Page 98 of The Ballad of a Bard

“Sir?” The one with the cropped hair spoke, letting him know that he’d been the first to speak.

“Sorry, I’m just not used to engaging in conversations with anyone, let alone a child.” He declared quietly. “I’m not sure he’d want to see me, considering he wouldn’t know who I am.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to try.” The second one said, with his honey blond hair that fell to his shoulders. Half of it was tucked behind his ear in a careless way.

“Damien, is that you?” A female came around the bend,carrying a handful of dirty bowls and towels, tossed over her arm. “Care to help a friend out or are you just going to stand there and creep Heartache out more than you already have?”

Damien stared at him now, an effect he was used to. “You’re Heartache? His father?”

Conner silently confirmed.

“He’s been asking for you.” The second, slightly taller one said. “When he’s not asking for Crimson.”

Damien gave him a light, prompting push on the shoulder. “Go see him.”

Connor didn’t object, slowly padding into the room at a sluggish pace. But as he approached the bed, he knew that he wouldn’t be able to leave again. Not as the boy’s eyes fluttered open and he saw the light blue of them. The beautiful face of his beloved that looked so young, so innocent.

“Red?” He sleepily asked, rubbing heavily at his face as he sat up. When he blinked, he stopped dead in his tracks and gaped. “You’re not Crimson.”

“No, I’m not.” He admitted and stopped a few inches away from the mattress. There were three blankets piled high on top of the small figure, ones that would have been far too hot for a healthy boy. It hurt his already aching heart to see, to understand just the full extent of what his hateful curse had done. Guilt travelled with him to the furthest extents of the continents and realm before, but that was nothing compared to the jolting agony and anguish he felt now.

“You.” He scanned him from head to toe. “I know you, but why?”

Connor felt the lack of words.

“He’s your father, little man.” The taller male strolled forward and sat on the bed, the wrought iron bars creaking as he applied the full extent of his weight.

“You’re Heartache?” The boy asked as he wriggled out of the sheets, tiny legs shuffling out.

“I am.” He confirmed.

“I have something for you, in that case.” He reached out as the guard helped him stand, walking across the covers until he faced Connor. The boy threw a weak hit towards his shoulder, slapping him. The motion didn’t do much, but Connor rubbed at it all the same.

Damien snorted, laughing quietly into his hands.

“That’s from my sister.” He glared up at Connor with an intense ferocity that Connor immediately loved. “Crimson would have wanted to do that herself, but she’s out looking for you so she can’t. Luckily, I can do it in her place.”

“Come on, Cobalt.” The guard ushered him back into the bed by lifting the blankets up, making room for him to slide back into place. “You should lay back down before your energy drains.”

“Your name is Cobalt?” Connor’s voice cracked.

“Yes.” Cobalt nodded rapidly. “It’s silly, I know. But I could have been Ochre, or Chartreuse. Maybe even Clementine, so I think it’s way better than any of those.”

He felt the onslaught of tears as he met his son for the second time, watching as the men took care of him. “I’m very happy to meet you, Cobalt.”

“Just wait.” He sniffled, wiping at his nose as he fell back into the bed. Damien tossed the blankets back over him and plumped his pillow under his head.

“Until what?”

He spared one last look up at him as he curled his knees into his chest and shivered. “Until my sister comes home. Then, you’re in for it.”

The healer came back around and unfolded another blanketfrom the cabinet, adding it to his small pile. She flattened every corner until it lay perfectly over him.

Connor couldn’t help his growing smile. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from my daughter.”

Forty Seven

An alarming sound began to chime throughout the Empire. It wasn’t one to easily ignore, to brush off and return to one’s duties. No, this was something else, something horrible.

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