The farther Rose got into the infirmary, the more anxious she became. Seeing all the injured people reminded her that Rabert had--according to her father-- been the first victim of the invasion. What would she find when they finally reached the beloved Captain?
Rose was very thankful when at last they were taken down a short hall, through a door to a quiet area. Inside, the room itself had a wardrobe in one corner and a single bed. A few extra pallets had unconscious men on the ground with a single nurse tending all of them. 'Where are we?'
"My private quarters," the doctor answered the unspoken question. "We ran out of space, so in addition to spilling out into the hallway, I brought some of the men here. I did not figure anyone who was asleep would be able to share the secret that Rabert is alive."
"I understand," Rhodri could not blame the doctor for using his resources in such a way. The Captain himself would be very upset if he thought that his getting care meant that his men were left without help.
On the physician's bed, Rabert's still form was breathing softly while being covered in a blanket. A cloth soaked cold water was wrapped around his head to try and manage his swelling.
"Oh," Rose walked slowly forward as the nurse moved out of the way for her and the king.
Ethyn and Caitlyn remained close to the door with the doctor so as not to crowd the scene.
"Sir Samberg, can I see you outside for a second?" the doctor gave the green-eyed man a significant look.
Ethyn cocked his head to one side. "Of course. Please call me if I am needed, Lady Caitlyn."
The two men stepped into the narrow hallway between the physician's quarters and the infirmary. The doctor tripped over a pair of tall officer's boots, stubbing his toe. "How the blazes did those get there?"
"I've no idea… so uh you wanted to speak with me?"
The doctor looked him up and down, slightly amused, but Ethyn was not sure of the reason.
"Are you really not going to ask me to look at it?" the older man asked at last.
"What?" The knight was even more confused than before.
"You must have an exceptionally high pain tolerance to be even having this conversation, unless the nerve is so pinched that you do not even feel it." Clicking his tongue, the doctor pulled at his chin.
"I am fine," Ethyn did not want to take any more of the doctor's time when there were far more serious cases.
But the physician would not be deterred. He opened his palms and motioned for the knight to turn around. "Your shoulder is in bad shape and completely out of socket. I am amazed you are remotely able to move it if I am being honest. Now let me put it back in before you do some real long term damage."
In all the excitement, Ethyn had been blocking out the pain which riddled his body. Somehow the doctor mentioning the worst of his injuries unlocked the portion of his mind that had been holding back his body's cry for help. His eyes began to water.
"See?" the doctor pulled at the first strap on Ethyn's arm. "I will remove this part of your armor. Realistically, you will likely need to have this piece replaced."
It only took a moment for the metal plating on Ethyn's arm to slip away. When it did, any support he had in moving his arm went away as well. He suddenly felt rather helpless.
"Hold still. I am going to get your arm back in place, and then I will have someone stitch up that spot on your shoulder that was cut." The doctor spoke firmly but calmly.
"The princess needs your attention more than I do," Ethyn's mind went to the beautiful woman in the room which had fallen from a great height. Surely she had more injuries than the one Silver healed.
"One patient at a time, Sir Samberg." The physician paused as the nurse from inside came out in a hurry. Seeing the two men in her way, she gasped.
"Everything alright?" the doctor furrowed his brow.
"Yes, I just...needed a moment to freshen up, and so the princess dismissed me." the nurse answered uncomfortably.
The doctor nodded. The woman had been working exceptionally diligently, having barely taken a break since the Captain came in. "I see. Can you send a healer this way when you go into the clinic? I need someone to assist me."
The woman curtsied, and hurried down the hall. A few moments later a healer came to lend his assistance. The physician quickly explained the situation and then turned to Ethyn.
"Alright, we are ready. Now focus on something that makes you happy and hold onto that thought. This is really going to hurt."
————
Rose squeezed her father's arm as she looked down and Rabert. The Captain was always so strong and full of life.
Yet here he was, helpless and asleep. His eyes were closed, but he moaned every few breaths. Rose took that as a good sign. He was feeling something.
"How has he been doing?" Rhodri asked the nurse.
She was politely tending to a barefoot patient who was turned on his side and facing the wall.
Hearing the kings question, the young woman hesitated and bit her lip. "The Captain has been much the same since I was asked to watch him. I left the room only once and he cried out, so he must be aware of our presence. I feel very guilty for leaving him to tend to one of the other patients."
"Do not blame yourself. If you need to do something right now, we are here." Rose offered. Depending on how long the nurse had been tending the patients without rest, she might very well need a break to relieve herself.
It seemed the princess's guess was correct. The nurse dipped her head. "I will be back in a moment."
The nurse gasped as she went in the hallway, quickly closing the door. Rose wondered just how much emotion the woman had been holding onto up until the point. The princess knew she had her own fair share.
"Captain Rabert, can you hear us?" she asked softly.
The man stayed silent, but she could see his eyes shift beneath his eyelids. Rhodri noticed it too.
"You need to get better, Captian. Things have gotten a little crazy around here and we could really use your help to get things back in order." The king meant what he said. He would have to make a plan of action before he went to sleep, and he wished desperately to have Rabert's level head to be a part of that meeting.
The pair stared at the Captain, not sure what else could be said. On an impulse, Rose reached out and pulled the blanket back from Rabert's torso. She took his hand. Nothing happened. She sighed.
"As soon as the nurse returns, we should let the Captain rest," Rhodri said as much to himself as his daughter.
Suddenly, there was an excruciating yell from the hall. Rose flinched, squeezing Rabert's fingers more than intended.
Before the princess could see about what had caused the outburst, Rabert squeezed her hand back.
His eyes popped open. "Borit!" he breathed, desperately scanning the wall.
Rabert said no more. The man shut his eyes and fell back into the arms of sleep.
The king furrowed his brow. "What was that!?"