Rudimentum: Oracle

Chapter 15

Nathanael closed the door and said, "I have kept him asleep for now to help his body adjust and recuperate quicker. Once I remove it though, it is uncertain how long it will take for him to wake on his own. Infection is always a risk, but this is the best place for him."

Elysia approached the bed. A tear rolled down her cheek. Her lips trembled into a smile as she gazed at him. She kneeled beside the bed and took his hand. She kissed the top of it and stroked his head. Happiness flooded her heart like the morning sunlight flooding a room.

Nathanael continued, "I was unable to save the sight in his left eye. The damage was irreparable. The eye itself is still intact but he will never again see through it. I am sorry."

"You saved him," she said, not taking her eyes from William. "You saved his life and I owe you everything for it."

"To save lives is why I do what I do," he said.

"Thank you," said Swift with a nod.

Nathanael returned it with a tight smile. He turned his attention back to Elysia. "I regret to be like this, but I know who you are, Princess Elysia Vasilis." She froze. She tore her eyes from William and looked up at Nathanael. "King Brandon has been searching for you for some time now. I am duty bound to alert the proper authorities of your presence. If Lord Pedrov, who is a frequenter of this establishment, were to find out..."

"No, please," said Elysia. She looked at William then back up at him. "Please Nathanael. At least, at least not until William has recovered enough. I know I am asking a lot of you, after all you have done for us, but I am still asking you for more, but I must. Please. I beg you."

Nathanael looked into her eyes; wounded but with a strength. A strength renowned of the Vasilisian family. He had known from the start it would not take a lot of convincing for him to change his mind. He was not a politician nor a lord. "Very well," he said.

"Thank you," she said. "You do not know how much this means to me."

Swift relaxed into a nearby chair, his leg still aching and bare.

"May I ask why you did not immediately surrender yourselves? You may have avoided all of this," said Nathanael.

"I suppose you heard what happened in Vasilis?" Her eyes faltered as did her words. "My father and mother..."

"I know," he said gently.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I could not risk people knowing where I was. I could not afford to be found. Look what happened when he found us. Innocent people are dead. I had planned to reach King Brandon unseen and unheard until I was at his castle gates."

"It did not quite go to plan," said Swift, his hands between his knees.

"You are welcome to stay here until he is recovered enough," Nathanael. "Up the stairs at the end of the hall on the left there are two free rooms. You may get washed up there and Alice will bring you some fresh attire. Unfortunately, your highness, all we have are the red dresses."

"Please, call me Elysia and it is more than enough," she said. "I will not forget your kindness."

Nathanael nodded and turned to leave. His hand fell on the doorknob, but he paused and looked back. "I hope you understand, I believe it best for you to travel to the capital under the escort of King Brandon's men. It is only a few days' ride, and they are there to protect you. When all is well here, I will alert them. No sooner, you have my word."

"Very well, I understand," she said. She continued to stroke William's head and face and regretted all the time she had wasted. All the time she could have been this close to him and now that she was, he did not know it.