Atlantis 2: A Queen to Be

Chapter 8

The princess's carriage came rushing up to the main entry of the castle. When it came to a stop Maximus jumped down off the front where he had been sitting by his father & opened the door. Jerl was the first to step out still holding Alexandria close to him. She was still unconscious & it felt to Jerl as though she were just barely breathing. Diablo & Grena fallowed closely behind him as they went for the doors. "Open the doors." Diablo yelled to the castle guards. The two guardsmen who stood to each side of the entry quickly opened the doors. Jerl carried Alexandria through the doors and then looked around momentarily trying to determine where he should take her. "LORNA!" Grena yelled as soon as they were inside. "LORNA!" She yelled again franticly. "I'm here Grena. What are you yelling....oh no... What's happened here." Lorna said as she saw Jerl holding Alexandria. "She took on the task of curing the kingdoms work house of its disease by herself." Grena said. Lorna closed her eyes and grimaced slightly at the thought of all that could have befallen Alexandria's quest. "From what I'm guessing she killed one guard as he was trying to force himself upon her & then the work house master as he was..." Jerl couldn't finish the sentence. He felt he had failed her. He kept hearing in his mind that had he gotten there sooner she would not be in this condition. "I see" said Lorna. "Bring her to my bed chamber. I'll assess the damage from there." Lorna said. "Lead the way." Jerl responded.
Ranist came in to the main entry just as everyone was exiting. Diablo caught sight of him and went over to explain all that had went on that evening.
"Father." Diablo called out as she rushed over to him. "Diablo, What's going on. I herd that someone is hurt. Who is hurt?" Ranist asked. "It's Alexandria daddy. She went after the work house master on her own." Diablo responded.

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"I'll have him put to death on the spot." Ranist responded. It was obvious he was instantly enraged. "Father, calm yourself. That has already been handled." Diablo said quickly. "Jerl?" Ranist asked. "No. We got there just after Alexandria..." Diablo got choked up as she was speaking and could not bring herself to finish her sentence. Ranist could see in her eyes what she would have said. "Oh my. I see. How bad are her injuries?" He asked gently. "We don't know yet. Aunt Lorna has taken her to her quarters to assess them. Oh father I'm scared for her. If she dies I'll never forgive myself." Diablo said starting to cry. "Now don't go thinking the worst. I know those Fetch's and they are a strong batch of individuals. She'll pull through." He said as he took her in his arms & embraced her lovingly.
Maximus & Jerl stood back out of the way as Lorna & Grena worked on Alexandria's wounds. Jerl had an angry scowl on his face. Maximus looked around noticing that the princess was no longer with them. "Grandfather, Did you see where...?" He was saying when Jerl interrupted him. "She's with her father in the main hall." He never took his eyes off of Alexandria & his angry expression never changed. He spoke as if to acknowledge & dismiss him all at the same time. Maximus saw the look in his eyes. It was a look he had seen in his father's eyes before. He wanted to understand what it was that was going on behind Jerl's steel gazing eyes. The fact that Jerl had been so short with him was enough to have him concerned but he knew better than to try continuing any further conversements. He turned back to where Lorna & Grena were working on Alexandria and waited.
"Come on now Lady Alexandria. Your going to need to wake up for me. Your worrying your friends little one." Lorna said in an attempt to get her to cling to her critically fading life.

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Her condition being a lot worse than any of those who had brought her in could've conceived. Externally she had some superficial bumps, bruises, & scratches. Her head had a pretty good size knot & she had a broken rib that Lorna had already fixed with her magic. Now it was time for Alexandria to fight her way back to the living. Lorna took a deep breath, placed her hand hand on Alexandria forehead, her other hand on Alexandria's heart, and closed her eyes. "Talta Shabeezo Vect Oom Dismatta Mote." Lorna said in a very low and eerie sounding voice. Just then there was a strong wind that swirled around Lorna and Alexandria. Jerl stepped back tword the door. He wasn't sure what was happening but he knew he didn't want any part of the business of magic.
A bright blue glow surrounded Lorna. It went down Lorna's arms and flowed in to Alexandria and disappeared. Lorna stepped back and let out a deep sigh. "She'll sleep for now." She said. "That's probably a good thing given all she has endured this night. I can't begin to..." Jerl's words caught in his throat as visions replayed in his head of when he found her hacking away at the work house master. "She'll be alright. It may take some time but she will be." Lorna said reassuringly. "I should have gotten there sooner. I could have prevented all of this." He said venomously. "Oh no you don't Jerl Shipperman. Don't you dare try to take on her own misfortunes as your fault. I have watched you for years beat yourself up because of my sister's carelessness. You were no more at fault for what happened to her than you are here & now. What happened to her was a result of her own actions. She knew the risks when she went there." Lorna scolded him like a child.
"Don't you want to return to the city, be with your family, and live a life with meaning?" She asked softly. "Of course I do." He replied. I've thought little of anything else.." he continued.
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"Then stop blaming yourself for that which was beyond your control." She said gently as she saw the tears in his eyes threatening to well up. He just closed his eyes against the memories. "If only it were that easy" he said.
"Aunt Lorna?" Diablo said inquiringly but quietly as she entered the room. "Yes sweetheart. What it is?" Lorna responded. "Is Alexandria going to be ok?" She asked. "Physically yes. Mentally, Only time will tell. She's been through a lot tonight. But for now she just needs rest & time to heal." Lorna responded. "Ok. Well goodnight then." Diablo said. "Goodnight princess." Lorna said. "Goodnight Captain Shipperman. Thank you for all your help this evening." Said Diablo." "Just doing my job your highness." Said Jerl. Diablo left the room after giving one more glance to Alexandria.
"Diablo." Maximus called out as he chased her down the hall. Diablo turned round to face him as he caught up to her. "Oh Maximus I'm sorry I completely..." She was saying "Shhhh. My love there's no reason to appologize. It's been quite an evening." He said lovingly as he softly touched her face. She threw herself into his arms. Nestling her head in to his muscular chest. He wrapped his arms around her and held her silently. He knew that what she needed at that moment was not words. She closed her eyes and soaked up the loving embraces warmth. She felt at that moment a sense of protected peace like she had never felt before.
Jerl came from Lorna's quarters in to the hall where he found Ranist spying on Maximus and Diablo from around the corner. He slipped up behind Ranist and said "They do make a good looking pair if I do say so myself sire." "They do indeed captain. That doesn't mean I have to like it though." Ranist replied with a smile. "I understand your majesty. I have a daughter of my own that was once her age and I wouldn't allow any man near her. She's now married and I've become a grandfather.
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Letting her go was one of the hardest choices I've ever had to make." Jerl said understandingly. "He's a good man that grandson of yours. I think he will make a fine husband for her." Ranist said. "That is if he can survive her temper." He added with a smile. "And if she doesn't worry him to death. Sire that young lady is just like her mother in so many ways that I fear Maximus is going to keep his hands full in trying to tame her wild heart." Jerl said shaking his head to show pity for his grandsons future. "You'll get no argument from me there." Ranist responded.
Ranist yawned and stretched. "Well Captain I believe I shall retire to my chambers for the night." He said sleepily. "Right. I bid thee pleasent slumbering this night sire." Jerl said bowing slightly. Ranist laughed slightly, patted Jerl on his shoulder and headed down the hall tword his quarters.
"So I suppose you'll be heading home now?" Lorna asked as she entered the hall way. "No I actually have an inn keeper to see." He said with a somewhat sheepish grin. "Well, do tell Alonna I said hello." She said smiling. "As long as she is not trying to remove my head I will." He said laughing. They briefly hugged one another. "Til tomorrow then." Lorna said with a smile. Jerl nodded his head and bowed slightly in response.
"I guess it's about time you should be heading home." Diablo said with her head still laying on Maximus' chest. Maximus just breathed in deeply and let out a sigh. "Yes it probably is. I doubt your father would aprove to our being found together in your bed in the morning." He said with a slight grin. Diablo looked up in to his eyes. "I guess you will just have to marry me then so he has no choice." She said smiling.
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(End of chapter 8)