This love is like a curse (46)
Edric shouted at the top of his voice:
“Her Highness is wounded!” We need to cast a healing spell immediately!
Hearing this, Sir Hart ordered one of the accompanying knights to bring the magician.
A moment later, a young magician from the imperial court came running. While he examined the princess's condition, Edric, along with the knights, began to clear the rubble.
When they lifted the stone that was crushing Thalia's knee, a completely crushed knee and shin appeared from under the torn hem of her dress.
Edric could hardly hold back a groan, noticing how several pieces of bone had pierced the skin and were sticking out. In this state, even with the help of magic, she might never be able to use her leg again.
“If you start treatment right now, without straightening the bones, the leg will not heal properly,” the magician said quietly, examining her with a gloomy face. “She urgently needs to be moved to the camp, and then the bones can be combined.”
Edric looked at him with concern:
-Can she survive until then?
“I’ve already cast a restoration spell.” So far, she’s not in any danger,” the magician responded, sighing, and, scratching his neck, added: “But to prevent the wound from opening up even more, it’s worth applying a splint.” Do you have something suitable?
- Will this work? - Sir Hart asked, taking the sword sheath from his belt and handing it to the magician.
He accepted them, weighed them in his hand and, nodding slightly, said:
- It'll do. I will fix the leg, and you hold it from below.
Edric immediately followed the magician's instructions and carefully picked up her swollen shin. At that moment, the woman, who had been lying limply before, suddenly screamed shrilly in pain.
Edric, frightened, let go of his leg. The shattered limb fell to the ground, and thick, dark blood gushed from the torn flesh. He froze in horror at this sight. But then Longboat, who was watching what was happening from the side, suddenly jumped up and grabbed the princess tightly, pressing her to him.
- Fast! Stop the bleeding!
Edric finally came to his senses and grabbed her leg again. At this time, the magician tore his cloak and began to press the fabric to the long wound running from hip to knee. The princess, burying her face in Longboat's chest, let out animal moans, scratching his neck with bloody nails.
- Ready! Now secure the tire! - the magician shouted.
The knights immediately bent down and carefully fixed her leg, pressing the long scabbard against it.
When the emergency assistance was completed, Barkas picked the girl up in his arms.
Edric quickly stepped forward:
- Let me take it. You have a wound...
But as soon as he reached out to the body, the man pressed the princess closer to him, moving her away from him. Edric froze - there was a sense of protection in this movement, almost a threat.
Longboat moved his chin slightly with a dissatisfied expression:
- Don't waste time. Lead us. Every minute counts.
“About... Sorry,” Edric muttered and, picking up the torch, hurried forward, illuminating the way. With such an injury, it was impossible to lead the princess along the steep path, meaning they would have to go around the rock along the cliff to get to the camp.
He quickly walked along the dark forest path, glancing at Longboat from time to time. He walked, illuminated by the reflections of the torches of the knights. His face was cold, almost detached, as if covered with a layer of indifference. Edric could not look away - and yet, shaking his head, he forced himself to look away. Now is not the time to try to guess this person's thoughts.
He pushed away unnecessary thoughts and quickened his pace, finally emerging from the dense forest.
* * *
It felt like her leg was on fire.
Talia struggled to lift her heavy eyelids, which refused to budge as if they were glued on.
Before her blurred gaze, the ceiling, illuminated by the light of the fire, trembled. After a moment of confusion, pain shot through her bones and she jerked, letting out a high-pitched scream.
- Hold her so she doesn't move!
This time, the gaze automatically lowered itself to the source of the unfamiliar voice, and Talia saw a heavy-set middle-aged man bending over her leg. He pressed her thigh tightly with one hand, and with the other - with some kind of tool similar to forceps - he picked at her bloody knee.
Talia looked at this in horror, and the next moment her body began to twist itself - she tried to break free and run away. But at that same second, someone’s hand forcefully pressed my shoulder to the bed.
- Your Highness! Calm down!
Gasping with ragged breathing, she looked up at the shadow looming over her. The haggard face with a dull look seemed vaguely familiar - only after a few seconds did she recognize her as one of the maids whom Senevier had assigned to her. But she didn't feel any relief.
With wide open, horror-filled eyes, she darted between her stony face and the man picking at his knee. And suddenly, without thinking, she scratched the maid’s face with all her might.
She screamed and sharply pulled back her strong tanned hands and let them go. Talia did not miss this chance - she tried to crawl out of bed, but at the same moment someone’s rough hand grabbed her wrist and pressed her to the bed.
The girl began to struggle like an animal caught in a trap.
- Let go! I said let me go!
- Please calm down! We are healing the wound! You must not move! — the man begged and, pressing her to himself, tried to immobilize her.
But the princess began to beat even harder. Pain permeated her entire body, as if she was being torn into pieces. But fear and the feeling that she needed to run immediately overshadowed everything else.
- No! Don't touch me! Take your hands off!
- Bring sleeping pills! Urgently! - the man shouted loudly.
Thalia stared in horror at his rough, shadow-covered face. Her usually carefree guard looked at her with unfamiliar cruelty.
Familiar fear, familiar helplessness squeezed my throat. She reached out to scratch his face.
- Take your hands off! Leave! Leave me alone!
Thalia screamed, almost choking on her sobs, and he swore. She twitched even more desperately, and then he gathered her wrists in one hand and brought the cold glass bottle to his lips.
- Have a drink. When you wake up, everything will be behind you.
Talia pursed her lips, not even wanting to breathe through her mouth. But he didn't give up. Raising the neck of the bottle to his lower lip, he spoke pleadingly:
- This is not poison! Just medicine so you don't feel pain. Please...
But even in his desperate voice there was no salvation. Thalia clenched her teeth and did not move. She didn't trust anyone.
“They’re all... they’re all just waiting for me to get weak so they can do something terrible to me.”
She hit the bottle with her elbow and tried to sit up. The wounded body trembled, but she tried to break free - her bloody legs wriggled like those of a captured animal. And then a tall shadow entered the tent.
Seeing his face, Thalia froze.
The man, smelling of dampness and rain, silently approached and wrapped his arms around her body like a noose.
She didn't have time to escape. The longboat, who was behind her, held her tightly with one hand and nodded to the guard.
— Bring the medicine.
He immediately obeyed.
Longboat pulled out the cork with his teeth and brought a new bottle to her lips. Thalia stared at the bottle, then looked up at his face.
Silent, dispassionate.
He quietly ordered:
- Drink.