflected there? Was it the strength he watched her exhibit as she fought the tears and mental break he was sure was looming inside of her mind? Or was it the warmth he had seen just a flash of when she had thanked him and told him he was kind.
It could also be due to her size. It was a rational enough logic. But he had never been so compelled in the past.
"Would you prefer that I stay?", he said hesitantly.
Caeli glanced at the women and nodded. She remembered now. It had come back to her when she saw the first woman with sky skin.
Like the one that had blown a hole into her chest.
She was afraid when the memory returned to her, but she also felt useless. She should have anticipated the attack.
She needed training and she needed to find a mentor soon. It would seem finding a place for yourself in the world also means that you must be agile, strong, prepared.
If she lived long enough to leave this unknown place, she would make it her goal to find a teacher who could show her how to hide from those like Callon, and how to eliminate those like the night woman.
Although Caeli wasn't particularly fond of the idea of a strange man in the room while she bathed, she had a hesitancy, she hated to admit, to the women trying to help her.
"Perhaps.. just face the door? If that would be alright.", Caeli said, lacking the energy to be truly abashed.
Einar bowed deeply then turned to face the door, his hands clasped behind his back.
The two women gently lifted her from the bed, the taller one especially careful of her wound.
Caeli took notice of her consideration.
"Thank you.", Caeli said softly.
The woman smiled, her mouth full of stunning and perfectly white teeth.
"That is a nasty wound you have there. Not to worry though my lady, we'll fix you right up.", she said.
Caeli tried to read the woman's intent, she found it difficult in her current state but decided her kindness was genuine. This time, it was her intuition and she was going to trust it.
The women helped her behind the canvas coverings and to the edge of the tub.
They carefully assisted her out of her clothes and into the tub.
As soon as Caeli was settled they took to working with the items they had brought.
One woman mixed together a combination of things she did not recognize, resulting in a milky mixture, beautiful dried flowers floating in it. The smell reminded Caeli of oatmeal and honey making her stomach growl.
The women laughed kind heartedly.
"Food should be on the way my lady, I'd bet we'll have you right proper just as it arrives.", the tall woman said warmly.
The warm water washed away sticky sweat that covered the entirety of Caeli's body. The warmth seeped into her muscles and bones. She could have cried at the relief of the pain that seemed to be coming from every bone in her body.
"This part will be difficult but it must be done my lady.", the shorter woman said sadly, a small bowl in one hand and a rag in the other.
Caeli swallowed hard and nodded.
The taller woman crouched to hold Caeli's hand in both of hers, gazing into her eyes.
"What is your name my lady?", she said all of a sudden. As Caeli went to answer the throbbing in her shoulder turned to fire hot searing pain.
Caeli sucked air quickly between clenched teeth.
"Caeli. Yours?", she said with some difficulty.
"Lynx. After the constellation. Where are you from?", she continued on.
Caeli continued to be bombarded with waves of pain, her head getting dizzy.
Caeli thought about her reply before answering. On one hand she knew she had been raised in the village with her aunt and uncle. One the other hand she had memories of being young and being with her mother making tarts and doing chores together.
She still wasn't sure what was going on but she wanted desperately to set it aside and rest. She had never been so tired in her life.
Her mind was still trying desperately to reconcile. Two different Caeli's attempting to come together and be one. She had found ways to ground herself in the moments where she was being overwhelmed, but being drained of all of her strength made it that much more difficult.
"Ausia. A small rural village. No where special.", she said with a chuckle, her exhaustion lowering her inhibitions.
*She is exhausted just from going to the bath from the bed. Poor dear.", Lynx thought to herself.
Finally the other maid finished her tending.
"May I wash your hair? It's quite beautiful my lady, if I do say so myself.", the shorter one said gently, sorry that she had to clean the wound.
Caeli lifted the thick lengths out of the water. Her hair had gone entirely white. White like the petals of baby's breath, or the moon light.
Too tired to be shocked, she nodded to the maid. She struggled to lift the strands just above the water, she wouldn't be able to reach her head.
The two women helped Caeli bathe and dry herself. Lynx went to the cupboard and found a thin silk shift to go beneath the gown that Einar had chosen for her. Lastly, they placed her arm in a sling to discourage her from using the limb and to allow the wound to be undisturbed during the healing process.
Once she was dressed, along with her wound, they assisted her to the bed.
"Thank you.", Caeli said softly to Lynx who in turn took her hand and patted it before pulling the covers over her.
"Eat, rest. You are safe here madam. I promise you.", Lynx said, wanting desperately to comfort the girl. She was kind and considerate, even through her pain and her terror. She watched as the girl had clenched her teeth and fought the pain of the cleaning, but not once did she lash out from it, continuing to speak kindly to the maids. Saying "thank you" for just about everything. The thought warmed her heart.
Caeli nodded and the women left the room.
Einar returned to her bedside.
"Where am I Einar?", Caeli asked her eyes full of steel but lying underneath he could see her worry.
"The Forest of Midnight my lady. Deep within the center and hidden from most of the outside world. It is the kings home, his dominion.", he said.
"And the people here?", she asked hesitantly, not wanting to offend as the man she was speaking to also had night skin. Not to mention the wings.
"Galaxians my lady. They are one of the creatures that were born on the Sixth Day. Children of the night meant to be by the side of our king. One of the oldest races known to the world.", he said, pulling a chair from seemingly no where and bringing it to her bedside.
He lowered himself into the cushioned seat and crossed his legs at the ankles, his back ramrod straight and his hands in his lap, he was not surprised that she did not know these things.
"And who is your master exactly?", she asked, a lump in her throat.
"You do not know my lord?", Einar asked in, his lack of surprise ended.
"Well, I call him Raven, but the more I think about it, he never told me anything from his past. I just assumed he didn't recall.", she replied softly.
"Raven? I'm afraid I've never known anyone to call him by that name.", Einar said slowly. He was unsure of how to proceed. What would his master want him to say? Or more importantly, not say.
They stared silently at each other.
He did not want to cause trouble for his lord. Especially when it came to the one woman that his lord had ever shown interest in. But he didn't want to frighten her either.
"You are in the home of Absentia Lucius, Lord of Midnight. The First of the Five.", Einar said, gauging her reaction as he informed her.
She recalled a few stories involving the Five. The first Five living creatures to inhabit the planet. The five dragons of the elements. The stories were thousands of years old.
Long ago the Five had been the ruling powers of the world, worshiped by Folk and Human alike.
Caeli had read in an ancient tome that the home of Lucius, the Beloved One, the Cursed One, was deep within the Midnight Forest, hidden from those unwanted.
When Einar had mentioned the forest she had felt the familiar sinking feeling in her stomach.
She could hardly believe it. Absentia Lucius had been described as a powerful monster. Stronger than the other four and hateful of the goddesses that had created all of their existence.
Little else was said about the matter but she recalled the story vividly. A disturbing photo of a phantom like creature with a skeleton face had been on the opposite side of the short story, victims in his black claws, blood staining his paper white skull.
That was not the Raven she knew.
Yes he had lied, but he had cared for her, gently and kindly. He told her the truth and apologized. When she asked to go back, he did so without hesitation.
His appearance was startling but not akin to the depiction she found that day.
She struggled to bridge the two different personas into one being. Raven who taught her ways to ground herself when she felt she was disappearing. Raven who taught her so much about herbs and fishing. Who had shyly turned away when eating, trying not to frighten her with his visage.
She had to hear it from him personally.
"He is a good leader. A good man. Do not fear.", Einar said reassuringly.
Caeli nodded shakily.
A light knock came from the door and Einar stood.
"Enter.", he commanded.
The door silently swung open as a gargoyle looking creature walking on all fours totted a tray into the room, the food precariously balanced on his back between a set of large bat-like wings.
The creature looked frightening, its skin similar in color and consistency as the black marble walls that surrounded her. If not for the large black eyes that blinked happily, and the fact that he was walking towards her, she would have mistook him for a statue. Oddly enough, his personality reminded Caeli of one of the dogs that had been a pet to some villagers. Large, happy, and uncoordinated.
The resemblance made Caeli smile and Einars heart stopped.
*I'll have to be wary of that. *, he thought to himself in amazement. How one could be so radiant when so debilitated he did not know.
The gargoyle creature looked similar to a bat aside from the long prehensile tail and lion-sized body. Enormous pointed ears flitted this way and that as he looked around the room. A tongue hanging loosely from his open mouth as he excitedly approached Einar, wagging his tail and leaning against his legs, almost dropping the tray carrying the food on his back.
"Bat, knock it off, we have a guest.", Einar prying his gaze from the girl and pointing at Caeli, staring at the creature with a reprimanding look.
Bat's ears dropped contritely to lay flat across his head, he continued to look at Einar as he made his way to her bedside.
Once he was close enough to touch, Caeli reached out with her free hand to scratch behind one massive pinna.
To her surprise he felt as though he was made of flesh. Cool and hard flesh but still flesh.
Like someone else she knew...
"Now, now, it's alright. He just doesn't want anyone to get in trouble.", she said, chuckling as Bat responded delightedly to the attention, one eye squinting closed, the other lazily rolling away, his tongue swinging happily.
Einar was pleasantly surprised at her reaction. She had been hesitant about the galaxian women so he had been unsure of how she would respond to Bat. The gargoyles of the castle were more like pets than anything but sometimes helped with small duties around the palace. Bat usually delivered the meals to save the workers a trip, and in return he usually got a treat. Especially from the king.
Bat was undoubtedly the lords favored companion and usually did not take to strangers, preferring to keep his distance and hide behind his large master. His fearful behavior making it so that the lord often asked that Bat be escorted out when new visitors came to visit so as to keep him from having to be so terrified.
The gargoyles reaction to the woman was a little more than surprising.
He took the tray from Bat before its contents were dropped to the floor. He gingerly lifted the large tray, placing it over her lap, revealing small legs that kept it standing.
Einar removed the covers of each item, informing her of what they were.
A potato stew, radish bisque, roasted hare with seasoned carrots, a ginger carrot cake that Einar described as sticky and sweet, and honey iced cream.
Caeli's stomach tossed in protest, she suddenly felt as though she was going to vomit.
"Einar I know what Raven said but I'm not sure that I can.", she said woozily.
Einar looked at her sadly.
"You have to try my lady. I am told it has been months since you've been able to ingest a full meal that would contain all the nutrients you require.", he gently explained.
"I know, I understand, I do, but my stomach is protesting violently.", she said trying to hold back the bile she felt filling the back of her throat.
Einar opened his mouth to continue when there was another knock at the door.
Before he could respond, Raven walked through the opening, the door shutting gently behind him with some invisible force.
Caeli's heart raced. Now that things had settled some, and for the moment her mind felt steady and sure, she recalled all that they had been through together.
Her heart wrenched at recalling their last night. The heartache that had ensued in his revelation of what he had been hiding. Her hurt at feeling betrayed. And the hurt she had felt in realizing that her feelings for him had been growing quietly, unbidden. It's extent shocking in her discovery.
She looked away from him, the sight too much to bare. His proximity causing flash backs of laying together in the tent, him teaching her things until sleep took her. Eating meals by the fire, attempting to catch berries mid-air, and Caeli dissolving into laughter when he accidentally threw himself into the pond due to his over zealous attempts.
The night that he had comforted her after the dream she had of Ventus. Pulling her into his lap and wrapping her in his embrace.
The thought made her skin warm and her head dizzy.
The sensations caused her to recall in a flash, a different day in a flower field.
*You think I'm special Eli?*
The memory slammed into Caeli like a falling boulder.
Flashes of a red dragon, Coruscare, in humanoid form, crouched beside her in the field of wild flowers. Smiling warmly as he moved long grass to expose flowers underneath. Flowers she had been collecting for her mother. For Ventus.
Caeli's mind began to spin. From what she could tell so far, she had two timelines in her head, sparring for space. One time line in which she was raised by her aunt and uncle and another in which she lived happily with her parents in a cottage by a pond.
Was it two time lines? Or had one happened before the other? Something told her that they both happened, but at different times. She held onto that theory as tightly as she could, using it to convince herself that she hadn't lost her mind.
But she could not ignore the feeling that had been exhumed inside of her because of the recollection. She recalled the way he had sidled closely to her to reach his long arms in front of her, only inches away, the sides of their bodies almost touching. His enormity impossible to ignore when he was so close.
Raven approached slowly and bowed to Caeli.
"Is the food to your liking?", he asked her.
Caeli blinked rapidly, bringing herself back to the moment she was in.
"I'm having some difficulty mustering up an appetite it would seem.", she said giving a weak smile that more closely resembled a grimace.
Raven dismissed Einar and Bat with a glance. Both creatures exited the room, but not before Bat sought her out for one last scratch. After he was sure that the other two had left, he came around to the other side of the bed and sat in the chair that Einar had pulled out.
"How are you feeling?", he asked in his deep gravelly voice.
"Tired. Very tired. Which I suppose is strange to say because it sounds like I've been asleep for quite some time.", she said chuckling.
"How much do you remember?", he asked.
"I remember… us. Our talk. I remember you sending me back and rejoining Aurum and Brego. We encountered a massive she-wolf and her Cubs on our way to the mountains. Suddenly Callon appeared with a strange woman, I know now that she is galaxian. A fight ensued and we crossed swords, Callon and I. I only just now recall the moment I was hit with the magic the woman sent towards me. Then, nothing. Or at least nothing in relation to this time, this place. I have memories, that I did not have before but they took place in what I can only assume was the past. At least I think so.", she said. Attempting to explain causing a throbbing in her head that wouldn't quit.
"I was told that you were attacked then taken to the Ausia Mountains where you arrived in a coma. A coma that lasted three months. You were tended there, your wound stable but with no improvement, your conscious lost. Someone visited your subconscious while you slept. I am told you were visiting the past. Visiting your mother. You are not going insane Caeli, you just experienced things in an unusual order.", he said reassuringly, He would explain more of the details once her physical state was more stable. For the moment, he hoped to bring her some peace of mind.
And it did. At least to an extent. There was still something inside of her trying to combine with who she had been, she could sense it.
But the fact that her recollections were real and not glimpses into another life, or worse, delusional hallucinations, made her feel more secure. More willing to accept the flashes of her memory returning to her after having been unconscious for so long.
She heaved a relieved sigh and laid her head back on the pillows.
The bed was incredibly soft and although it wasn't very bright, warmth was also being emitted from the glowing stones in the wall. The blankets were silken and Einar had done a fabulous job choosing a dress for her. The velvet was luxurious against her skin and it was modest.
"You should try to eat. At least a bite. Please. Then I will leave you to rest for as long as you'd like. As long as you promise to wake, that is.", he said trying to lighten the mood but he realized how terrified he was at the thought.
Caeli saw a flash of what looked like worry in the dragons eyes. She wasn't sure how she could tell but she could.
"I will eat, and I will wake. I promise.", she said, averting her gaze. She appreciated his worry but felt wary. He had not told her who he was yet and he had lied once before.
She was desperate for a friend, an ally, but she was also afraid.
Raven watched her reaction, sure that's she was thinking of his betrayal. The thought tore at him.
Caeli willed her good arm to lift the spoon to her lips, it bid her hesitantly then fell onto the tray, her weak fingers slackening involuntarily.
"Mmmm.", Caeli mumbled disapprovingly. "I'm so sorry. Just five minutes, five minutes and then I'll be fit as a fiddle.", she said giddily.
*She's exhausted.*, Raven thought to himself.
He slowly reached forward to support her head with one large hand and filling a spoon with bisque with the other.
"One bit and all the sleep you could hope for.", he whispered into Caeli's ear.
She nodded dazedly but took the spoon, swallowing the liquid with effort.
He made sure she swallowed what he had given her and laid her back on the pillows. She had fallen asleep before he finished pulling the covers over her shoulders.
"I'm sorry Caeli. More than you could ever know.", he said softly to the sleeping ghost of an angel.
He lifted the tray off of her lap and left the room.
He walked the tray to the kitchen himself, the staff still present watching him in silent astonishment as he cleared the trays into the gargoyles food bowls and placed the empty plates into the wash bin.
Without a word he nodded to the silent workers and left the kitchen, patting one of the gargoyles on his way out.
"Well, I'll be damned…", a dark blue skinned dwarf wearing a dirty apron whispered to the room, silent except for the smacking sounds of the gargoyles eating the food that had been discarded into their bowls.
Raven went to his study.
————————————
While Caeli had settled in he had finished the few tasks necessary for her stay. Informing the nurses of Caeli's condition and what she would need moving forward, the nurses left promptly to collect the materials. He ordered clothes in her size as her stay would, hopefully, be extended.
Then he confronted the intelligence officer that had been sent by Coruscare to report on Caeli. He had sensed his presence on their journey to his castle, following but not too closely.
"She is awake. You can stay in the castle when you are here but your updates on the girl will come directly from Einar, you will leave her to rest and heal and you will not frighten her. Understood?", Raven asked, standing on the balcony.
He had walked out knowing that the spy was nearby, his reptilian senses keen to another reptilian humanoids presence.
The spy had bowed and left without a word.
Raven sat heavily behind the desk, resisting the temptation to sit by Caeli's side and wait for her to wake.
"She is strong my lord, I'm sure she will improve, especially under our care.", said Einar, pouring tea into a cup.
Einar glanced at his master who was seemingly unaware of what he had just said. His mind was occupied elsewhere.
He brought the tea to the desk and sat it in front of Raven. He turned and sat at one of the heavily cushioned chairs positioned on the opposite side.
They sat together quietly, Raven propping his head on his large clawed fist while he stared at the wall.
"The fairy child, that you had spoken of? Is it she?", Einar said, stirring his own cup of warm drink.
Raven glanced at Einar without turning his head before nodding.
"She is kind, and her smile is heart stopping. Bat liked her very much.", Einar said sipping daintily.
This time Raven turned to look at his butler and general.
"Is that so?", he replied softly.
Einar nodded.
"She has a tendency to attract unsightly or unwanted creatures. Misfits.", he laughed before furrowing his brow.
*Not just misfits.*, he thought sourly to himself thinking of the way Coruscare had been cradling her body in the water.
The butler hid his surprise well. He agreed the woman was beautiful and she seemed sweet enough but it was still difficult to become accustomed to the idea of his master being in love.
Many beautiful creatures had offered themselves to the lord, but many had turned away once the political shimmer and drapery was put away and he was seen for what he really was. Others fancied they'd become more powerful or rich. And every time, he treated them coldly from start to finish. Not unkindly, he was a gentleman of course, but he had shown no exceptional interest in any of them.
Eventually the lord stopped entertaining females all together choosing to only associate with those necessary.
"My lord, the lady today was not aware of who you are. She calls you by Raven and asked me pointedly who you are.", Einar said watching his master closely. He waited for a response but did not get one. "She was frightened and I feared doing so further so I disclosed your title to her."
Raven stood and went to the large window in the study that revealed a view of the nearby village and the glowing foliage of the Midnight Forest.
"And how did she react?", he asked without turning away from the window.
Einar heaved a sigh and set his tea cup aside.
"Surprised, although I am unsure if it was surprise due to your position or if she has knowledge of the fictional past that had been slung by attention hungry historians. I am sorry my lord, but she looked so lost. I was compelled to try and bring her comfort however I could.", he said realizing how true the statement was.
"There is no need for an apology. She has that effect on people.", he said watching as villagers went about their errands. A fairy with fuchsia skin holding a small child in her arms while she balanced a basket atop her head. A merchant rolling a cart with various fruits, some that glowed, a fish like creature hovering beside his head as he announced his goods to those nearby. "Things have happened so quickly, I've had little time to explain everything. You've told her nothing that I haven't intended to tell her myself. I intend to hide nothing from her. Never again.", he said the last part softly, Einar almost didn't hear it.
Einar would have been surprised under different circumstances. His master had always lived a private life, sometimes not even he knew where his master was or what he was doing.
Considering the signs of affection he'd shown towards the girl, his declaration slightly less startling.
"I should check on her.", Raven said, unable to resist the urge to ensure that she was still safe.
"I'll send Bat, you received a response to the council letter that you sent to the other Five.", Einar said whistling to summon the gargoyle and sending him away before withdrawing four sealed envelopes.
Raven grunted sardonically.
"Months later. So much for a fortnight. They've all responded?", he asked as he took the letters from Einar.
Einar nodded.
"Even from the continent of Lanayru, she was the first to respond.", he replied with a huff. He almost missed the flash of distaste in the glowing eyes of his master.
Raven flipped through the letters. The first he saw was from the Earth Kingdom, the idea of seeing his old friend was pleasant but this was not the one he was looking for. He tossed aside the letter from the Water Kingdom and found the one he'd been searching for.
The Fire Kingdom, Coruscares letter specifically.
He opened it to read its contents.
"I will be at the meeting. Name the day. Syll will be my guest as usual and Garn is still my royal general so he will accompany me as well.
I have notified the Great Fate and she will be attending.
Syll and I have reason to believe that Caeli's existence is entwined with prophecy, Fate will help determine that and perhaps help in the healing Caeli will require to no longer be in danger of losing her conscious state again.
This means that she cannot be your guest. You will have to bring someone else.
I am more than happy to have her come and stay with me once her wound has healed, just say the word. I can also prepare her for the etiquette she will need to know for the meeting as well as what to expect when meeting Fate.
In the mean time keep her safe. Or else.
-C"
Raven read the hastily scrawled writing and tossed the letter aside.
*Hmph, much different from the pleading tone he utilized in his last note.*, Raven knew Coruscare would respond quickly but he did not recall him mentioning anything about a prophecy when he had been there last.
No matter. He would not be getting Caeli back. Unless of course she asked to return. He would deny her nothing, never again. Not the truth and not her desires. He would bow at her feet and stand aside if she wished, no matter how greatly it would wound him.
He read the note from the Earth Kingdom next:
"My dearest friend,
I am overjoyed to receive your summons. Having not left the refuge other than to patrol my kingdom has been rather boring. I look forward to seeing you.
Please keep in touch until then and let me know when to meet.
Yours lovingly,
-S"
Raven smiled internally and rolled his eyes. It would be nice to see Saxum, it felt like it had been an eternity.
He pulled a blank sheet of paper to write in response:
"Saxum,
As jovial as ever I see.
I was hoping to see you beforehand, there is much to report.
Mainly about a woman.
Come to my annual Harvest Feast, we will talk more then.
That's all I'll say for now, hopefully incentive enough for you to meet with me.
Sincerely,
-L"
He dried the ink before folding it and sealing it. A hollow whistle came from his skull and a moment later an owl like creature the size of the gargoyles flew in through a window that opened as it swooped into the study.
The creature landed silently on the black marble floor and bowed, it's only features differentiating it from a barn owl being its size and the effervescent glow of the yellow markings on its feathers.
Raven handed the letter to the night bird and it left promptly through the way it had entered. The window shutting quietly behind it.
He read through the rest of the letters, Lanays response was typical (begging him to pay her a visit, flirting shamelessly) and the Kingdom of Wind as straight to the point as ever ("I will be there; inform me of the date once known.").
He decided to wait to respond with instructions. He couldn't be sure of how long it would take for Caeli to be in a state where she could travel and also meet Fate. She needed to be healthy before it happened and he'd happily discuss the matter with anyone who objected, his mind turned to Coruscare.
He couldn't be sure the relationship between Caeli and Coruscare but if he wanted her then he would just have to hope that she chose him. Raven refused to facilitate any kind of interaction between them.
For the matter of her not being his guest, he had a mind to do so anyway. Coruscare wouldn't be able to do anything even if he wished. But he thought better of it, Lynx would do well as his guest. She would be able to accompany Caeli and understood the Old etiquette. Combined with her medical knowledge and her knowledge of being a maid, she was a perfect fit. He would be sure to inform her at his earliest convenience so that she could prepare.
But they would not go. Not until Caeli was ready. Once she was stronger he would inform her of the invitation and what to expect should she accept.
In the meantime, he would wait. Patiently. And give her all the space she needed.
It would be difficult, but it would need to be done.
He would not fail her again, not in omission of truths nor in her safety and peace of mind.
Never again.