I casually held my side as I walked down the corridor. And I passed another, and another, and another. I realized then that I was hopelessly lost. I groaned with defeat as I leaned against the wall. I really needed to learn the Castle layout.
I inhaled deeply and winced. Stupid clumsy self. If I hadn't fallen from that tree I wouldn't be hurting. I sat there panting, trying to minimalize the pain. It was no use as it continued to throb. Hope sparked in me as I heard footsteps walk down a nearby corridor. Hopefully someone willing to help. My eyes met with Dallas, and relief flooded through me.
"There you are Aria! I was wondering-" Dallas's voice trailed off. I looked at him, helplessly, and quietly pleading him to help. I pulled my hand away from my side and realized I started bleeding through my shirt. Good job Aria, you really did it this time.
"What the hell happened Aria? Assessments aren't suppose to be bloody!" He panicked as he watched me slump against the wall.
"Help me to Celeste." I groaned quietly.
"I'm right here Aria. What the hell happened?" She asked crouching next to me. I took a sharp breath in as she lifted my shirt. I watched her cringe, then pulled my shirt down.
"I got carried away. Can you patch me up Celeste?" She bit her lip. That wasn't ever a good sign.
"I could but....Aria it's pretty infected. This isn't something I can just patch. I don't have any medical supplies either." She applied pressure to the wound and I stiffled a gasp. Dallas Wrapped an arm around my back and shouldered me on to him. He supported me like a crutch. Celeste held on to my wound as she supported my back.
"We'll get her to the infirmary." Unfortunately Dallas ended up cradling me. His height difference made it impossible to walk with him. He walked swiftly with Celeste in tow. The
burning in my abdomen continued as he continued to run down the halls.
He didn't stop until he burst through a set of doors. A surprised young brunette sat in a chair nursing a mug of tea. He set me down on one of the cots while Celeste explained what was going on.
"Oh my." She gasped as she pulled up the shirt. She shook her head and started rummaging around her little office space. I pressed a hand to my face, trying to calm my nerves.
"No one can know about this." I hissed through my teeth as the nurse dug in to my wound.
"They have to know. You can't fight like this." Celeste held my hand. A cool salve was placed on the wound, numbing it as the nurse worked.
"You don't understand." I muttered, closing my eyes as I felt the tugs in my skin. She was sowing me back up.
"Unfortunately young lady, I have to report this. If I don't and something happens, I will be held responsible." I watched her tie off the last stitch. She carefully washed her hands in a bowl.
"Stay here and watch her. I'll be back." She squeezed Dallas's shoulder and left. Jameson is going to kill me. Not because I didnt tell anyone I was hurt, but because I was acting recklessly. I knew I should have said something. With losing the war, and how tired I had become from sleepless nights I got careless.
I drummed my fingers on the cot. What was he going to tell me I hadn't already heard. Stop acting like a child. Do you think that what you are doing is benefiting others? Why do you have to be this way? Are you a solider or a baby?
I know he is my rescuer. I will forever be thankful for him, but he will never understand of loosing a battle twice. It has affected me in more ways than one. It still continues to haunt me. The screams, the horrible and terrible screams. He doesn't know this, but I remembered everything from when I was five.
I remember sitting at the table, muching on eggs and bacon, swinging my feet. Humming happily to myself as I enjoyed my mothers warm delicious food. She had sat across from me cooing at me and making me laugh. Father had gone out for Patrol and missed his breakfast. It was a normal, everything was fine. Bright sunny day, birds chirping. Everything was perfect.
At least until the first blood currdling scream filled the peaceful day. Mother jumped up from her chair, knocking it over as she rushed to the window. I watched her eyes widen in horror. I remember the panic I started to feel as she snatched me from my chair and rushed outside. The wind slapped against my face, pushing hair into my view.
But it didn't hide the horde of men that invaded out town. People where cut down where they stood. Doors where thrown in as they murdered people in their homes. The dark laughing as they wrecked havoc on the village. I walked, not understanding what was going on.
My mother knew she wasn't going to live that day. She knew she was going to sacrifice herself so I could live. She placed me gently in a barrel and closed the top. She kissed my head and told me to stay quiet. Tears running down her face as she told me it was going to be ok. She sealed me in and hollered curse words.
I had found a hole in the barrel, watching as she ran down the alley way in front of me. Before she got very far, a sword stabbed her in the abdomen. I held my mouth as tears spilled down my face. The man holding the sword appeared from around the building and laughed. She crumpled, dead before she hit the ground. All I could do was watch. I cried silently, sitting in a curled up ball as the voices continued to scream and wail.
It wasn't until a few hours before sunset that it had gone silent. I shoved the lid off the barrel, climbed out, and ran. I didn't stop until I was at my mothers side. She was pale with blue lips. Her eyes where closed, almost as if she was sleeping. I had shook her over and over, wailing for her to wake up. She laid in a pool of her own blood.
I didn't know what else to do, so I curled up next to her, stroking her hair as I sobbed. I accidently knocked into her hand and her fingers uncurled. Her golden necklace wrapped around her fingers. It was a singular tree with a gold circulet around it. The symbol of Siena, mother of nature. She worshipped her daily. I had placed it around my neck, keeping it as a memory.
It wasn't until later that night when Jameson had showed up with men. He found me curled next to her asleep. As me picked me up I woke, kicking and screaming at him as he pulled me away. As we rode away, and watched my village and deceased mom vanish, I vowed I would do everything I could do to become strong. Just for her.
But now look at me. I'm stuck in a castle with people I don't know, forced into a battle I already lost once before. More than ever, I felt as if I was not only failing myself, but my mom too. I closed my eyes, clutching my mothers necklace. The only think I could do now was wait for Jameson's tongue lashing.
I never told him, but I always did look up to him as a father figure. He maybe stern and tough, but he made me that way too. I respected him a lot. Never once did he give up on me, even when I was being difficult. Others would turn their heads when they saw a woman with weapons, but not him. He respected my wishes, and in the end, taught me so much. Jameson and Uncle Chadwick, his brother.
The door slammed open. I did not move, knowing what was coming.
"Is she alright?" Jameson asked. He was clearly pissed.
"Yeah, it's just an infected gash. She should be ok." Celeste said softly. There was a silence.
"I know you are awake Aria." I opened my eyes. Jameson towered over me, his arms acrossed his chest. The anger filled glare made me regret opening my eyes. I flinched away from his stare. He sighed and the cot bent under his weight. Again, silence. The tension rose with every passing second.
"Aria, why?" He whispered. I was shocked at his soft response. The I fidgeted with my mother's necklace.
"I didn't want to be seen as a burden." I munbled. He stilled my hands.
"After everything we've been through, that was your worry?" He raised his voice. Tension crackled in the air. I sighed and turned towards the window. He wouldn't understand.
"It's not just that. It's everything." I whispered.
"Give us a moment please." Jameson told the others. I turned to watch Dallas and Celeste leave the room. Tears formed in my eyes. Then I eyed the necklace before clutching it in my hand like a life line.
"Do you know what this is?" I asked him quietly.
"It's the symbol for Xiena." He answered slowly. I shook my head sadly.
"Its the necklace I pulled off my dead mothers body the night you found me. It was something she treasured. Not as much as me, but still treasured." I smiled sadly at my clenched fist. Silence again.
"I still remember the screams, the faces, the men. I remeber watching them fall left and right as these murderous men would cut down anyone they saw. Busted in doors, smashed windows. I remember watching my mother bleed out just moments after hiding me. I was useless. I couldn't stop them. I was a kid." Tears spilled over my eyes as he silently watched me.
"The day you found me I promised my mother I would become strong for her, for myself. I wouldn't let anyone get hurt again. I trained so hard for so long. But once again, we where attacked. People died, and I had failed my vow to my mother. I failed the people I was sworn to protect. Now we come back to complete the cycle again. This time....I might lose everyone. So I don't tell you thesd things because I already am weak. The screams, horrible screams keep me up every night. Every person I failed, because I am weak." Arms wrapped around me as I sobbed. Jameson rubbed my back as I cried into his shoulder.
"Aria, you didn't fail anyone. You are giving yourself to much of the blame. No one was prepared for this. No one saw it coming." He held my face in his hands as he brushed away the loose strands.
"As for your village Aria, I had no idea you even remembered. It was so long ago. I guess you where just so determined that I never saw past it. " He gave me a sad smile. "I know I don't ever tell you this Aria, and it's the stubborn side of me that refuses to tell you. You are my daughter, regardless of blood. I am very proud of how you came to be. Granted there are still things you need to learn, but you are still growing up." He kissed my forehead lightly. This is the most compassionate he has ever been towards me.
"You do realize that everyone of us would have been there for you Aria. We wouldn't have found you a burden because you mean a lot to every single one of us. Like it or not we are your family and you need to accept that." He rose to his feet and ruffled my hair. I smiled as he wished me goodnight, leaving me in the silence of the infirmary. I could just make out muffled whispers as Jameson talked to another figure outside. Then it was silent. I leaned back against the pillows and sighed.
Now having that all cleared up between us, it made me realize how much he really did care. Even called me his daughter. No matter what, I would do my best to protect those I love. Starting with changing my additude.