37 Awakening (1/2)
A soft breeze caressed her cheek, filled with warmth and the smell of autumn. In the haze of sleep, she remembered the red and gold trees rustling in the twilight of Neva's setting sun. Heat built on her face and ever so slowly Elya's eyes fluttered open, finding herself resting in her bed.
Alexis lounged on a chair nearby, oiling her blade over a ragged cloth. She didn't have the patience to sit still for any task except weapon maintenance, probably the main reason she was unable to advance beyond the rank of Vice-Captain. That and the incidents where she flirted with her superiors husbands. Spotting Elya's movement, Alexis swiped her sword one final time and set it on a table Elya had never seen before, coming to her bedside and placing a restraining hand on her shoulder.
”Don't move yet Milady. The Count said you should move slowly, otherwise you could experience dizziness or nausea.”
”How many?” Elya whispered. Reaching up to weakly clasp Alexis' hand. The Vice-Captain debated hiding the figures but realised it would be better to deal with it now, rather than letting it fester in Elya's mind.
”Three Knights, almost twenty squires and twice that number of women-at-arms. The guard lost almost a hundred. Most of them in combat against the Corrupted.”
”Fates curse those monsters.” She hissed.
”Things could have been worse Milady. The slave trade through the city has collapsed and it will take a long time for the gangs to build up strength. Furthermore, the people of Konstanz are singing your praises having seen you in single combat with that Demonic Snake.”
”The letters?”
”Prepared and dispatched already. First thing I did. The commander's reply should reach us soon and the notices are on the way.”
”You should have let me do it. My duty.” A part of her was relieved she wouldn't have to tell families they'd lost someone. Alexis dismissed her words and fluffed a pillow to put under her head.
”How long have I been asleep?” Elya croaked, her voice a dull whisper. Clearing her throat she tried again.
”Almost three days.”
”I thought my injuries weren't severe?” Trying to piece together the fragments of her memory after being sent flying by the Snake, she seemed to recall hearing Nikolai say that.
”Well, I'm not aware of anything like that Milady, but the Count explained that it would be better to keep you asleep to let you heal properly first.” Alexis returned to her weapon maintenance, sure that Elya would stay put.
”Maybe he wanted to comfort me.” Elya offered, wriggling upright and leaning against the headrest. The effort left her winded. It seemed Nikolai was right about her condition. Even though she was exhausted, she was free of pain.
”Anything is possible for that man.” Alexis sniffed.
”Why do you say that?”
”After making sure you were safe, he personally moved against the last holdouts and any criminals who happened to be caught up in the fighting.”
”That's the appropriate response. It's a perfect chance to get rid of the gangs influence.”
”True.” Alexis paused her work and glanced up, hesitating to explain. ”Milady, he was so angry he almost turned the northern districts into a sea of fire. I think only the intervention of his father curtailed the response.”
”What happened?” Elya's breath caught, remembering the lurking sense of danger she'd felt, cradled in his arms.
”There were Vezani marines guarding the 'slave pens' the Black Hand identified. I led the assault as planned but when the Count arrived, he was already in a bad mood by the way, he took charge and tore their defences apart.” Placing her sword aside, Alexis leaned forwards. ”The 'pens' were bad Milady. Dozens dead from starvation and disease. The Count vomited at the sight but made sure everyone was released before charging towards the other gangs. I could tell he was about to summon true War Magic, not the tricks he pulled off during the battle. He's a True blooded Imperial Milady.”
”That's not such a bad thing Alexis. We're all Imperials.” She remarked lightly, trying to diminish the gravity of the revelation. She'd had her suspicions, his vehement response to the mention of slavery was a typical symptom. It also explained why he'd moved so quickly, handing over authority to her to gain the assistance of the Knights of Chernigov cohort.
”Please don't joke Milady. It means we have to be careful. True Imperials are bound by their nature.”
”Don't lecture me Alexis. Is it so wrong to fight slavery wherever one meets it?”
The Vice-Captain snorted but returned to her work, pouting all the while. She was right though, Nikolai would hunt slavers blindly. Unlike Alexis, she wasn't too concerned since her own grandfather, the current Grand Duke Suzdal, suffered from the same affliction. An affliction now but in the days of the Reclamation True Imperials wore their curse with pride. Their people had paid a deep price to break from the Gods servitude, the scars still passing through their blood, if dissipating with each generation.
Elya sighed at the curse, it was such a mess.
”Why d'you bring a table in here? It's already cramped enough.” She remarked, massaging the stiffness from her legs.
”It wasn't me Milady. Your fiancée spent every evening working here. He claimed it was to watch over you.”
”That's… very sweet.” Elya felt warmth deep in her heart. For all his faults, Nikolai was a careful person, following through in all his actions. He kept his promises.
”Don't worry Milady, I made sure someone was always accompanying you so he couldn't take advantage of your condition.” Alexis declared righteously and Elya couldn't help but blush at the implication, pulling her blankets tighter.
”I'm sure he wouldn't do anything untoward.” Actually she wasn't. She also wasn't sure if she wanted him to try anything yet. ”Is there anything else of interest?”