36
They raced through the inner ring of the coliseum, Vi leading the way. Olivin was right behind her, his brother in his arms. Deneya stayed next to Eira. Even though Eira had insisted she didn’t need help, the Head Specter seemed doubtful and wasn’t letting Eira out of her sight.
Or perhaps it was Eira’s display that had prompted Deneya to refuse to let her go far. She’d have to explain herself eventually. But the longer Eira could postpone doing so, the better she’d feel.
Vi opened one of the doors and they raced up a set of stairs. The walls of the coliseum were thick enough to hold apartments, judging from the names on the doors. They came to a stop, trying to conceal their labored breathing so that they didn’t wake everyone in the hall.
The princess knocked on a door with Fritz’s name upon it. No response. She knocked again.
Eira’s insides knotted for a second time. What if the Pillars had finally caught up with Fritz? He was as vulnerable here in the coliseum as she was in the village. Deneya had said the Pillars had tried to come and murder her in her sleep. All theother attendants—enemies hiding among them—flanked either side of Fritz’s door down the long hall.
What if she was too late? She hadn’t done enough. She’d barely spoken to him. If he was gone… Nausea had her covering her mouth. If the Pillars had taken him from her before she had a chance to say what needed to be said or heal the wounds that needed mending—
The door finally opened and Eira breathed a sigh of relief through her trembling fingers.
“What the—Eira? Your Highness?” Fritz’s expression turned serious the moment his gaze landed on Yonlin. “Come in.”
“I’m sorry, Uncle, I didn’t know who else to go to,” Eira blurted as they stepped inside. “You’re the only one I could think to trust.”
His expression softened enough to give her a slight smile. “I’m glad you still think of me that way.”
Eira swallowed thickly. Of course she did… He might not have believed her at times. He might have wounded her spirit… But she knew, beyond all doubt, that he would never turn to the enemy and would never turn her in either. Report her to the empress? Probably. But nothing that could cause real harm.
“Put him here.” Fritz motioned for Yonlin to be laid out on his own bed. “What happened to him?”
“The Pillars,” Eira answered. Deneya gave her a sharp look. One Eira rolled her eyes at. “He’s my uncle and is at risk because of me. I’ve already tried to warn him of that and mentioned the Pillars in so doing. I’m not going to lie to him now.”
“With the help of your niece, we stabilized him, but he needs experience beyond us,” Taavin said.
“You?” Fritz looked at her with a small, proud smile. She hadn’t seen an expression like that from him in some time.
“I did what I could,” Eira murmured. “But it’s not enough. Please, help him.”
“There’s something magical blocking the healing,” Deneya said.
“That I can help with…but the physical wounds are beyond my skill to heal. I’ll have to get another cleric.”
Olivin caught Fritz’s wrist. “No. I only trust you because she does.” Olivin nodded at Eira. “No one else can even know Yonlin is here.”
“Yonlin? This is… what in the Mother’s name?” Fritz stared down at the broken young man currently bleeding on his bed.
“We’ll explain in time,” Vi said with her usual air of authority. She had a knack for having the final word in conversations. “For now, please focus on healing him. I’m inclined to agree with Olivin’s assessment that no one else should be involved.”
Fritz sighed. “I’ll do my best then.”
He got a familiar clerical box and set to work. With fluid hand movements, he forced draughts down Yonlin’s throat. Eira could feel as her uncle pulsed the potions through Yonlin’s body.
But even after all of Fritz’s efforts, and a few more attempts at Lightspinning, Yonlin still didn’t wake.
Fritz sat on the edge of the bed and closed his eyes. Holding his hands over Yonlin, his magic pushed and pulled over the young man. Eira paid even closer attention. Now her uncle was in his wheelhouse. He was healing magically.
“There are a lot of different magics at play here,” Fritz said solemnly. “We’ve done all we can for his physical form. That will recover on its own, in its time. But we’re going to have to give his magic time as well to combat the powers that have put him in this slumber. I can help that, but it’s going to take some time.”
“How long will it take?” Olivin asked. He’d calmed down significantly as Yonlin improved.
“It’s hard to say. Hopefully soon. But it might be days, or weeks even.” Fritz shook his head. “I don’t know. But I’ll keep him secret and safe here, and do all I can for him.”
“If you need anything, let me know personally.” Vi locked eyes with Fritz, leaving no room for doubt.
