Air Warrrior

Wounded

I could hear the sound of voices around me, my eyes felt heavy. My throat felt dry. I slowly blinked my eyes open. I looked around the room, I didn't recognize it. I squinted as I sat up. I groaned as pain shot up my side.

"Hey, take it easy. Try not to move too much." I looked up towards the voice, it was the King.

"Your maj_" I began to say but my words got stuck in my throat.

He stopped me with a slight chuckle, "Here, this will help." He handed me a cup filled with water. I sipped on it slowly.

"How are you feeling?" He asked with genuine concern. 

I cleared my throat, "I'm fine. Just a little sore." I smiled at him.

"I had the doctor stitch you up, you lost a lot of blood. But the doctor is making sure you get the medicine you need to make a full recovery." He looked at me, his eyes seemed tire. 

"Thank you, sir."

"I would have stopped the fight sooner if I had known that I cut you that deep, I apologize my lady." His face was full of guilt as if he were ashamed of hurting me.

"Well, you did say you weren't going to hold back. A man of your word." I laughed at my own joke, causing him to smile. 

"So, did I pass?" I asked with a concerned face. 

He took my hand in his. "The battles were only half the test, truth be told..." A smile spread across his face. "No one has actually won the final battle before. They are more about testing endurance, and technique." He was quiet for a while. "By the way... how did you know I had a weak hip?"

"You have my father to thank for that, he taught me to observe my opponent, find their weakness and use it. When I sweep your feet, I missed on purpose to make you jump. I saw you favored your right side slightly so, as you landed, I watched. My hand went slightly towards your hip, probably out of habit." I coughed a little and flinched as my wound ached. 

He let out a bellowed laugh. We sat in silence for a little bit. I looked around the room, it was dark outside now so, I must have been out for a while. Christopher must have gone to sleep already.

"He's meeting with the guard." He spoke, as if he read my mind. "The second half of the process, the guard votes on the fate of the warrior. But, after what the men saw out there, I have a feeling I know what they will be voting." He smiled at me. "I see the way that you look at him, you care for my son."

"I do." I said softly, scared that he would disapprove. 

"You gained a lot of respect out there on that field. Your farther would be proud." He got to his feet; his face softened. "You will make a fine Queen one day Skylar Williams, you are brave, selfless and fair." He leaned in and placed a kiss on my hand. "Get some rest my lady, we will announce the results in the morning."

He walked out fading into the darkness of the hall. I finished the water that was in the cup and placed in on the table beside the bed. I drifted to sleep as I thought about his words. Queen? Me?