A Peaceful Forgiveness

Rescue

Four days must have passed, and August still sat in the dank dungeons. He had one window, in the unreachable top corner of his cell. He was, at first, hopeful that someone would come and let him out, but that hope had long been lost. Now he only hoped that he would be able to get one last message to Ayslin before he died down there. He had had about two meals total during his stay, and they were meager rolls and a bit of turkey. He had seen only one helmeted face peek into the room. It was too solitary, too separated. He had been sliced from the fabric of the normal world and thrown on the ground. It was so unfair. There was nothing to do but sleep and think. And that's exactly what August did.

He was suddenly awoken by the sound of creaking hinges. They squealed and he resisted the urge to cover his ears and moan. He simply opened his eyes and tried to let them adjust to the darkness of the cell again. When they did, he was sure he had died and gone to heaven. Standing above him, courageous and beautiful, was Ayslin, dressed in a pure white woolen gown. It had gold and silver etchings stiched into the fabric along the hems. She looked like an angel, and he was almost sure he was imagining things.

"Ayslin? Is that really you? I'm so sorry..."

"Yes, it's me. You look pretty rough."

He scoffed. Of course he did. But it was all his fault. He had failed to return to her. And he didn't even know if her friend got the letter. He couldn't look her in the eye anymore.

"August," she softly said as she bent down and placed her gentle hand on his shoulder, "I've come to get you out. It's time to get home." She grabbed his hand and helped him up off the straw covered floor. She lead him from the room, following a guard through the rows of cells to a set of stairs. August let Ayslin guide him, trusting her almost completely. He had no energy, he had no motivation, he had nothing left. He had laid down and was going to wait for death to greet him, with the wish of seeing her on his mind and tongue forevermore. He didn't open his eyes, and bent his head in shame and tiredness.

Ayslin glanced behind her shoulder at him. Her face immediately frowned, and her forehead creased in worry. He did not look like he would last the day. She was instantly concerned for his well being, not only for his sake, but she also had really grown to like him. Even more than she thought she would. If he died, because of one simple mistake, on a mission for her, then it was her fault, and she would never ever forgive herself. The damage was already done, and she knew she had to, just had to prevent it. Number one, food and water. Number two, proper rest and healing. He looked scarily pale and weak. She knew the most logical place to get him to was the palace, for the best healers were there, but she might have to explain everything to her parents if he was brought there. No, he would have to stay in town, but Ayslin would visit him. Number three, a bath. For sure.

The small party climbed the stairs, and finally reached the top. The guard left them here, right before they stepped out into the midday sun. Ayslin was glad to be rid of him. As soon as she knew he was out of earshot, she turned to August, having to hold him up. He couldn't even stand on his own.

"August, what did they do to you in there? You look awful, I'm going to get you some quick food, and then I'm going to take you home to Rielfina, where you're going to get proper rest and care."

"They didn't do anything."

Nothing. They didn't torture him, that was good, but they also didn't feed him, apparently. Perhaps they had, but not enough to really make it count. Ayslin was so worried. She had to make sure he was going to be ok, but she also really had to get home!

August was absolutely shocked. He hadn't felt quite this weak and horrible when he had lain down in his cell. When he awoke, it was almost doubly worse than it had been before. Now, as he stood at the top of the stairs, partially leaning on Ayslin, he was so thankful. So thankful for her. She was going to get him out, and she was going to get him home. Not to his home, but to Rielfina. But she had said it as if it were his home too, and that meant so much to him. She didn't even know how that touched his heart, right at the core, and spread warmth through him again. For a moment, at the thought of belonging somewhere, he forgot all the pain his gut was giving him, and forgot that he couldn't even stand on his own. He felt complete and whole again, only if for just a second. The pain hit his side again and he reeled in pain. He retched on the floor, or tried to, but because he had no food in his stomach, he just spit out clear liquid. He felt so dizzy.

"Ok, August, I'm going to rent a horse out of here, ok? I overworked my horse getting here so I could get to you quickly. So we're going to get this horse, and snag some rolls and apples on our way out of the city. Try to stay awake and alive, alright. Let's get on the road as fast as we can."

She did everything she said she would. Soon they found themselves slowly munching on fluffy bread, and riding a borrowed horse out of the city gates. August would have loved to eat faster, but his tired body wouldn't let him. Each morsel of bread felt like a pebble in his stomach. He occasionally moaned in pain. They rode slowly for a while, but then Ayslin explained her need to get home.

"August, you need to get somewhere and recover. But also, my parents outlawed me coming here, remember? This was completely against their orders, but I knew something was wrong when you didn't return for five days."

Five days. He had fallen asleep and slept for a whole day. That didn't seem like normal sleeping to him.

"I have to get back before my parents notice I'm gone. I left yesterday afternoon and ran my horse all the way there. He was so exhausted, but I had to keep pressing on until I found you. I knew I couldn't ride him home and return in enough time. He would die of exhaustion before I got back within view of Rielfina. But if my parents find out I've been disobeying them, I don't know what will happen. When they found out my brother had been sneaking to the forest, they suddenly found a fancy tutor, and he had to spend all day learning and studying inside. He absolutely hated it. That lasted for a month until he went on strike and my parents realized that he wasn't going to cooperate. The next day, they sold the foal of his favorite horse. They said they had to teach him a lesson. I can't be locked up all day, and I don't have anything else to lose. But they are creative, and they will do something. I couldn't bear not being able to hunt... and... and see you."

In his head, August was absolutely beaming. "Really?" he croaked out. He shouldn't have said anything. When his mouth opened, right after he said the words, he knew he shouldn't have. All his lunch came rushing up his throat. He couldn't stop it. He tried to turn his head to the side or something, but the substance worked its way up quickly. He hurled over the side of the horse. He coughed when it was all over, and noticed that he hadn't turned his head quickly enough. Some of the hideous green, yellow, and clear liquid had gotten onto Ayslin's heavenly white gown. He groaned. No, oh, she wasn't grateful for him anymore, he bet. Not after he ruined her beautiful formal clothes.

Ayslin laughed. "Yes, really. I wouldn't give you up, not for anyone."

Did she really mean it? And even after his mistakes? Even though he wasn't perfect? His brain couldn't quite wrap around it.

They rode fast for hours on end. August wasn't used to it, and by the time they were halfway there, his bottom was sore down to the bone. He ached everywhere, and he was so tired. They were only a few hours away when he began to feel dizzy. His head drooped onto Ayslin's shoulder and his sight went black.

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The minute Ayslin rode into town, eyes turned. She couldn't have people telling her parents. Usually, folks knew their place and wouldn't ask, wouldn't mention, but there could always be someone. Not everyone had good intentions. Ayslin knew that now, after her brother's death. She had to get off the streets as soon as humanly (or elvenly?) possible. Also, she was desperately trying to keep calm, as about an hour and a half before their arrival, August had slumped on her shoulder. She wasn't sure he was even breathing anymore. It was scary beyond anything she had recently felt. Probably since her brother was murdered.

She wandered through town on her horse until she found the best healer. Immediately she unmounted and dragged August off the back of the borrowed horse. He was heavier than expected. Not because he was large, in fact he was very thin, but he must've had a lot of muscle on him, typical of someone who ran and hunted most every day. The plump little healer, Mrs. Billows, ran out to assist her. They got him onto a cot inside and instantly, Mrs. Billows began trying to figure out the problem. It took her about ten minutes. But it felt like an hour.

"He is undernourished, weak, tired, cold, and is diseased with a fever. He will need rest and food and care. Probably for a week at least. I will take care of him, dearie."

"Oh, you don't know how grateful I am! Mrs. Billows, I will bring payment tomorrow. Please do everything you can. Also, please don't tell my parents."