Don't Forget to Dream (40 page)

“
Thank you Rhyla, we will talk more
,
later,
”
said King Liam hastily.
“
Get my son to his chambers,
”
he yelled to the surrounding crowds.

In a bustle of activity guardsmen clambered onto the wagon back and gently lifted the still unconscious Prince
, still
swathed in his blankets. More men were waiting on the ground to smoothly tra
nsfer him. Within minutes
he disappeared
through the Palace entrance with his parents and Master Roburt following closely. Small groups broke up in their wake
, chattering frantically with many
looking repeatedly in Rhyla
’
s direction. But she didn
’
t see them.
The
hollowness inside her had returned while she watched Callum disappear from view.

“
I think we had better get you inside,
”
said a warm friendly voice behind her.

Rhyla turned her head, recognising Martin
’
s voice before she caught sight of him.
“
I thought you would be inside already.
”

“
I am only a friend, not family and not a healer. I will only be in the way for now,
”
he said surprisingly calmly. He walked around to the tailgate of the wagon.
“
He will not be happy if he awakens and I can
’
t report on your condition. So I shall ensure that I can make a positive report.
”

“
That is very kind Martin but I am well enough.
”
Regrettably she chose that moment to
attempt to stand.
Her
words
were a contradiction to the actual state of her health as
the colour drained from her face and she stumbled
forward onto her knees in the straw. The world once again spun around her as her vision closed in.

“
Rhyla!
”
she could hear Martin calling her but was struggling to remain conscious let alone continue their usual banter. She failed to notice the Captain
climb into the wagon to
help her
that was
until she felt his arms lifting her as if she were a child.

“
I
’
ll be alright. There is no need...
”
she started, but her voice was weak and faded as she realised she truly was unable to walk inside.

“
How much of this blood is yours?
”
Martin insisted looking at the blood stains covering her dress.

“
I am not sure,
”
she admitted honestly.
“
Some
of it
is Callum
’
s.
I had to stop him bleeding. There was so much blood.
”

“
I doubt you are in
a
much better state than Callum is. At least his
wounds have been dressed;
some of yours look to have broken open,
”
he argued, frowning as he tallied up the cuts to her dress, some
were obviously still seeping with fresh wet blood.
“
Several small wounds are just as life threatening as a large one if left untreated. You of all people should know that Rhyla,
”
he continued sternly as he carried her to the end of the wagon.

“
I had to look after Callum,
”
Rhyla weakly insisted.

“
I know, and we all thank you for what you have done for him, but now it is time to see you cared for properly.
”
Calling to one of the nearby guardsmen he passed her down before jumping off the wagon himself. Quickly retrieving her
,
Martin carried her through the
crowds that had remained, up
to the Palace
’
s grand entrance. Rhyla didn
’
t have the strength to debate his actions, or to argue that he
was drawing too much attention to them.
She knew she
needed his help and took a moment of comfort in resting her head against his shoulder and chest as he easily cradled her against him.

Passing a maid in the hallway he instructed her to find the Lady Emelia and inform her that Rhyla was injured and needed tending in her quarters. Without pausing he carried her to her room, lay her down on her bed and patiently waited by her side until Lady Emelia arrived.

Lady Emelia stormed into the room and immediately to Rhyla
’
s bedside.
Her
unusual
paces made Rhyla feel
guilty.
“
Oh my girl, what has happened?
The Palace is ablaze with rumours of Callum
’
s injuries but n
one mentioned you until
Captain Martin sent
a young lass to inform
me.
”

“
I will b
e well soon my lady.
I do not want you to concern yourself. Your grandson is the one who needs you,
”
Rhyla said pleadingly. Elsie and Mistress O'Mara had soon followed Lady Emelia into the room, the former with a steaming bowl of water and the later with an arm full of dressing
s
and towel
s, clearly making assumptions that
her wounds
needed attention
after hearing of the Prince
s
’
injuries.

“
Nonsense my girl. My daughter is with him, as is Master Roburt. I am of no use to anyone
just
standing in the hallway outside his room.
”
Lady Emelia paused to turn her attention to Martin.
“
I thank you Captain for bringing her in and sending for me but I believe we shall tend her wounds without you.
”

Rhyla had to smile slightly at the deep blush that suddenly came over the Captain of the Guard.
“
Yes my lady, of course. I.... I shall see if there is any ne
ws on Prince Callum. Please
excuse me.
”
With a slightly hurried bow Martin turned on his heal and quickly strode from the room.

As Mistress O
’
Mara and Elsie made their preparations, including
preparing a
needle and thread
which
she noted a little apprehensively, Rhyla was g
rateful for a few moments to lie
still. She couldn
’
t stop worrying what was happening to Callum but she could finally rest, knowing he was receiving the best possible care and she had done all she could. Taking an extra moment of silence she prayed that she had done enough.

Lady Emelia settled herself on a small wooden chair at the end of the bed ensuring she could monitor Rhyla
’
s care without being in the way. Elsie was sent to the kitchens for another kettle of boiling water while Mistress O
’
Mara seeped h
erbs and dressings in the first bowl.
The aroma was both comforting and alarming as Rhyla knew her aching wounds would soon be afire as they were cleansed, sutured and wrapped in fresh dry dressings. She thankfully drank a tea that dulled the worst of the pain. Perhaps this would give her insight for when she next treated
a guardsman
. Unfortunately taking an educational, even philosophical approach to her injuries did not lessen the repeated stinging pain as they tended each wound.

By the time they had finished
,
the window was dark and they were working by the light of several candles. Rhyla had not even noticed when they had been lit, nor could she gauge how long they had been working on her. Elsie helped her into a clean shift and then back into her bed, freshly made with clean soft sheets. Mistress O
’
Mara was busy tidying away all the bloody bandages and bowls of red water. As she settled back, thankful that it was all over, Rhyla looked for Lady Emelia. She found her mistress still seated on her chair patiently observing
her.

“
Lady Emelia,
”
Rhyla said weakly.

“
Yes my dear,
”
the elderly lady rose a little stiffly before making her way to Rhyla
’
s bedside to take her hand.

“
Is there any news?
”
there was no
need for Rhyla to clarify of whom she was referring.

“
My grandson is sleeping. Much like you he has had his wounds sewn and dressed, and now he sleeps,
”
Lady Emelia smiled down at her and patted her hand.
“
He apparently didn
’
t really awaken but I have been informed that Master Roburt is very impressed with your immediate care of him and stated that you probably saved his life. We are all very grateful to you.
”

Rhyla felt a small smile touch her lips briefly,
“
I was so frightened.
”

“
No doubt my dear, it was a terrible ordeal by what I have been told.
”
Lady Emelia gently placed Rhyla
’
s hand down and pulled the cover up to tuck her in as if she were a little child.
“
Now it is important you get some sleep, a lot of
sleep. Elsie will stay with you.
I am sure Gina can spare someone to assist me this evening.
”
s
he said smiling warmly.
“
You shall not be left alone until we are sure you are well enough.
”

“
I don
’
t want to be a bother,
”
Rhyla said apologetically.

“
A bother, y
ou saved the life of my grandson, a Prince of Calvadia. Rest for now and get well.
”
With that Lady Emelia gave her a final warm smile and left her to sleep.

Rhyla absentmindedly
watched Elsie and Mistress O
’
Mara finish tidying
.
It
did not take
long for her lids to feel heavy. S
he didn
’
t even see the head housekeeper leave. As sleep overcame
her, her last concern was would
she be
allowed to see Callum in the morning
but deep in her heart she knew that that would not be possible.

Rhyla slept soundly throughout the night even if Elsie did not. She had heard a lit
tle of what her friend had done and was both
shocked and filled with admiration at the same time. There was no possible situation in which she could have stood and fought those men, even if it had been Kyle
’
s life
in danger as well as
her own. How had Rhyla found t
he strength, let alone
conquer
the fear she must have felt at having these
brutal men descend upon them? While
fetc
hing the water and supplies that
had
been
needed to tend her
Rhyla
’
s
wounds, Elsie had heard snippets of the st
ories already circulating the
Palace
. She had heard
the guardsmen
discussing the frightening incident
, including rough descriptions of the three men
whose
corpses had been brought back for identification. She was terrified at the prospect of coming across such unr
uly characters especially on what was to have been
such a simple and pleasant outing. Throughout the night her thoughts roamed and kept her awake as much as her duty did. She ate her supper in their room and carefully watched her friend breathe. For a few hours in the quiet of the night
she allowed herself a few moments
of respite.

Awak
en
ing suddenly in the dawn light
,
Elsie quic
kly rose and checked that her friend
’
s
dressi
ngs were secure and not weeping. S
he was still sleeping deeply and didn
’
t stir as the wrappings were lifted and replaced. After quickly refreshing herself Elsie briefly left to retrieve a breakfast
tray from the
kitchen and
returned to eat in their room. Shortly after she had finished
eating a small breakfast,
there was a knock at the door.