Persephone: Leonidas' Domina

32- Leonidas

During the first three days, Leonidas was unconscious.

He could tell that someone cleaned him up, that his head banged like it was being hit heavily and that all over him burnt but his memories were all in a haze.

It was after he had finally gained consciousness that he looked into the eyes of his healer, his heart disappointed when he saw that it was Miriam and not Persephone before he went out like a light again.

Although now, he was up and walking, limping and wincing at certain slight times, he was not sure how he was supposed to feel.

At first, when he had fully woken, he had asked for Persephone, asked where she was. Miriam's reply had been 'The Lady has been seated outside and has not moved an inch ever since I saw you in the state you were. She would not come in but she told me what to do to take care of you which I have done. She also has not said a single word since then'

Seated outside?

Not moved an inch?

Leonidas did not understand what was going on. At first, he did not want to care, he just wanted to leave now that she was not going to talk him into coming back. That he would leave now while he had the chance, pray to the gods or anyone who would at least care to hear his pleas to rid him of her forever.

But when he stepped outside and saw her.

His whole being refused to leave.

She was seated in the back yard, a white-gray like substance in a circle around her with charcoals heaped at her side. Infront of her was an easel and a canvas while she furiously dragged the charcoal on it.

Whatever she was doing, drawing, Leonidas had never gotten close enough to see, but all he knew was that she still had on the same dress since that night and looked even worse than he did.

It was on the eighth day of his recovery that Cleon visited. "Where is she? I have not seen her in days and I am worried. Her Father is too but he is too proud to admit it."

Leonidas showed him where she was and Cleon reacted first by clutching his chest, taking a step backward and saying in the smallest of voices that Leonidas was even surprised he heard, "Oh no."

"Why?" Leonidas asked, perplexed. "What is wrong? Do you know why she acts like this?"

Cleon stayed silent, his eyes still on Persephone before he looked away. "May we enter the house and sit? I cannot- I cannot look at her in that way."

"Of course."

They were now seated in the cabin, Leonidas sitting on the bed with Cleon on her rocking chair, a cup of tea in his hand given to him by Miriam, "Lord Leonidas?"

He faced her, "Yes?"

She adjusted the scarf over her face. "Can I leave to my village? Today is a worship day so I must be there."

Leonidas knew that she did not want to leave and would have stayed longer to care for him but she also did not want to be here while they discussed her Lady either. "Of course. I wish you a safe trip."

Miriam bowed her head and was out a second later.

Leonidas waited for Cleon to feel comfortable which took several minutes before he asked, "What is wrong with her?"

The man let out a small breath out, slowly returning the cup to it's saucer and setting it on a dressing table as he said, "If I may, my Lord. Could you tell me what happened before this? After you returned from your trip that is. I know that it is not my concern but it is the only way I can deduce what exactly is wrong."