The Heart and The Sword ~Part One~ // HIATUS

Chapter Seven : Godless Thief

The tension was thick in the dining hall. Had it not been months since he had eaten such well cooked food, Morgan would probably have had a hard time swallowing.

The small children in front of him, who he had learned were Sylvia's nephews, ran to her screaming with joy when they spotted her at the table. Her sister's husband seemed to be just as happy to see her alive, but he contained himself. Morgan assumed it was because the princess, Thalya, was still upset with the queen.

-How is your mother, Hartley? the queen broke the silence.

-She passed away, sadly. I just wish it wouldn't have been on the night Celestia was born. I would have liked to be by Thalya's side. She told me how hard the birth was.

-I managed, the princess murmured.

Sylvia sucked her teeth and gave Hartley a supportive smile.

-I'm sorry for your loss, Hartley. Will you give Celestia your mother's name to honour her?

Hartley cleared his throat.

-No, we decided against it. Should the Gods bless us with another daughter, we'll name her after my mother.

Silence fell once more. Sylvia kept glancing over at her sister, guilt creeping up her spine. Maybe she should have waited to reprimand her. Thalya did think her sister was dead. With a sigh, she got up, excusing herself.

It was far easier to move thanks to the poultice Fresd sent in the early hours of the morning. The pain was still there, but it was manageable. She didn't have to force herself to take each step with clenched teeth.

-Mind if I join you, Your Majesty?

She smiled. Thynan's voice trembled as he spoke.

-Of course, she answered, without looking in his direction.

They walked in silence for a few moments. There was so much Thynan wanted to say, so much he wanted to shout at her.

-You cannot fathom how happy I am to see you back home. When I saw you go overboard....

-I'm sorry for worrying you. I should have listened to Conan when he told me to stay inside, Sylvia spoke when it didn't seem like Thynan could find the words.

Thynan nodded. He wanted to wrap his hands around her, to hold her close to him, make sure she never left his side. But he just smiled. He was glad she was next to him, alive.

-Calia told me last night you jumped after me. Seems I'm not the only reckless one.

Thynan pressed his lips into a tight line.

-I panicked. I acted on instinct. The only thing I could think about was you sinking to the bottom of the sea.

Sylvia smiled, making a left, towards the library.

-At least you were able to think enough to secure yourself before jumping.

Sylvia touched the necklace at her neck, breathing deeply.

-I would like you to help me, Thynan.

-Anything.

Sylvia explained to him how Morgan took her to the caves and helped find her mother's jewelry.