31. The Savory Hint

Emily’s point of view:

I told Anna to find Natalya and let her get a doctor and medical supplies. The doctor came in soon after and we spoke about what we had to do. The wound needed to be reopened again to get rid of any debris and damaged tissue. But reluctantly the doctor said that he wasn’t sure if she would be able to get over this.

“Why not? Why wouldn’t she get over it?” I asked him a bit irritated while getting all the equipment ready to use.

“I’m sorry Princess, but Elves heal differently and slower than the humans from Zenora. Even though their insides look the same as ours, Elves only heal properly when they live near their sacred waters.” The doctor said. “I can’t explain exactly how it works and what is in the waters that make them heal faster. Nor can I tell you where the closest pool is, I’m sorry.” He continued.

I simply nodded to his explanation and decided on how we should clean the wound. Once we’d finished and had it stitched up again, I’d go and talk to my father as Brock had said that he might know more about Elves.

“I’m Markus by the way, Princess.” The doctor said. In all the commotion I had forgotten to ask him.

“My apologies Markus, I’m sorry I didn’t ask before.” I said.

“Don’t worry Princess, it was just to let you know. That’s all.” He said with a gentle smile after we shook our hands.

Cirilya had slipped into a coma again, probably due to the infection in her blood. I started to remove the old stitches first, then rinsed the wound of all the exudate pus and cut away most of the dead tissue. Then we stitched the wound back up again and put some ice-cold sacks of water onto the big cut. Natalya had arranged for some servants to get some water directly out of the ocean as that was the coldest water to find. Once we were done, Cirilya was breathing steadily but she still had a fever.

“Natalya, could you please stay here and make sure her body stays cold?” I asked her and she nodded. “Thank you Markus, I’m going to see my father now.” I said to him and while drying my hands with a small towel I walked out of the room.

It was evening now and I had asked one of the servants where he was. He had some late-night supper with Brock, so I went to the dining room. Upon entering they both wondered what happened, seeing my shirt had some drops of blood on it. I kissed Brock and I explained to him what had happened just a few moments ago, and my father was glad I could help Cirilya straight away. He hadn’t been aware that she was so sick, but apparently, no one knew and I wondered why she didn’t want people to know. It’s not like she should feel ashamed for being hurt.

“Dad, I have some questions. It seems that no one knows a lot about Elves. Where do they come from and why is Cirilya here? We have human mages as well so why is she here? Besides, doc Markus mentioned the sacred waters of the Elves but couldn’t tell me what it is exactly. Could you?” I rained down my questions onto him, hoping he could make things clear for me.

He sighed heavily and stopped eating his meal, after listening to all my questions. “I guess this was about to come soon, so I might as well tell you now. But I’m not happy with it.” He continued to sigh.

“I don’t know where the Elves come from exactly, but when your mother was young, she got in danger, close to the Elven forest you have passed through. At that time, Cirilya was there and saved her, but for her to help a human, she had to pay a high price. I don’t know what exactly had happened as your mother never spoke about it, but apparently, in the way that Cirilya had helped your mother, she was forced to give up her position within the ranks of the Wood-Elves. Normally, for what she had done, death would be the punishment, but of course, the fierce woman your mother was, she wouldn’t let that happen. She had found out a way to keep Cirilya safe and took her to this castle.” My father explained to me.

“But why aren’t you happy to tell me this then?” I asked with a frown.

“Because I know what you want to do next if I continue this story.” He said with his head bowed down.

“Dad, you know what I am capable of, I’m not going to give up Cirilya now!” I scolded him for not being able to see that I’m a strong woman! I can handle myself perfectly fine!

“I know, but as a father, I can be worried right? Let me continue then, for the sake of Cirilya.” My father sighed again. “Cirilya had a high-ranked position as she is Norim’s daughter…” But before he could finish his sentence I replied in shock.

My dad could see me open my mouth and I wanted to blur out more questions. Like how a father could want to punish his own daughter and sentence her to death, or what the reason was that Norim even wanted to do something like this! What was so bad about saving a person that she had to get punished at all?

“Remember what I said, I don’t know what exactly happened as your mother never told me, and the waters you spoke of, I don’t know anything about that either.” My father lifted his hand in a gesture for me to calm down. And even though I hated that gesture, because I am in my very right to be totally aggressive now, I did listen to what he wanted to project towards me.

“Then I’m going back to the forest, to find out.” I said clearly, without lifting my voice.

“HELL NO!” Brock suddenly yelled and stood up from his chair.

I know that he was scared to lose me. I know that he was in an utmost terror when he couldn’t find me, the last time we were there. I can feel his fear striking my heart, but this isn’t about me, this is about Cirilya! A person who cared for me and saved me from an attacking Orc in the tower and then also helped Rhydon with his leg. I have to do this!

“Then go with me. I know a lot could go wrong, but I have to save her or at least try to save her. She saved both me and my mother, I owe her my life.” I said calmly, putting my hand on that of Brock, while he was still standing up.

Dennis came in now too, he had heard Brock’s yells and wondered what happened. Brock told him in two easy sentences and then acted stunned, looking at me. Great, now I have three men who are opposed to me going back there.

“No way, that you are going there! We are not sending you back there, we almost lost you! Forget it!” Dennis yelled at me.

“Honey, let us at least gather the men and supplies like meat and cheese, so we can go there in two days.” My father said. “Would that be an agreeable situation, Brock, Dennis?” He looked at both of them.

They both wanted to disagree but didn’t want to speak up against the King. With hope in their eyes, they looked at my father, trying to make him change his mind. But I knew he wouldn’t budge as I got his hint when he winked his eyes as he said that specific word.

‘Cheese’

“Yes, that would be great dad, I’ll gather my supplies as well and we will leave in two days.” I said to fill in the reply that both the men were supposed to answer. Besides, this way I hoped I wouldn’t let them both know what I was about to do next.