(If you have not read my prolgue or previous chapters, please do so now.)

Tales of Tanjia, Chapter 12 - Rest

   A black void... No sound, no light, not a scent, nor a hint of breeze or any movement at all. I close my eyes, not that I could see anything to begin with, and try to remember. What I'm trying to remember, though, is unclear to me. Am I trying to remember something that happened? Or maybe someone? What is it? Something is nagging at the back of my brain. I open my eyes again, hoping there would be something in front of me now. There was. That same nightmare I had had months ago was playing in front of me again... The towers of smoke and fire rising from the devastated homes, choking and destroying whatever crumbled ruins remain. The rivers of blood soaking into the dirt, creating a horrible, sickening mud. Bodies strewn about like beads fallen from a broken necklace. Again I see that none of the bodies have faces, but I have no idea why. My knees buckle, I fall into the blood soaked filth, and I'm frozen in dumb confusion and horror. What is this nightmare? This isn't real, but what horrible thing rests in the deep corners of my brain to make me see this montrous vision? My hands are trembling and I start to weep. What else can I do? The dream won't end simply because I want it to, but I don't have the power to change it. My palms press against my eyes as I sob and shake, my nails scratching into my face. I am desperate for peace and reassurance, for this death and destruction to fade. My breath is short and my heart is racing, there's a sharp pain in my chest, and just as I feel my life might end, I wake.

   Jolting awake, I'm clutching the sheets so tight I fear I might've torn them. To make matters worse, these aren't my sheets. The clarity from the adrenaline rush quickly fades, and I'm left with only hazy confusion and my continuing headache. I take a few deep breaths, and release my grip on the sheets. There aren't any tears, so that's a relief. I'm soaked in cold sweat and dressed in a gown that isn't mine. Slowly and carefully, I leave the unfamiliar, though very comfortable bed. My legs are tired and shake lightly, but I am able to stand and walk fairly well, though with some difficulty. I look around and see that this is not my bedroom. There is'nt much to this room. There is a bed, a low dresser, a simple wardrobe and a large window in this room. That's it. I can smell a sweet incense burning somewhere, and I hear three voices coming from the next room. Two belong to women and the third to a man.

   I make my way to the tall double doors and gingerly open them. The next room is much brighter, but has a very gentle, warm glow to it. I can see the three people that I heard from the bedroom. There's the couple from the party, Ku'uri and Ma'tau I believe were their names, and then another woman that I do not know. She has exceptionally pale skin and white hair that shines like a fine pearl. She heard me open the door and looks over in my direction. Just as soon as she sees me, she is up and at my side, making sure that I'm steady enough to stand on my own.

   "You're awake already? With how fatigued you were, I was expecting you to sleep for at least the rest of the night." Her voice was sweet, but not high-pitched, and she spoke with genuine concern. Her piercing blue eyes carefully looking me over. I notice a healers mark on her shoulder and am instantly relieved, though I maintain a measure of caution. "You still look unwell... Here, sit." She guides me over to the couch she was reclining on and sits me next to her on it. I notice Ku'uri fidgeting with her hands before taking a moment to speak.

   "You collapsed at the gala, so we took you to the nearest healer..." She grasps Ma'tau's hand nervously. "It wasn't until you were resting in the other room that I realized who you were... Please forgive me, Your Excellency. I had spoken so casually with you before, surely I must've offended you-" I hold up my hand to keep her from speaking further, and give her the truest smile I can muster through this headache.

   "Don't worry about it. It was refreshing to speak with someone casually, and I'm very grateful that you sought out a healer for me." I turn to see the lovely albino who is still glancing over me to make sure I'm ok. "Thank you, by the way. May I ask your name?"

   "My name is Lirie'el, Your Excellency."

   "Ka'asume, if you don't mind. I'd rather not deal with formalities at the moment." I rub my temple, the headache is beginning to fade, but it's still there. And on top of it, I discover that I'm now very thirsty.

   "Is your headache still bothering you, Your Excellenc- Ka'asume?" I nod and she gets up to pick an elixir from a shelf on the far left wall. "Ku'uri, would you mind heating up some water?" Ku'uri nods and puts the kettle on. I can sense the water heating very slowly, and I'm feeling particularly impatient at the moment, so I ever so slightly help the water boil. I pray that they don't notice. Before long, steam is billowing from the spout and Ku'uri takes the kettle off of the stove. 

   "It's done already?" Ma'tau spoke for the first time since I entered the room. He seems troubled by something, and I hope it isn't only because the water boiled faster than he thought it would.

   "Water doesn't take very long to boil, Ma'tau." Ku'uri grumbled lightly.

   "It does when you're waiting for it." He grumbled back, obviously mocking her. She stuck her tongue out at him and handed the kettle to Lirie'el. Ku'uri flopped back down next to Ma'tau on the couch, only to realize that she was being very casual again."

   "I'm sorry. I keep forgetting that I'm in the presence of a member of the Imperial family." I hold my hand up again, but with my palm facing her in a shrug.

   "You're fine. I obviously need to relax, so I welcome the more casual atmosphere." I place my hands in my lap and lean back against the couch. Lirie'el sets a mug filled with a steaming lavender drink on the table in front of me.

   "This will get rid of your headache and make it easier for you to sleep." I take the mug in my hands, bringing it close to my lips. I can smell many different herbs in the drink, some sweet, some bitter, but it doesn't smell quite like medicine. 

   "How quickly will it take effect? I'd very much like to sleep in my own bedchambers tonight, if that's at all possible." Lirie'el's expression turns uneasy.

   She sighs lightly, "We're a fair distance from the Capital Palace, and it's very late. You should be getting as much rest as possible while you can, instead of travelling halfway across the city. That's my opinion as a healer, Your Excellency."

   "Halfway across the city?" I pinch the bridge of my nose and try to think of what I should do. "Very well... I'll rest here tonight instead of making the trip back to the palace. I would like to send a notice to the Imperial Guard to let them know that I'm safe and in good hands. It'd be a nightmare if they started a city-wide search for me just because I was too tired to let anyone know where I was."

   "I'll write it up, and you can just provide your signature." Lirie'el says as she gets up to find a notary disc.

   I take a sip of the lavender elixir and let it coat my throat. "I should send a personal notice to Rii'ei as well. She'll be worried."

   Ku'uri's expression changes from vague interest to curious shock. "Rii'ei? Is that the name you said?" I nod twice, the mug still pressed to my lips and my brows raised in curiosity. "What does she look like?" Ku'uri is leaning forward now, grasping her skirt in anticipation of my answer.

   "She has shoulder length, wavy, ink black hair and round violet eyes. Round cheekbones, demure lips and a small chin. Why?"

   "That's her." She leans back, shaking her head in amazement. "I can't believe she's here. It's been so long... I've been away and so busy, I haven't had enough time to properly respond to her letters, but now I can see her in person. My baby sister." And with that said, I realize why she looked familiar to me. She's Rii'ei's older sister! The same eyes, same cheekbones and the same chin. 

   "Incredible." I chuckle lightly to myself. "She was just talking about you this morning. You've given her wonderful hair dressing skills, you know." I reach to gesture to the plait she had done this morning, only to realize that it's been undone. I drink more of the herbal drink Lirie'el had given me and I feel my eyelids growing heavy again.

   "Please let me accompany you to the Capital Palace tomorrow. I need to see my sister." I nod sleepily. 

   "Of course." I finish the drink and yawn. Sleep is coming for me again, and I will gladly let it take me, just as soon as I can get to a bed.

   Lirie'el takes the empty mug from my hands and sets it on the table. "I'll accompany you back to the palace tomorrow morning as well. But for now, you need to sleep." She helps me up off of the couch and back into the bedroom. She sets me back in bed and pulls the covers over me. "Rest well, Ka'asume." She says gracefully as she bows slightly. I nod and she turns out the lights. It's been many millenia since someone has tucked me into bed, and much longer since it was done with true kindness. I close my eyes once more and welcome the deep, dreamless sleep that comes over me. I wake with the false sunrise. Taj'erii's last artificial sunrise before the Fesitval. I'm delighted to discover that my headache has completely left me. The relief is incredible, and so is my hunger for breakfast. I can smell wonderful cooking odors coming from the kitchen, and I go to see what exactly is being made.

   "Good morning, Ka'asume. Did you rest well?" Lirie'el asks in a motherly tone as she cooks two platefuls of eggs and Kao'rith bacon.

   "I did, thank you. My headache is completely gone, and I feel much better."

   "I'm glad to hear that. Breakfast is almost ready. The biscuits are done now, so you can go ahead and have one." 

   "Thank you, I will." I take one from the plate and tear off the top part. Warm, dense and slightly sweet. "These are delicious."

   "I'm glad you like them. I thought a simple, hearty breakfast would be best." She puts the plate of eggs and bacon in front of me and I gladly partake. "I've had a few morning meals with Taj'erii's Dai'rou before, and I know he enjoys his pastries and meats."

   I laugh a bit. "That he does. Him and his enormous stomach can't get enough of them." Lirie'el laughs with me and we have a good conversation during breakfast. I finish eating and place my dishes in the sink. "I'd like to shower before we leave for the palace."

   "Of course. I'll show you to it." She takes me to the bathing chambers, hands me a towel and soap, and shows me how to work her shower. I thank her and she leaves so I can disrobe and bathe. A good night's sleep, a decent breakfast and a hot shower. What more I could I need? The hot water runs down my back in a strong, steady stream, washing away the day's dirt and stress. I finish and shut off the water. Knowing that the door is still locked, I use my power to pull most of the water from my impossibly long hair. I leave it somewhat damp, though, just so it isn't entirely suspicious. I can make up some excuse if anyone asks why my hair is so dry so quickly. Wrapping the towel around myself, I step back into the bedroom to see an outfit laid out for me. A pale blue gown with a beaded bodice and split sleeves, and a sliver sleeveless coat. I gladly get dressed and reenter the living room. Ku'uri is sitting on the couch with Lirie'el.

   "Ka'asume! Are you feeling better?"

   "Much better, thank you. Are we ready to go?" They both stand and Lirie'el puts a small vile of the lavender tonic from last night in her satchel.

   "The transport is already here."