MakiaVi: The Frozen King - Chapter Twelve

 
Edion and Riza sat in the infirmary. The new king and queen each had a healer waving glowing hands over their wounds. The healers were covered in head to toe with white robes and wore matching masks over their faces. Only their eyes were visible through a tiny slit. They each wore identifying numbers on their shoulders. Edion and Riza sat in silence as their cuts and bruises disappeared. “Why?” Edion grumbled.
Riza looked up at him. “What?”
“You heard me! Why did you let that bastard live?”
Riza whimpered, “Edion...”
“That monster tore my family apart and you want to spare him?” Edion slammed his fist into a nearby table, shattering it to pieces. Taking on hand off of Edion, the healer snapped their fingers and the table reformed.
“I just want to stop the bloodshed.” Riza mumbled. “Isn't that what the MakiaVi is supposed to do?” Edion unclenched his fist and stared at the ground. “I agree that he is an awful, vile person but killing him makes you no better.”
Edion chuckled. “Coming from the reaper herself.”
“There is a lot that he needs to tell you Edion. If after that you still want him dead, I won’t stop you.”
There was a knock at the door. A shorter healer poked their head into Edion’s room. “Sorry to disturb you my lord and lady. Kardon’s prisoners wish to see you. Shall I let them in?”
Edion nodded as he spoke. “Yes. Send them in.” The healer gave a bow as they closed the door. Crea and Serada broke it down as they rushed to Edion’s side. Brakon and Amaria entered along with Bellatrix and Zan. The healer snapped his fingers again to put the door back on its hinges. 
“Nice to see you too.” Edion grunted as his sisters gave him a tight hug. He let out a violent cough.
The girls broke their embrace. “Sorry.” Crea muttered. “I’m just glad you are in one piece.”
“It was close, but I’m still breathing thanks to Riza.”
Serada bowed to Riza. “Thank you so much. My family owes you a great debt.”
Riza grinned. “We would not have made it if we didn’t work together.”
Serada stood upright as she spoke. “I didn’t even know that you could fight with a partner. How did you two find out?”
“That was my doing.” Edaro said as he walked into the room. He stepped up to Edion’s side. “That was quite the battle. How do you fare?”
“I’ve been better.” Edion responded.
“Once you are ready, the lords and ladies of the land shall be awaiting your arrival in the throne room. After the coronation ceremony, the feast shall begin.”
Zan jumped in between them. “Did someone say feast?”
Edaro laughed. “Why yes. It will be quite the occasion. I invite you all to come. It will truly be a night to remember.” Zan shot his fist in the air as he let out a loud cheer. He started bouncing up and down in excitement. 
Bellatrix grabbed him by the arm. “Please at least try to control yourself.”
The healers withdrew their hands from Edion and Riza. “That should do it.” Edion’s healer said. “I shall be assigning you both a shadow to keep an eye on your wounds.” The healer turned to his assistant at Riza’s side. “Fetch H-271 and H-165. They should be more than sufficient.” The assistant stood, gave a quick bow and strode out of the door.
They returned with two identical healers following behind them. The assistant gestured to them. “Here they are sir.” The two healers stepped up and bowed to their superior. 
“You two shall follow the new king and queen.” Edion’s healer said. “If there is any hint of decline in their health, administer first aid and send word for them to be brought back here.”
“Yes sir.” The two healers said in unison.
Edaro clapped his hands together twice and a short mouse servant padded into the room. She had black hair, brown eyes and wore a simple brown dress. “Great! Now we must prepare for your coronation.” Edaro said. “If you all would follow her to the bath houses, we will get you all looking more...presentable. Clearly the journey took a toll on you all.”
Bellatrix jumped and gave a high pitched squeal. “Yes! Please!”
Zan scoffed.  “And you told me to calm down.”
Bellatrix glared at him. “This is different. You have stuffed your face plenty. I haven’t had a nice bath in over a week.” She sniffed the air around Zan and took a few steps back covering her nose. “Besides, you’re the one who really needs it.”
Zan sniffed himself once and gave a loud descending whistle as he turned his head away. “Yeah. No kidding.”
“I have some business to attend to.” Edaro said. “Head to the throne room when you are all done. We should be ready by then.” He turned and strode out of the room.
“Where are those baths exactly?” Zan asked the servant.
The mouse shot her eyes to the ground. “I’ll show you. Follow me please.” She whipped her body around to the door and shuffled out the room with the group following closely behind. 
She lead them down a long stone hallway lit by blue crystals. A blue carpet runner covered the length of the hallway. Paintings in silver frames covered the walls with blue tapestries hanging from the ceilings.
“This place is beautiful!” Bellatrix exclaimed.
“It’s alright.” Riza said. “Not my first choice of color.”
The servant stopped in front of two wooden doors, one marked “Men” the other “Women”. 
“Here we are. You’ll find everything you need in there.” She muttered.
“Finally.” Riza said as she rubbed her shoulder. “My muscles need a good soak.”
“Wait!” The servant cried as she stepped in front of Riza. The servant’s eyes widened. “I mean, th-these are for your friends. The royal family have their own private rooms upstairs.”
“How fancy.” Bellatrix said.
“See you in the throne room, Your Majesty.” Zan said as he walked into the bath house. Everyone else walked into the appropriate door leaving Crea, Serada, Edion and Riza with their three escorts.
“Alright. Lead the way then.” Riza said.
The servant gave a quick bow and continued down to the end of the hallway. She lead them up a narrow spiral staircase only wide enough for them to go in single file. They climbed the staircase for what seemed to be an eternity until they reached a wooden door with silver trim. A guard covered in full plate armor stood in front of it with a halberd in hand. Riza reflexively put a hand on her scythe. As the guard stepped aside, Riza relaxed the grip on her weapon. The servant opened up the door to reveal a large parlor room with a massive bookshelves all around and a grand staircase in the center.
“You will find your bathrooms upstairs across from the king’s chambers.” The servant mumbled. She turned to Crea and Serada. “I am sure you remember where your rooms are my ladies.” They both nodded. The servant picked up a small brass bell on a table near the entrance and rang it. Six servants of varying species fell in line in front of them. Three men and three women. “See that the new king and queen are prepared for their coronation. I will be here when you are finished to take you all to the throne room.”
The servants walked Edion and Riza up the stairs while examining them to gauge the gravity of their task. They went down the hall and stopped each of them in front of two large wooden doors. A servant opened their respective doors and bowed with their arms outstretched to the bathroom inside. “See you on the other side.” Edion said. Riza chuckled as she walked into her room. Edion soon did the same.

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