Wherever I Am

Chapter 7 - Part 3

I left my room once I finished eating. My three handlers followed me like ducklings when a young teen girl curtseyed in front of me.

"Lord Kevin of the Realm, Maid Elexus of the Realm requests your presence. She is distraught."

I stopped. I'd been hunting Lord Boian, but that could wait. "Take me to her." Another curtsey, and she led the way.

Ellie was in tears, lying in bed with the covers up to her neck, Oana sitting next to her in an over-large dress. At least my ducklings stopped at the door when I came in. As I got to her side, she said, "Make them leave. I want to be alone, and they won't go away."

"Ladies," I said. "I need a private conversation with my sister. Oana, go with them."

Oana gave me big eyes but took the hand of the teen as they left.

Ellie sighed and sniffed. "I feel more like a hostage than an honored guest. Three attendants are the minimum for one of us Realm demigods. I managed to have only one of them in the room bathing me last night. That was Sorina...she's the one my age. I liked her hands on me, so I stood so she could wash me better. She seemed scared at first but gave me a good washing. I think she liked it by the end."

"Don't go turning her into your girlfriend."

"I know. This place is probably backward that way. What about your attendants?"

"Silva's an older man who seems bitter and interferes more than he helps. I've sent him away twice now. Adrian's my squire, about sixteen, and pretty quick-witted. He, at least, doesn't seem completely dumbstruck by my presence. Stefan, on the other hand, stutters badly. He's twelve."

"Evan?"

"Yeah, like he used to."

"Your new project?"

I sighed and nodded.

"Is Adrian good-looking?" She gave a slight smile.

"I'd say so. You'll probably like him."

"Good. Ramona is the woman, and she's rather zealous in making sure everything is perfect, and of course, nothing is. Mara's the fourteen-year-old who got you. I guess they're all okay, but it's overwhelming...and I need to poop. That's the real reason I wanted you. I knew you could get them out of the room so I wouldn't have an audience. Now, please leave, but wait outside the door."

It was only a few minutes before "I want Lord Kevin only" came from the other side of the door. I let myself in and followed her as she limped to the window in a short chemise that barely covered her butt.

"You should get dressed."

"I've been hearing that all morning, but you're right. I've been a scandal already. After we dried off, Oana and I slipped into bed like this. They found a dress that kinda fits her, and they're taking in another one and making her shoes or slippers or something. Will you hold me?"

I wrapped my arms around her and followed her gaze out the window.

"I want to be home. I was going to go out with my friends and maybe do another run to Hippy Hollow while it was still hot out. I'll bet it's verboten to sunbathe even topless out by that pond. I think Mom packed for me. Everything's split skirts and gauzy materials, but with enough body to them that my nipples won't show through. I know it'll piss my captors off, but could you help me dress, so I don't have to stand on my ankle too much. And if you can re-tie your ankle bandage once my shoe's on. That works better than the wrap they did, even if we can't use our Ace bandages."

I squeezed her tight, then tickled her belly for a second, making her squirm. "They probably don't even understand the concept of sunbathing." She gave a slight laugh and nodded. "I don't think I've helped you dress since you were seven, but okay if it'll keep the captors' claws off you."