Bab 362: Back at the Palace
"No, Your Majesty. I must object. Nanny is not fit to travel and neither are you if I am being honest."
The doctor was beside himself when Aurora broke the news to him. As soon as the Empress knew how much healing water was required to bring some real healing, she knew that only a trip to the land of magic would help the old Councilwoman.
However Aurora could understand the doctor's reservations. After all, he had no idea where she was actually going or how she was going to get there. This was why the Empress had waited three days to tell him of her intentions.
They would have to begin preparing Nanny to leave for the day after tomorrow or Aurora would have waited even longer to share the news with the physician.
The Empress sat patiently in the doctor's surgery and allowed him to pour some healing water on her arm. It bubbled and blackened, but left the wound in better shape than before. The doctor dabbed away the liquid and covered her arm once more.
"It has been five days since the attack and neither Nanny nor I are healing on our own." The Empress motioned to her arm. "The small amount of special water heals it a little and then the wound fights back with that purple ooze. It is a never ending cycle except we are running out of water. Where I am going, we will have better access to much more healing water."
"Duchess Ashleigh is only a few days closer to the land of magic, Your Majesty…"
"Any amount closer is better than nothing. I notified you of this change as a courtesy. My mind is made up, Doctor, and the matter is settled." Aurora felt a little guilty for her firm tone, but to her surprise the doctor responded just as resolutely.
"Then I am coming with you!" He helped the woman off of the exam table into the chair. "I had a mind to do it anyway, but my argument for such an action is now much stronger."
"Well…" The Empress had not been expecting such an outcome. Aurora could never remember the Doctor leaving the palace except to visit the occasional nobleman and more recently to visit the University. And he certainly never left the city of Valiant.
"As soon as we are sure that the cure will work and you both are healed, I can come back, of course. Until then, I will leave Lina in charge. Everyone listens to her so well, they won't even notice my absence…" the doctor's voice trailed off as he calculated everything he would need to do to complete his tasks in time.
"Doctor, you get ahead of yourself. I did not agree," Aurora reminded him. She pressed her lips together as her words only made the physician dig in his heels.
"Your Majesty, you are the leader of the Empire, but I am the expert when it comes human health. And if I am not taking care of the health of our illustrious leader, then I am not doing my job. I am going with you."
Aurora's back straightened as she arched her brow. "You seem quite sure of yourself, physician. It is a good thing I was already going to agree or we would be having a very difficult conversation just now."
The doctor reached out and brought the woman's delicate hand to his forehead as he bowed. "I am glad we did not have to find out who would win. My head does not look very good on a platter."
With a flutter from her veil as she nodded, Aurora gave a gracious smile. "It would indeed be a waste of resources. Prepare to leave, Doctor. We go day after tomorrow."
——————
"Change out the watch on the walls more often and at random intervals. The enemy should not have been able to breach the wall without being seen." The grey-eyed man pursed his lips.
Devrim, Junayd and Captain Caleb walked outside the palace grounds as the Emperor surveyed the progress.
"Agreed. I have already implemented a new staggered approach so that no one is paired with the same person for too long. I think our men are trustworthy, but I would rather have every precaution in place." Captain Caleb handed over a paper to the Emperor and Advisor to examine.
"This looks pretty solid. Good work, Caleb." Junayd patted the Captain on the back. "What about once Her Majesty is gone and we want to lure them in?"
Caleb gave a mischievous grin. "Oh there is a good plan for that also. You see…"
Suddenly a bright light flashed before them, blinding the men and causing all three to draw their swords. Unwilling to be helpless prey to the unknown assailant, Captain Caleb swung toward the source in hopes of injuring it.
"Stop!" Devrim cried too late. The light materialized into an ethereal being just as the sword came crashing down. However, Fate Métis's reflexes were better than that of the human, and he raised his hand to magically block the blow.
The sword slid off the invisible barrier and dug into the dirt at Métis's feet. Pulled by the force of his swing, Caleb knelt at the Fate's floating feet.
"Quite a welcome for a protector of humanity!" Métis huffed as he looked down at the Captain of the Guards. "I expected better from the imperial palace."
"Excuse Caleb." Devrim bowed his head and placed his hand across his stomach respectfully as he sheathed his sword. "Honor to the Fates. You startled us Fate Métis. We were not expecting you."
"Obviously..." Métis straightened his long white robes as he regained is composure. The Fate who had stationed himself at the University was a little high-strung even by Fate standards. It was best not to get on his bad side.
Knowing this, Junayd gave his most stunning bow and smiled amiably. "To what do we owe the honor of this auspicious visit?"
The unamused Fate looked directly at Junayd, sending a small chill down the advisor's spine. The man knew that Métis could finish him in any number of ways without even blinking. Fortunately the ethereal creature's gaze shifted back to the Emperor, making Junayd feel like a great weight was lifted off of his shoulders.
"I am not here actually here to see you, Your Majesty, though I was hoping you could point me in the right direction. Have you seen the Fates Hanna or Justum? I cannot seem to locate them."
"You mean you don't know where everyone and everything is at all times?" Junayd blurted before the Fate's debilitating glare was turned back on him. He immediately regretted his decision to speak as he felt the air press down on his shoulders.
Métis sighed. "It is none of your concern, but if you must know...the Fates share a consciousness of sorts, but only if it is shared willingly. It is a choice to let the other Fates know where you are, and right now, I cannot locate either of the Fates I am seeking. This was never a problem at the Mystic Spires." There was not judgement in the scholarly Fate's voice. It was more akin to longing.
"Well, you are partially in luck. I should be able to find Hanna quickly." Devrim answered pleasantly. Either because Métis liked him or because the Emperor was used to imposing figures, the weight of Métis's glare did not seem to affect him like the other two men. The grey-eyed man waved to a servant and gave him orders to find the resident Fate of the Castle Valiant.
"And Justum?" Métis queried.
The Emperor glanced at Captain Caleb, who was still kneeling. Beads of sweat were forming on his brow, and Devrim realized he was being held in place by the Fate to protect himself. "You are dismissed Captain Caleb. Please carry out the changes we discussed."
Caleb gasped as he was released from the invisible hold. "Thank you sire," he rasped, standing warily and walking off from the other three. The Captain was very glad that the Fates were on humanity's side, because he realized how futile his efforts at protection against them would be.
Devrim lowered his voice and led the Fate and advisor toward the winding gardens. It was the best place to find some privacy. "I have no idea where Fate Justum is. Is he not with his charge out in the wilderness?"
"Indeed he is not, nor is the Guardian there either. I assumed you knew..."
Aurora had mentioned that Mairwen was not at the cabin when they spoke, so he wasn't completely shocked. Yet, the knowledgeable Fate seemed to be insinuating more than just a little excursion in the woods.
"What did you assume I knew?" The ruler swallowed, his throat suddenly feeling dry.
"I figured you knew that I had a visit from four mysterious figures at the University yesterday-a Guardian, two figures clad in black and soldier. They did not think I recognized them, but how could I not?" Métis arched his brow. As if humans could fool him with some silly disguise.
"What did they want?" Devrim remembered his daughter saying she had business to take care of.
"It seems they wanted more information about the missing scientist. As if the university would hold anything back on that front. Dania's research was most promising." Métis stroked his beardless chin as a thought came and went from his head.
The Emperor groaned. "Not that crazy business again! I thought we had put all that behind us." He rubbed his head and tried to think of the positives. "At least it will keep those kids out of trouble..."
Métis's serious expression turned grim. "If only that were true...Shortly after their arrival and poking around, a murder occurred. Chancellor Fannur is dead."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone