Chapter 60

Chapter

Sixty

ALYX

O rion straightens, one leg on either side of the peaked roof. His shirt and armour are gone, exposing his built chest to the late afternoon sun. I watch greedily as he lifts his thick arm and wipes at his sweaty face before he continues fixing the roof.

“He’s handsome. Is he your husband?” the lady I am tending to asks.

Grinning at her, I finish tying off the bandage and sit back. “Maybe one day,” I reply.

“Good catch.”

I wink at her as I move on.

We have been helping as much as we can. It’s clear the place, although staffed, is in disrepair, and there are more patients than nurses and healers. They do not complain, though, not once. Kneeling at the side of a frail man, I go to change his bandage, but he grabs my hands, his grip strong despite how weak he looks.

“It is messy and nasty. I wouldn’t,” he cautions, shame colouring his words.

“I have never minded messes.” I smile as I unwind the bandage. “My name is Alyx. What’s yours?” I speak as I work to distract him, and reluctantly, he lets go of my hand. He’s right. His arm is a mess of sores and infection. The smell hits me instantly, but I do not wrinkle my nose or react. I have seen much worse in the Lowers.

“Kelam,” he replies. “I worked as a merchant between here and the palace until I fell ill.”

“A noble profession,” I murmur as I clean the wound and dress it once more. That is all we are able to do, which makes me sad. When I sit back, it’s clear Kelam knows he will die from this wound and has accepted it.

“And you?” he asks. “I have seen many, and you do not walk like a healer.”

“That’s because I’m an assassin.” I grin, putting my finger to my lips. “But don’t tell anyone.”

He chuckles before it ends in a cough, and I help him drink some water before laying him down on the thin sack and covering him to keep him warm. “Thank you,” he says softly, “for treating me like a human being and distracting me for a moment.”

It disgusts me that he is thanking me for that, but I force a smile onto my face, and I sit with him for as long as I can before moving onto the next person.

By the time the sun starts to set, I am covered in sweat, and Orion is helping me dress wounds and hand out food.

“What is the meaning of this?” a strong voice demands. My head jerks up to find a grey-haired man glaring at me, his beard reaching mid-chest. His robes are covered in dirt, and there is a basket at his side, overflowing with herbs. I did not even hear him arrive, but it’s clear who he is.

“Healer Arbella, I take it?” I ask as I stand, wiping my hands on the cloth as I move closer.

“Who is asking? You are not from here.” He eyes me warily.

“No, I’m not. I’m from the Lowers.” His jaw clenches. “Your old apprentice told us where to find you.” That makes his frown deepen. “We are here on behalf of the king.”

He eyes me for a moment, clearly debating if I’m telling the truth, then he glances around, noting the prying eyes, and he jerks his head at the closed building. “In my office.” He hands his basket to someone and strides over, moving fast despite his age. Orion and I follow, and when the door is shut, he sits heavily before a square wooden table. There is not much else in here besides some books and a bed.

“I suppose I knew this day would come.” He watches us as we kneel on the other side of the table from him. “How is the king?”

“Facing daily assassination attempts,” I admit, “but you probably already knew that.”

He nods, pursing his lips. “I thought if I left and took the truth with me, it would keep him safe. I believed keeping him in the dark would protect him, but it seems I was wrong.” He sighs, looking tired. “What do you want?”

“Your truth. We need it, and the king needs it. He deserves answers about his father’s death, and with your confession, we might just be able to turn the tide and save everyone,” I answer.

“It will change nothing. I tried back then, but it didn’t work. Nobody wants the truth. Everybody has their own hand to play,” he snaps. “It is why I came here, to escape the backstabbing and games and grieve the family I lost. Despite what you may think, the old king was my best friend. We grew up together, and he was the only family I had.”

“Yet you left his son surrounded by enemies.” I refuse to sugarcoat it. He flinches, lowering his eyes in shame. “He needs you now. We are here to take you back with us and fix this once and for all.”

“What can I do? I am nobody,” he murmurs.

I see a defeated man. It is clear he loved his friend dearly and his death broke a part of him. I understand his reservations, since I’ve seen the workings of the palace, and I have not been there long. Imagine working there day in and day out. It would be enough to exhaust anyone, but without effort, there will never be change.

“You will come with us or else,” Orion threatens.

Arbella’s eyes narrow, and I sigh, forcing his gaze to me as I try a softer approach. “You loved your best friend, and you loved Joha. You left to keep him safe, and I’m asking you help keep him safe again before we lose another king and the last of their line—not to mention the last one who truly cares for this kingdom.”

“I wish I could save him,” he starts.

“So do it. I will be blunt, since we are running short on time and patience. You failed his father, your best friend. If you don’t do this for your own honour or the future of our lands, then do it for your friend, for the old king, and help save his son.”

He watches me with a closed expression before he smiles softly. “The king would have liked you. You’re stubborn and outspoken—the perfect match for his son.”

“Yes, well, I like his son a lot, and I plan on keeping him alive. So are you coming with us voluntarily, or do I need to kidnap you?”

“I would ask if you’re joking, but I fear you are not.”

“She’s not,” Orion adds helpfully.

Arbella laughs, wiping at his face. “Yes, I will come. You are right. I owe him this much. It is time to face the past. Nothing good has come from it being swept into the dark. Let me gather my things and leave instructions. We will leave at first light. It may not change anything, but I will try for my brother and his son.”