As soon as they arrived at the apothecary, Cordelia was carried upstairs. She noticed boxes, piles of herbs, linens, and other goods were scattered all over the long wooden counter. It looked like Gabrielle had kept herself busy with organizing and maintaining the apothecary in her absence.
As soon as Lyonis stepped over the threshold of her room, the fireplace flickered to life. Gabrielle had been hovering at Lyonis's heels, distraught with worry. Benoni was right behind her. He set her down gently, making sure she was steady on her feet before quietly slipping out of the room.
"Madame, let me help you undress. I'll get you some tea and something to eat right away." After days of walking in the swamp, Cordelia hadn't realized her current state. The dark green dress she wore was not only torn down the front of her chest but was also stained with sweat and dirt. The hem of the dress was slightly tattered, mud clung to it, and her whole body was damp. Her hair was a mess, and she felt chilled to the bone.
Cordelia, too tired to resist Gabrielle's insistent pleas, allowed the young girl to quickly and quietly help peel her clothes off. Her apprentice gasped as she saw the state of her dress when Cordelia dropped the blanket from around her body. Gabrielle's eyebrows pushed together with intense worry.
Cordelia had never been in such a state in front of the girl. She made sure her appearance was always pristine and well-kept. Despite their closeness and years spent working together, Cordelia had never shown her bare skin to Gabrielle, let alone to anyone in Ville Marais. She wore long sleeves, ankle-length skirts, and high collars that covered her neck year round, every single day.
Gabrielle paused, a small gasp releasing from her lips as Cordelia's bare back was exposed to her. Thick, faded pink scars laced and stamped across Cordelia's back. Ragged bands of scarring wrapped around her neck and wrists. On her right shoulder, an ornate circular brand was seared deeply into her flesh. Despite being more than a century old, it looked barely healed.
It was not the brand of a slave - at least in the traditional sense. She had acquired the ghastly yet beautiful circular scar when she was adopted into the empire's secret magical order. It was supposed to be an honor to bear such a mark. But to Cordelia, it felt no different than a mark of a slave.
A memory flashed in her eyes - Cordelia remembered kneeling naked, her arms covering her body as she faced a large stone hearth with giant, unnaturally hot flames. The branding iron set inside the flames glowed a hot, vicious red like it had been heated by hell itself. She touched the spot on her back, remembering the intense pain it had left.
Despite the sudden shock, Gabrielle said nothing and simply continued to help Cordelia finish undressing. More scars flashed across her thighs and legs. The lower half of her left leg was covered in old burn marks, and the skin there looked wrinkled and mauled. And more angry bands of scarred flesh wrapped around her ankles.
Cordelia noticed Gabrielle balk at her disfigured skin. She sighed deeply. This was something she had hoped to avoid for a long time - if not forever. Cordelia wrapped a warm robe around herself, smiling down at her young apprentice. She noticed tears swelling in the corners of Gabrielle's green eyes, worry and sadness burrowing deep in the creases in between her eyebrows.
"Thank you, Gabrielle. I'd like that cup of tea now, if you don't mind?"
Her apprentice glanced up at her, offering a small smile. "Right away, my lady." She scurried away out the back door and down the steps, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Cordelia was grateful that Gabrielle had the foresight and tact to ignore what she had just seen. It was not a conversation she wished to have.
Cordelia waved a hand over a small wooden bucket in the corner of the room. It warped and grew in size and shape until a small tub filled with steaming water stood in the corner. The magical energy within her felt strained as she did it. She had not stretched herself like that in a long time. Her trip into the swamp had exhausted her far more than she had realized. She was out of practice. Cordelia grabbed a handful of dried herbs that hung from the ceiling and ground them in between her hands before swirling them into the warm water.
She climbed in, letting the heated water soothe her aching muscles. Benoni had been sitting on the small kitchen table, watching her quietly. He hadn't said a single word to her since she returned, but she had felt him mulling over his thoughts. He licked a paw and scratched at his ear before returning his gaze to her.
"What happened?"
Cordelia sighed again. She was so tired. She didn't feel like sharing the details with her familiar. She was sure he would chastise her for being so careless and free with her magic in front of the humans - not to mention letting herself become so drained by using so much of it.
"I returned the alligator back to its rightful resting place." She briefly dunked her head under the water, feeling her long black hair unravel and float around her body. The hot water felt soothing on her face.
"And?...."
He wasn't going to drop it. She turned to face him, their eyes meeting. He was unblinking, unmoving. It was times like these when she felt like he was a creature made of shadows, not a simple cat. He played the part well, but when left to each other's company, Benoni dropped his guard. He seemed otherworldly. He stood too still, and he stared at her with unblinking piercing golden eyes that were filled with knowing - and sometimes unrelenting judgment.
"I met someone out there." She said, not taking her eyes away from him. He waited, encouraging her to continue with his silence. "She was… an ancient spirit. I was not familiar with her. I have not seen her likeness in any lore I've studied. However, Lady Ambrose seemed to have an idea of who I would meet or there. I should give her a visit in the coming days."
"She told you something."
The black cat said this as if he already knew. Cordelia nodded. "She told me something was chasing me, and… not to let it catch me." Benoni shifted nervously for a slight moment. The movement caught her off guard, and she felt his uneasiness. It was as if he knew something she didn't. But before she could press him further, a knock was heard at the door.
"Madame? May I come in?" Gabrielle was back, and she pushed the door open, balancing a teapot, a cup and saucer, and a bowl full of steaming soup on a platter. She walked over and placed everything on the table next to Benoni. She rubbed his head affectionately before bringing Cordelia a cup of tea. The dark red liquid reminded Gabrielle of blood - the scars decorating her treasured mentor's body flashed in her mind. She forced the thought from her head when she noticed Cordelia looking at her with concern and apprehension.
"Your tea, Madame. It is your favorite blend. I hope you don't mind, but I added some chamomile and aspen root. Hopefully, it helps you sleep and regain some of your energy. Sir Lyonis was still downstairs. He was asking about you, but I sent him away for the moment. I hope you don't mind."
"Yes, that was fine, Gabrielle. Thank you."
Cordelia smiled at the redhead, grateful she ignored the state of her body and grateful she had sent Lyonis away. She was thankful to him for saving her, but she didn't think her heart could take any more of his presence at the moment.
The teacup she placed against her lips reminded her that Lyonis's had been pressed against hers only a few hours ago. She let the thought linger in her mind briefly before she heard Gabrielle sit down at the table next to her.
For some reason, Cordelia found herself wanting to share her experiences with Gabrielle. Maybe it was due to the comfortable water mixed with exhaustion that she suddenly felt like opening up emotionally. But she also didn't want to dump unneeded or unwanted trauma onto her young apprentice. That wouldn't be responsible for her. Her trauma and emotions were her own to carry.
"I have lived through many things, Gabrielle." She paused, taking another sip of the warm tea her apprentice had handed her. Gabrielle glanced at her curiously but did not say anything.
"Aren't you curious?" Cordelia opened the door for Gabrielle to ask questions. The redhead nodded slowly but did not look at Cordelia. Gabrielle was nervous. She felt like her dark green eyes would reopen the lashes on Cordelia's body if she so much as looked at her.
"I will try to answer your questions if you'd like…" said Cordelia. Her long black hair swirled in the water around her, reminding her of black snakes.
"Are…. are you in any pain?" Gabrielle's voice was low and quiet. A smile tugged at Cordelia's lips. The fact that Gabrielle's first question had been for her welfare made Cordelia feel overwhelmed with motherly affection and appreciation for her young apprentice. Gabrielle had grown into a fine young woman.
"No. Not anymore." Cordelia tried to make her voice as gentle and convincing as possible. Occasionally, she would have phantom pains. The memories of how her scars were inflicted sometimes haunted her dreams. She would awake in a cold sweat feeling as if the lashes and burns across her body were fresh and new.
This seemed to convince Gabrielle, and the girl sighed, touching her chest in relief. She looked at Cordelia, their eyes meeting for the first time since she had helped her undress.
"I'm glad…."
"Anything else you wish to know?" Cordelia handed Gabriella her now empty teacup. She splashed water over her face and hair, waiting for the girl to respond. It took a moment, but after a while, Gabrielle shook her head.
"No, Madame. You are here now. And as long as you are free of pain, that is all that matters to me."
Cordelia nodded. Of course, this was her business. She had expected the curious girl who often lacked boundaries to bombard her with questions. She felt relieved but also slightly disappointed that she couldn't share her past openly with anyone. Not that it mattered. The past was in the past where it belonged. No need to plague the present or others with such heavy burdens.
After thoroughly washing, the tension in her muscles subsided. Cordelia stepped out of the bath, wrapping a robe around her body. A flick of her wrist made the water in the tub dry up. The bucket shifted and distorted into its normal shape and size in the corner of her room.
She sat down at the table next to Gabrielle, who had poured her another cup of tea and placed a bowl of steaming clear soup and a small loaf of bread in front of her. Cordelia, feeling especially famished, downed the meal quickly. The warmth from her bath mixed with the feeling of her full belly and the temporary energy she felt diminished into sleepiness once more.
She yawned. Gabrielle noticed this and quickly gathered all the dishes from the table.
"Please get some rest, Madame. I'll take care of the apothecary today. Let me know if you need anything. I'll be just downstairs."
"Thank you, Gabrielle. I already feel much better." Cordelia stood up and collapsed in the bed.
It was just moments after Gabrielle had left the room that Cordelia was snuggled deeply in her sheets. The windows over her bed were wide open, letting crisp air inside. The linen curtain fluttered around in the breeze. Sunlight cascaded from the open window, and it's warm rays fell over her body and warmed her skin. Benoni had slinked away quietly, to Cordelia's relief as well as annoyance.
She wanted to probe him deeper for his apprehension and earlier comment. But it was a conversation that could wait for another time.
The sounds from the street below, mixed with crashing waves and seagulls overhead, quickly lulled Cordelia to sleep.