Knight of Kandor

Kara- Honesty

I pull the small box from under my bed. It contains all the healing herbs I learned to use for my own wounds. I grab a small handful of the bittersweet leaves that a village healing woman gave me. Soon the ache in my shoulder fades to a dull throb. I know I need to stabilize it. I had to pop it back into place after I left the field and so I also pull out the long strips of cloth I have stored. The leaves form a ball in my mouth as I chew them, the juices relieve the pain as they make their way down my throat. 

I growl in frustration as I try to twist in a way to wrap my shoulder and torso but still allow my arm to move. In exasperation I throw a roll across my room, only to see Winn ducking in surprise. 

"Hey hey hey. I just came to see if you needed anything." I must have left the door unlocked in my haze of pain.

"Winn, jeez you should knock. If it was not you I may have had to kill whoever came through the door." Only slightly teasing. 

"Well good thing it is just your best friend. " He grins and locks the door behind himself. Winn eyes my partially wrapped shoulder.

"Would you like some help? At the rate you are going you will miss the entire feast." I roll my eyes but nod. 

I help guide Winn's hands through the process and he does a splendid job. Afterward, he helps me dress since my movements are so limited. Lady Catherine had made sure my wardrobe was full of appropriate clothing for court. I was little unsettled by the way they had just appeared in my room and John seemed not to know how. Tonight I was off duty so I decided to forgo the armor, besides it would need to be cleaned still. I tug the brush through my hair as I look in the small looking-glass Lena had sent to me. I would need to cut my hair again soon, it was brushing my shoulders.

Winn helps me into the deep blue overcoat that matched the tunic underneath. Both were trimmed in gold. He tugged the fabric straight and fussed over me like a mother hen. 

"Thank you, Winn, this would have taken forever without you."

"You should have told me your secret earlier, I could have been dressing you for dinner instead of those poor excuse for outfits you used to wear." I grin and gesture for him to exit. I lock the door behind me.

"I'll see you at dinner Winn, I am waiting for Lena."

"Alright buddy, see you later." He winks and heads back down the hall and I turn to knock on Lena's door. 

It takes a moment but I hear footsteps on the other side. Some faint murmuring as those inside talk. Then the handle turns and Lady Jessica peeks out. She smiles at me then disappears back inside. 

The door opens again and I feel like the wind is knocked out of me. Lena is absolutely stunning. She is dressed in a deep blue dress, gold threads create intricate patterns over her bodice. A long braid of hair is pulled over her shoulder with a simple ringlet of gold nestled on top of her head. I blush when I realize how well we match and mentally curse Lady Catherine.

"My lady, may I escort you to supper?" She smiles a soft smile that I have foolheartedly begun to think she saves just for me. I offer my uninjured arm and she takes it, Jessica following just a few steps behind.

"I still cannot believe you beat that man," Lena says as we walk through ornate hallways.

"Big men all fight the same. They rely on their size to intimidate and swing hard and fast. That always tires them in extended fights."

"Still that was incredible. Jessica will not stop talking about it."

"Oh?" I look back at her and raise an eyebrow. She blushes deeply and slows to create some distance. When I look back again, she has stopped to chat with some women in the hallway on their own way to dinner.