Chapter 209: To Tend What Remains
The chill of the blizzard still clung to me, but here in the Upper Keep’s infirmary, the air was warm, thick with the scent of herbs and antiseptic.
My gaze was fixed on Head Healer Avir as he finally straightened from the chair, a weary sigh escaping his lips.
"How is he?" I asked, my voice softer than I’d intended, the question hanging heavy in the quiet room.
Avir turned, a reassuring nod settling the knot of anxiety in my chest.
"As you may have noticed, he suffered severe internal and external injuries from the recent battle. That immense burst of power he channeled... it must have worsened his condition, pushing his body far beyond its limits. Thankfully, you managed to aid him on time, Mr. Lumin. Thank you both." He gestured slightly towards me and Zephyr, who stood silently beside me, his own face drawn with exhaustion.
We simply nodded in response.
Avir continued, his voice taking on a more somber tone. "Even so, he’ll require daily care and strict convalescence. A month at minimum before he can stand - longer if his meridians don’t mend cleanly."
The healer rubbed his thumb against his fingertips absently, the calluses there catching the light. "Certain rare medicinal treasures could accelerate his recovery... but procuring them now would be..."
His words trailed off as he shot a deliberate look toward Butler Veylan.
The butler had withdrawn half a step into the shadows, his lowered head making his silver-threaded livery appear dull in the infirmary’s light.
His gloved hands clenched and unclenched at his sides, the only outward sign of the shame burning through him - not just at their nearly empty coffers, but at having to admit their poverty before outsiders.
"I see..." I muttered, already mentally listing potential solutions.
I’ll ask about the specific herbs later.
"Mr. Lumin..."
Veylan’s voice wavered, that careful butler’s cadence fraying at the edges. He took half a step forward, gloved fingers twitching at his sides. "Might I... ask something of you?"
"Of course," I said, softening my tone as his face tightened.
He swallowed audibly. "Would you consider staying in the keep? To tend to His Lordship and Lady Luthaire?" A brittle pause. "I know how this sounds... asking more of you after everything." His gloves creaked as he clenched them. "The Keep will pay you properly, I’ll see to it myself. Even if..." His voice dropped to a whisper, "... even if it means deducting from my own salary."
A part of me wanted to agree immediately. I was already planning to do it, regardless of whether anyone asked or offered payment.
Yet, I had to maintain the act, had to ensure my presence here didn’t seem too eager, too... convenient.
I turned to Avir with deliberately raised eyebrows.
"Isn’t Sir Avir here?" I asked, layering just the right amount of surprise into my voice.
Avir surprised me by laughing, a dry, exhausted sound more like a cough. "You flatter me, Sir Lumin, but I wanted to ask the same thing," he said, rubbing at the dark circles under his eyes. "Between the wounded from the battle and the Keep’s usual ailments, I’m stretched thinner than last winter’s butter."
His voice grew quieter. "Besides, you’re the only one who can properly treat Lady Luthaire. No one else has your... particular skills for her condition." He met my eyes, and for the first time, I saw the depth of his worry. "Please. We need your help."
"..."
I allowed a moment of thoughtful silence to hang in the air, long enough to appear as if I were sincerely weighing their desperate plea. Then, with a subtle nod, I met Avir’s gaze.
"Alright," My tone was casual, as if it were no great burden. "I was planning to stay here for some time anyway, to ensure the Keep’s stability after the incident. So, you can count on me with this."
Avir’s shoulders sagged in quiet relief, while Veylan pressed a hand to his chest and bowed slightly. "Thank you," they said in unison, the gratitude raw in their voices.
I added, gesturing vaguely. "However, I will need you to prepare a room for me, ideally near Lord Nusayel and Lady Luthaire’s quarters, and ensure food is provided daily. And..." A pause, then the slightest softening of my voice. "Don’t trouble yourselves over the payment. I’ll discuss that with Lord Nusayel when he’s recovered."
Veylan’s throat bobbed, whether from shame or gratitude, I couldn’t tell, but he straightened at once. "You have my word. Everything will be prepared by tonight."
"Good." I dipped my chin in acknowledgment. "Then we’ll take our leave."
Neither of them protested.
Without another word, I turned around and moved towards the door. Zephyr, who had remained a silent, watchful presence throughout the entire exchange, followed me out, his steps as quiet as my own.
____ ___ _
The stone corridors of the castle swallowed their footsteps as they walked, the torches casting flickering shadows across Lumin’s impassive profile.
"Thank you, my friend," Lumin said, his eyes fixed straight ahead.
Zephyr glanced sideways at him. The half-elf’s expression was calm, almost detached, but Zephyr knew better.
He’d seen the true desperation - how Lumin’s hands had moved with uncharacteristic urgency as he stabilized the Baron, how blood had trickled from the corner of his mouth when he overexerted himself.
That scene still burned in Zephyr’s mind.
And, thank the stars he’d made the right choice, teleporting to the Western Wing Anchor at the last moment.
No other healer in the Keep could have saved the Baron in that state.
Though when they’d arrived to find the anchor chamber door ajar and no one inside, his stomach had dropped - until Lumin came rushing in behind them, already pulling medicinal vials from his sleeves.
"The blizzard will end in two days," Lumin’s voice cut through his thoughts. "Are you leaving then?"
A beat of silence. Zephyr exhaled through his nose. "...Yes. We need to depart before the next semester starts."
Lumin nodded slowly, a faint, almost imperceptible shift in his expression that told Zephyr he understood the double meaning perfectly.
"Alright. I’ll prepare something for your journey then."
"You don’t have to." Zephyr shook his head.
"No can do," Lumin countered, a hint of something playful in his tone, though his face remained placid. "You are gonna give me something too, isn’t that right?"
Zephyr offered no verbal reply, only a slight, wry shake of his head.
He understood the hidden meaning there as well. Lumin had him figured out, as always. There was no escaping the unseen threads Lumin spun.
Looks like I’ll be brewing stronger poisons again...