Bride of the Dark Lord

#28 The Mage Bane

FOURTH MONTH

The cold that morning was severe. Bitingly so. I put on my gloves and cloak, and stepped out of the cabin. It was still morning, I had to be in the camp soon. I made a promise to see a particular patient, with a rare case, today.

Quickly, I marched to Shalott "good girl" I stroked her. And picked one of her brown scales that had fallen off. I plan to send it off to Randall soon, via a pigeon.

A few days ago, he sent a message to me, via a howler, saying he needed a part from Shalott soon. Why? I don't know. But, I've delayed in replying him long enough, and so, to keep him off my back and that of my people's, for the mean time, I had to do as he desired.

After all, it was just a dragon scale he was asking for, he could demand for more. And, I wasn't scared of giving this to him, because no matter what he intended to do with the scale, his sorcery could never harm Shalott's life. That was what mattered.

Snow flakes fell to the ground. I intend to leave this magicless land and return in the next one hour or two, before Regalis wakes up. Also, I have to make sure he was safe, when I leave.

"Shalott, love. Some holy fire to protect your master from wraiths when we leave".

Shalott moved her huge head, faced the cabin and spat out fire. At that moment, I felt it. That power dragons would always have, above Gifted and sorcerers, enveloped the cabin.

"Thanks" I said, petting her.

Dragon fires came in two forms - the holy, for protection; and of course, the fury, which many have heard of, and those who have not even seen it at work before, feared it.

The fury fire of a dragon could destroy cities. Thousands of buildings. And millions of persons, in a single day.

I mounted Shalott. It was easier, mounting her now, than the first time, I attempted to do so.

"Off to camp" I said.

And Shalott flew off, arriving at the camp less than twenty minutes later. Once I dismounted, I stroked her and seconds later, she was back in the air, flying back to Regalis.

Regalis would prefer her to be with me here, but, he was still asleep in a magicless land and so, I preferred Shalott to not be too far from him.

Griffin, Regalis's imperial servant, rushed to where I was. He must have sighted Shalott in the air.

Wow! He looked exceptionally beautiful this morning. His make up, especially the one he used on his lips, made his mouth and face glow with radiance.

"Morning, my lady" he greeted "so lovely to see you early this morning".

I smiled, amused, "thanks, Griffin" I replied as we walked. And decided to tease him "you look gorgeous" I said "so, you decided to dress up to meet me?"

He rolled his eyes. As if to say, 'why would I dress up for you?'

I burst into laughter. So, Griffin was one of those, who had a crush on Ashton. When we were at the castle, and Brayton said lots of homosexual males had a mad crush on Ashton, I thought he was exaggerating, until now.

Actually, I started suspecting that Griffin liked Ashton, from the moments we discussed about Regalis and his four friends, and Griffin spent half the time of our conversation, talking about Ashton. About how hot he was. About how kind and sweet. And jovial. The list, went on.

And today that Regalis was back, it also meant Ashton had returned. And on this same day, Griffin now chooses to look fantastically good. So, come on, he just confirmed my suspicion.

I giggled, "I knew it!" I hit his arm in jest, returning the greetings of the soldiers who greeted me as we walked past.

"Don't tell him" Griffin said, looking serious.

I paused. Rolled my eyes, "if you like Ashton, tell him" I said.

He shrugged, speaking in the third person way, he sometimes slipped into, "Ashton doesn't like Griffin. Ashton is crazy about General Cederic".

I put my arm across the back of his neck. He may not say it, but from his tone, he was a bit hurt 'cause he really liked Ashton.

"You'll definitely find your own person one day" I said.

He looked at me "my own person? Like you found His Highness?"

He nodded, as my heart skipped a beat, "I like what you and His Highness have. I see the both of you's marriage, lasting for many years. I wish to have that too. Someone, to spend so many years with" he said, solemnly.

Years. With Regalis. My mind whispered. We don't have years ahead of us. I wanted to say. Two months max! After that, it was either him or I, who would cross the great beyond to see the Mother of Light.

He, if I successfully accomplished my mission. I, if I failed. Randall won't spare me. His bride collar would rip me apart.

I put my hand down from his back, as we turned a corner and...

Griffin grasped my hand, "my lady" fright, filled his voice "where are you headed?"

"There" I pointed. At a manor, a distance away from the main camp.

"The...the..." he stuttered, eyes bulging "the danger room?"

"Yes" I said, with caution. "Kindly, get my usual tools, I'll be working..."

"No" he said "my lady, no. That building is a danger zone. Coming within five feet of that place is enough to get you infec..."

"Someone has to help..."

He didn't let me finish, "but, not you, my lady" his voice rose. "There is a reason that the soldier in that manor is locked up and put away from everyone else".

He then stressed his next words, that would put instant fear in the mind of any reasonable healer, "the mage bane! My lady. The soldier in there, suffers from the deadliest ailment - the mage bane".

Often translated as, the death of all healers.

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