Chapter 14 Part1 (1/2)

CHAPTER 14 (Part one)

When they got to Bena again, it had been well into the night and Mahnu woke up as King Richard picked her up from the carriage.

”Richard?”

”Mahnu! You're awake!”

”Wait...Let me down.”

He quickly put her down and she vomited near the pathway that led into where they were staying. ”Jaclyn!” The King yelled out.

Jaclyn came to Mahnu and examined her.

”Well!? What's wrong!?”

Mahnu didn't talk but sat there silently as Jaclyn said, ”I'm not worried, Your Majesty. With the trip and her condition, I'm sure it's fine.”

”This is fine!?” He asked appallingly.

”Richard!” Mahnu said weakly.

”Mahnu, are you okay?”

She nodded, he picked her up again and took her inside.

”Calm down, Richard, I trust her words.”

She trusts me? Jaclyn was momentarily paralysed. Even though I hadn't trusted her earlier she still trusts me now?

”Yes, of course, you are the doctor.” Mahnu said, looking at her from the bed.

”Oh.” Jaclyn forgot. Of course, the words of a doctor should be able to be trusted.

”Don't get upset Jaclyn, it's not just because you're a doctor. I already trusted you before we started to get followed.”

Her words were clear, stating basic fact. Jaclyn was silently happy and smiled back at her. ”Thank you.”

King Richard was sitting on the bed, playing with Mahnu's hands, when Marcus came in. ”Sedric is gone. He disappeared yesterday.”

Mahnu spoke in a croaky voice, ”He was asking those men to knock me out cold, yesterday at Sedric's house. He told them to take me to his hideout as he was going there after.”

”You can't get anything else?” Marcus asked hesitantly.

Jaclyn gave her water, not able to understand how Mahnu knows all this but, for some reason, believing the words to be true.

”I think...” Mahnu cleared her throat. ”I think...”

She put her hand over her mouth and sat there unmoving. Jaclyn quickly got something to hold out in front of her.

Mahnu vomited again and Marcus asked if she was okay.

Giving Mahnu more water, Jaclyn said, ”Vomiting is a symptom of pregnancy. A very normal symptom, but I will continue to watch her closely.”

Marcus seemed glad and Jaclyn looked over to the King, to see him looking at Mahnu in worry.

”I think it would be a good idea to send people to the site of The Chest of the G.o.d's, to protect it.”

”I agree.”

”Marcus?” Mahnu was looking at something beyond the bed in front of her. ”What news on the box? What has been done?” Her voice got crisp again and Jaclyn gave her more water.

What in the world are they talking about?

”I'm sure it's hidden deep within our lands Mahnu. I ordered that we set traps to have it get stuck or go deeper into the ground. Confirmation won't be for another week though.”

Mahnu looked relieved, ”Thank you.”

Marcus smiled swiftly at her, Jaclyn thought that he may have been a little troubled because of the look Mahnu had just given him.

Mahnu sunk in the bed further, closing her eyes. ”I made The Chest of the G.o.d's very hard to get, hopefully it will all stop at Sedric.”

She looked absolutely worn out.

King Richard kissed her on the forehead, let go of her hand and turned to Jaclyn, ”I'll leave her to you...Take good care of her and our child.”

Jaclyn nodded, then he and Marcus left.

Jaclyn didn't try to think about what she did not understand. Instead, she found herself admitting defeat to Mahnu.

Making a soup that would be easy to digest and keep down, she let it simmer while she had a quick nap.

Awakening a few hours later, the soup was ready but Mahnu was still asleep.

Jaclyn thought deeply about what she would do. I feel that I will be able to do my job well enough. I know about pregnancy and what is and isn't best for Mahnu. I have also grown used to the people and feel welcomed. Mahnu trusts me. And I want to prove to her that I do trust her now too.

Overhearing the conversations about a chest and a box and G.o.d's was a little worrisome but if the King already knew about it...

Obviously, they were in the middle of something and Mahnu's life was at risk for some reason. Will I allow that to stop me from being Mahnu's doctor? How could I cower when she isn't, when the King isn't!

Jaclyn hardly believed herself when she now agreed that she was going to stay. She also admitted that she truly respected Mahnu, like everybody else, and genuinely wanted to help her.

She walked into the bedroom, with the soup, to find that Mahnu was awake already and smiling at her.

”You're awake, Mahnu!”

”Yes! I feel better and I am very hungry, smelling this food! I think it woke me up!”