Heir of Novron (The Riyria Revelations #5-6)

As Hadrian regained enough strength to focus, Royce entertained him with current events. The good news was that Modina seemed to have matters concerning the empire well in hand. The bad news was that Merrick Marius and Luis Guy had managed to escape and had not been seen since Wintertide.

By the seventh day, Hadrian felt strong enough to try walking, and he had been moved out of the infirmary and into a bedroom on the third floor. Each day he walked down the corridor, holding on to Royce, Albert, or Renwick. The squire and viscount were frequent visitors, but Hadrian did not have the opportunity to thank the Duke and Duchess of Rochelle for their help before they returned home. Like the other nobles gathered for the wedding, they swore fealty to Modina before departing. Albert continued to stay in Genny and Leo’s suite, as the viscount was in no hurry to trade the luxurious palatial accommodations for his austere cell at the monastery. From time to time, Mauvin and Alric stopped by, usually on their way to visit Arista. Even Nimbus peeked in once or twice, but Royce and Renwick, who took turns as his steadfast sentries, tended to Hadrian day and night.

The princess rested two doors down. Though still thin and weak, Arista was recovering faster than Hadrian, judging by the pace of her strides past his door. At first Alric or Mauvin escorted her, but recently she had started passing by unaided. Hadrian was disappointed that she never came to his room, and he, in turn, never visited hers.

Degan Gaunt had been at death’s door when first pulled from the dungeon, and few had expected him to survive. At Hadrian’s insistence, Royce checked in on him and relayed updates on his condition. Even when given thin chicken broth, Gaunt had choked and vomited. One night the doctors had called in a priest of Nyphron, but somehow Gaunt pulled through. The latest reports indicated Degan was now eating solid foods and starting to regain weight.

“Ready for another walk?” Royce asked, handing Hadrian a cloak.

Recently woken, Hadrian was still rubbing his eyes. “Wow, you’re in a hurry. Mind if I relieve myself first? Is somebody getting a bit anxious to get back to Gwen?”

“Yes, and you’re milking all the attention. Now get up.”

Royce helped Hadrian to his feet. Feeling the tug on his stitches, Hadrian grimaced as he slowly stood.

“How’s the head today?” Royce asked.

“Much better. Not dizzy at all. I think I can walk on my own.”

“Maybe so, but lean on me anyway. I don’t want you falling down the stairs and ripping your side open. If you do, I’ll be stuck here playing nursemaid another week.”

“Your compassion is overwhelming,” Hadrian said, wincing as he slipped a tunic over his head.

“Let’s just start by getting you down to the courtyard. If you’re still feeling okay after that, then you can try going on your own.”

“Oh, may I?” Hadrian replied.

Using Royce as a crutch, Hadrian limped out to the hallway.

He let his friend lead him toward the main landing. He expected pain but felt only a modest twinge.

“You know, I meant what I said in the dungeon. I appreciate you coming for me,” Hadrian said.

Royce laughed. “You do realize that I really didn’t do anything? Everything would have turned out exactly the same if I had stayed at Windermere with Gwen. She keeps insisting I’m needed to save you, but you seem pretty self-sufficient these days. Well, not right now, but you know what I mean.”

They reached the courtyard and Royce helped Hadrian down the stairs. A warm spell had moved in and the weather was unusually pleasant. Hadrian heard the sound of dripping water everywhere as the snow melted.

“Early spring?” Hadrian asked.

“Only temporary, I’m sure,” Royce replied. “Nothing this nice stays long. Okay, now that you’re on level ground, try walking to the gate. I’ll wait here.”

Even after two weeks, the courtyard still bore signs of combat. Dark smears and sooty smudges on the walls, a broken cart, a missing door, and several shattered windows all told the story of what had happened while he had been in the prison.

Hadrian spotted another patient out for her daily exercise. Arista wore a simple blue dress and had gained enough weight to start looking like herself again. She swung her arms and took deep breaths of fresh air while circling the ward. Her hair was down and blowing in the breeze.

“Hadrian!” Arista cried out after seeing him.

He tried to straighten up and winced.

“Here, let me help you.” She rushed forward.

“No, no, I’m trying to go solo today. Royce is releasing some of his tyrannical control.” He hooked a thumb toward his friend, waiting at the palace doors. “I’m surprised Alric lets you wander around alone.”

She laughed and pointed at two well-armed guards whose eyes never wavered from her as they stood a short distance away. “He has turned into a mother hen. It’s kind of embarrassing, but I’m not going to complain. Did you know he cried the night they carried us out? Alric has always been more like our mother than I am. How can I be mad at someone for caring?”

They walked together to a bench. It was clear of snow; the warm sun had dried it clean. The two of them sat down and Hadrian was grateful for the rest.

“Alric did well,” he said. “I’m sure it was difficult for him to leave Medford and go to Drondil Fields. Royce tells me he took quite a few of the citizenry with him.”

She nodded. “Yes, and doing so made the siege difficult. Hundreds of people were jammed into the corridors, halls, and all around the courtyard. Food was scarce after only a month because there were so many mouths to feed. Alric’s advisors told him he had to deny food to the sick to save others, but he refused to listen. Some of the weak actually died. Count Pickering said Alric needed to surrender in order to save those he could. I heard from Mauvin that Alric was planning to do just that. He was just waiting until after Wintertide. I’m proud of my brother. He knew they would kill him, but he was willing to sacrifice himself for his people.”

“How are things now at Drondil Fields?”

“Oh, fine. Supplies are flowing again and Count Pickering is administrating from there. I’m not sure if you know, but Medford was destroyed. Drondil Fields will need to function as the capital until Alric can rebuild. That’s funny, as it served just such a purpose in the beginning.”

Hadrian nodded and the pair continued to sit while quietly looking around the courtyard. Arista unexpectedly took his hand and squeezed. Glancing down, he saw her looking at him with a warm smile.