'Till Death We Will Fight

Chapter V

 'Veronica, are you feeling okay?'

I feel the heat that has somehow been trapped in my room, "Yeah, I'm just tired." I slowly roll onto my left side opening my eyes. I jump up into a sitting position, wincing in pain, when I see one giant purple surrounded by black scales, staring through the window.

'Be careful.' Lastrance's voice is flowing through my mind and I can feel his emotions through his voice. 'I thought you knew it was me when you answered.'

"I did, I just didn't expect a large dragon's eye looking at me."

'Oh...'

"I'll be outside in a moment, let me get dressed first."

As I slowly move out of the bed, hiding the pain, he leaves the window. I walk over to the wardrobe picking out a strapless, leather crop , to make sure nothing touches my stomach and the wound, though it's wrapped it hurts when things rub against it, a long black , I was told yesterday during the few moments that I was wake I would be meeting the king so I should wear a dress or skirt, I pulled my long up in a fishtail braid, I slide on the heeled boots I was wearing when everything happened and walked out. I still can't believe that eleven days ago Mother was killed. I spot Lastrance, the great black dragon, laying by a tree.

'Good morning.'

"Morning."

I smile as he lifts his great head, swinging it towards me, 'You are revealing your stomach. You plan to meet the Elven king like that?'

I nod, "I understand that it isn't the best idea but it hurts far too much to move and it hurts even more to have something rub against the wound."

'Very well. Morthren will be out soon.'

"Okay, should we wait here for him?"

'That sounds like a good idea.' I crouch beside him,'How bad does it hurt?'

"It burns but I'll live."

'He's close by.'

I stand right as Morthren comes into sight, "Wow the slash was longer than I thought." He walks over and immediately examines my bandages, "You broke it open. I will take you to the infirmary before taking you to see the king." I nod and he walks with me.

With Lastrance behind us we begin making our way through the city. As I look around I notice that the buildings are made from the trees, it looks as if the tree grown in that way. There is no one out side, I assume they are all in the castle with the king. We walk into the infirmary and several women rush over to us, "Oh your highness, please take a seat and we will take care of that wound for you."

I am rushed over to a bed and they rush around getting bandages and salves. As they do I remember what the Elven woman and I talked about, I was switching between Screndes Ura and Drechnel Ura, lad of the dead and land of the living, for ten days then I slept all day yesterday so in all I have been wounded for eleven days.

"Your highness this may hurt some." The woman warned me before placing a sap that burned terribly on and inside the wound. I clench my jaw in pain but said nothing. "My apologies your highness."

"It's fine, you warned me. Though honestly you shouldn't have. Thank you though." She gives me a bright smile before moving away to let another woman place another salve around the wound. Finally after about four salves a woman places a clean bandage over it. I begin to stand up when a younger woman rushes over, "Please, your highness, take a seat again. You are far too tall for me to reach your head."

I take a seat remembering that I hit my head on the floor and I was bleeding. Her hands move diligently as she puts a salve on it, "Thank you."

She smiles, "There is no need to thank me, being in your presents is an honour in itself."

Smiling I stand and walk over to Morthren and Lastrance. "Would either of you like to tell me why everyone is addressing me as 'highness'?"

Simultaneously they vigorously shake their heads. "Not our place. Come on, the king is waiting."

Letting out a sigh I follow behind him. Well this ought to be fun. We walk into the great hall, as we come upon the king I bow my head in respect while Morthren kneels and Lastrance does something of the sort. "Is this the most respectful way you would greet me?"

"I'm afraid that I am too weak to properly greet you in the way of a king."

The king walks forward and pulls me into an embrace. "You grew into a beautiful young woman." My eyes widen as the king continues to embrace me, what does he mean?