Love Knows Its Way Back

A Ray Of Hope

I was a toddler when I saw my mother struggling with severe headache. The innocent little me kissed her forehead trying to soothe her. Her happy smile was the reward. All I craved for as rewards, for healing those people since my early teenage years, were smiles of happiness; not gratitude.
                       - Diary Of Ophelia

"What were you thinking Sia? You were being reckless back there. Instant duel? Couldn't you have talked first? I've been out of my mind with worry. " Barak was near to shouting his words out.

"Barak...."

"Now don't 'Barak' me. Yes, I know that you are capable. I know that you can hold the fort yourself. But you are so small...."

"I'm as old as you are!" Celosia interrupted him accompanied with an eye roll.

"Oh come now, Sia. You were born after me and you are so short."

"We are twins. I'm not short, I'm petite. Period."

"You are my little..."

"No..."

"Yes..."

"No..." Her voice was getting fainter.

"Ye....Sia!" His voice was filled with panic.

He stopped his horse and jumped down in a hurry. Pegasus had stopped moving when he felt his mistress leaning on him. Barak rushed to hold her to prevent her from falling down.

"I'm sorry, Pegasus. But you'll have to carry me too." Barak got onto the white horse and held his sister with care. She was bleeding all over and he found his hands covered with blood. He whistled to his horse to follow them. "Beethoven, hip hip."

Thus the two horses and their companions continued their journey to the palace. Alec was waiting for them in the courtyard.

"Alec, call Epione. Sia has fainted. Don't let little sunshine know about the matter. Leo will handle the responsibilities of the banquet. You can also stay there after informing Epione."

"Yes brother. Is she okay?"

"I reckon she is. Wait, help me get her down."

Together they managed to bring her to the ground. Barak carried her into her chambers while Alec rushed to get Epione.

Barak placed his twin with great care on her bed. The sheets drank up the blood that was freely flowing from the numerous wounds on her body. Barak was at a lose of his next actions. He turned to the entrance of the room hearing the hurried footsteps. The Healer has come.

"Sia...." Epione stood still for a moment and then started shooting off orders. "Barak, go get warm water. I've given them instructions."

Epione started the treatment right away. According to their medical beliefs, the four humours are to be balanced. One of the main humours, blood was draining out from Celosia's body and it should be stopped. With the help of the maids Epione removed the outer clothings and examined the numerous wounds. Hearing the footsteps she instructed the maids to receive the warm water from Barak. They brought in the water and placed it near her. Epione used the clean cotton clothes and warm water to wipe away the blood and started stitching up the wounds.

'Hope she'll remain unconscious till I can finish the job.' The vinegar was applied to the wound after closing it and was bandaged using white cotton cloth strips. Epione was trying her best to speed up the process.

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Meanwhile in another part of the palace:
Jason was brought into the healing facility and placed on the wooden bench.