Awareness Knocks

 

Alithea could have easily reached for the scalpel and sliced the translucent skin of the queen’s neck. She was a prisoner, but she was also a doctor. She healed. No, this position could afford her access to what, she didn’t know. Perhaps a favor in return for her healing knowledge and skills. But what if she was asked to heal these hairless creatures? They would have some similarities, but it was the differences that might cause her to make a mistake. If she killed on of them, would they hold her responsible?

She and the queen turned to a sound from an adjoining chamber. A shout from a deep voiced creature and the queen answered. Into the room came a creature not as tall as Fallon but huskier. He had reddish hair growing on his face and long hair growing from the top of his head and down to his shoulders. The hair that grew in two semicircles over his eyes was bushier than hers. The rest of his body was covered with strange clothing, and each of his legs was wrapped in a cloth. Although he stomped into the room, he did not have monster feet. They were covered in animal skin, Alithea guessed.

When the thought struck her, her throat clenched in fear. She had not seen the creatures that Fallon and Drindl had killed days ago by the cliffs, but their description matched this creature.

The queen turned to the creature and tilted her head. They touched lips. Partners of some sort, Alithea guessed. Putting his arm around her back, he pulled the queen close to him. She did not resist. He looked at Alithea, then to the queen and said something. The queen answered, then gestured to Alithea. He wanted her to leave and called out in a loud voice. The same two Fae warriors came in from outside. Alithea turned and left with them, keeping her fear on a tight leash.