Morning Surprise

 

“Alithea!” Fallon’s urgent whisper as he shook her. She opened her eyes partway, squinting against the morning light. “They’re outside. They want you up at the queen’s, I guess.” He put his arm under her shoulders, raising her head up. “We’ve got double rations for you. You need to eat something.” He held up a small container with water and whispered, “Drink.”

The guards had let him bring in the morning’s rations into the sleeping quarters so she could sleep a while longer than the others. They knew she was the doctor now at the clinic on the hill. 

The ration biscuits revived her energy and Fallon helped her toward the door. She held up her hand, still quivering slightly, to show him. “I can’t do surgery today.”

“I’ll go up with you and explain to the queen,” Fallon said. “Shield your eyes.” They walked out into the sun. The Sprint was gone. Alpen and Drindl argued with the Fae teacher who wanted to take Erthen to school for the day. “Alpen!” Fallon shouted.

Alpen turned just in time to block a blow from one of the guards. Fallon hesitated, not wanting to leave Alithea alone. “I’ll be right back,” he said to her as his hand trailed along her back, feeling her sense of balance before leaving her side.

The guard and the Fae school guide spoke two different languages. Fallon addressed the Fae, acting as though he knew only a few words of her language. Pointing to Alithea, he said, “Doctor for children.” The Fae shook her head. “Queen,” Fallon added, then pointed to Alithea. “Doctor.” Pointing again to the children, “Children.”

Turning to Alpen, Fallon asked, “Where’s Bebe?”

“She went as Alithea,” Alpen said under his breath. Fallon’s eyes went wide and Alpen shrugged.

He turned to the Fae, extending his arm to Alithea. “Doctor,” he addressed her in the Fae language. She didn’t understand what he wanted until he motioned her to come along.

With a quick motion, the Fae warrior raised her walking stick and blocked him. “The Doctor. Not you.”

“Speak words for children and doctor,” Fallon replied, keeping his voice calm. He must find out if they were feeding Erthen the same stuff that had poisoned Alithea. When the Fae did not lower her staff, Fallon gambled. “Queen looking for Listener.” The Fae challenged him with her eyes, then lowered her staff and waved them to come on.

“Where are we going?” Alithea asked, falling in beside him, her walk tentative.

Fallon steadied her with his right arm. “To school,” Fallon said. Extending his other arm, he gathered Erthen into his arms.