Song of Dangerous Power

Chapter 12

Leiyra

A throbbing headache throbs behind my temples and with a groan, I sit up straight. Sunlight falls in through the withdrawn flap of the tent. With hazy eyes, I look across the room to see a small woman with an ewer and bowl. She is standing at an angle so I can't see her face but I can see how she puts all kinds of stuff down on a small table that stands in place of the tub.

I don't dwell too long on how the tub disappeared and the table took its place because I smell the scent of eggs. My stomach rumbles so I make a move to get out of bed but when my bare feet hit the floor the little woman turns around and a scream sticks in my throat and I freeze.

Her face is a whole of twisted skin and scars as if this woman had been tortured and burned. My suspicion is that this woman, who I only now notice has deer ears sticking up elegantly through her hair, must be around the age of thirty. When she senses my burning stare she nods at me politely and then hurries herself out of the tent.

With my mouth hanging open, I stare after her. The eggs are totally forgotten even though my stomach cramps painfully.

And then vomit rises in my throat. Stumbling, I get to a bucket in time that wasn't here yesterday either.

I vomit until my stomach and throat feel raw and then fall on my butt next to the bucket.

The vomiting is not at all due to the appearance of the woman but to what I drank yesterday.

Hazy memories float to the surface and I cringe.

Oh, Gods...

I didn't drink that much but I may have swallowed it a little too quickly. Then it was a lot of laughing with Gylbarde and then...

And then I practically forced myself on the Commander.

Groaning, I let my head fall into my hands.

This was definitely not the plan!

Oh, Gods...

Then I feel a painful cramp in my lower abdomen and realize that I actually desperately need to freshen up.

When I am refreshed I half-heartedly stuff some eggs into my mouth. They are delicious but I can't bring myself to feel thrilled about it.

Then I go back to thinking.

How in the world am I supposed to face the Commander? I practically jumped him. I facepalm myself.

"That sounded like it hurt." Notes a voice dryly. I turn around in a flash and come face to face with Gylbarde.

He pulls up his nose and gets a surprisingly funny expression. "I would otherwise tell you how beautiful you look in the morning light but I fear that even the mirror would not be persuaded."

I frown. "Do I look that bad?" I run my hand through my hair unconsciously.

"That won't do much either." Notes Gylbarde. I lower my hand. "Uh, how much do you actually remember from last night?" I notice how Gylbarde keeps his expression neutral but that still the corners of his mouth twitch with restrained mockery.

"Everything," I confess embarrassed. A chuckle escapes from his mouth which earns him a glare. He immediately closes his mouth, trying to look apologetic but failing miserably.

"I really try not to laugh Leigh, but yesterday is something unforgettable. The expression on Darius' face was priceless."

"I know." I grind out through clenched teeth. "I was there." Gylbarde bites his lower lip in an attempt to hold back his laughter which makes me even angrier.