Rudimentum: Oracle

Chapter 18

"Nathanael removed the sutures, and it is healing well, thanks to you. He praised you highly. I can see why Swift likes you, and if he told you he must trust you and care very much for you. I suppose then, he must have told you of us leaving?"

Anna sighed. "He did and he promised he would come back. I doubt you are surprised to find me hesitating. Promises are so fragile. I have relied on them before and found them broken." She fiddled with one of the pawns on the board.

"I will ensure he keeps this promise. Besides, I would love to have you at my side after all this over. Someone I could truly trust. You could work in the castle or the Academy as a surgeon if that is something you would like."

"You are too kind, Princess, but please do not take offence when I say I must think on it."

"Of course, the decision is your own, whatever it may be," said Elysia, squeezing her hand. Her heart eased, and she looked down at the chessboard and moved her bishop. "Your move," she said with a grin. Anna laughed.

Two sets of footfalls entered the room. William said, "Elysia they are here." Swift stood beside him, their cloaks neatly over their shoulders. Elysia wore the red dress Nathanael had given her. Swift's bandana, Elysia's comb and the clothes on their backs numbered their possessions.

Elysia stood and embraced Anna. "Goodbye, my friend."

"Godspeed, Princess. I pray for your success," said Anna. She glanced at Swift whose eyes had widened.

They parted and Elysia turned to William. She hooked her arm in his and they made their way out of the hospital, the place that had given them much more than they could have hoped for.

Swift hesitated. "Every farewell I have committed has been a goodbye forever."

"You speak as if it is a crime," said Anna closing the distance between them.

"It is a crime to say goodbye forever to those you care about," he said, taking her hand. He kissed the top of it. "But ours I hope is not forever."

"That all depends on you," she whispered.

"That is what I am afraid of."

Anna smiled, her freckles glowing. "Be safe, Ulric Swift."

"And you, Anna Pedrov, noble lady of surgery." He bowed, low and honestly. Anna chuckled. He stood and brushed a strand of loose hair from her face. He pulled her in for a kiss, hiding nothing behind it.

Elysia and William stepped out the front door and into the sun. A carriage, elegant but simple, waited by the door followed by a procession of heavily armed men sweating in their armour. Banners waving the Bear of Kimera stood erect over the men. Elysia's heart pounded at the conspicuousness of it. People stopped in the streets to stare at the commotion and whispers flew like flies disturbed from a corpse.

Swift joined them a few moments later.

They approached the carriage door where Nathanael stood waiting. He did not hide his agitation, he glared at the guards with narrowed eyes and clenched jaw. "My apologies, Princess. I urged a quieter approach, but it seems it fell on deaf ears."

"I heard King Brandon was never a quiet one," she said. "Thank you, Nathanael, for all you have done. I will not forget it."

Nathanael bowed. "As I have said before, if there is anything I can do, please seek me out. Godspeed, Princess."

"Farewell Nathanael," she said bowing her head low. "If possible, perhaps you could explain some of this to Tienbuck. It may provide some comfort to him, I hope."