Bound by a Blade (PauPat)

Chapter Seventeen - Her Final Wish

It hurts. Everything hurts.

As the ringing in Pau's ears faded away, he was able to hear his own groans of pain. He gasped as he tried to sit up. "Ow!" he cried.

"Shh," a gentle voice hushed. "Lie still, dear boy."

Pau blinked several times, attempting to focus his vision on the figure beside him. He was quickly able to conclude that it was a woman, with brown hair down beneath her shoulders. He also couldn't fail to notice her beautiful, lightly armored clothing. He was soon able to process the true beauty of the woman. She looks like royalty, he thought. While he was lost in thought, he hadn't even noticed that the pain had faded away, and the woman was now running her hand through his hair.

"What are you doing?" he asked, slowly sitting up and raising an eyebrow at the blue eyed woman.

She only sighed. "Your scar has healed so well. It looks so much better-"

"Stop," Pau interrupted. "Who are you? What happened to me?"

"... You fell while protecting the one you love," she said casually, much to Pau's annoyance. "You are currently trapped between life and death."

Pau's eyes widened. "I..." He couldn't manage to find the right words to describe his horror. "Who are you?" he asked again, trying to ignore the issue.

The woman paused. After about half a minute of silence, she stood up, gesturing for Pau to do the same.

Pau obeyed, standing up effortlessly. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, only to find that, when he opened his eyes, he was on the battlefield once again. But, there was no one else in sight, and the vast, grassy field was empty as far as the eye could see. Granted, that wasn't very far, since it was late into the night.

To his surprise, the woman was still standing next to him. "How did you...?"

"Please, let me explain in my own time," she said sternly, causing Pau to shut his mouth.

The woman took a deep breath and folded her arms behind her back.

"In my time, I was a great warrior. My family was less fortunate than most, so I made it my goal to join the royal guard as soon as I could. To prepare myself, I trained constantly and became a mercenary when I was young. The jobs could be terrifying, but they usually paid well." She glanced at Pau. "You understand, right?"

The young man's eyes narrowed. "How did you-"

She hushed him once again. "When I was a young adult, my battle prowess was finally noticed by the head of the royal guard, and I was granted a high position in the king's very own army. I adored my job, and I worked hard to eventually lead the royal guard myself. I was truly an excellent soldier." A smile crept onto her face. "The king himself paid special attention to me, and asked for my hand in marriage a year into my service."

Pau gasped subtly. "You're..."

She smiled. "So, you've heard this story before?" she joked.

The man took a moment to respond. "Uh... Y-yeah," he stammered.

She let out a joyous laugh, a bright smile on her face as she continued. "Yes, most know me as Queen Klasina. I ruled over Dalywen alongside my husband for many years, while continuing to lead the royal guard. I loved the king, and I loved my people." Her eyes began to go dark as her smile faded. "But that was soon taken from me."

Pau felt nervous when the queen paused. "... By King Magnus?"

"Do not call him a king, boy," she snapped. "He may hold the throne now, but he is not worthy of that title."