Silver Songbird

Red or Green?

When I was seven, I stole my fathers hunting knife. I tripped off the back porch with it and sliced my hand open. When I was fourteen, I climbed up a tree to fetch Annora's cat. I fell out of the tree and it rendered me unconscious for two days. When I was seventeen, I was fresh blood in the Kingsguard. I fractured one of my ribs when I got a knee to my side during training. And finally, now nineteen, I got run over by a horse.

I'm not new to injury, but my current state is the worst I've ever been in. My body is nearly entirely bruised, and I don't even know what day it is. Luckily, I have no major broken limbs besides my middle finger on my left hand. I fear I may have another fractured rib, but it's not anything I can't handle. Other than that, my entire body is aching, and moving doesn't seem to be much of an option.

Almost instantly, I begin scanning my surroundings. Only one exit, ten windows total. Extremely high ceilings, almost cathedral like in design. Long curtains are draped and pulled back with bows on either side of each window. Beautiful stained glass crowned each center window with no distinct pattern, and it made an array of colors dance on the ceiling. This place is nothing like the infirmary in the barracks. This, I can only assume, is the infirmary in the castle. Great.

On my bedside table are my belongings, including my scratched and beaten up flask. My sword is leaned up against the wall, and I try to find my backpack to no avail. The room is eerily silent, all the other beds are empty, and the high ceilings make it seem especially more lonely. I throw back the covers, my legs seem to be fine and I'm able to wiggle my toes. I watch them wiggle for a moment when I hear the creak of a door open.

I look up, and a woman I presume to be a nurse walks over to me. "How are you feeling?" Her tone is exceptionally warm, as are her hands when she uses the back of one to feel my forehead.

"Sore." I mutter. It makes me realize just how dry my mouth is. Before I can even ask for water, shes handing me a cup. I gulp it down, wincing between gulps as it hurts going down. I know that my body will thank me later, though. "Where am I?" I ask.

"This is the castle infirmary." Her eyes scan my body, and she lifts up one of the bandages on my arm. "What's your name?"

"Marion Creed." I swing my legs over the side of the bed. "Knight Marion Creed, loyal to her Majesty." I go to try and stand before the nurse pushes me gently back on the bed, one hand on my shoulder.

"I wouldn't get up just yet, it's been almost four days. Let's get some food and water in you first." She turns to leave, but then glances back at me. "I'll let Commander Ulric know you're awake." She then begins out the door.

"Wait! Tell Fennix Orinn I'm awake, too!" I call after her, but I fear I'm too late. I lay back down in defeat. Worry fills my body. Fennix has no idea if I'm alive right now. Hells, he could be on the other side of the country for all I know. I can only pray to Krydea that I am able to find him.

After a good half an hour, the same nurse returns holding a tray. I sit up, half expecting Fennix would walk in behind her. Deep down, I knew it was unlikely, the Commander kept us on a tight schedule. He was probably stationed somewhere, or patrolling the city.

The nurse sat down the tray on the bedside table. "After you eat, how about a bath?" Her tone made it seem more like a demand than an offer.

I shook my head, "No thanks, I'll bathe when I get back to the barracks. I won't be in your hair much longer." I eyed the bread and fruit on the tray, waiting for the nurse to leave me to feast like a starved animal.

The nurse didn't say a word as she handed me a folded piece of paper. I narrowed my eyes at her, expecting her to explain, but her features didn't change. Instead, she turned on her heel and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.