Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Mikhail came out of his suites, a little calmer after catching up on all his work and having gone out to beat everyone up on the practice courts and running himself to exhaustion. But it vanished when he came nose to nose with the source of his anxiety.

"I was just coming to check up on you."Avalyn said, small fist raised to knock on his door. She looked beautiful in her autumn themed riding gown. The dark oranges, browns and reds were contrasted brilliantly with slashes of yellow and gold intricate stitching. Her legs were covered in dark breeches and she wore heavy, pale leather riding boots, accented with gold buckles and studs. She herself was looking over his new uniform, "Why, you look dashing!”

He knew this was a festive occasion and opted out of his plate and chain armor for a simple, light leather jerkin beneath his outfit. She enjoyed the trim purple under shirt beneath his white tunic. Her family crest, a rearing steed, was stitched in gold at his chest in a lavender kite shield. She couldn't help but follow the lines of his body down to his lean waist, accented by his black leather belt. He wore his typical black breeches and large leather boots, "It makes you look very broad." She motioned with her hands outwards.

Mikhail gave a weird high pitched nervous laugh, and said nothing. He turned, locked his rooms and strode down the hall. Leaving behind a very confused princess. After a few moments, he heard the rapid clicking of her boot heels as she caught up with him. She slowed up when she got to his left hand side and gave him a weird look, "Are you alright?”

He looked down and over at her. Without a word, he grabbed her hand and placed it on his arm and held it there as they made their way to the palace entrance. He had settled a bit since this morning, but there were some things he hadn’t come to terms with. Her badgering and sudden appearance was making his heart pound. Setting him on edge.

They only had to wait a moment before the king came in his own autumn themed riding outfit, along with his wife and three younger children, all in matching outfits, and a squad of Royal Guards. They were all still in their normal uniforms. But that was to be expected, they were part of the evening guard, they wouldn't be in greater need of a paler uniform as their afternoon associates.

As they approached, Mikhail approached greeted the King and bowed, whom the latter ignored completely, not going unnoticed by Avalyn, "Sweetheart, beautiful as always." Avalyn released Mikhail’s arm and went to greet her father with a kiss.

“Thank you, papa.”

"You ready?" Avalyn nodded to her father, he turned to the rest of his family, "You all ready to go out, kiddies?”

Her younger brother and sister bounced around excited, while her youngest wobbled around uncoordinated on little toddler legs.

Avalyn turned and led the way out and skipped down the steps to the waiting mounts. Her gelding, Graham was not present and Avalyn's shoulders drooped. Instead her gypsy, stood elegant in her black riding gear. For all her beauty, she was lazy and mean with a mind as sluggish as mud. It took too much effort to get her to do much of anything. Ash stood waiting on her far side, her father's horse, a large black stallion, looking sleek with a recent brushing, stood ahead and an open carriage behind with a black, four horse team. All of them from her father’s stock of horses.

She took her reins from the stable hand and stepped into her stirrup and she was surprised as she was lifted easily into her saddle. She looked down from her saddle at Mikhail who wasn't looking at her. He helped her adjust the length of her stirrups and checked the knots and straps before going over to his own horse, "Thank you." She whispered to him, while she had a hard time getting up on Daisy's height, she could still do it, but she was appreciative of his odd quiet kindness. She had to admit though, it was disconcerting to see him so quiet and sullen. She kept to herself, she didn't want to bother him if he needed space to heal.

Mikhail signaled his guards. The captain and another went up forward of the King, and few more beside. The rest fell in around the carriage. The Knight Captain took lead and signaled forward and the royal company moved forward in sync. The moment the palace gates opened they were greeted by a fan-fair of screams from their subjects. Many sported festive colors, the royal family's colors, or the nation's colors, waving small standards. The familiar navy blue of the King's Army lined the streets, trying to keep the masses off the royals. The roving City Guards in their intimidating black and heavy riots gear and tower shields kept them from getting out of hand.

But that didn't stop the crowds from throwing flowers and all manner of colored ribbons. A few too many had gotten too close to Daisy and she was starting to get antsy and angry. Avalyn tried to take a calming breath, but Daisy got on her nerves. She shortened the rein, and signaled for her to do a parade walk. She grudgingly obliged. But again another got too close and she snapped at the man. Avayln jerked her head away and Daisy followed too much and nearly ran into Ash.

Daisy roared angrily and stomped not doing as she was being prompted. She bucked hard, and lunged again for the too close crowd and much to Avalyn's surprise she managed to stay on, she cursed horribly unlady like at her mount. Daisy reared and Avalyn lost her balance and hit the ground hard, flat on her back, head smacking the hard stone, knocking her wind out.

The stars in her vision stilled long enough for her to see Daisy about to trample her.

She wasn't sure how it happened, Ash was standing over her. Daisy was on her side after Mikhail had launched himself at the horse and took her down. She rolled onto her stomach and struggled unto her knees. She used Ash as a crutch to pull herself up. To Ash’s credit hesitated still for her as she struggled to get any sort of clarity. She pressed her face into his leg and tried to force her lungs to take in air. She glanced over at Mikhail. He was straddling the mares head, readying to kill her and she reached out to him trying to tell him to stop, but the air wouldn’t come.

Mikhail froze, and looked up at her. The crowd was in a roaring frenzy from the spectacle. He emanated fury, crouched the way he was over the fallen horse she thought he might do it without weapons. His face turned to one of panic.

Her father and his war horse broke through the crowd, none too gently. Breaking her view of Mikhail. Avery had Knocked over his subjects. The unlucky who didn't move quickly enough out of the way of the King's steed nursed broken bones. A few injuries seemed to remind the war. They quieted and stepped out of the way.

"Drag this wretched beast back!" The King roared, having dismounted. The guards were already on it, binding the raging mare and fastening her to their mounts. Avery sheathed the sword he had out, realizing slaying the horse here would not be in the best interest of anybody but his own personal blood lust, "Where did she even come from?" He looked at Avalyn for answers and realized quickly he wasn’t going to get anything out of her. Her father came over to her and shooed Ash away. Ash, mindful of where she sat, gingerly moved around her. Avalyn was still struggling to catch her breath when her father picked her up.

“Breathe, Avalyn! Breathe. You’re just fine." Avalyn felt herself panicking as she struggled to get that first breath in from impact. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes as she closed them, trying to focus on something that should be so simple. She clutched at her fathers shoulders desperate to get a breath when it finally came, she gasped a breath as he clambered up his mount. “That’s my girl. Deep breaths, love.” He wheeled his mount around and the whole world spun. She focused on another breath. "MOVE!" Her father boomed. Without any hesitation the crowd started to part and his mount surged through.

When they made it back in front of the palace, her father slid off, bringing Avalyn down with him, having gone into a quiet stupor. She looked over her father's shoulder to see multiple guardsman and their mounts dragging her horse through the grounds. Daisy didn’t even so much as put up a fight, she was nowhere near as big or even remotely as strong as the battle hardened mounts that dragged her. Mikhail followed from the rear and directed where he wanted her, eyes on the royals until they disappeared inside.

000

"Your Majesty-" The court physician started until he saw the King carrying his princess, surprised at the sudden intrusion, "Set her down here." The King set Avalyn where the physician directed, being mindful of her head. The physician had his fingers touching her sensitive scalped and she whimpered. Warm water sponged her head, ”You've gone and cracked your noodle there, pretty good, princess. You know you ride the horse, the horse doesn't ride you, right?" Avalyn let out a weary giggle.

“The skull is bruised, certainly. Bleeding a lot. It’s not soft, not too much whimpering or give when pushing on it.” He chuckled, knowing Avalyn was scowling, “it’s not broken. Let’s get this stitched. Your Majesty, if you could just, just like that, yes, thank you.” Her father moved to the bed and sat under her head. Holding her head up for the physician to have the best angle to sew. Her fingers dug into her father’s shirt as heat burned on the back of her scalp. After that, she felt nothing except pressure from the physician working. It only took him a minute. He smacked his lips over her head and she knew he was reinspecting his work. “Alright, Princess. Let’s get you out of your coat and shirt. I need to examine your spine. Since you’re moving there shouldn’t be any serious damage but lets make sure there are no broken bones.” She found herself in the same predicament as earlier, on her stomach struggling to get up. Her back hurt horribly. Her father helped her up and remove her garments. She was only in her bustier when the physician stopped her, ”You can go ahead and lie down on your papa’s lap there, back curled a bit.” The physician liked to forget that she wasn't a child any longer, but she found comfort in the old familiarity.

His hands on her achy back were warm, and he tutted when he finally looked at her back, “You hit your back first?”

“Yes.”

”You are one big bruise. And it will only get worse and more painful Especially the bone bruising. I can heal it, magically, Your Majesty, if you are alright with that. It is going to take some time for it to heal naturally. Many weeks and it appears the muscles are bruised as well. Though nothing is broken and she is not in any life threatening danger.”

“How long for her bone bruising?”

“She can’t avoiding using her spine, Your Majesty. That will slow natural healing. But I estimate a few months.”

The King was silent a moment. He didn't really approve of his children getting magically healed unless absolutely necessary. It was possible to build up a tolerance and he didn't ever want to be put in that situation again where magic would be of no use to one who was too used to it. So if magic there was to be any magic healing, it had to be approved by him, "Are there any other alternatives?”

"Of course, Your Majesty. I have bruise balms and medicines to dull the pain. I do have some bruise balms that are magicked to increase natural potency. Would you be alright with that?"

“Heal her bones. Your balms for the rest.”

After his consent was given, the physician carefully removed her last garment. His hands rested on her back and warmth started to radiate into her spine, making the tips of her toes and fingers tingle. His hands separated as they went up and down her spine. A loud crack filled the air. “Op! There was a break. Good thing you said yes to a bone healing, Your Majesty. Never want to underestimate damage to the back.” Avalyn released the air she had held onto. After he had finished. Her father sighed himself. He had a hard time justifying magic healings on his kids. She figured he was relieved he had made the right decision for his oldest.

“Brace yourself,” Her father murmured quietly, the physicians hands were on her back once again but they were covered with cold ointment and horribly pungent. “Alright Princess, all done." She sat up after her father tied up her bustier up carefully and draped her shirt over her shoulders. He helped her get her hands into the sleeves. Their gazes met and she was surprised to see him sad.

“What’s wrong, papa? I’m alright.”

He shook his head, “I doesn’t feel like it was too long ago where you always needed help dressing.” Avalyn did up the buttons of her blouse when he spoke to himself, “Where does the time go?” He let out heavy breath and looked at his daughter that watched him.

“I was terrified today.”

“I’m okay, papa. Honest. A little stiff. Mikhail took care of me. There’s something wrong with that horse. Her mind it’s so foggy. I’ve never come across anything like it.”

“Where did you get her from?”

Avalyn looked at him confused, “I thought you gave her to me.”

Avery shook his head, “I have been breeding smaller horses to have one for you specifically. But I wouldn’t give you a horse not from my own pastures.”

Avalyn nodded. Her father was incredibly proud of his horses. They were a family trade. She Thought hard about when she got him, “Then I don’t know where she came from. Other than the north. She came for my birthday a couple years ago.”

Her father frowned, thinking. He shrugged, “I’ll look into it later. Come here.” He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her was tight as he could without hurting her. “I don’t tell you enough how much I love you.”

“You tell me everyday, papa.”

Before he could reply, the physician was back, “Drink this.” He put a small vial in front of her face. It was green and noxious. He took it as soon as it was gone and handed a purple jar to her father. “That will make you drowsy and you can use that every six to eight hours. Go sleep.” They were dismissed.

It was fight, getting to her feet. But her father wrapped his arm around her shoulders once she was somewhat straight and helped her out the door. As she stepped out of the physicians quarters she started to feel the effects of the healing and medicine. The lack of adrenaline was making her crash as well. Mikhail was pacing like a caged animal outside the hospital room.

“Your Highness!” He bowed, forgetting himself, “Your Majesty.” He looked anxiously between the king and his Princess, “How are you? You were bleeding a lot.”

“I’m alright. A fair bit of bone bruising, a cracked vertebrae, a lot of regular bruising. Cracked my noodle pretty good.”

He nodded as she spoke, his brow raising as she finished. But his anxiety was noticeably lessened, “May I walk with you?” His eyes flickered back and forth between his sovereigns, though lingering on the king.

The king nodded, keeping his arm around Avalyn. Mikhail noticed the possessive nature of the king’s gesturing. “Have you learned anything that beast?” His voice was civil. Mikhail fell in line along Avalyn’s other side.

“I am unsure as of yet. The handler said that it seems she is ill. He said since she belongs to the princess, a separate trainer and stable hand work with her. I came to verify with you.”

The king was already shaking his head, “No, my trainer should be handling mine and Avalyn’s. He trains Graham. There is no reason he wouldn’t train this gypsy too.”

“I’ll find these two. Question them.”

“I think she might be poisoned.” Avalyn added, “She had always seemed befuddled and angry, but this was something else today. Mind you, she’s never been surrounded by people.” Mikhail nodded, “and, find out who decided on her as my mount for the day. It should have been Graham.” Avalyn covered a large yawn and excused herself.

“Very well, Your Highness.”

“My word, I’m exhausted and the day just started. You’ll go back out, right father? It’s tradition for you to start the festivities. You need a fun day out with the kids and your wife.” Before he could argue that it wasn’t worth it, she pressed on, “You’ve been quite busy lately with the tournament, dignitaries, and the harvest. They need time with you. I can’t get into trouble in a dead sleep.”

They had arrived at the entrance to the royal wing. Avalyn praised the gods, she thought she was going to pass out where she stood. Her father sighed resigning to the fact Avalyn was right.

"Will you be okay from here?" He asked worried. She gave him a reassuring smile.

"Yes, I think I can manage. Thank you papa, I’m sorry for the drama.”

He shook his head and embraced her, cautious of her pain, "It wasn't your fault, we will go out on another day. Get to bed.”

“Bye papa. Have fun.”She turned, leaning on Mikhail now, really feeling the effects of the medication and healing. When she was safely inside her room, she bothered with no decorum and left her clothes where they fell as she made her way to the waiting bed. Mikhail waited till he no longer heard moving from the other side to peek in. There was a lump under the covers that moved only with steady breathing. He followed her in and set the jar the king had handed him on her table. He left her and trotted out to learn more about the beast and think less of his own troubles.