Part 24
THE SECLUDED HOUSE BY A POND
[Mikael POV]
The war’s still on, but I was no longer a part of it. I was merely a spectator, watching from high above; watching as the undead army swarming the land, sweeping killing whatever within their vicinity. It was a bone-chilling view..the undead army left a trail of nothingness behind them. I watched them with a hollow in my chest. Perhaps I wasn’t much different from them when I was in a battle. I had killed hundreds of demons without even giving a flinch; without hesitation. I had always thought that I fought for the greater good..but what did it all mean really..if in the end I couldn’t even protect the one I loved and cared about?
As the dragon flew far west, leaving the battlefield behind, I felt like I was leaving a part of me there. ‘It really is the end for me, isn’t it?’ I had lost my cause.. What else would I want to achieve in this war? It wasn’t like I had achieved anything anyway. The will to avenge the death of my family had been diminishing gradually, and it was gone when I met Lunalea, my new-found family. Since then I fought for a peaceful future for both of us to live together..but if she’s gone too, what kind of life the future held for me then? I hugged her tighter and pressed my lips on the top of her head. ‘I won’t let you go…again.’
After passing two forests and one lake, I noticed a village in a distance, but we’re not heading there. The dragon made a slight bend south and began to descend upon a clearing until it landed in front a two-story house by a pond. We got off the dragon and headed for the house. It’s walls were made of red bricks and it had a short stone-wall as a fence.
Someone had already waited for us in front of the door. Raphael. I held back my rage and suspicion for him, knowing fully well that this wasn’t the time to lash out. Lunalea was the most important. If there’s anyone in this kingdom who could help her, it’s Raphael. I hated to admit it but it’s the truth.
“Bring her in.” said Raphael in his usual serene voice, without any preamble or greetings. He, too, understood the urgency of the situation.
I brought Lunalea in, followed by Gabriel and Kieran. Inside, there’s a thick blanket spread over a table and next to it was a smaller table with several bottles and instruments. I gently laid Lunalea on the larger table, brushing aside stray hair on her face. Her skin was cold, I let my palm rested on her cheek for a while, trying to give her some warmth.
Gabriel sat on a chair with a loud huff. She ripped her clothes to examine her wound that was no longer bleeding. Kieran went to her side bringing a wet cloth. This time his lady commander allowed him to tend her injury. Raphael was the last to get in; he closed the door after him and took two water jugs from the table. He gave one to Gabriel and offered the other one to me. “You better sit down too, Mikael.” He told me.
I snatched the jug from him and sat on a nearby chair. “You better fix her, Raphael.” I said sternly before taking one big gulp of the water. It cooled down my burning throat.
“I will try my best.” He replied, taking Lunalea’s hand and checking for her pulse.
I tensed while Raphael was examining her; checking her pupils, checking her body temperature, checking her belly..
“I can do my job more effectively,” Raphael glanced at me, “If you stop boring a hole in my head with your glare, Mikael. Thank you.” His calm voice was filled with sarcasm.
Well, what could I say? I was a kind of man who could be jealous easily; I couldn’t bear seeing him touching her, even if it’s for medical examination. So I just shrugged my shoulders.
Raphael turned his attention to a set of bottles on the smaller table, then he mixed several potions into one container and filled a syringe with the mixture. He injected the fluid into the vein in Lunalea’s neck. Almost at once, her body shot up then fell back down and started trembling. Horrified, I rushed to her side and glared at Raphael.
“It’s alright, it’s just a simultaneous reaction, meaning the potion is working.” He answered my unspoked question. “She’ll calm down in a minute.”
True enough, the trembling subsided. “She’s still unconscious.” I noted, frowning.
“Yes.” Said Raphael matter-of-factly. He took her hand and checked for her pulse again.
“Well, can you wake her up?” I asked him, impatient.
“No, I can’t. Right now her human side is having an internal struggle with her demon side. And all I can do is to weaken the demon side.” Explained Raphael. “If her human side wins, most probably she’ll wake up. But if her demon side wins… she’ll be gone for good.” Sorrow was clouding his eyes as he said this.
I looked down at my wife and squeezed her hand gently. Her body wasn’t as cold as before. I guessed Raphael really did know what he’s doing. “What about..our baby?”
“As long as Lunalea still lives, it can survive. We can inject the nutritions it needs from outside. Twice a day. It’s your responsibility.” He motioned at a steel box containing several identical bottles and one syringe. I just nodded, showing that I understood.
“There is one more thing, Mikael.” Raphael looked weary and a bit reluctant to say it. I looked at him silently, realizing that what he’s going to say couldn’t be something good. “Even if Lunalea managed to survive and wake up,” he began, “Her life span will be greatly reduced. After all, her human side and her demon side form one entity. Killing her demon side means killing half of Lunalea.”
“You mean she won’t live for long.”
Raphael nodded in confirmation. “I can’t tell you how long though..”
I sighed. “I’m fine with that.. It’s more than I could wish for..” I said calmly, surprising myself. After all these emotion-stirring events, I could only feel relief now. At least there’s still a chance, a hope for us. I would hold dearly whatever I had in my hands right now.
“Let’s go back to the castle.” Gabriel suddenly stated. Raphael glanced at her and nodded, packing up his bottles and instruments into a canvas bag.
“I’m not going back to the castle.” I announced, thinking that the King had taken a major part in a plan to use Lunalea. I didn’t want to serve him or the castle anymore.
“No, you’re not.” Said Raphael, “You and Lunalea will live here from now on. This place belongs to you.”
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously when I looked at him. “Is this a part of your plan or are you really helping us?”
“What plan?” he looked back, genuinely confused. I cocked my eyebrow. “Oh, right. The plan of messing up with her fate. Well, I’m sorry that it had to come to this. I never meant to do her harm, not after I met her and got to know her..” he paused and took a deep breath. “I never thought you would be involved in this and made things more..complicated. But now..to be honest, I’m just glad her fate intertwines with yours. At least she’s not alone now.”
“If she didn’t meet me.. It’s you that would stay by her side now, right?” I asked him bitterly, still having the assumption that he actually loved Lunalea.
Raphael sighed. “Yes, I supposed so.” He answered slowly, averting his gaze. Gabriel and Kieran had already gone out of the house and Raphael followed them. I exited the house too, to see them off.
Kieran walked towards the dragon that appeared to be drinking from the pond, while Gabriel headed for three magnificent stallions that stood just before the fence. I smiled when I saw that one of them was my Red Hare; my loyal companion.
“There’s a shack in the back for Red Hare to stay.” Raphael informed me.
“Thanks.” I replied sincerely, “Thank you for everything.”
Raphael gave a faint smile. “It’s the least I can do.” He said before mounting his White Shadow.
“So..” Gabriel stood in front of me awkwardly, “Are you still mad at me?”
“No.” I said shortly. And it was honest. I didn’t even feel mad at Raphael anymore.
“Good.” She smiled and gave me a brief hug. “I’m gonna miss you. I’m not saying that I don’t love you anymore..because I still do, but I hope for the best for you. And your wife.” She frowned a little when she said the last word, then she shrugged slowly and jumped onto Faulkner’s back.
Both Raphael and Gabriel waved their hands, without any parting word, then rode their steeds away. Kieran made a bow when the two great generals went by him. Then the boy beastmaster turned towards me and made a bow as well before he climbed onto the dragon’s back. Soon, they were up in the sky flying away, while Raphael and Gabriel went out of sight.
I turned to Red Hare and stroke its mane. “I guess you stuck here with me then.” I muttered slowly, pulling his harness and bringing him into the shack. After I made sure that Red Hare was comfortable enough, I went inside the house.
When I realized that both Lunalea’s and my clothes were in a mess, I went back outside and took some water from the well. I tried my best to clean all the dirt and bloodstains on our bodies. Then I wrapped the thick blanket around Lunalea’s body and carried her into the bedroom. As soon as I laid her on the mattress, I felt all the weariness attacked me at once. I collapsed onto the bed next to her, feeling relieved that at last I could get some rest.
It was so peaceful here; there’s only me, my wife, and a tranquil autumn night. We’re far from the war and all the troubles. I gently wrapped my arms around Lunalea’s body and pressed her close to me. I kissed her forehead softly and whispered in her ear, “Come back to me, Lunalea.. Please don’t leave me..”