Castles - Book 5 - The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Eight

There was movement at the door of the recovery room.

Attendants bowed as Elliad entered; servants knelt. His neck and right shoulder were swathed in bloodstained bandages. An older man, his clothing bloodstained, followed. He cast his attention to Berg.

Elliad turned his whole body towards Ada who rushed to her king's side. Drooping his left arm over her shoulder, he kissed her forehead.

With an uncomprehending look at Jobyna who still had her hand on Berg's, the wounded king frowned and growled, "What is she doing here?"

Ada took his left arm and drew him to a corner of the room. "Berg kept calling for her, he pleaded and begged." Looking away, she whispered, "He wept and cried for her until I couldn't bear it anymore. I sent for her."

"Why her?"

"He's been saying over and over how sorry he is," Ada paused, looked furtively at Jobyna who could hear the words clearly.

Jobyna fixed her eyes on Berg's pain-riven face.

"For what?" Elliad demanded.

"Killing her parents."

Elliad stepped closer to the doctors, drawing one aside with one hand, asking, "What will happen if you remove the arrow?"

"It will hasten his death, Sire." The older doctor's accented voice was a whisper, but in the confines of the small room, it carried to Jobyna's ears.

"He's lost too much blood. Removal of the arrow will cause great hemorrhaging. I have done all I can for him. It is only a matter of time, not much longer. I can prepare a draft, it would be better..."

"No!" Ada cried, throwing her head back. Elliad turned stiffly and stepped back to her, wanting to gain her permission but she said, firmly "NO, NEVER! Don't!" She drew in a breath to scream at him, but Elliad slapped his hand over her mouth. Nipping his fingers, she screamed out as he drew back; "Please... don't! Don't give him that poison!"

"Take her out," Elliad commanded. "Leave! —All of you! Don't disturb us until I say."

It took the two doctors all their strength to remove Ada from the room. Hysterical, she sobbed, cried aloud, shrieked and fought.

Jobyna lifted her hand off Berg's and stepped away from the bench.

"Not you, girl. Stay."

She froze, not sure if he meant her.

"Yes, you; stay."

Berg opened his eyes at the commotion. He saw Jobyna, standing beside him. Her green eyes were horror-stricken and she felt riveted to the floor.

The wounded Elliad stepped to Berg's other side. Using his legs, he shunted the bench closer to the bed, groaning as he sat and shuffled to sit closer to Berg's head. Taking Berg's large hand in his own, he spoke earnestly. "You saved my life, Berg; that arrow was meant for me."

"It's over, now, all, finished..." Berg's voice broke.

Elliad struggled to control his emotions but tears rose in his eyes, spilling down his cheeks.

"You have served your king very well. I shall never forget you. I will make sure Ada and your children are taken care of. Do you want to see them again, before..."

"No, I have seen them. I want," his voice broke again.

Elliad put his face closer to the mortally injured man's, saying, "We can make this easier for you, Berg, we can help you go in peace..."