Topain rode into the courtyard of a magnificent house a few hours later. He had barely seen the entryway for the house from the road, only Milky's insistence to go down it had alerted him that it was there. He dismounted, Lina cradled in his arms, leaving the horses there, too concerned with Linaross's health to worry about them. Luckily, he had ridden them hard and they just stood there, panting, sides slick with sweat. Walking up to the door of the manor, he kicked at it. When nobody answered after a few seconds, he kicked it again, yelling loudly. A servant finally opened the door, peering out at him angrily.
"Go 'way. Master not home," the man slurred. The smell of whiskey on the man's breath made Topain pull back a little, his stomach roiling in protest. The servant started to shut the door as Topain pulled back. He came to himself and inserted his foot into the door's path just in time. Shouldering it open, he carried Linaross inside. "I don't care. My companion is hurt. I need to get her someplace safe. I will take it up with your master," he growled to the drunken man.
The servant scowled more and made as though to push Topain back outside. Just then, a voice stopped him. "Andlin, stop it. Can't you see this man needs out help. Let him in and send a groom to take care of his mount. I will see to the girl," a soft, feminine voice said. But in spite of its soft, musical quality, there was a note of command in it. A voice used to being obeyed. Topain looked up, to where a slim, attractive woman stood leaning over a railing.
"Yes Milady," Andlin said, shuffling off to follow the orders.
"And no more spirits Andlin, or I'll discharge you!" the woman called after him.
"Yes Milady," he repeated, his shoulders slumping. When he was gone, Topain turned his attention back to his savior. "Kind lady, please, I beg of you, Lana is sick, I don't know with what. We need help and safety," he said, bowing his head in submission. He didn't care if he was the prince, he'd clean the floors on his hands and knees if this woman wanted him to if she would help Lina get well.
"And you shall have it sir. Come, let me see the girl. I will get her settled, while you change out of those clothes," the woman said, leaving her post at the railing and coming around to the stairs. She descended them as royally as Shelakay herself would have. When she had reached Topain, she looked Linaross's sleeping face over. Touching one slim hand to Lina's forehead, she closed her eyes for a brief second. "Mage driven," she stated simply, before turning to ring a small bell on a side table . A large man entered the room, bowing before her. "Take the girl up to the green room. Send some maids in there to help me tend her, then escort this man to the blue room," she commanded. Topain started to protest, but stopped himself. If this woman knew what caused it so easily, maybe she could fix it just as easily.
The manservant nodded and took Linaross's limp body from Topain. Instantly, Topain's arms started to ache, screaming in protest from the hours of strain he had put on them. He rubbed them as he followed his hostess and her servant up the stairs. Stopping briefly before a room done in all in different shades of green, the man laid Linaross on the bed then pulled a bell rope. Leaving the woman with Linaross, he led Topain further down the hall to a blue room. Grunting softly, he bowed, pointed to the bell rope, then the empty bath, then left, closing the door softly behind him. Topain understood that if he wanted a bath to pull the rope to call a maid to fill it. He did it instantly, needing a good bath before seeing Linaross. Also his arms needed to be soaked in hot water soon or he wouldn't be able to use them without excruciating pain. He pulled the tasseled rope, then sat gingerly on the large bed and looked around. The room was good size, and all blue. The walls had been painted a light blue, almost the color of the summer sky. The curtains were a slightly darker blue and the bed's covers were even darker, like the night sky. Chairs and throw rugs were a beautiful combination of different blues. Even the wardrobe was blue.
A knock on the door signaled the arrival of a maid. He called her in, too sore to get up unless necessary. A pretty brunette came in, her comely looks surprising him a little, though why it did, he wasn't sure. She bowed low, her brown curls falling over her shoulders. She held the sides back with braids and a ribbon, the rest falling free in a tumbling riotous mass of curls down her back, resembling the style Linaross favored when at home. Her green eyes were full of curiosity and confusion, and a little fear. "Yes Milord?" she asked.
"I need a bath. I was told I could get one," he ventured, suddenly unsure.
"Of course Milord. I will be back shortly with the water and soap. Would you like a change of clothes also Milord?" she offered.
"Very much, thank you." She nodded, surprised by the thanks and left, her manner efficient and quick. Topain smiled. Of course she would have been surprised. She wasn't used to being thanked for doing her job. But he was supposed to be kind and considerate of servants since he was supposed to be in their class, or at least not far from it.
Pushing those thoughts out of his mind, he undressed. He draped the dust filled clothes over a chair, not wanting to dirty the lovely room. Standing there, nude, he waited for the water. Completely unselfconscious of his body, he hadn't even tried to hide behind a chair for the sake of decency. So, when the maid knocked on the door and entered, he turned to face her, completely exposed to her green gaze. She gasped in shock, taking the sight of his bare body in. "Milord!" she exclaimed breathlessly, color filling her cheeks. Then she composed herself with a visible effort and went to fill the tub with the pitcher of water she carried. A soft, herb scent filled the air, telling him the water would ease his aching muscles. He took one step towards the bath, not realizing he did so. Then, three large men walked in, each carrying tubs of water. Two were steaming, and the third was cold, so as to regulate the temperature a bit. They dumped the water into the bath, then left, not glancing at Topain.
Topain crossed the distance to the bath and stepped gingerly onto the raised platform. The maid offered her arm to hold him steady as he stepped in and immersed his body. Then, she took a few more herbs out of her pocket, crushed them, and sprinkled them into the water. Instantly, Topain's muscles stopped screaming in pain. He moaned softly in surprise and looked up at her, eyes full of questions as the pain left them. She smiled and knelt beside the bath. Reaching into the water, she immersed her arms up to her elbows. Her fingers touched his forearm and gently, finding all the aching spots, worked the muscles. Slowly, she moved up to his biceps, working those muscles as well. Her knowing fingers were efficient, but gentle. Moaning again, he closed his eyes and let her work, thankful for her thoughtfulness. When she had finished with that arm, she stood and moved to the other side, kneeling beside him again. Lifting his arm out of the water he tried to help her, not wanting her to get too wet. But as soon as his arm left the water, his muscles started hurting again. He whimpered and she murmured reassuringly and placed his arm back into the water. "The water is numbing Milord. But it doesn't heal. Let me do this for you," she explained.
His eyes opened when she spoke, meeting her emerald gaze. He smiled up at her. "Thank you. You didn't need to do this and yet you are. I owe you so much," he said, lifting his other hand and touching her cheek. To his surprise, her gaze dropped and a slight flush colored her cheeks.
"You needed my help. I am here to do that Milord," she said, turning her attention back to her task. When she finished, he tilted her face up and looked into her eyes.
"I'm serious little one. You are doing much for me. With this you will probably save my life and the life of my lady if what your mistress told me was true. If I can help you in any way, please tell me," he said.
