Two days later, Caeli stood with the assistance of the galaxian women. They supported her by the good arm and her torso as she straightened her legs at the side of the bed.
"Are you ready my lady?", Lynx asked, smiling encouragingly.
Caeli nodded, determined.
Up until that point, Caeli had only gone from the bedside to the door on her own two feet. And she continued to struggle with daily tasks such as eating and dressing.
"Just past the door.", Caeli whispered to herself.
Lynx nodded and they slowly made their way to the double doors, just like they had the days past.
It felt like an eternity to Caeli. Like a dream in which you're attempting to run as fast as possible but instead you're stuck in place.
Eventually they made it to their destination.
"Would it be alright if you do the knob? I'm not sure I'll make it past the threshold if I must turn it and pull.", Caeli said, panting slightly with her mouth closed.
The Calliope released Caeli, careful of her arm in its sling and opened the door for the troupe.
She returned to Caeli's side, where they waited.
"Take your time. And remember, we still have the trip back. Better to be considerate of yourself and have the task completed than it is to push yourself too hard and get an injury.", Lynx said hastily. She saw the beads of sweat on Caeli's forehead. Perhaps setting the goal so high had been a mistake.
Caeli wanted to shake her head but lacked the strength to do so. She needed everything she had to do this, and she would make sure she did.
With a deep breath to steady herself and steel her resolve, she began to move forward.
One step, then two. And before she knew it she was huffing heavily but standing in the cool hallway.
"Very good miss!", Calliope exclaimed with a happy squeal.
Caeli took another step to the women's surprise, they continued to assist her until she had turned the corner. Lynx could feel Caeli leaning more heavily on them, relying on their assistance more with each step.
Caeli stopped abruptly.
"A small break if you ladies wouldn't mind.", she said, panting more heavily now.
The women nodded and smiled.
After a few minutes they slowly made their way back to the room.
—————————————————————————
"How is her progress?", Raven asked Lynx as they made their way through the halls to his study.
"Incredible. She is determined and strong of mind. She's very smart sire. Most in her shoes would be hesitant to push themselves for fear of the pain but she is calculated. She knows her limits and only just pushes herself past them, causing her to improve more quickly than we would expect but avoiding injury. Her capacity to endure pain is admirable. The cleansing of the wound is no picnic, the solution is stringent and the salve powerful. She winces here and there but often is quiet during our work. I've seen men twice her size writhe under the same routine.", Lynx said as they entered the large double doors.
Raven took a seat at his desk and indicated she should take the seat on the opposite side.
"She is extraordinary. I've known it since I first met her.", he said quietly.
Bat entered moments later with a tray in his back. He approached Raven who took the tray and set it in between him and Lynx.
He gave Bat a pat on the head and handed him a chunk of dried meat before giving a short whistle.
Bat happily lopped for the exit, the doors closing softly behind him.
Raven poured a cup for Lynx, handing it to her on a small plate.
"Please, help yourself.", he said, uncovering a glass jar of honey, a porcelain dish of sugar, and a small glass pitcher of cream.
"Thank you my lord.", she said as she added a dollop of honey and cream to her tea, sipping it pleasantly.
Her master had always been easy going, kind and courteous. The epitome of a gentleman. He was a private creature, spending much time alone and unaccounted for when not working on his duties for the kingdom, but in the rare instances they've been around each other, she always found him to be amiable.
Often greeting those coolly but kindly as he passed them in the hall. It was rare to see him eating or drinking, and it was rumored he didn't sleep, but his rare and brief appearances had always been enjoyable.
"She is a sweet girl. Always saying thank you, always considerate of us.", she chuckled, "She apologizes endlessly when she falls or when a piece of silverware tumbles from her weakened grasp. Courteous and handsome to boot. We enjoy taking care of her greatly.", she said taking another sip of her tea, relishing it's warm and spicy taste.
"I am glad to hear it, although not entirely surprised. And the wound?", he asked lifting his cup in front of his chest but not taking a drink.
Apparently the female species was not immune to Caeli's charm. Raven wasn't particularly shocked. She could in one moment be vulnerable, and the next confident and strong willed.
And indeed, 'handsome to boot'.
Lynx nodded and set her cup aside.
"My lord, she was in very poor condition upon arrival. Hanging by a thread. The grovelings of the Fire Kingdom managed to keep infection at bay for the most part but the wound never improved enough to allow new tissue to develop. I fear that the damage may be done. There is the possibility that she will not be able to use that limb, and if she can, it may be very limited in its capabilities.", she said sadly. "Night Magic is unique, many of the ingredients required to remedy its effects are found here in the heart of the forest. It wasn't their fault, they simply did not have the tools or the knowledge. Now that we have begun the necessary treatments, I will admit, the healing has begun but it is plodding. Each day we see minuscule improvement. Improvement nonetheless I suppose, which we should be thankful for.", she sighed in resignation.
"Is there anyway I could assist?", he asked, hopeful.
Lynx took his question seriously.
"Ensuring that we have ready access to the materials we need would be a great help. I can make a list along with descriptions so that you have an idea of what we need. I can also record for you the regimen, in which case should I be pulled away for the village or otherwise, you will have the means to do the work in my stead until my return. It is birthing season for the Midnight People, the weather is cooling and the product of our warm season are coming to fruition.", she said with a chuckle.
Raven nodded.
"It will be done.", he said, setting his cup down and moving to stand. Lynx noted absentmindedly that he never drank any of his tea.
"Do not worry my lord, her improvement is slow, but faster than it would be for a weaker soul.", she said smiling and nodding.
"Your reassurance is unnecessary, I have full confidence in you and your abilities. I apologize, I find it difficult not to hover over the girl.", he said, turning to stand in front of the window, his back to the nurse-maid.
Lynx found it difficult to hide her surprise. In all the years she had worked for the Lord of Midnight, she had never seen visitors to the castle. Let alone a woman that the master couldn't help but "hover over".
She quickly corrected her expression before he could turn and see it.
"There will be nothing else for now Lynx, thank you for your time.", the lord said turning to face her, giving her a nod.
Lynx stood and bowed in return before exiting the room.
There was change reflecting in the stars, it was fall and it could be seen in the leaves of their sky.
Bright blues and deep greens fading to fuchsia and burnt copper.
The color of the nebula like leaves changing from the green of the summer to the warm hues of autumn.
Perhaps this would be a good change for once.
Lynx watched over the years as her master had led a solitary life, she would not of described it as unhappy, but rather, joyless.
Treated poorly by everyone but his citizens, made to be the villain, and, alone.
Her master was kind and tended his people well, greatly loved by his kingdoms Folk, Lynx had always hoped for the lord to find happiness in something.
The idea of the Midnight Empire being whole again with the return of the lord was comforting. And a little exciting in regards to their new guest.
She couldn't wait to see what happened next.