Ties of Magic by Caitlin Taylor

Author:Caitlin Taylor [Taylor, Caitlin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-07-24T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Leaving Jeffrey to rest, Akoni went to find his friend to thank him for his hospitality and see what they could do about the empire. Ignacio already sat deep in conversation with Lord Argyros. They spent hours discussing options, weighing outcomes. There had been no word from the capital, no messengers, nothing. Nor had they heard from the reinforcements called from the east, and Argyros's scouts had not seen sign of them.

Hours passed with little progress. Late in the afternoon, the physician, Gazis, interrupted them, asking to check on Akoni's injuries.

"It's a shallow cut. There's no need for you to keep checking it." Akoni gave a dismissive wave of his hand.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I'd rather see for myself. If there was any sign of infection, it would be best caught early."

"Did you see Jeffrey? Is he all right?"

"I'm here to check on you, Your Majesty."

"Your physician is infuriating, Melanthios."

Argyros opened his mouth to speak, but Ignacio held up a hand to stop him.

"He's trying to do his job, Akoni. If he sees a need to check on your injury, then by the goddess, please let him do what he needs to? He's the expert after all."

Akoni narrowed his eyes at Ignacio, then turned to Gazis. "Be quick about it."

Gazis worked with efficient hands to remove the bandage around Akoni's arm. He prodded the skin, covered it in a new salve, and applied a clean bandage.

"Now you will tell me if you checked on Jeffrey and how he is doing." It wasn't a question or a request, it was a command, and this time Gazis obeyed.

"I went to see him before coming here. He's not doing well, Your Majesty. The damage to his internal organs was considerable and...the wound on his leg is festering. I've done what I can to clean it again. He's developed a fever and was barely awake. I'm... I suspect the weapon may not have been a sword, maybe a kitchen or butcher's knife or the like. I hope it's that because the alternative is poison which would be considerably worse. It'll take time now, a lot of time."

Akoni sat frozen, gripping the armrests of his chair. Jeffrey sick. He couldn't be. They'd only just started to make things work.

"But he will make it, right? He'll be okay?" Ignacio asked.

"He's strong and a fighter; he should be able to pull through. I will certainly do what I can for him, my lord. It will take time, though. He shouldn't be moved until he's recovered."

"You know you're welcome to stay as long as you want, Your Majesty. I do not have much to offer but what I have is yours."

Akoni couldn't listen to them. Without a word, he stood and left the room, hurrying back to Jeffrey. He found him, lying in bed, his forehead beaded with sweat, his hands cold and clammy. Akoni sat on the edge of the bed, clutching Jeffrey's hand in one of his while covering Jeffrey's brow with the other.

"You can't leave me now, Jeffrey.

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