Shards

Chapter 83 - Saving Ghost

Crow sat down on Xi Xiu's bed, unclasped Ghost's death grip from his neck and gently lay the Five down. Xi Xiu hovered anxiously nearby.

"Lady Zhang, may we ..."

Before he could finish his question, her maids were already at bedside with essentials. One carried clean towels while another a small basin of hot water. One more expertly balancing a tray of steaming tea. The last one was arranging little bottles, boxes and jars of medicine, salves, ointments and bandages on another tray.

The Six noted House Zhang's efficiency appreciatively.

"Tea first, I think, to wet his throat and warm him up," said Crow.

"Thank you," he added softly glancing at Xi Xiu as Ghost sipped the hot fragrant tea hesitantly.

She smiled at the infamous Shard. He wasn't so bad she thought. All the Shards weren't, not like how the terrible stories made them out to be. Their reputations were much worse than the actual persons. Ghost, Key and now Crow, they were all human.

"I got all of Ghost's stuff back," Key informed Crow who nodded approvingly.

"Good work. Keep them safe until we get back."

Lady Zhang moved closer then, assessing Ghost professionally. Underneath dark crusty blood, his face was cold and ashen. His chapped lips were cracked and peeling. Sunken bright eyes stared intently at nothing, glossy from shock and pain as the Shard tried to stay focused on his surroundings. His hair was stiff and unkempt, stringy with blood and sweat. She took in his torn blood stained under clothes, his flayed skin and the abrasions on his neck, wrists and bare feet. She swallowed hard. Despite herself, her heart constricted. Poor Xiao Gui, poor, poor Xiao Gui. How was he even alive?

Xi Xiu blinked rapidly, unprepared for the flood of emotions washing over her. Now was not the time to get emotional, she scolded herself. Save him first, then she could cry all she liked.

"What did you give him earlier Crow? Was it just for pain or something else?" she asked the Six. "Earlier, when we were rescuing him. I don't want my herbs to clash ..."

"Just for pain."

"O'kay." She reached for the ties to Ghost's undershirt, "If you don't mind ..." she said absently to the ranking Shard gesturing him to move aside, "I will treat him ..."

"What are you doing? He is a man!" Key squeaked in panic.

"Right now, Xiao Gui is not a man. He is my patient," she said firmly taking a clean towel to drop it in hot water. "I will treat him, and he will survive," she replied with steel in her voice, "or I will get mad, really, really mad. Do you hear me, Xiao Gui? Get well or feel my wrath! I'm warning you, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry."

"Ahhhhh ..." Ghost winced as she gently peeled off his torn undershirt. Bits of skin came away with it.

She gasped softly biting her lips in horror. For a moment, she just stared at the full extent of his injuries. Random bruises were forming all over his body, ugly dark red and purpling splotches decorated his chest and torso. She frowned, eyes narrowing suspiciously. Those were not from the whippings. When did he get beaten? Was he in a serious fight recently? Who did he fight with? She had not heard any news about this! Was he already injured before the whipping? Realisation made her eyes hardened.

Idiot! Idiot Shard!! She cursed at Ghost. He could have died! Really, actually died!! She swore she'd extract the full story from him later after he'd fully recovered. Or better yet, she would ask Gege. That would be faster and better than any censored explanation from Xiao Gui. Her Lord brother would know the full story from his spies.