I take this time to check out her hiding space. It's very cozy here, like a second home. She's got fur on the ground around the bed and under the table. It was very soft and comfortable. A fire pit for cooking, it looks like, sat on the other side of the table. There are boxes and jars along the wall and another table in the far corner next to another opening.
I wonder what's down there? If I'm going to be taking care of her, I should know my surroundings.
I follow the tunnel to a workshop of sorts but with plants. I mean they were everywhere. There was also a fire pit in the center of the room and a large bowl beside it on the ground. A long table with tools and chopped-up plants sat against the wall. Small jars lined the wall on shelves as well.
Some had dried-up plants, whether single or multiple and others had water or were just slimy inside. Most smelled disgusting while a couple of the dried ones smelled refreshing.
What is all of this? What does she do here?
I leave, a little freaked out by what I saw.
I walked to Lyria's bed and sit down beside it on the furs. I stare at her while she's sleeping. I couldn't help but touch her beautiful face. Even when she's in pain her delicate features seem to be even more mature.
If only such a rare creature could be mine.
I fall asleep next to the sleeping beauty.
The next morning I woke and check to see if she still breathing. Once I confirm there's still life in her I check the bruising on her ribs and back. There was already clear improvement but it still looked bad. Her breathing is a little labored and she feels a little warm. I let her continue sleeping and head out to the training grounds.
When I got to the training grounds, the general and his pups were there waiting and as soon as they saw me, they started to bombard me with questions.
"How is she?"
"Is she alright?"
"Did she make It through the night?"
The general finally stepped in." That's enough everyone. Go train. Prince Koda report on my daughter's condition."
"Lyria has severe bruising on her back and abdomen. A total of five broken ribs and a couple of smaller cuts and bruises. Right before I left, I checked her again and I believe she's getting a fever." I speak honestly in one go.
"A fever won't be good. Many females have died due to fevers. Go back and keep an eye on her. I'll make sure word doesn't get out that your away." The general walks away, body tense and sunken in eyes due to lack of sleep.
He'll probably worry himself to death over his daughter.
"Prine Koda, make her some root soup and slowly let her drink it. Boil water and put in fresh bone, red root, and bitter leaves. Make sure she only drinks the watery soup and none of the bigger pieces. She could coke and die from that as well. Also, wipe her down twice a day with cool water to keep her body temp down. This is the theory she's come up with dealing with fevers. Come back when her fever is down." Ryker instructed me. I didn't see him there a second ago, was he standing there all along?
How do they know medicine?
"Alright, I'll get going then."
"And Prince Koda, I trust you won't mess with my little sister."
"She is safe with me. I'm well disciplined and know how to hold myself back." I know he's worried for his sister, but I'm offended he would even assume I would be indecent to a little pup. I may not look it but I'm almost as old as his dad. Still, I don't show my distaste for his words.
I head back to the sleeping beauty, ensuring no one is following me. Thankfully it's easy to get lost if you don't know the way.