guards and a man I
do not know.
Danet put the knife back on the tray and stood to greet the
visitors. “Good evening, my queen.” She let her gaze sweep over the group. “Is
there a problem?”
“There was some confusion about who may and may not be
permitted to enter the prince’s chambers,” the queen said. She was wearing an
expression meant to convey royal boredom, but Danet recognized it as one the
queen wore when she was truly worried about something but refusing show it.
“It is a ridiculous notion that council members are not be
permitted entry,” the older councilman grumbled.
“We were merely checking on the health of the prince,”
Aleric added.
“You could have come and asked,” the queen pointed out.
“We wanted to see for ourselves,” the other councilman said.
“No one is to be permitted entry unless I say so. And right
now only Danet and family are allowed. Per his physician’s orders,” the queen
added.
“Until we know what caused the prince’s collapse, it is for
the best,” Danet interjected smoothly.
“And why is she here instead of Master Darius?” the
younger councilman sneered.
“The prince is still under Master Darius’ care,” Danet
clarified for the group. “I was asked to monitor the prince’s healing and
ensure the best care is provided in order to hasten his recovery.”
Well said. Politically correct yet interpretable in more
than one way.
“I understand you have been able to get a response from the
prince?” Aleric asked.
Danet looked to the queen. She gave a slight nod but
otherwise, no facial expression.
“There were a couple of twitches in his toe but nothing more,”
Danet said.
“What did you do to get this reaction?” Aleric asked.
“The first time, nothing. The second time, I tapped his
foot.”
“You haven’t given him any medicines or herbs or anything
like that?” Aleric asked.
“The only herbs or medicines the prince is receiving are the
few Master Darius ordered be given with the prince’s broth,” Danet said.
“The queen indicated you were trying something new with the
prince,” Aleric hinted.
“It is common practice to manipulate the muscles of
bedridden patients. We do this by moving the limbs to stretch and extend the
tissue to increase blood flow and prevent the muscles from forming knots or
becoming lax due to lack of use.” She shrugged. “There are no herbs or
medicines involved.”
“Is that what made the prince respond?” Aleric asked.
“It is doubtful unless the motions improved his circulation
momentarily.”
“Does this mean he is getting better?” the older councilman
asked.
Everyone in the group looked to Danet for an answer.
“That would be for Master Darius to determine,” Danet said
smoothly. “I should hope it would be a positive sign, however.”
“When will Master Darius return?” the younger councilman
asked. Danet was taken aback by the thinly veiled hostility in his tone.
“I couldn’t say. As he left, he mentioned he was late for a
meeting with Aleric and would expect a report each day of the prince’s
condition. It was unclear if he would return this evening or wait until
morning.”
“I say we wait until Master Darius has a chance to examine
him again,” the younger councilman whispered not-so-quietly to Aleric.
“As you wish,” Aleric agreed. He turned to the queen and
bowed his head. “My queen. Our apologies for the disturbance. We will check
with you when we require updates on the prince’s heath.” His gaze traveled the
remainder of the group. “Good evening.”
Danet and the queen’s attendants bowed their heads in return
and murmured their farewell. The queen tipped her head slightly in
acknowledgement but remained as she was. The gentleman she didn’t know remained
in the shadows near the wall.
After Aleric and the two councilmen departed, the queen
mumbled, “Pompous asses,” then crossed the room to the prince’s side. She
picked up Ceros’ hand and
do not know.
Danet put the knife back on the tray and stood to greet the
visitors. “Good evening, my queen.” She let her gaze sweep over the group. “Is
there a problem?”
“There was some confusion about who may and may not be
permitted to enter the prince’s chambers,” the queen said. She was wearing an
expression meant to convey royal boredom, but Danet recognized it as one the
queen wore when she was truly worried about something but refusing show it.
“It is a ridiculous notion that council members are not be
permitted entry,” the older councilman grumbled.
“We were merely checking on the health of the prince,”
Aleric added.
“You could have come and asked,” the queen pointed out.
“We wanted to see for ourselves,” the other councilman said.
“No one is to be permitted entry unless I say so. And right
now only Danet and family are allowed. Per his physician’s orders,” the queen
added.
“Until we know what caused the prince’s collapse, it is for
the best,” Danet interjected smoothly.
“And why is she here instead of Master Darius?” the
younger councilman sneered.
“The prince is still under Master Darius’ care,” Danet
clarified for the group. “I was asked to monitor the prince’s healing and
ensure the best care is provided in order to hasten his recovery.”
Well said. Politically correct yet interpretable in more
than one way.
“I understand you have been able to get a response from the
prince?” Aleric asked.
Danet looked to the queen. She gave a slight nod but
otherwise, no facial expression.
“There were a couple of twitches in his toe but nothing more,”
Danet said.
“What did you do to get this reaction?” Aleric asked.
“The first time, nothing. The second time, I tapped his
foot.”
“You haven’t given him any medicines or herbs or anything
like that?” Aleric asked.
“The only herbs or medicines the prince is receiving are the
few Master Darius ordered be given with the prince’s broth,” Danet said.
“The queen indicated you were trying something new with the
prince,” Aleric hinted.
“It is common practice to manipulate the muscles of
bedridden patients. We do this by moving the limbs to stretch and extend the
tissue to increase blood flow and prevent the muscles from forming knots or
becoming lax due to lack of use.” She shrugged. “There are no herbs or
medicines involved.”
“Is that what made the prince respond?” Aleric asked.
“It is doubtful unless the motions improved his circulation
momentarily.”
“Does this mean he is getting better?” the older councilman
asked.
Everyone in the group looked to Danet for an answer.
“That would be for Master Darius to determine,” Danet said
smoothly. “I should hope it would be a positive sign, however.”
“When will Master Darius return?” the younger councilman
asked. Danet was taken aback by the thinly veiled hostility in his tone.
“I couldn’t say. As he left, he mentioned he was late for a
meeting with Aleric and would expect a report each day of the prince’s
condition. It was unclear if he would return this evening or wait until
morning.”
“I say we wait until Master Darius has a chance to examine
him again,” the younger councilman whispered not-so-quietly to Aleric.
“As you wish,” Aleric agreed. He turned to the queen and
bowed his head. “My queen. Our apologies for the disturbance. We will check
with you when we require updates on the prince’s heath.” His gaze traveled the
remainder of the group. “Good evening.”
Danet and the queen’s attendants bowed their heads in return
and murmured their farewell. The queen tipped her head slightly in
acknowledgement but remained as she was. The gentleman she didn’t know remained
in the shadows near the wall.
After Aleric and the two councilmen departed, the queen
mumbled, “Pompous asses,” then crossed the room to the prince’s side. She
picked up Ceros’ hand and
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