Part 9: The Royal House of Purrty
Arka slept soundly that night. The fever did not return and she seemed to be holding a steady course. Xathia had set up a camp-bed next to Arka in case her condition deteriorated but for now everything was progressing well. The physick had spent several hours with her earlier that day, but neither could find an obvious physical cause for Arka’s illness.
Xathia lay beneath a rough blanket and smiled. He wasn’t so bad once you got to know him, she thought. His earlier condescension was a bluff, to hide the fact he was out of his depth. As was she. She had never seen anything like this. It was only Arka’s determination that was keeping her alive, but something very powerful was making her ill. No sign of infection, no parasite, in fact nothing to indicate that she was not a healthy dwarf.
She had given Arka a powerful herbal draft to build her strength, in the hope that this would help to bring her out of the coma. Two weeks had passed since Arka had first come to the queen’s house and in all that time had shown no signs of recovery.
Xathia sighed, yawned and turned over. In a few moments she, too was asleep.
Arka woke in her own bed in the University, feeling lost and disorientated. She had been hunting Trepors the day before – or was it longer? She must have caught a chill. Her bones ached, she felt sick and dizzy and her head was pounding. She reached for the jug of water by her bed and took a deep draft. It tasted stale, but quenched her thirst.
She needed to find Erelenga and ask him to look after things while she was ill. Gently swinging her legs out of bed, she steadied herself on the chair beside her bed. Lights flashed behind her eyes and she sat down heavily.
“Steady, Arka, don’t overdo it,” she said to herself.
After a few moments, she felt steady enough to pull on a pair of breeches and a shirt. She slowly made her way down the stairs, hanging onto the rail, slipped her feet into her boots and stepped outside into the day.
As she walked into the Plaza she could see Erelenga and Andoryn talking with a young Xacha. Andoryn caught sight of her and ran towards her shouting, “Arka!”
Arka managed a weak wave back. “Hello Andoryn.”
Erelenga wheeled round. “Praesidior!”
Andoryn saw that Arka was limping and took her arm.
Arka smiled as she climbed the steps. “Thank you, Andoryn. I'm sorry I'm not at my best.”
Reaching the top step, she sat down abruptly on the grass. She immediately felt better to be among her friends.
Andoryn looked at Arka with concern. “You look terrible…”
Arka nodded. “I know. I only just managed to get out of bed.”
Andoryn smiled, “It’s good to see you though!”
“I couldn't wait to see you two. I thought I was going to die.”
“You missed Sarine and Agara,” said Andoryn.
“That’s a shame.”
Erelenga walked up to the two. “Sarine could have made you something useful to eat. She knows how to make tasty sandwiches.”
He looked over Arka’s head. “Is that the queen over there?”
Arka tried to look round. “The queen?”
“Lolitra Purrty. I'd recommend you to meet her,” he said.
Arka struggled to get up. “Ah I know Lolitra.”
Erelenga smiled. “I hope she will remember you.”
Andoryn frowned to see Arka so weak. “Arka, you really look like you've been mauled by an Ulber. What happened to you?”
“I don't know,” she replied, “I thought I'd caught a chill out hunting.”
Erelenga looked at Arka. “You don't sound very optimistic.”
“I don't feel very optimistic.”
He continued, “Well, Lolitra might have other ideas... She is a healer. Just wait here a minute.” He walked off, and Arka fell silent, just watching the people come and go.
Andoryn was deep in thought. “I could help if I knew the cause,” she muttered to herself.
Arka looked up to see Erelenga with a beautiful and richly-dressed Fenki.
Lolitra nodded to all.
Arka smiled and tried again to get to her feet. “Greetings old friend.”
Behind her, Andoryn, apparently oblivious to the queen’s arrival, was still muttering to herself, “Don’t know about potions, but I know who does, and with my magic, I'd get Arka running like a young stonebreaker again... But no... Of` course not...”
Lolitra motioned Arka to sit and knelt beside her. “Lady Garam, you.. look... well... I wish I could say well, but... no.. you look... rather off colour.”
She reached out and touched her cheek. Her touch was warm and soothing, and Arka smiled.
Lolitra looked into Arka’s eyes. “You seem rather, um... not yourself, Lady Garam?”
“Myself? No, not myself,” she replied, “I don't really feel like anyone just now.”
Lolitra nodded. “I shall go directly to my library and read up on this... that you show symptoms of..” Her voice trailed off.
Arka shook her head slowly. “I fear this may be the end of me.”
“No, please. Let me help you, Arka. I will go ahead and make arrangements.”
Arka looked puzzled, not understanding what Lolitra had meant. “Thank you, Lolitra. Take care. We shall meet again.”
Lolitra stood up and whispered something to Erelenga.
Arka heard him say, “I will show Lady Arka your home, where she can enjoy the hospitality of your household.” Then she understood. The queen meant to take care of her. For a moment she thought of refusing, but realising that this was just her dwarfish pride, relented.
Lolitra nodded. “I shall be as fast as I can. I shall let my maid Melinya know we shall expect company.” She flashed a warm smile at Arka, briefly nodded to the company and went on her way.
Erelenga helped Arka to her feet and she thanked him. “Lady Arka, please let me show you to Queen Lolitra’s home in Hydlaa – that is if you don't know it already.”
“That would be very kind, Erelenga.”
“It is just opposite from the library,” he replied, taking Arka’s arm.
Goodbye Andoryn. I expect I’ll see you in good time,” said Arka
Andoryn smiled and embraced her.
Then she and Erelenga made their way slowly across the Plaza and into East Hydlaa. In time, they arrived at a grand house, made of marble, with bright crystals set in the stone.
“Here we are,” said Arka, recognising the Royal household.
“Yes. Isn't it pretty?” Erelenga smiled.
“And not so far from the University,” replied Arka.
“Let Melinya take care of you until Lolitra returns.” He knocked on the door.
“Melinya?”
Erelenga smiled at Arka. “The housekeeper. She is a wizard at the oven. With her pies, you will be back to your strength in a week.”
Arka shook her head. “I cannot each much just yet. You must tell the students I am recovering with the Queen's household.”
“I'll post a notice in the Common Room.”
“Thank you, Erelenga. Take care of the University while I am gone.”
“Take your time. You need to get your strength back.”
Arka managed a wan smile. “I will see you again soon, Dean?”
“Next weekend, surely.”
Arka bowed unsteadily. “Until then.”
He looked up as the door opened. A round, fresh faced Ylian of indeterminate age looked at the pair stood on the doorstep, nodded to Erelenga, wiped her hands on her apron and took Arka’s arm. Arka allowed herself to be taken inside, suddenly feeling very tired.
