by Marie Brown
*I apologize for the rough treatment, Bard, but it's the only way back. Now go tend to your lover and bring him here after he's eaten something.*
The Maiden smiled at Sylvan, who rose from his heap on the floor and stumbled to the door of the chapel.
"Thank you, Lady Goddess," he said from the doorway, then left.
He pushed his body fast, faster, tripping on his own feet, back to the Peacock Suite, nearly stopping in his tracks when he realized his head didn't hurt anymore. For the first time in many annums he felt a need to speak to a higher power. He whispered thanks to the Maiden, certain he detected Her hand in the matter, then continued his headlong rush to his lover's side.
He burst into their suite, bounced off the couch, and stumbled into the bedroom. Kirel sat upright in the bed, swaying gently, looking around with a puzzled frown on his face.
"You're awake!" Sylvan tackled his lover and they both went down in a hugging, kissing, laughing heap.
"How long has it been?" Kirel asked after the initial joyous greeting, confusion returning to his face. "All I remember is waking in the dark with someone there with me, and hoping you could get away somehow. Obviously you did, for which I thank you, but what in all hells else happened?"
"Ten days," Sylvan said, with a shiver. "Ten long, miserable days. I was out myself for three of them, then only partially aware for a few more. We returned to the castle three days ago. Now, I'm supposed to feed you, then bring you to the goddess."
"I'm not hungry," Kirel started to protest, then his stomach cut loose with a tremendous growl. He blushed, while Sylvan snickered. "Well, then. Looks like my stomach has other ideas. Your solution to this problem?"
Sylvan smiled and reached for the velvet bellpull, conveniently located near the bed. Their servant, Megos, came into the room.
"My Prince! You're awake!" The man beamed when he saw Kirel sitting upright.
"Yes, he's awake, and hungry. Megos, would you please bring us something from the kitchens? Something easy on both of us, some soup and a bit of bread, perhaps."
"Yes, Sir Bard. May I spread the glad news?"
"You may," Kirel nodded. "If anyone cares."
Sylvan grabbed a pillow and thumped him. "Knock it off, you," he growled, ready to thump again. "I'll have you know this entire castle was all in a tizzy, trying to figure out how to rouse you from that stupor. Especially your cousin. So none of that kind of talk."
"Oh." Kirel fell back against the pillows and plucked at his nightshirt with distaste. "I don't suppose you'd let me up to wash, would you? I must have been sweating the entire ten days. I feel foul."
Sylvan sniffed and made a face. Kirel brandished a pillow of his own, albeit with less vigor. "Yes, by all means wash, wash! And I will, too. Both to make sure you remain upright, and because I stink too."
They cleaned up in the bathroom, quickly but thoroughly, and dressed in clean clothing. When they emerged, Sylvan detected the smell of fresh bread emanating from the main room.
Megos looked up from arranging their meal on the table. "Here you go, my lords," he said cheerfully. "I asked Cook to make you something easy on an invalid, and this is what she sent. I also told everyone I saw that you're awake, my Lord Kirel, so I'd be expecting my Lord the King in here soon. Oh, but the castle's a sight happier now, that it is!"
"Good," Kirel said dubiously. He still felt uncomfortable with the acclaim he'd found here, simply for his bloodlines.
Sylvan was already deep into the fresh-baked bread. Kirel sat and sipped cautiously at the cup of steaming broth, not entirely certain he was hungry.
The broth was hot, and delicately spiced, and tasted of pischi, a local game bird. He drank with pleasure, worries about his appetite laid to rest. He loved pischi. By the time it was all inside him, a warm and happy glow filled his body, and he felt up to taking on the bread and small bit of mild cheese awaiting him. He also discovered a bottomless thirst and refilled his water glass several times in the bathroom.
"Now what?" he said, once he'd finished. He leaned against the back of his chair, watching Sylvan gnawing on the last piece of the small loaf the cook had sent them.
"Now the goddess," Sylvan mumbled around the crust. Then he swallowed and apologized. "Sorry. I do love fresh bread, though. Now we go back to the Chapel and speak to the goddess. I'm afraid She wasn't making much sense, at least to me. And how in the world two of Her were present at the same time, I'll never know."
"She can be present in up to three forms," Kirel said. "It's only when the fourth shows up at the same time that there's a problem. See, she doesn't get along with herself all that well, and—never mind. I suppose we'd better get moving, then. It doesn't do to keep a goddess waiting."
Blackheart
They found the Warrior still pacing in the chapel, her black and red garments swirling around her. Kirel hung back, more than a little intimidated, and Sylvan took the lead.
"We have returned, Warrior."
"I can see that, you puny human. And took your time about it, too. Well, now you've got to get your butts moving and do something for Me. Bear in mind, I'm not the kind, forgiving soul that Maiden and Mother are. If you fail, you're crowbait."
She laughed, that hair-raising cackle of before.
"Warrior," Kirel said, voice quavering a little. "I have to apologize for failing You on the field of battle." He bowed his head.
"No you don't, little man," the Warrior replied. "Although I revel in your humility. Raised you right, your mother did. But no apologies are needed unless you fail Me now. And if you fail Me now, as previously stated, you won't be in a condition to do much apologizing."
She bared her teeth, red eyes blazing with light and avarice.
"Now, what I need from you is simple. You need to break a spell and set Me free. But I can't tell you how to do it, and I can't tell you where you need to go. Aioli!"
Both humans flinched away from the sudden yell.
*No need to shriek, Warrior. I'm right here.*
The Maiden strode towards them, transparent as before. Kirel tried not to stare.
