Figurehead

thirty-seven

It's unusual, waking to the dim firelight in a room so similar to Dein's and yet so different. It's hard to believe it was only yesterday that he woke. It feels like he's been awake for days already.

I suppress a groan as I force myself upright, running my hands through my unruly hair. My muscles ache; my arms, my legs, my torso. Gri pushed me to keep moving, keep fighting back. I still barely touched him. I ignore the complaint of my body and stand, letting the sheet drop to the ground. I glance across the room. Tui still sleeps on her pallet on the ground next to the former princess' bed. It's twice as big as Dein's, because she was bound.

Where did her bound go? I wonder absentmindedly, the thought flitting away as I pad out of the bedroom and into the washroom.

When I return to the bedroom, hair mostly untangled, face and mouth clean, Tri is sitting upright against the side of the bed. "Sleep well?" I ask her quietly.

She shrugs, glancing around the room. "I haven't been in this place for so many Dre. Most of my memories of this place are long gone." Her voice is wistful. "But I slept alright."

I nod, tugging on my boots and jacket, throwing a cloak and pelt on top. It's still Dre, after all. For the rest of this month, anyway. "Do you know where the cook-rooms are?" I smile. "I'm hungry." My arms and legs are still taut after yesterday, and I know they'll only tighten further as I continue training later today and tomorrow, but after a while my body will accustomed itself to the strain.

She nods, using the back of a hand to cover her mouth as she yawns. "Just wait a bit," she mumbles, blinking sleep out of her eyes as she shuffles out of the room.

I sit on my pallet, knees drawn loosely to my chest as I look over my things. I didn't really pack them before shifting them here, and they're a mess. Some of my clothes aren't here because they're being washed by the serving. It's so strange to be served. I don't know why I didn't think that when I was in Dein's room and he was asleep. Maybe I just didn't realise I was being served at all.

I pick up the Escrituras and flip through it.

'For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.'
— Tehillim 84:11-12

'Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?
Show us Your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us Your salvation.
I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly.
Surely His salvation is near those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
Righteousness goes before Him and prepares the way for His steps.'
— Tehillim 85:6-13

'Rejoice the soul of Thy servant: for unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.
Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
In the day of my trouble I will call upon Thee: for Thou wilt answer me.
Among the gods there is none like unto Thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto Thy works.
All nations whom Thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify Thy name.
For Thou art great, and doest wondrous things: Thou art God alone.
Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name.
I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify Thy name for evermore.
For great is Thy mercy toward me: and Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set Thee before them.
But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.'
— Tehillim 86:4-16