REDEMPTION

25. IT'S LOVE

He paced back and forth, his heart threatened to break out of his chest. He had seen way too many deaths to know the value of a single life. Perhaps that’s why people loved him, because he valued life over wealth. And perhaps that’s why he was chosen as well. He did not think too much about it bit his brain seemed to be bringing it up now. He wondered why.

The doctor had taken too long and he was getting more worried as the seconds dragged by. He had not gotten out of the clothes that were drenched in her blood. He could not bring himself to take them off before knowing she was okay. There was just something about her that really intrigued him and kept him entertained.

Something about her did not seem right either. He had sent his most trusted man out to gather information about her. The way Sir Claus had acted earlier told him that her name had more meaning than she led on. Once she was awake, he would carry an interrogation before her senses came back. This would be her weakest moment and she was bound to let a few things slip.

For some reason he had not taken her straight to the palace. His instincts directed him not to. He did not know why but he listened. He had a little cottage on the outskirts of the capital. A place not even his parents knew about. They also would not suspect he would be in a place like that since it did not fit his status. He had often used this place as a get away from all the “responsibilities” of the palace. He was sure they would be safe here.

Only a few of his men knew if this place’s existence and he had proven that these men would not betray him. Yet, he still did not understand what or why he was doing this. His heart had compelled him to protect her. Ever since he laid his eyes on her, he was ready to fight the world if he had to, to protect her. He also wanted to uncover her secrets. His was confused. His heart demanded he protect her, yet, his mind demanded he find out her truth first. It was a first for him. For the first time in his entire life, he did not know what to do.

As he was trapped in his mind, an old man came out of the room. The look in his face was grim. He approached the young man and call out to him. He did not respond. He decided to reach out and tap his shoulder to get his attention. This startled the young man, making him jump slightly. This simple action brought him back to his senses. He turned to face the old man expecting good news but his heart shuttered when he looked at his face. He knew what was coming was not good news. He had not yet braced for impact when it came.

“Am sorry Master Lansdowne, but there is nothing more I can do. The poison in her system is Deathsnare. A poison that is widely known for its deadliness and torture. It also has no antidote a’d the person affected is know to die within a few hours. Am surprised she is still alive. I will leave you alone. I have left some antibiotics, to ease some of her pain. However, she will not make it to nightfall.”

Lansdowne was an alias Crown Prince Bendra had been using for a while. This allowed him to travel the country and beyond, without anyone knowing his identity. He was also a known and loved merchant. His goods had both quality and quantity. And this attracted more customers to purchase from him. He was not only known in the Other realm but also in the other two realms.

Crown Prince Bendra heard the sound of his heart shattering. His hand immediately held his chest as it tightened. His legs buckled and he almost fell over due to the invisible pressure that had fallen on his shoulders. His vision wavered for a second. His breathe was stuck in his throat. His mind finally stopped demanding for her identity and started thinking of the worst case scenarios. He felt a hand wrap itself on his arm to support him.

He looked up and saw concern on the doctor’s face. The doctor spoke but he could not hear him. His voice came out in an echo that repeated itself over and over again. Lansdowne shook his head. It did not help. It only made it worse and he stumbled forward. The grip on his hand got tighter. A hand was placed on his back and he was led to a seat that was close to him.

Once he was seated, the doctor assured him that all would be well in time.

“There are wounds that I can heal but there others that only time can ease. It might take a day, a year or it might go with you to your grave. However, each day, the pain in your heart will ease up. And may be one day, you might find another.” He said as a small smile spread across his wrinkled face.

Master Lansdowne wondered what this doctor was talking about. What wound? Last he checked, he was healthier than the finest horse. And he was sure he had no wound in him. If he did, he would have known. So, what was this doctor blubbering about? It did not make sense to him no matter how hard he thought of it. And the pain only seemed to get worse.

The old man chuckled as he stretched his old back. He walked slowly to a seat that was next to the one the young master had sat on. He looked at the young master and chuckled again. The master was getting annoyed by his behavior but he was pulled I by the thoughts of loosing her, and the pain came back. It pieced his heart, shook his feet, pounded in his head and made him feel weak. No matter how had he tried, his heart only beat faster.

“Doctor Dan, I believe I am coming down with something.” He said. His voice was shaky.

Mr. Dan nodded and took his hand. He felt for a pulse and commented, “interesting”. This is a comment one dreads from any kind of doctor, it doesn’t matter what the situation is. It is known that the comment “ interesting” to a doctor, is anything but to a patient. His heart dropped to his feet and he thought that this was it. The young master opened his mouth, trying to come up with words but he could not find the right ones.

Just then, a knock came from the door. The young master’s attention was diverted. The old Doctor was about to take his leave when the young master held his hand. Doctor Dan stopped, stared at the young master, chuckled again before sitting down.

“Come in.”

The door opened and in came a tall, well built man. His features were not that visible due to his loose attire but his heavy steps could tell you that his muscles were well defined. He saluted the young master and Dr. Dan. After that, he remain silent. The old doctor excused himself claiming he had to go check on her. Once he had shut the door to her room, the man came out with it.

“Nothing.”

“What do you mean nothing.”

“Achlysa does not exist. I did find some few records of one with that name. The only problem is that she existed over three hundred years ago. And most of those records have been erased, as if someone did not want her existence known.”

“Then if she isn’t Achlysa, could she be…?”

Lansdowne rejected the thought. He dismissed the man and called out to the doctor. Dr. Dan came back into the room. He was about to leave when Master Lansdowne asked him to tell him his diagnosis. Dr. Dan smiled, looked at him and said.

“It’s love.”