The Baron and his Lady

Thirty-one: The baron, the friend and the witch

Outside world:
Claus' pov

I stared blankly at Lucian. My ears might be playing tricks on me. Did he say wife?

"Lucian, Yra is dead.."

He shook his head, another cough caught him. His chest heaved and he couldn't help but tremble.

"Careful, you may have damaged an organ." Tristane told him.

"I'm fine. Help me up.."

I pulled him up only to a sitting position, his long dark hair fell over his pained face.

"Oh god, everything is spinning.."

"Can you do something?" I asked Tristane.

"I may have something. Stay here."

I nodded and watched Lucian press his finger into his nose bridge.

"Are you in pain?"

"Yes. Everything hurts."

I looked around not really sure what I was looking for but once I see it, I may know what it is. I saw a pitcher and a glass on a table, I stood up and filled the glass.

"Here, drink.."

Lucian took the glass and emptied it right away, I went back and filled it again. He downed it immidiately. Why is he still in pain? His injuries have been healed.

"Thanks, Claus.."

"Better?"

He smiled weakly, "Yes. Better."

I let him sit back against the cushion, his breath still uneven. I placed the glass down.

"What happened?"

Lucian was quiet. His thoughts elsewhere. Is he hallucinating? Has he been trapped like I was? Tristane did say we needed to free him. What did Letecia do to him?

So many questions. I wanted to strangle him to get an answer. But he was in pain. His eyes did not have the glow of life.

Tristane came back with a bottle on his hand. He popped the cork and gave it to Lucian, but my friend pushed it away.

"It's only laudanum, to help ease the pain." Tristane said.

"Nothing can ease this pain... nothing.."

"Lucian, I need you sober. Take it or I'll force it down your throat."

"Bloody hell. Do it then!"

I was taken aback, what is wrong with him? Tristane looked at me, his eyes begging me to help him.

"Lucian, just do what he says."

"Not you too, Claus."

"Take it." I said again.

He sighed and took the bottle, halfway through it's contents he gagged. Tristane took the bottle away.

Once he got himself calmed, we sat around him. Eagerly waiting for his answer.

"Lucian," Tristane called him, "what happened?"

"Horrible. Something horrible." He muttered.

"How'd you get out?"

"I don't know. I...I don't remember."

Tristane was suddenly on his feet, his hands on Lucian's collar. My friend was pushed against the cushion, "What the hell happened?!"

"Let him go Tristane. He's not himself." I pried him away but he held tightly.

"No, not until he gives me the bloody answer. What one last time Lucian, what happened? Where the hell is Krista?!"