Kapitel 72: Ch. 72: Sleeping In The Palace
-- Ezran --
Sleeping in the palace is . . . weird.
I was ushered into a very nice guest room with all the necessary accommodations, which were a heck of a lot better than anything I was used to. When asked about it, the servants stated it was customary for army officials.
Okay . . . but I felt bad that Richie and Illana were brought to the servants quarters. They weren't really servants, even though I guess everyone considered them to be.
Richie stated it was fine - He'd been in the servants quarters before when he was serving in the palace. He said that the servants area was actually very nice, much nicer than the tent we were sharing. I guess that's a good thing. Rodair was given a room close to mine, so he was pleased about that. He didn't want me to be 'unprotected' in the palace . . .
Yeah I definitely wasn't unprotected. I had all of my weapons still concealed on my person . . . Which wasn't helpful since I did have to take a bath. Making the decision of hygiene over safety, I laid the weapons down beside the tub before bathing - I wasn't sure what would happen but I didn't want to be unprepared. Snippet acted as my little guardian while I sank into the soothing warm water. As soon as my ragged body hit that water, it was over.
Hellfire, it's been FOREVER since I last had a bath!
It took all of my will-power, but in the end I wouldn't allow myself to indulge too much in the luxurious bath. I took care of my business, patted myself dry and put on a white nightdress that was laid out for me (along with a few of my weapons). Obviously I didn't want to be defenseless while I slept.
Snippet dipped her lithe little body into the tub taking an energized swim while I was busy tidying myself up. Once I laid down, she was kind enough to lay beside me remaining awake like a silent sentinel as I nuzzled into the VERY comfortable bed. I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep especially under the same roof as my nemesis, but low and behold I was proven wrong. That comforter was just too relaxing . . .
----
'I dreamt of the invasion again. The sky was clouded in ash and screams rang in the air. This time when Corbin lay in a broken heap at my feet, I couldn't seem to move. He was burning as I stood not more than five feet away from him. Suddenly a crying young girl knelt down to smother the flames. She looked around her helpless until she saw me standing there.
Looking up at me, pure rage reflected in her honey-green eyes.
"YOU DID THIS!" She screamed.
Me? How could I ever harm Corbin?
I looked down at my hands and noticed they were covered in blood. Looking back at the girl, she cried even harder, screaming at me that I was the culprit . . .
Suddenly I was no longer in front of the girl, instead I was holding Lendale in my hands looking up at a terrifying army. Without any thought, I twisted Lendale's neck while pulling my blade across his throat. Blood sprayed in a dazzling display before us as he fell from my arms. While looking down at his terror stricken dead face I heard a roaring laughter.
Where was the laughter coming from? It took a full minute to realize that the laughter was coming from me.
The young girl from before knelt in front of me once more, cradling Lendale's horrified body. She looked up and screamed, "YOU DID THIS!"
NO! Nooo! No no no no . . .
I couldn't have done this! It wasn't my fault! I glanced down at my hands and they were bloodstained, so much so that it would take years to remove the stain from my hands.
My vision blurred and went black as I heard Sister Livy's cold harsh voice echoing around me.
"Had enough yet Little Sis?"
"Ha ha ha . . . You are NOTHING to our race!"
The darkness was consuming. I heard Sister Livy's cold cruel laughter surround me when all of a sudden a whisper came to my ear, "Think about your resolution . . . Perhaps you may decide to become one of us."
"I won't!" I screamed into the darkness. "I want to save us - Please listen to me!"
Sister Livy's laugh reverberated into my bones. I heard the whistle before I felt the sting of a whip strike my back as her laughter continued. I couldn't move, I couldn't run, I couldn't even scream anymore as I felt whip after whip fall on my back.
"That's what you get! You ungrateful selfish child! Don't you know not to go against the customer? You hurt another person here and you'll be DEAD, you hear me?"
Laughter, pain, the sound of the whip all cascaded down on top of me as I finally belted out a horrible bloodcurdling scream . . .'
----
I woke up in a sweat, screaming at the top of my lungs. Poor little Snippet was pawing at my chest, trying to get my attention and calm me down.
With ragged breaths, I looked around me noticing the sun was setting when a thunderous BANG came from the door. I pulled a dagger, ready for danger and was shocked to see Rodair's shaking form.
"Lady Ezran! Is m'lady alright? Where is the danger?" He asked breathlessly.
"Pardon me sir but you're not supposed to be in the Champion's chambers." A meek young manservant looked up at Rodair's imposing form. The servant along with two others appeared very concerned with a man barging into my room.
I shook my head, trying to get rid of the remnants of the dream as I lowered my weapon, "It's okay fellas, he's with me. You guys can go."
The manservants nodded politely and shut the door leaving a very concerned Rodair inside. He walked quickly to my side, eyeing every corner of the room, "Rodair heard m'lady scream - Is m'lady hurt? Where is the culprit? Rodair will tear them apart limb from limb."
I sighed, leaning up in the bed while placing Snippet on my lap, "There's no one here Rodair. I'm fine . . . It's embarrassing but I just had a bad dream."
Rodair finally focused on me, his bright blue eyes searching my own, "A dream? That shouldn't be embarrassing. Everyone has bad dreams. Rodair is just pleased that m'lady is alright."
I smiled faintly, "Yes, I'm fine. Sorry to disturb you - Ugh these walls aren't very thick huh?"
Rodair chuckled, "Rodair's room is right next to m'lady's. Rodair remained on alert since this is a new place, so Rodair was bound to hear any threat."
"Oh. What time is it anyway?" I asked.
"It's nearly time to get ready for the banquet the Crown Prince has planned . . . M'lady is there anything Rodair can do to help? If m'lady wishes to talk about it, Rodair is always willing to listen." He reached his big hand to cover my own. The sheer size of his hand compared to mine was unbelievable.
I felt slightly uncomfortable now that I had calmed down. Here I was alone on a bed with a very handsome man holding my hand . . . The situation didn't look too good even if he was my friend and comforting me.
I pulled my hand away, acting like I was sweeping aside a stray piece of hair, "I really appreciate it Rodair, but this is just the effect of too much bloodshed I suppose. I'll get over it."
He looked down at me, concern covering his rugged good-looking features, "That's not something a person easily gets over. Killing can weigh a person down - M'lady must remain strong even in mind if she wishes to obtain her goals."
I smiled, "Thanks . . . I guess I need to get ready for the banquet. Richie and Illana should be here any moment to assist with my clothes - You should get ready too. It's your first time in the palace you know."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein