Rannirr had not only destroyed the Southern Lord, claiming both his power and his territory, but he had also corrupted the Southern lands. An area that had been bountiful and joyous was now full of perils. Monsters and creatures that Xanthia had never seen before were rising from the Southern waters. Rannirr was stronger now, and may even overpower Rionan if it came to it. Rionan was considered to be one of the more powerful lords of Xanthia – but could he triumph against a Lord who held the power of two?
Rionan needed a plan. He needed it quickly. He couldn’t let his own Well be taken. Xanthia itself depended on him.
While Rionan was outside of Xanthia, keeping his power disconnected from the Realm, he was not at risk. Xanthia, however, could not stay this way.
Rionan looked at his hands and felt the full might of his own power rippling under his skin.
It didn’t all belong here. He didn’t need it all. His people needed it. His land needed it.
Shaking his head, Rionan dismissed thoughts of selfishness that quickly fell upon him. He knew that he had no choice but to do what he did, and he would return. With help, with a plan, with something.
His power had sent him to this place. Guided him here when he fled Xanthia.
He would find out why.
As he began standing from his hospital bed, hurried footsteps sounded down the corridor outside his room. The woman who was here a moment ago re-entered. Alianna, she had called herself. A beautiful name. Very different from the native names of his realm. He imaginedwhat it would be like to speak her name, and how easily it would flow off his tongue. As she entered the room, thesmell of the hospital was interrupted by the scent of sea water, coffee, and coconut. Some enjoyable respite for his heightened senses, which were otherwise becoming overwhelmed by the scent of cleaning products used to keep the hospital sterile.
“Ah, Sir. You’re awake, that is fantastic,” commented the doctor who was following Alianna into the room. The doctor was perhaps around forty human years of age, with a shaved head, glasses perched on his nose, and fine lines surrounding soft eyes. He pulled out a clipboard from by the bed that Rionan had awoken in, adjusting his glasses and peering down. “You really should still be in bed while we give you another once over, now that you’re up. Your observations have been fine, but it’s always better to re-evaluate when a patient wakes.”
“Thank you, but I am quite well,” Rionan smiled, “I would like my clothes returned to me so that I can be on my way.”
Alianna scowled. “Your voice box was damaged. You made some weird noises. No offence, I think you were trying to talk, but
you - ”
“No offence taken, kind lady, but now I must be on my way. I assume my voice was weak from some hours spent lying in a hospital bed without hydration. I’ve had a drink, I feel well, and I would like to leave.”
The doctor stepped in between Rionan and Alianna, still scanning his clipboard. “I appreciate you’d like to go, Mr…”
Rionan paused. “Max,” he said, coming up with one of the first human names he could think of. “Max West.”
The likelihood of anyone who was looking for him finding him this quickly within the human realm was slim, but hecouldn’t take any chances, and he had no reason to use his real name.
“Well, Mr West. Just a quick once over and a few questions, and then we’ll let you be on your way,” the doctor smiled, patting the bed. Rionan sighed and sat back down. “This lovely lady found you and brought you in, you know. You owe her a great deal of thanks.”
“Thank you,” said Rionan, with an attempt at a smile up at the woman, who was looking at him with curiosity and concern. Rionan supposed that she was fairly easy on the eyes, with chestnut brownhair that was tied up in a loose ponytail. Her skin was tanned, soft-looking, with brown eyes a shade darker than her hair. Her plump pink lips were curved down in a half-frown as she stared at Rionan.
Alianna noticed him studying her face. She looked away, down at her legs, bending to wipe some sand off her bare calves and onto the floor.
The doctor began making some observations that Rionan didn’t really understand, hooking him up to a couple of machines as he spoke. “You feel well, Mr West?”
“Yes,” Rionan replied through gritted teeth, fairly certain he’d said it several times.
“Do you remember anything from the beach?”
Rionan thought for a moment, aware that they may suspect a head injury or similar if he said no.
“I was swimming. I got caught up in the current and….and was exhausted. I must have passed out when I managed to swim back to the shore.”
“I see. Swimming. You arrived fully clothed, slightly overdressed for the beach.”
“Yes. I had….had a hard start to the day, and didn’t want to go home to change.”
The doctor shrugged, stepping back. “Very well. Your observations are good, Mr West, and I don’t have any ongoing concerns. If anything changes or you develop any new symptoms, please return as soon as possible. Next time,may I suggest taking a friend swimming with you, or going to a beach with a lifeguard present? You are lucky you did not drown today.”
Rionan feigned an apologetic look as he laughed inwardly. “Of course, doctor. I am sorry for any concern I caused.”
“Your clothes are slightly wet and sandy, but we may be able to fetch you something from lost property that will fit you,” the doctor said, making to leave the room. “Somebody will be by with those soon. You can dress, and then you are free to go. Your other clothes are in a bag, just in this cupboard,” The doctor motioned to the bedside cabinet where his clipboard had been. “Good day, Mr West.”
