Inheritance: Scales of Change

Chapter Twenty Five - Home

    "Dad... We're home." You spoke softly as you felt your father's forehead with the back of your hand. Even in this condition, seeing him laying in his own bed again was surreal. His eyes fluttered slightly at your touch but he still was not strong enough to be fully conscious.
Roisin had managed to have him drink more from the saturated towel while aboard the ship but other than that she reported no change. Whatever empty rooms there were in the inn you had taken over for the injured from the battle. Trugdig had made good on his word and kept the inn exactly as you left it, though you didn't take any time to explore your old home when you arrived a few hours ago. You had the men bring your father straight into his room and you had been inside with him since you docked.
Raxe cracked the door open and stepped inside. "How is he?"
"I can't tell." You watched your father's chest rise and fall. "He's not worse but he's not better either."
"The man took an arrow to the chest. I suppose we should take 'not worse' as a good thing..." He approached the opposite side of the bed.
"Have... the children arrived from the safe house?"
"Not yet. Someone just left to go get them about twenty minutes ago."
    You were relieved that Sisni was with the other children when you came into port. You weren't ready to see her yet. You didn't expect to have to explain to her that you lost your mother and are in danger of losing your father, so the longer she stayed unaware that you had returned the better. Raxe must have noticed the expression on your face.
"What were you planning on telling her?"
"I... don't know." You sighed. "Before all this," you motioned to your father, "I suppose I just expected a straightforward introduction. But now... I don't want her to see the aftermath of the battle. Any of it. I don't want her anywhere near the inn."
"Roisin and I can keep an eye on everyone here, if you want. That way you can join Cas in the palace and be there when Sis arrives." Raxe offered.
You looked up at him gratefully, but reluctantly. "I don't want to leave him..."
"We'll let you know the instant anything changes. It's a small island, you can be back within minutes." He smiled, trying to reassure you.
"Alright..." You stood. "Thank you."

    Your small island village was swarming. In the three months since you had been gone so much had improved. It looked as if there was now a regular market that happened every morning, that your arrival had interrupted. You pushed through crowds of villagers and sailors from all six crews, stopping to greet those you recognized along the way to the new palace. You had asked Trugdig for directions when you left the inn but he just chuckled and said, "jus' look up lass." He was right, it would have been difficult to miss from anywhere on the island.
    It was built around an abandoned tower that stood near the top of the hill, as there wasn't much spare land to begin with. It was designed to be taller than it was wide, with several thin spires symmetrically positioned around a great archway with an iron gate. It seemed as if they used as much recycled stone from the collapsed buildings on the island in its construction as they could, but filled the remaining needs with material shipped in from other places, making the color of the walls a patchwork of colors and textures which was not displeasing to look at.
    There were guards positioned at the gates when you approached, but they seemed to expect you, since they bowed and called for the gates to be opened immediately. You stepped into an octagonal courtyard with a fountain in the middle, the steps to the main hall behind it, opposite where you stood. To your left and right archways led to several different doors along a long walkway that wrapped the perimeter of the courtyard. You stopped a guard passing by to ask where you could find Caspian and he led you to one of the doors off to your right. You knocked, and entered.
    Caspian, the rest of the Lords, Tavros, Drinian, and a short, bearded man, with glasses you didn't recognize were standing around a table in what looked like some sort of office with maps and diagrams postered all over the walls. When he saw you Tavros rushed towards you and picked you up in a hug.
"I am so glad to see you My Lady, we were worried sick!" He squeezed you, a bit too tightly.
"I missed you too Tavros..." you muffled out smiling. He put you down. "Where did you learn to hug." You chuckled, "You almost suffocated me."
He laughed. "Your sister has taught me many human terms of affection."
"How's your father?" Caspian approached you both.
"The same... Raxe and Roisin stayed at the inn to watch over everyone." You responded sadly.
He put his hand on your cheek. "He'll be alright now that he's home. Come. I want you to meet someone."
    He led you to the bearded man. "This is Doctor Cornelius. The man who raised me and taught me everything I know. Cornelius, this is the love of my life, and the woman who I have chosen as our Queen."
You blushed at the words, but extended a hand out to the man. "Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you."
"And I you, My Dear, I am so sorry to hear about your mother... I wish I could have been there to help..." His voice was gruff and ancient, but kind. He too spoke with a Telmarain accent, which only added to the air of wisdom that surrounded him.
"Thank you, Doctor, your research did not go to waste. It helped heal many other sick people on Terebinthia." You forced a smile.
"Though that does not lessen the pain of losing her." He cupped your hand with his other one sympathetically.
You nodded at him.
"Well, it seems you have stolen my young King's heart My Lady, I only ask that you treat it well." He patted your hand and let it go.
"Of course, Doctor." You smiled up at Caspian.
"Cornelius, please." He smiled. "I am just on my way down to the inn to assist with the injured," he looked up at Caspian, "you know where to find me if you need me Sire."
Caspian nodded. "Thank you."