Kings Game

Chapter 33 - Darling

(1)

Kell stayed in bed until her bladder forcibly dragged her to the lavatory. When she stumbled back to the bed, she found a tray of bread and cheese sitting on the nightstand. Kell attacked it, shoving the food in her face as quickly as she could. There was a cup of cold tea sitting next to the tray that she downed as well.

Satisfied, Kell sat on the bed. She felt grimy. Her body was covered in dry sweat and she hadn't had a proper bath since they'd boarded Balaki's Dagger. Slowly stretching, Kell felt her joints and back slowly pop back into place.

"Sarah, you back yet?" Kell asked aloud.

No response.

Shrugging, Kell tried her communication marking. "Can anyone hear me?"

A moment later, Karyn's voice came through. "Are you awake?" Her voice sounded soft and muffled, as if she was speaking into her hand. "I'll bring up coffee."

"Appreciate it. Any word from the others."

"No, I'll be up in a minute."

Kell stood up and paced around the room, tsking at the mess. Their clothes were scattered all over the place. Karyn's charm-making supplies were laid out on the only table in the room and an incense burner sat next to the window. Kell gave it a quick sniff. Mild lavender, something soft and gentle that didn't bother Kell's sinuses.

"Well at least her choice of incense has improved."

The lock turned on the door and Karyn entered, carrying a pair of steaming mugs. Kell cleared a spot on the table and Karyn kicked the door shut as voices echoed in from the hallway. Once Karyn had set down the mugs, Kell wrapped her up in a hug.

"Welcome back," said Karyn, wrapping her arms around Kell. "You were asleep for two days."

"Wow, that's a new record. No wonder I'm so hungry."

"You've actually been eating. I brought up food a couple of times and every time you would wake up, stuff yourself, and immediately fall back asleep."

"Huh, I don't remember any of that. Oh well, I'm up now. Did I miss anything?"

Karyn shook her head. "Nothing really. I went down to the library but I didn't know what I was looking for and I can't read High Uhlaran as well as you or Nul."

"Yeah, we may be stuck until Nul shows up. I don't know what sort of information they're looking for."

Kell took a seat and sipped her coffee. Her stomach growled, still wanting more solid food.

"What do we do now?" asked Karyn.

"We start with breakfast, I'm still starving."

"It's afternoon, most people are already finishing lunch."

"Fine by me. Where are my clothes?"

"What, don't like wandering around naked?"

Kell rolled her eyes. "I have no problem with being naked, as you well know, but I'd rather not have someone burst through the door and see these." She gestured to the focus markings covering her from neck to ankle.

Karyn passed Kell a bundle of clean and pressed clothes. "Your clothes are right here, I cleaned them for you."

"You're the best."

"Yes I am, and don't you forget it. Go have a bath then we'll head down for food."

Kell went to the lavatory where a small basin waited for her. Stepping in, she found some knobs that unleashed a spray of water from overhead. The water was cold and crips, making Kell shiver. She endured it as the water slowly warmed, trying to remember the last time she'd been in a bath like this.