Green embers

chapters 42-45

Chapter 41

Haru was back in his room at exactly the right time. He was wise enough to use the back door for which I was most grateful. Before I left, I opened his door to say good night but he had thrown himself on the bed and I bet he was already half way asleep when he muttered a thank you to me. I left with a light heart and got some sleep myself.

When the winter sun was finally up, I left for duty. It was only midday when I had met Erwind. He told me about last night's duty, how too preoccupied he was with Reif's condition that he wasn't at full alert for the weapon shipment.

''No one said anything, thank goodness.'' he told me. ''They probably attributed the stiffness to my early recovery.''

I told him about what happened after he'd left. He needed good news, to clear his anxiety. However, he was utterly surprised compared to the reaction I was expecting. He couldn't believe it when I told him about what Haru did, said it was not possible. I told him I was certain of what I saw and if he didn't believe me, he could ask Cielo. Erwind fell silent then, thinking of what I'd said. We ran out of time to talk more though, so we hurriedly agreed to meet again tonight if possible for both of us.

As for the war with King York, it wasn't going as smoothly as we had planned. It seems that his numbers were growing and at the meeting today with the council members, we started to believe that we have more allies committing treason behind our backs than we initially thought. However, we couldn't point fingers yet, not without our spies providing solid proofs. We came to the conclusion that the war won't be over any time soon as we have hoped and so I left the meeting with a heavy heart.

I went over to the western castle after that. We received new volunteered recruits and I was to assign them to their leaders. I haven't met my comrades at the western castle for quite some time and so it was already dark when I left to check on Haru. Cielo, Bonzo and Beigo were out on missions that night and the hospital ward had discharged a lot of patients. Everything was quieter than usual, something that hasn't been seen for quite some time. I was about to head for the ivory palace steps when someone called my name in a whisper. I turned around and heard my name again, coming from the direction of the hospital’s back door. I already knew who it was before I even came closer.

''What took you so long?'' Haru whispered. I was glad he has taken precautions this time, wearing a black cloak with the hood over his head.

''Late as I am, you should've waited.'' I whispered back.

It was strange when I saw Vera and Erwind fidgeting apart when we entered the living room. They were sitting together on the sofa, probably sitting too close. I thought I was seeing something there but since Haru didn't make much of it as he greeted them, not allowing them to stand for him, I assumed it was nothing but my mind playing tricks on me.

''How is he today?'' Haru asked, turning to Vera.

''The fever isn't quite down yet but it's getting low.'' Vera informed us. ''He's definitely getting better.''

Haru's face lit up to me as she continued. ''As for his back, that will take time to heal but not so much as usual. Madame Wryler and I are using whatever power we have left over after the day’s work to cure the wounds but they will eventually get better and be nothing but faded scars.''

''That's great, thank you for the news.'' Haru said half-heartedly; his tone sad. I attributed that to the words 'faded scars'. I suppose it's only natural that Haru would want no scars at all to remain imprinted on Reif's back as a constant reminder of such a dreadful day.

''Conrad told me what you did last night.'' Erwind said as we all sat by the fireplace. ''I want to thank you for that. It took me a while to be able to do what you did, and in just one night. I find it hard to believe only because it wasn't easy for me at first. However, I am grateful to you, prince, very much grateful.''