Page 97 of The Heartless Archer

“I am glad you are all right.” Her arms wound around Noora’s body carefully.

She looked over to Lulva and gestured with her hand to get on the bed on her other side. Lulva approached slowly and got on the bed, however she refrained from touching her. Noora knew what terrified feelings had to go through the younger girl’s mind. To see someone, you consider your protector defeated and realise that they are indeed not invincible and much too humane is humbling.

“I could do with a hug right now,” Noora admitted and at the soft tone she watched Lulva’s eyes tear up before she threw herself at her. Noora groaned in pain, making the smaller girl draw back, however, Noora drew her injured arm around her, despite the burning sensation pulling at her skin, to ensure she stayed where she was. Noora drew her nose into her red mane and inhaled the soft citrus scent, her body relaxing even more into the pillows.

“They said you were hurt so bad, Noora, that you almost died,” Lulva sobbed.

Something tugged at Noora’s insides hearing the desperation a girl her age should never be burdened to carry. She squeezed her fragile body closer, her eyes meeting Nikolai’s over her shoulder, his form swimming lightly with unshed tears. She cleared her throat and let Lulva move back a bit, conjuring a smile.

“You know how the crown is, always so stupidly dramatic. No offense.” She rolled her eyes, looking at Josephine who grinned up at her. “None taken. Nikolai almost wanted to tear down the whole kingdom to make sure you were safe and sound.”

Noora looked at the prince whose cheeks were inflamed crimson in a matter of seconds. He cleared his throat, crossing his arms on his bed. “Well, I think my duties are met. I will come back later to bring you dinner and will ask the healer to produce some crutches for you to walk again.” With that he left the room quickly, Spike staring after him, though decided to stay, curling up at the foot of Noora’s bed.

“Huh,” she breathed before focusing back on Lulva. “How come everyone is talking about my injuries instead of the fact that I killed an almighty dragon?”

She lifted her good hand and swiped at the tears of the girl. “Did you see its head and big aquamarine scales?” She tried to lure her out of her cocoon. Lulva nodded slightly, the tears still streaming down silently her round cheeks. “That was impressive, wasn’t it?” Both the girls nodded. Noora nodded over to the blade “And that sword? Cut through the dragon like it was butter.”

Josephine got up and nodded.

“That is not just any sword, it is Dainslief! The sword is believed to be infused with magic, whenever it was drawn it could not be sheathed again until its enemy was slain to the death. Noora you were chosen to be the wielder of Dainslief because you are worthy to do so.” Josephine’s eyes shined with respect as she recounted the tale. At the risk of sounding like Nikolai, it was only a story about an ancient sword, though, at the curious look on Lulva’s face, she stayed quiet. Anything to keep Lulva from crying was in her favour.

“Is that true?” Lulva asked. Noora gave a half-shrug and a nod. “I would always believe what Josephine says, she is the wisest out of her siblings.”

At that, the girl beamed. “Should I tell you the tale of how Dainslief was produced and how the mighty king used it to slayall his enemies?” She dropped to sit on her calves and looked expectantly at Lulva and Noora.

The former snuggled into Noora’s side and nodded.

“There once was a Burgundian warrior called Hagen from Tronje…” Josephine dove into the story as Noora began winding her fingers through Lulva’s soft hair. Spike began slightly snoring at the foot of the bed, his body rising with every inhale. With the warm light shining through the windows, the familiar scent of Lulva wafting around, and Josephine’s whispered storytelling, Noora drifted off again, her injuries still burning but it felt like it was just a little bit less. Now that her sister was with her.

Chapter 40

Noora

Noora slept through the whole evening, occasionally waking when Tyra and Princess Aileen-Akamu visited her with a mug smelling like honey and lavender, filling her bedroom with a cosy atmosphere. The healers looked after the stitches on her calf, changed the bandage on her injured arm, and provided her with a cream that would enhance the healing of her split lip. Noora wanted to refuse, knowing that her body would heal quicker than a mortal’s body with or without cream. However, the healers insisted that she followed the healing process that she was provided with. She did in fact rub a bit of her wonder cream on her scratches, why suffer?

The sun was now sinking on the horizon and bathing the chamber in golden light. She was itching to get off the bed and follow her suspicions regarding the guilty one of manipulating her skates.

A soft knock sounded against her door, making Spike raise his head from where he was resting at the foot of her bed. The wolf’s form had improved greatly since lounging all day in the palace. Noora could imagine how well-fed Nikolai kept the little monster. “Come in.” Her voice still sounded rough.

The door to the chamber opened and in stepped Raphael, a wooden tray in his hand which emanated a scent so heavenly it made her stomach growl. Noora adjusted her stance on the bed as she curiously tried to make out the contents of her dinner. A juicy piece of bread, lying under a layer of butter and herbs was placed beside a large bowl that smelled like it was filled with stew. “I'm bringing you your dinner,” Raphael said as he gently put the tray onto her covered legs, avoiding her bad calf.

Noora raised her brow but did not comment on the fact that Nikolai was the one to promise her dinner. Frankly, she did not care who brought her dinner as long as she could eat. Grabbing her spoon, with manners the matron would have spanked her for, she started to shovel the stew into her mouth. She groaned in delight as she bit into a juicy piece of meat, before catching a broccoli swimming in the soup and downing it in one bite.

“I bear more gifts,” said Raphael, and Noora ignored his disapproving look at her eating habits. He left the room, but only for a moment, returning with two long sticks made out of wood. The carving was intricate and utterly ridiculous taking into account that they were just crutches. A few topaz crystals were embedded in the shoulder rests and Noora would have burst out laughing if her mouth were not full of bread and she feared Raphael might scream at her if she laughed at the crutches.

“They are specifically designed for your height so there should not be any problem, still I would like to make sure that they fit perfectly, or else I will take them back to the inventors.”

“You are aware that my magical healing abilities are above average and I will probably need the crutches only for a few days.”

The guard shrugged. “I only follow orders, I don’t make them.”

Noora sighed and put the half-filled tray onto the nightstand before swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Raphael moved forward in case to help her, though she quickly swatted at his hands so she had some space. Her left arm was still burning like Hel, though she still pushed the one crutch under her armpit, the second following quickly.

“Do you need–” With a groan, she hoisted herself up into a standing position and for a moment her vision went black. Clenching her teeth she willed her eyes to focus and she managed to stand.

Raphael nodded. “Now take a few steps, carefully.”

“I’m not a child.”

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