Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Dragon Lord ❯ Mask of Ice ( Chapter 8 )

“Mask of Ice”

     Some minutes later, Alassëa appeared again.

“¿How is he?” asked Azami.

“Well, I've given him the antidote, so he should start to recover now. He has a fever, but don't worry… he'll be alright, he's strong” Alassëa answered, “Listen, can you go and check him for a while? I need to prepare some food, you all must be hungry” she asked.

“Wait… me?” Azami said, “but… I really don't know him much, and don't know anything about medicine or…”

“Don't worry, I told you he's fine. You only have to watch him… if anything happens, just call me” Alassëa told her, and leaved to the kitchen.

     Slowly, Azami entered Arthion's room. She had always been afraid of watching sick people, since her mother's death. She had always avoided the situation but, as she entered, decided she had to confront her fear: Arthion needed her help and she had promised to give it to him, even if she knew little of him. Unsure about what to expect, she approached his bed. Arthion's chest was wrapped in bandages, already a little soaked with blood; his breathing was slow and his eyes were closed. Azami could see a small frown of pain in his face. With shaky hands, she took a wet cloth and placed it on his forehead. `How is that I got involved in this?' she thought, but then remembered she had caused it by offering help, `But, why?' she asked herself. No, she knew the answer: after two years of watching Arthion, alone and sad, she had felt sorry for him… she had felt they were equals, as she had also being alone, waiting for someone to notice that and give her love, company and help when needed. She did for the prince what she wanted someone to do for her. While she watched Arthion's body, trembling for pain and fever, she remembered her confusion about him: at first, she thought him to be selfish and ice-cold, his own words and attitude gave her the reason… but after seeing his fight to protect someone he didn't even knew, and the affection Faeron and Alassëa seemed to feel for him, she didn't know what to think. Was Arthion faking? His cold attitude was a mask that hid his real self?

     She was interrupted in her thoughts by Faeron, who entered the room with a glass. “Alassëa told me to give him this” he said, watching Azami's questioning gaze. He gently lifted Arthion's head and made him drink whatever was on the glass, then sat next to Azami in another chair. While both were in silence, Azami watched the red haired dragon intently: he wore a white shirt with long sleeves and dark red pants, a combination not as strange as Arthion's; his eyes were energetic yet kind, not as intense and cold as the prince's… wait, since when she compared other men with Arthion? Trying to distract herself, Azami watched Faeron's hands, and saw red marks around his wrists, as if something had been constantly grazing them.

“A souvenir of the King's hospitality at his prison” Faeron said, noticing her gaze.

“Sorry” she said.

“Don't apologize, if we can restore peace, it will be worth it” he said.

Azami, assured by his kind tone, decided to ask him something.

“Faeron, can I ask you something? It's about Arthion, he's always so…” she started, but Faeron interrupted her. “I know, he seems quite a cold jerk, doesn't he?” She didn't respond. “Listen, what you saw of him, his cold temper, he's not like that… it's just a mask he uses to confuse the king, make him think he doesn't care for anyone… so that Morothar don't hurt others. Aly and I, who have known him for a long time, know better” he said. So, she had been right then. Arthion was faking.

“But, how do you know? What if this is the real Arthion and he has been fooling you?” Azami asked, just to see his reaction.

She was surprised to see him smile. “No way… after 100 years of friendship, he can't fool me. Besides, he can pretend what he wants, but - as you saw- his real hearth emerge when he's facing a difficult situation…or when he's with us” he finished.

Azami winced, that older-than-100-years thing still bothered her, specially seeing how all of them looked her age. “You seem to care a lot for him… how did he win that loyalty? No offense to the prince but you're much nicer… how do you two get along?” she asked, curious.

“Well, as I told you, Arthion was very different when we were at peace; he laughed more, for a start. He's kind with his friends, he's just… cautious with strangers. I met him when we were 60 years old (equivalent to 11 or 12 in human age). I lived on the streets, and one day entered the Palace's garden and saw him. We started to play, and quickly became friends. After that day, Arthion made sure I had everything to live… when I grow up, he named me -a simple dragon with no rank of nobility- his second in command. He gave me not only his friendship but a new, decent life. He's like a brother to me” Faeron said.

Azami was touched; she never thought the prince to be that kind. “I appreciate that” a voice said. Both turned and saw Arthion was awake and looking at them with a sad look.

“You thought I had abandoned you, don't you? That's why you've been more annoying than normal” Faeron said, and Arthion immediately blushed.

“I…”

“It's ok… you couldn't know what was happening… I forgive you” Faeron said.

“Well, What a touching scene!” Alassëa said, entering the room. “You two can tell her your sad stories latter, now we all must sleep, especially you” she said looking at the prince, who looked at her as if he was going to argue. “No arguments, sir! You're going to rest, you want it or not! Besides, you're in no condition to fight now… Faeron, you sleep with him, Azami and I will share my room” Alassëa said, and Azami couldn't help but laugh at two things: no matter how strong both men -dragons- were, they seemed scared of disobeying her; and two, Alassëa blushed again, looking at Faeron, but he didn't notice. The two women then walked to their room and, before falling asleep, Azami thought being there was not so bad after all.