The Oxbow Kingdom Trilogy: Complete Series Books One - Three by C. M. Skiera

Author:C. M. Skiera
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2017-10-20T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Cloaked in shadows, standing barefoot on the bloody bedroom floor, wearing the same trousers and tunic—what was left of it—from the caravan attack, Seryn hovered over Ioma. He’d not shaven in a ten-day and his mahogany hair sat matted and tangled. His odor was gravely inappropriate for the royal solar.

My love and my brother, both fighting for their lives against a poison that resists my power.

The healer bust into the solar, wild-eyed and panting. The gentlewoman of her majesty's bedchamber shuffled several paces behind him. Seryn scrutinized the robed man then glanced at the gentlewoman. She met Seryn’s gaze and nodded, and he stepped aside to allow the healer access to the royal bed. Doesn’t miss a meal, this one. Still has goose sauce on his lips.

“This wound is fresh?” The healer gaped at Seryn.

“Yes—I cast a healing spell on her. Stopped the bleeding, but it should have revived her.”

“You’re a—a spellcaster?” The healer scanned Seryn from his battered face to his bare feet and back again. “But I—”

“I fear she’s been poisoned.”

The healer peered at the gentlewoman, his face revealing confusion.

“Please, Brother Tropf, attend her majesty,” she pleaded.

The healer nodded and began his examination, while Seryn hovered.

“Lord Vardan, we must get you a robe and shoes,” she said, leading him from the bed. “You cannot be seen in the palace looking like a prisoner.”

“You know me?”

“Aye, Lord Seryn,” she confirmed. “Even with your black eyes and crooked nose. I remember when you courted Ioma—I served her mother Queen Venneth. You’ve not changed much. And though I can scare believe it, what I’ve seen today, I fear we did wrong by you.”

“Lady Darksparrow?”

“‘Tis I,” she replied.

“I do remember you,” Seryn said. “Ioma adored you.” Lady Darksparrow had not aged as well as he, and he recalled her more by deduction than the familiarity of her face. The memory of her pulled his mind to days past, but the healer’s interruption forced it to the present.

“Weak pulse,” the healer said. “Shallow breathing, dilated pupils, blue lips, cold hands, and a strange odor on her breath.”

“The poison,” Seryn replied. “Already in her blood.”

“I don’t recognize the scent,” the healer replied. “I fear I won’t identify the poison with my nose.”

“Can you do anything?” Seryn asked.

“I shall prepare unguents and tonics, and pray for the best. King Valin must be informed posthaste.”

“The king lies stricken in the dungeon, poisoned as well.”

“Oh, dear, I must attend his majesty at once!” The blood drained from the healer’s face as he stared at the gentlewoman. “Lady Darksparrow, this is chaos! We must alert the high justice, the guards—and what of the princess?” The portly man trembled with sweating brow. “And I must see the king!”

Lady Darksparrow turned to Seryn. “Please, take him to your brother. I shall secure the solar and alert Lord High Justice Bainbridge.”

“His brother? No, we must go to his majesty posthaste!” the healer said. “Who is this man that you trust him to escort me? He looks as though he escaped the dungeon himself!”

“I did.

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