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  Chapter 3

  "Niff, let us see whether you can walk," Noff held both of Niff's hands in his, trying to coax the small common off his bed. Darvul had allowed a small amount of solid food the day before, and the little common was improving in many ways.

  Nineteen days had passed since the attacks, and the volcano had slowed down in its eruptions on the Southern Continent. Regardless, common refugees from the southern areas were still trickling into Veshtul looking for work, asking to help rebuild the city. Niff, however, seemed oblivious to all of it, though Noff and Orliff had begun telling him bits of information each day, hoping that something would spark a memory in their patient.

  Niff blinked at Noff, his blue eyes wide, and then turned his attention to the floor, which lay a short space below his bare feet. They'd kept the little common dressed in loose pajamas while he convalesced. Niff seemed to be examining his clothing as well.

  "Come," Noff pulled gently on Niff's hands. Niff slid off the bed. Darvul said the leg was better and Noff was gentle with the broken wrist. They were going to remove the bandage around the ribs the following day; Darvul hadn't found evidence that the cracked ribs would be a problem, but he didn't want to take unnecessary risks.

  Niff was now standing on the floor, wobbling a little on his feet. "Don't worry, it's normal," Noff assured him. "Now, take a step for me." He backed up a step and Niff followed, watching his own feet while Noff kept a firm grip on his hands. Noff took another step back; Niff followed, his legs trembling slightly. Noff wanted to hug his patient—he was doing so well. Darvul stepped into the room while Niff was walking and smiled.

  "Better than I expected," he nodded happily. "Still no attempt at speech and no indication that he understands us when we speak, but he does seem to know what we mean when we mimic something."

  "He still blinks when the light is bright in his window," Noff said, taking another step backward. Niff was following now, doing his best to remain upright as he walked.

  "A common effect from a blow to the head. It may clear up with time. We must be content with what we have at the moment," Darvul observed. "Turn him around and only hold one hand. See if he can make his way back to the bed on his own."

  Noff turned Niff around slowly, before letting go of the splinted hand. Niff gave him a questioning look before making his unsteady way toward the bed.

  "Very good," Noff breathed as Niff awkwardly seated himself on the bed. "Now, we will lift your feet," he placed Niff's feet on the bed and covered them with the light sheet and blanket. "Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat or drink?" He mimed the actions to Niff.

  Niff blinked twice and then mimed drinking only. Darvul laughed. "I'd say that deserves some juice at the least."

  "He understood me!" Noff was quite happy as he trotted away to find juice for his patient.

  * * *

  "Wash your hands, Niff, we're going to roll bandages," Orliff was working with the little common today; Noff had been forced to take a day off; Darvul insisted. Niff obediently washed his hands with soap and water, drying them on the towel Orliff provided. Orliff was quite surprised at how quickly the little common accepted his mimed instructions, although Niff couldn't seem to understand anything anyone said to him. He wasn't deaf; Darvul determined that earlier. He'd deliberately dropped a pot outside Niff's room, causing their patient to startle and jump in his bed. Orliff and Noff had both witnessed the reaction. Niff hadn't uttered a squeak when he'd jumped, so they'd still had no luck at getting any sounds or words from him.

  "Now, begin the roll tightly, like this," Orliff showed Niff how to begin. Niff watched carefully, reproducing Orliff's actions on his own roll. "Very good," Orliff encouraged as he and Niff rolled bandages together until they had a full basket. All their supplies were depleted, so Orliff brought out bark to boil afterward. He and Niff worked on that most of the afternoon. The comesuli physicians had little of the pain relief left and Orliff was happy to receive the shipment of bark. He and Niff ground herbs together to use in other medicines; Orliff found that Niff's fingers were strong and nimble as he worked, grinding herbs in a marble bowl with a steel pestle. "You are doing well, Niff," Orliff smiled as the herbs were reduced to usable powder. Niff was quite thorough in his work.

  "How is our patient doing?" Lady Mayarok walked into the room. Niff drew in a breath and stopped grinding, staring in surprise at Lady Mayarok instead. She was tall—taller than the commons around her, but most High Demons were tall. Dark hair was intricately braided and piled atop her head and a gentle smile lit her features as she examined the small, injured common that Darvul had described to her.

  "Niff, this is Lady Mayarok, Lord Fredevik's mate. She will not harm you." Niff blinked at Orliff for a moment before returning to his task.

  "Darvul tells me this one may be mentally damaged from a head injury," Lady Mayarok observed, seating herself beside Niff at the table. Niff ignored the scrutiny and continued his work.

  "We aren't completely sure of that; he understands if we show him things—he only has trouble processing information if it is spoken. His hearing is fine; we have checked it. And he hasn't attempted speech. Darvul says this can happen."

  "I will be staying at the palace until the Raona gives birth," Lady Mayarok sighed. "Fredevik is quite concerned over the Raona's children. She's pregnant with twins and I have never heard of that before. As I have given birth so many times, Lord Fredevik desires that I stay and instruct the Raona on her first."

  "I heard the Raona was with child but did not realize it was twins." Orliff was very interested, now.

  "We will require physicians. Might you consider helping? Darvul and his assistant have already been invited to come. You may bring this one with you; he can perform menial tasks at the palace, I'm sure."

  "I will discuss this with Darvul and my master. Of course, I would be pleased to come and help tend the Raona."

  "I will see that she asks for you personally," Lady Mayarok smiled indulgently at Orliff. "Do not delay; I would like you to come in the next two days, before the Raona becomes ill in the mornings."

  "We have herbs that will help," Orliff nodded and smiled at Lady Mayarok. "They will settle the stomach without affecting the children."

  "Good. My physician at home did the same for me." Lady Mayarok rose to go. She had High Demon guards posted outside the room and they fell in with her the moment she left the infirmary's stillroom.

  * * *

  "Lady Mayarok asked me to come, and my master has already given permission if you will consent to take over my training while we are at the palace," Orliff begged Darvul to take him.

  "Of course," Darvul smiled at the young one. Orliff was in his thirties and would come to his full adulthood in three years. He would also receive his physician's certification then if he finished his training. "Pack your clothing and supplies; Lady Mayarok is sending a coach for us tomorrow afternoon. Now, we must go out and find clothing for our patient. He cannot wear bedclothes inside the palace."

  "We can remove the splint as well; he used that hand to crush herbs with the pestle and it didn't seem to pain him in the least," Orliff said.

  "We will examine him after dinner and I will allow you and Noff to make the decision," Darvul said. "Come, we will find clothing for the little common. We have been given an allowance for this."

  * * *

  "Niff, we found clothing for you," Orliff held a pile of clothing in his arms as Noff, Darvul and he strolled into Niff's room later. "We also found shoes; we were guessing at those so I hope they fit."

  "I think they will," Noff nodded as he studied Niff's feet. They were small, so they'd bought a young one's shoes for him. Niff noticed Noff staring at his feet and looked down at them as well, frowning slightly. "Now, let's look at your wrist, Niff. We wish to remove the splint." Orliff came forward after dropping clothing and shoes at the foot of Niff's bed. He and Noff began unwrapping the heavy bandaging.

  "Look," Orliff turned the wrist this
way and that after the bandages were removed. He carefully felt the bones in the wrist, as did Noff. Niff did not complain or appear to be in pain while they did this.

  "I think we can leave it off," Darvul nodded as he watched the two assistants make their examination. "I am pleased with his recovery; he is walking very well now. Though he still cannot understand speech, he has made much progress otherwise."

  "I will pack for him," Noff offered. Darvul nodded at his assistant and left the room.

  * * *

  Niff stood on the bottom step of the transport, examining the richly appointed interior of the coach with wonder on his face. "Come, we are going to the palace," Noff took his hand and pulled the little common inside the coach. Darvul watched as his assistant settled Niff on a cushioned seat next to an open window, so he might get fresh air in the stifling heat. Late summer bore down on the capital city of Veshtul, although Darvul had doubts the seasons meant anything to little Niff. Orliff climbed in last and the coach drove off toward the palace.

  Several palace commons came to help them unload the coach; crates of medical supplies, equipment and trunks of clothing were dutifully carried inside. "The Raona's suite is down the hall," one of the commons spoke to Darvul as he led them inside a guest suite. Their suite was large, with a connecting bath and two bedrooms. "I will take the bedroom on the other side and Niff will come with me," Orliff said, pulling Niff through the bath toward the second bedroom. Niff stared curiously at his surroundings as Orliff led him through the suite.

  "Is that one simple?" The palace common asked.

  "For now; he was injured in the attack—a blow to the head," Darvul indicated the back of the skull.

  "Ah. Is there anything we should know about him?"

  "He cannot process speech; doesn't understand it, as yet," Noff replied. "If you show him, however, he understands quite well."

  "So, if I mimic polishing the floor?" The common asked.

  "Then you'll get the floor polished," Noff said, "although we still have not released him for heavy work. You must consult us before you ask something such as that from him."

  "I will let the others know," the common said. "Dinner will be brought to you tonight. You may join the other commons in the kitchens after that for your meals. I am Sariff, should you need anything."

  "Thank you, Sariff. Will you arrange a meeting with the Raona for us? We are here to tend her, after all."

  "The Raona has been moody recently, but I will ask." Sariff nodded and left the suite, closing the door after him.

  "Look, Niff, this is a lovely bath," Orliff point out amenities and fixtures. Scented soap lay beside the wide tub, along with a cork-stoppered bottle of shampoo and many towels and washcloths. Niff picked up the soap and smelled it, putting it down quickly after making a face.

  "I don't think he likes the soap; the scent must be too heavy," Orliff called to the others.

  "Here, I brought field oat soap," Noff pulled the soap from one of his bags. "I will be happy to use the other."

  Orliff accepted the soap and handed it off to Niff. Niff took it, sniffed, and nodded happily, smiling at Orliff. Orliff drew in a breath. "He smiled when I gave him the soap!" Orliff was overjoyed.

  "We are making progress," Darvul chuckled.

  * * *

  "Glindarok, I fail to understand why you are so obstinate about this," Jayd paced before his mate. "Let the physicians examine you. It will ease my mind as well as Lady Mayarok's; she is nearly frantic over this as it is."

  "Jaydevik, if I am forced to call you autocratic and insufferable again, you will be most sorry, I assure you," Glinda's arms were crossed over her chest and her blue eyes flashed a warning at Jayd. "I am in no mood to have someone's hands all over me. You and Garde go out every morning and when you return at night, do you tell me what is happening? Of course not. I want to know what is going on with those Drith and Croth filth. How many are left? How many have you executed? Have any been set free? If so, are you positive of their innocence?" Glinda was now pacing before Jayd.

  "If you do not stop this, I will ask Karzac and Jeff to come and they may place you in a healing sleep," Jayd was showing signs of agitation. "This cannot be good for our children, avilepha. Not good at all."

  "Jayd, I am only three months pregnant. Much too early for anything of that sort to happen, I assure you. You are only doing this to vex me," Glinda glared angrily at her High Demon mate.

  "I am not doing this to vex you; I am doing this for your own good and for the good of our children. Why won't you understand me in this? A pregnant female has no place in these proceedings, and if I describe the executions to you, well, just be assured I will not be doing that!" Smoke curled from Jayd's nostrils. Even his Thifilathi was upset.

  "Jaydevik Rath, you merely wish to impress upon me that I am a weak and pregnant female, when only the pregnant portion of that statement is true. You don't allow me out of my suite unless you are inside the palace; I cannot make any decisions without your approval and even Lady Mayarok is getting more freedom and respect than I am at the moment. This is not the reason I accepted you as a mate. If the truth be known, I am currently having second thoughts!"

  "Glindarok, is this going to happen every time we become parents?" Jayd walked slowly toward his mate, unwilling to upset her further. She held herself stiffly while he gently massaged his claiming marks on the back of her neck. "I love you more than anything, m'hala. Do not be angry with me, I beg you. Come, we will have our dinner in the arboretum, if you will consent to this."

  "I will come," Glinda agreed grudgingly.

  "Good," Jayd replied softly, placing a gentle kiss on Glinda's neck.

  * * *

  "Where is he going?" Orliff followed Niff, with Noff close on his heels. Niff was climbing stairs swiftly inside the palace, as if he knew where he was going.

  "The arboretum," Noff breathed as Niff ran through a wide doorway, which opened into the palace garden. A lush expanse of trees and rare plants was enclosed by tall windows. The high glass ceiling overhead allowed starlight to filter down upon the wealth of plant life below. Niff was still walking swiftly, straight toward a section of the glass wall that overlooked the city of Veshtul.

  "Niff!" Orliff whispered loudly, attempting to convince the little common to stop. Niff ignored him, continuing on his path until he reached the targeted section of glass. He lifted his hands as if he wanted to place them against the window. There he stopped short, wavered for a moment and then dropped to his knees, where he began to weep.

  "What is this?" Jayd was up from the table quickly and striding toward the little common.

  "Please, Raoni, he has suffered a head injury and does not know what he is doing," Orliff babbled an apology to the High Demon King while Noff did his best to coax Niff away from the window.

  "Jayd, if you harm any of these, I will not speak to you again," Glinda was at Jayd's side, watching as the little common demon wept beside the wall of glass.

  "You think I wanted to harm them?" Jayd snorted. "I am merely upset that our dinner was interrupted. It is all right," Jayd gestured with a hand. "Take the young one away. That is all I ask."

  * * *

  That was my first memory of the High Demon King—Jaydevik Rath. He seemed pompous and somewhat full of himself—as most kings might, I suppose. Of course, I didn't understand a word he said, or any other words spoken to me then or at any time before that moment. My memory had returned in a rush, however, and there I was, stuck on the High Demons' planet, surrounded by people who spoke a language I didn't understand. Just as well—I might have started cursing and not stopped until they killed me or I ran out of breath. I had no memory of how I came to be inside the arboretum; my last memory consisted of blasting my mist outward to kill the Ra'Ak Prince. Griffin, my father, and Kifirin, who called me his mate, had engineered my death. I couldn't come to any other conclusion than that. I'd died. How I came to be alive now, I had not a clue.

  One of the comesuli was pull
ing at me now, whispering a desperate spate of words, interspersed with the word Niff. They were calling me Niff. To them, I was another comesula. On a world where females among the comesuli aren't possible, I would appear to be just another androgynous common. I had no idea what to do about that. If I tried to tell them who I was, they wouldn't understand and would probably lock me up, thinking I was crazy. Most likely, that's just what I had been. For a while, anyway.

  I went with my two comesuli escorts—they led me down many flights of stairs until we reached a suite of rooms. The one called Orliff showed me to my bed and gestured for me to stay. I stayed. Where else was I going to go? Griffin told me when he took me from the Annual Meeting that he was transporting me into the future. Three hundred years into the future, he'd said. How nice for me. I didn't know anyone, here and now. I had no idea where this planet was, and wasn't likely to get a ride back to Earth, even if I asked politely. These people didn't know who—or what—I was. And they didn't seem to care that their asses had been saved by somebody they didn't know. What else was I supposed to do? I was going to have to pay attention, learn the language and look for a way out of this mess. Thanks, Dad. Thanks, Kifirin. You assholes.

  With much poking and prodding, I was sent to the kitchens the following morning. I was considered an imbecile, I discovered. Everything was mimed out for me. I nodded slightly when I understood what they wanted. I was commanded to peel potatoes and I had to ask, as best I could, how they wanted them cut up afterward. I diced one potato and sliced another into rounds before tugging on the sleeve of a nearby comesula. He pointed to the diced pile.

  I diced up peeled potatoes after washing them. I sliced carrots. Tore lettuce. Stirred soup, kneaded dough and turned meats. I watched and listened, but High Demon is a difficult language to learn. Kifirin had let me understand it temporarily, before taking it away. The Larentii had given me other languages on Refizan; why hadn't this one been included? At least I wouldn't be adrift on a shifting ocean with no paddle and a leaking boat. Thank goodness, I could eat normal food or I would have been in real trouble. Who knows what the High Demons would do if they found a modified vampire feeding off the population?