This grants Aura her daughter's attention finally, Airlie’s eyes widening as she turned in her seat, and Soren's fingers tense against my own but the door opening to the chambers proves his concern is not with the interests of his aunt.
Roan leaps to his feet and Kytan strides towards the dining room with two goblin soldiers at his side. I grit my teeth, ready for whatever petty differences have sparked an incident within the barracks, but Yregar’s commander quickly bows to Soren without preamble.
"Another war band of raving witches arrived to the outer wall. The soldiers on sentry duties killed them and the Briarfrost soldiers burned the bodies but there are signs of more."
Soren shoots a look at Roan then Gideon and they’re all striding out of the room with barely a command thrown over their shoulders. Nudging Cerson gently, she follows me as I stand and smile warmly at Airlie.
She sends me an amused look back. “Soren will be furious if you leave these castle walls, Rooke. It’s probably unwise with the regent’s plans for you.”
I hold up a hand to stop any of the glaring male’s left behind from voicing their own protests. “I’m taking Cerson down to the healer’s quarters to meet Thea and ensure she’s doing well. If we’re about to defend the castle from another siege this might be my only chance and I’m already anxious to see her.”
Tauron’s eyes shutter, his defenses slipping into place easily as Airlie and Tyton both glance at him but I incline my head to Airlie with murmured thanks for her hosting, and lead Cersonback out of the Snowsong chambers. Gage and Tauron follow behind us, just as I was expecting, leaving Reed and Tyton behind to watch over Airlie and her sleeping son.
“No one has entered the quarters while you were gone, and Tyra has only left briefly for provisions and to check in with Firna. She said everything was going well… whatever that means.”
I nod back to Tauron. “It’s a slow path, but Tyra is excellent with her and not just because she’s able to sign. She’s adept at sensing her fears and moving her away from them. Once we have a good foundation of trust with her, we’ll start working through them instead, but for now creating a peaceful and safe environment for her is the best course of action.”
He gives me a curt nod back, his jaw tense as he grinds his teeth in frustration, but when we arrive at the healer’s quarters he dismisses the guards there with ease, taking up watch on one side of the door without argument. Gage stands on the other side, his tail subdued as it curls around him, and he nods firmly to me.
I knock, knowing Tyra will hear it and warn Thea, waiting a moment before I open the door and step through first. The females are both sitting at the long work table, their plates from dinner stacked up and ready for cleaning though they’re too busy chatting to get to the task yet, and they both smile at me, though Thea seems hesitant at the gesture.
I smile back, blocking the door frame as I pause for a moment.I’ve returned and brought a good friend of mine back to Yregar with me. Cerson is a witch returned from the Northern Lands, although she’s not a healer she has endless knowledge and skills that would be a gift for you both. Can we join you both for some tea before bed?
Thea glances at Tyra but the maid nods back to her with a reassuring squeeze of her arm thrown in for good measure. Iwait until she’s taken a deep breath, her nerves now bubbling into the calm space and taking it over, but Cerson glides into the room as though she doesn’t feel it. Her smile is genuine and warm as she slowly approaches Thea, leaving a generous space between them as she greets her warmly.
Thea still trembles a little at the sight of her, but she's able to duck her head in greeting, and my own hands move swiftly to distract my young apprentice.
I'm sorry I was gone much longer than we first intended. I fear we’ll be forced back out of the castle again soon but my priority is the safety of Yregar and all within.
Thea watches my hands, rubbing her own on the apron tied neatly around her waist, but it’s the only sign of distress in the otherwise healthy looking female. Her hair is braided down her back, and she’s wearing healer’s robes but in Celestial blue, no doubt a gift from Airlie.
We've kept the garden safe for you, Mistress Rooke. When the snow began to fall with much more ferocity, we've kept close watch and adjusted the frames as they’ve needed.
My eyebrows raise at Tyra and a small smile dimples at her cheeks as she signs her answer to me, sure to keep the Thea in the conversation.We've been taking small walks around the garden as well, Mistress Rooke. It's been challenging at times but Thea has been incredibly determined to ensure that you returned to a perfectly maintained quarters.
I'm not surprised to learn that stepping into the garden required the nudge of gaining my approval but the fact that Thea’s telling me about it without the drenching terror that plagues her feels like a small step forward. Tyra ducks out of the healer’s quarters with the promise of finding something sweet to indulge in, bowing to me on her way.
Cerson moves around my shelves as easily as she did in the Golden Palace, collecting vials and putting a kettle of water onthe stove to boil. She hums under her breath easily, an old lullaby that tears my heart to hear after a night of revisiting my pain, but I hum along with her. She sends me a shy smile, realizing what she’s done but I shake my head, catching her hand in mine to squeeze gently.
Taking a seat, Cerson gently questions Thea about her experience at Yregar so far, smiling at her hesitant answers and offering her reassurance.This is my home now too, at least for the time being. I hope to return to the forest once this business with Kharl Balzog is over with.
Cerson begins pouring out our tea, slipping back into our habits easily but Thea scowls at the table between us before slowly repeating the Betrayer's name.I've seen mention of the male before. Is there trouble with him?
Cerson pointedly doesn't look in my direction, sliding the cup and saucer over to Thea before she replies.There’s much conflict with the male. Do you remember where you saw mention of him?
Thea’s brows pinch as she lifts the cup to blow the steam rises she looks nervous but not much more than she usually does. I smile at her in encouragement as Cerson hands me my own cup.
Thea stares out the door out to the garden, closed firmly to keep the winter chill out, before glancing back.I recognized some of the plants in the garden. A lot of them grew in Yris too. Some of them are magic, aren’t they?
Cerson nods back to her sedately, not showing any frustration for the avoidance of her question.There’s magic in all living things but some of those plants hold far more potential than others certainly.
Thea’s teeth worry at her bottom lip, a newly revealed nervous habit that wasn't on display before I left but a good sign of her growing comfort, that she’s able to show nervous behavior without fear of punishment. The crackling of the fire and thesoothing brew of the tea helps the calm to wash over me and a sigh heaves out of my chest as my shoulders finally relax. I enjoy the quiet for a moment, and the peace of not being observed so closely as I have been for days.
Kharl Balzog is going to teach the high fae how to live forever.
Cerson blinks at Thea’s hands for a moment before looking up at her face but when she sees the surety in the female, she turns to me. Her mouth moves for a moment but no sound comes out, aghast at such a plan.
I blow out a breath, signing to them both, I did hear rumors in Yris of how desperately the regent wants to reign over the Southern Lands indefinitely. He certainly was eager to auction his only daughter off, certain he didn’t require an heir.
