Shortly after Corvin took his leave, Evin appeared in the chamber poking his head through the ajar door, wordlessly asking for permission to enter.
Manners, something that Corvin lacked, among many other qualities. She could finally give her undivided attention to more pressing matters. Such as the new threat arising from Oros. As if the monsters weren't enough.
" I need you to have scouts patrolling the border," Evin stilled, and narrowed his eyes at her, " We may or may not have started a war during our visit to Oros," Evin sputtered, trying to find his words. He feared war, battles, and death. If they had one thing in common then that was that neither of them wanted to sit next to the pyre and watch their people burn. Never again.
" Corvin hadn't said much since you have returned. He'd been barking at everyone who came near you. Caell was allowed close to tend to you but," Evin took a deep breath when she raised her hand to stop him from speaking. No time to hear about that nonsense.
" I need eyes on the border Evin. I don't want to hear about how Corvin hurt your feelings. I promise I will, in due time. I just need you to do this for me. Find two people who can take turns and keep a close watch. I need to know if Arvun will march his army over the border. We already have a threat looming over us and we have no control over it. I don't understand, why they haven't attacked yet, but regardless the threat is there. I don't want to entertain any more thoughts on the matter. I will drive myself crazy. We have already lost so much. We do not have the luxury for more slip-ups," Iris sighed, and shuffled herself on the edge of the bed, bitting down the pain in her back. The sisters were quiet, for once. For how long? Hard to tell.
" I understand. I would very much like to know what happened in Oros. When you will be up to it? For now, I'll find someone to keep watch over the border. Corvin and Eisza are preparing to leave," Evin paused and took a seat at the table, watching with furrowed brows. He seemed worried.
" One of these days you'll have to tell me, why you have allowed him to do as he pleased," Evin raised his eyes, interlacing his hands between his knees. His concern was touching, but she had decided to wait it out. For Corvin to do what he came to do. Sometimes, not all battles can be fought with a blade.
" Maybe, someday," Iris hummed, and slowly pushed herself off the bed, endeavouring to take a few steps. Enough to get blood flowing through her legs. Groaning, in pain with each step she took, her muscles and joints complained and protested. It wasn't enough to stop her. Above all else, the lives of the people she had sworn to protect were at stake once again because of her actions.
Evin watched her take one step at a time, a tad on the edge of the seat whenever her knees threatened to give in. She'd made it to the door and then on shaky legs returned to the bed and almost jumped on it when her knees finally gave in.
" You should rest," Evin hummed, sucking a breath, " I'll send Amelia, to help you with your bath and bring you some more food. You'll need all the rest you can get to recover, " Evin stood, nodded and made his way out of the room. Ker, Algea, Oros, Arvun. Matters were complicated further as if, it wasn't already complicated enough.
One deep breath to still her thoughts. No. It would work. She had to believe that the little display on the palace ground was sufficient to ward them off. It was a taste of what the sisters could do. But she couldn't give in to their desire to cause more chaos. She could feel it in her veins, the power, how it flowed. It had grown, and had become more destructive than it already was. And the sisters would want more soon.
Iris sighed and turned her gaze towards the sky painted with hues of red, orange and dark grey. It was time to lay the plans for the next steps. When the time would come, she knew just the place to go and give the sisters what they wanted. Soon, it will be her turn to return home. Fiahtyr forest awaited. She had to try and end what only began with her. And then she could finally rest in peace wherever that would be. Whether it was in the great beyond, in the chasm with Ker or the Seven heavens.
Her fate had been woven mercilessly. There was no point dwelling on it.
Amelia made her presence known when she knocked on the door. Out of habit, she waited, since usually Corvin would open the door before they even had a chance to knock. He was gone.
Some well-deserved peace. Amelia said her greetings, polite as ever while she shuffled on the bed and watched her busy herself getting everything ready. She hadn't said much, other than that she was pleased she was doing well but she hadn't doubted for a moment that she wouldn't pull through.
" Whenever you are ready," Amelia softly said as she approached the bed with her hands clasped before her, in a show of submission. She was quite young, and still tender at heart.
Nodding Iris pushed herself off the bed, and raised her hand to stop Amelia when she reached to help her up.
"I will be alright. It might take me longer but I will get there, " Amelia took a step back and watched her scrape the floor with her feet all the way to the bathtub.
She disrobed, letting the clothes pool at her feet and with the same heaviness, climbed into the bath, letting the warm water soothe her aching bones, and joints.
She threw a glance over her shoulder towards the bed where he usually sat and watched her while she bathed. There was a sense of emptiness unfurling in her heart. He was gone.
A strange feeling, somewhat familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. She peeled her eyes off the bed when Amelia cleared her throat to gain her attention. In the candlelit room, warmed by the brightly burning fire, and the lack of his presence, her surroundings felt strangely foreign.