Philippa woke to a kiss being planted on her brow and warm breath flowing onto her face. A body pressed gently to hers and arms held her close. She smiled and pressed her face into the chest before her, relishing in the heat. She was calm and felt well rested. Her ribs felt better than they had previously. Overall, she was spared any worrisome thoughts as her mind clouded over again with sleep.
A hand stroked her hair and Bardulf's deep voice said, "Dezra will be here soon to look at your ribs, my sweet Philippa. Would you like me to bring you up some food?"
Pulling back her head, she looked into his eyes and nodded. With a few hand gestures, she also mentioned she liked the medic and Lynn.
Bardulf smiled, pleased at her response then kissed her head. "Dez should be here soon. If you need something, there's a button above your head on the wall. Push it. Lynn or I will come." Philippa nodded and laid back on the pillows, content now. Bardulf caressed her cheek and sighed. "I'll return shortly. Be careful if you get up."
Philipp nodded and smiled at him. Bardulf got up, dressed in the bath chambers then went downstairs where the dining hall was. There, he found several of his most trusted wolves waiting for him, Seth among them. Before he could approach them though, a woman came up and spoke softly into his ear. "There is a problem with the patrols."
Brows furrowing, Bardulf looked at her. "What do you mean?"
"Two men dead. They looked to be eaten alive from what my husband says. There were no tracks though, nothing to lead us to the criminal."
The King frowned and sighed. "Which patrol unit?"
"South."
"Asaya," Bardulf muttered then nodded. "Fine. I will see to it myself when I have attended to a few other matters. Tell your husband to be alert and to not leave his post until I arrive."
The woman nodded and hurried off. Bardulf found a few pieces of fruit, some smoked meat, bread, and a glass of water. As he was leaving the dining area, Seth sidled up to him and asked, "Night go well?"
"For the most part." Bardulf took the stairs three at a time, the man right behind him. When they were on a small landing, the King said, "Is Ershin and Varg free today?"
"After noon meal, yes." Seth crossed his arms and stared at his King and friend. "What is going on?"
Bardulf shook his head and sighed. "Nothing yet, I hope. Have them meet me near castle entrance an hour after noon. Have the stable men bring two reindeer ready for riding, I want Solace to be one of them."
"Solace? But isn't he the vicious one?" Seth asked incredulously.
Bardulf smirked. "Yes, but I just want to see what happens."
"He'll trample her! I mean no offense, but our Luna is hurt already. Solace will surely injure her more."
Bardulf started his way upstairs to where their Luna waited, and glanced back at his friend to say, "I would never put the Luna in any real danger willingly. Solace can easily be detained if necessary, but I think we will be fine. Now if you'll excuse me?"
Philippa had already met with Dezra and had just finished dressing with Lynn when she smelled the ravishing aroma of food wafting from outside the chamber doors. A smile spread across her face and she motioned for Lynn to open it. The girl did as bid and Bardulf nodded to her as he walked inside and strode towards Philippa with a tray in his hands.
Philippa stood carefully and opened her arms, delighted to be the King's presence again. Bardulf set the food down on the bed and embraced her, stroking her hair lightly down her back. Philippa sighed and nuzzled her face into his chest, relishing in his hold. For some reason, this felt right to her. For some reason, in Bardulf's arms, she felt she was safely at home.
"Eat, then we can go downstairs," Bardulf said softly. Philippa shook her head and tightened her arms instinctively. The man kissed her head and smiled to himself. "I am not going anywhere, my sweet Philippa. I will stay here the whole time."
Philippa pulled back just enough so she could use her hands to tell him she didn't want to leave his arms, that she didn't want to leave his embrace ever again because it felt too good.
An idea popped into the King's mind and he moved the tray a little, so it didn't get tipped over. Then, he sat on the bed with his legs spread out in a large V. He pulled Philippa into his lap and made her sit with her back against him and his arms around her. "There, now eat," he rumbled into her ear.
Philippa, pleased by this outcome, did as she was told. Occasionally, she would feed Bardulf a piece and smile when he took it. Then, he'd do the same with her, keeping his gaze locked on her lips that were painted in juices. He wanted to kiss her, kiss those lips, but never got the chance since she always turned around to eat some more.
Lynn returned and took the now empty tray, leaving Philippa leaning back on Bardulf, her stomach full and her body weary once more. Her eyes were closed in complete bliss when she heard the maid announce to the King, "Sir Varg and Ershin have gathered by the castle entrance for you, my King."
"Thank you, Lynn. You may go." Lynn bowed her head and left. Bardulf grabbed Philippa's hand and held the back of it up to his mouth. Brushing his lips against her skin, he said, "Are you well enough to go outside with me?"
Philippa smiled and nodded her head but didn't move from her position. Bardulf smiled and lifted her in his arms so he could carry her. The woman's smile widened as she snuggled into his chest.
Bardulf carried her all the way to the castle's entrance where he did indeed see his men waiting for him. They bowed low and greeted him, then Philippa before Ershin grabbed a heavy coat for the woman. Bardulf gently set her on her feet and helped her put the piece of clothing on. It engulfed her and her head barely visible through all the fur. Her black hair was done in a braid down her back, so it was out of her face. Bardulf put on a coat himself, then helped the Luna out of the castle to where two majestic reindeer stood.
Philippa motioned to them with a curious expression. Bardulf took her to the smaller one and started petting the muzzle. "They're reindeer. We will be using them because they are able to mov through snow easier than a horse."
Philippa pointed at the antlers, shaking her head as if saying she was never going near them.
"Don't worry," Bardulf said as he lifted her into the saddle. "They are tame beasts. You will not be harmed." She gave him a doubtful look but clung onto the horn of the saddle like she might fall off. Bardulf got on the other one and came up beside her, grabbing the reins to lead her reindeer. "Relax, my sweet, I won't let you be harmed."
Soon, Philippa did relax. She was less focused on where the antlers were and more on the scene around them. It was so white and cold. She wondered how he could survive in this place. There didn't look to be any animal or plant in sight. What if they starved?
Bardulf glanced at her every now and then, making sure she was wasn't in danger or hurting. He knew she was fragile compared to him, but that didn't mean he still want her to stay inside the castle walls all day either. Fresh air, although freezing, was good for her. She needed to get stronger, get used to the cold.
They were nearing a small village when her reindeer started to protest by pulling on the reins. He looked over to see Philippa kicking its sides in a panic, tears streaming down her face. Hurriedly, he pulled her closer and made her look at him. The tears were already frozen on her cheeks. "What is it?"
She pointed behind them, then buried her face into his chest. Bardulf looked to see two silhouettes on the horizon, nearing them slowly. One put its head up and the King recognized white-grey wolf.
"Easy there," he soothed. "It's only Ershin and Varg. I asked them to follow us for extra precaution."
Philippa looked back at the two large wolves and her body went slack against him. Bardulf heard her loud sigh of relief and felt her head strike against him, as if all the energy had drained from her. Bardulf lifted her up and over onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her but continuing forward towards the village.
As they entered, Philippa did not lift her head, nor did she move any other part of her body. Bardulf would have thought she died except he could hear and feel her soft breaths through the clothes he wore. He kissed her head and halted the steeds at a small tipi. A woman came out and grabbed the reins to the second reindeer and led it towards food and water while Bardulf got him and Philippa to the ground.
He entered the tipi and smiled at the young girl within. "Ysmay, good to see you!"
The girl, white haired and small, gave a large grin. "King Bardulf! You've been gone for so long!"
"Oh no I haven't!" he rolled his eyes and set Philippa on a cot nearby. It was then that she stirred, only to wrap her arms around his neck to keep him close. "My Sweet Philippa, I will not leave your side. I promise. Rest."
Those hazel eyes blinked up at him with desperation. Behind him, Ysmay exclaimed, "Who is that?"
Philippa's eyes went wide before she pulled away from Bardulf as quickly as she could. In the process of doing so, she hit her head on one of the poles keeping the tipi standing. She flinched as Bardulf pulled her close again. "Ysmay, this is Philippa. Philippa, this is Ysmay. She is the daughter to one of my good friends, Serrill."
Ysmay scampered up and took a closer look at Philippa, curiosity making her forget her manners. "You aren't like us, are you?"
"Ysmay!" a loud stern voice scolded from the flap to the outside. "That is no way to speak to your elders!"
Ysmay slouched and bowed her head. "Please forgive me."
"Run along and play. The king and I have matters to discuss that aren't for your little ears to hear."
Ysmay ran up to her father and embraced him. The man's face turned soft as he hugged back, then ruffled the girl's hair and ushered her out of the tipi. When they were alone with the man, Philippa still hadn't moved, still hadn't relaxed.
"Serrill, I apologize for coming here without invitation," Bardulf said, bowing his head to the man.
"Do not apologize. Just tell me what you need."
Bardulf looked down at the woman in his lap, still staring fearfully at the man across from them. "I need you to help her. She is weak and I don't think Dezra can do more other than give her pain meds. She's exhausted easily and her ribs are still broken."
Serrill knelt before them and noticed how fast the woman was breathing. He was partly sure it was fear, but no doubt it was also because she was having a challenging time breathing. "What is your name, hon?"
Bardulf answered for her. "Her name is Philippa."
Serrill glanced at Bardulf before giving Philippa a warm smile. "I won't hurt you, Philippa. I don't even hurt Ysmay. I just want to look at your wounds, is that alright?"
Philippa turned to Bardulf who nodded, then stared back at the man. She gave one, almost faint nod. He smiled again as Bardulf gently lifted her coat, then her shirt so he could see. Philippa shivered, but sighed as warm hands touched her exposed skin. She slapped his hand away when he got to a sore spot, painfilled tears escaping her eyes.
Serrill held his hands up in surrender. "Alright. I'll stop."
Bardulf covered her again before asking, "Well?"
The man sat back and fixed the king with a grim expression. "Still broken, but it is too cold to do anything here. She will freeze before I even start."
"But you can help, right?"
Serrill smiled at the young woman in his king's arms. He had heard rumors about a woman joining the king back from his trip, heard it wasn't the one he planned to marry. Seems as though rumors were true, and it seems the king was desperate for her to live if possible. "Come by tomorrow to the ruins. It'll be warmer there. All my supplies are there."
Bardulf smiled. "Thank you very much!"
Serrill smiled but said, "Don't thank me yet."