"Your Majesty!"
Bardulf sighed as he heard his title being called. He had a long night, much less a restful one. He and Flik managed to get Ysmay into another family for a while so he could figure out what to do with her, then they looked at Serill's body, confirming Flik's descriptions from earlier. They spent half the night asking around and searching for tracks to no avail. Now, late morning and exhausted, someone needed him.
"Your Majesty!"
"What!" he growled, turning to face the person who needed him.
Dezra skidded to a halt, hesitating when she saw the look of fury on his face. But she swallowed her fear and said, "Luna needs you."
This got Bardulf's attention and he became wide awake. "What's wrong?"
Dezra shook her head. "I don't know, sir. She just continues to search the room in fear. I heard something crash last night and found something on her floor, but when I asked if she got up, she shook her head no."
Bardulf led the way to where Philippa was staying while she was healing. "Did you see anyone?"
"No, but the window was wide open."
"Does she know what they look like?"
"I'm not sure. She is unable to tell me."
Bardulf ran upstairs and through hallways, finally breaking the door to her room open, even though it was unlocked. He looked around and found nothing wrong. Dezra must have cleaned up whatever mess she found on the floor and closed the window. It did feel cooler in here than it should though.
When he looked at Philippa, he saw her wide eyes and tear stained face. He strode over and carefully wrapped her in his arms. "It's alright. I'm here."
She began to cry, and Bardulf had to sit beside her and get situated before he could let her completely lean on him. Dezra brought some food for Bardulf and a glass of water for Philippa, checked Philippa's wounds, then left them alone.
Bardulf stroked Philippa's hair and kissed her head. "Did someone hurt you?"
She shook her head but cried harder.
"Did they try?"
She nodded. Bardulf carefully pulled her closer.
"Were you able to see what they looked like?" She nodded but didn't move to explain. The king was furious someone had tried to hurt her, in his own home. And while she was hurt, unable to defend herself! How cruel could someone get?
"Sir?"
The king looked towards the door to see Flik there with a patient expression. "I'll come talk to all of you later. Right now, search the perimeters for intruder." He looked down at Philippa. "Was it a male?"
She shook her head and shuddered.
"It would be a female," he said to Flik. "More details later."
"Right away."
Bardulf and Philippa sat in the bed for a long time. Bardulf ate some food and fed some to Philippa. It was then that he remembered the vile of blue liquid. He took it out of his pocket and examined it.
Philippa's eyes went wide, and she strained to take it and throw it like she'd done the night before. As soon as her hand came up though, Bardulf caught it, eyeing her carefully. "What is it?"
She shook her head vigorously, new tears appearing in her eyes. He seemed to understand and moved the vile away. She watched it as he lowered it back into his pocket, still holding her hand.
"Philippa did someone try to give you something last night?" he asked, trying to keep his voice calm, but was having trouble to the anger boiling inside him.
She nodded hesitantly, glancing to the floor where he suspected Dezra cleaned up a mess. She swallowed loudly and glanced back to his pocket.
"Was it blue?"
She shook her head.
Bardulf lowered her hand, kissing it lightly before resting it in her lap. He could see her calming down a little, but knew she was terrified from the events of last night. He cupped her face and sighed. "I'm sorry I wasn't here. I'm sorry I didn't help you. I am so sorry you were alone."
She tried to smile but failed. Instead she nodded her understanding.
"Dezra!" he called, keeping full eye contact with Philippa.
"Sir?" the doctor said, confused for a moment until Bardulf produced the vile from his pocket. Philippa's eyes widened again in fear, but he handed it to Dezra.
"First, tell me what color the mess on the ground was."
"Black, and it smelled worse than the worst dung!" she exclaimed.
"Now, tell me if you recognize that stuff."
Dezra examined the vile, opened and sniffed the contents, then stuck a finger it and rubbed it with her thumb. "Some kind of antidote."
"Good, let me see it."
Dezra handed it back to the king and he held it up to Philippa's lips. "Do you trust me?" he asked, and she nodded. "Then please, drink this. I think it will help you."
Immediately, she shook her head. Her glance to the floor and the window was all he needed to know why she refused.
"I'll drink it with you," he said, and she paused. "I'll drink it and if it doesn't do anything to hurt me, then you drink it, okay?"
He thought she'd accept his offer, but instead, she shook her head and tilted her head back, opening her mouth wide for him. He smiled. Carefully, Bardulf poured the blue liquid into her mouth and watched her swallow it, cringing at the taste. He helped her sip some water before she rested herself against his chest.
"Thank you, Dezra," he said. The doctor bowed and left again.
Soon, Philippa was asleep, but he didn't leave her side.
The woman with white hair glared with hatred towards the castle. It was too late now that her plan was ruined. It was too late for plan A. She'd have to try something else, something a little more creative.
She put the neck of a polar bear to her lips and sucked, crimson red dripping from her chin and staining her teeth. Once the poor animal was drained, she threw the carcass to the side and shifted into her wolf. She began to lope in the direction of Asaya, a plan in mind, a victim targeted, a jaw aching for the kill.