Alexander

Illius looks iller than I have ever seen him in our lives and considering that he cannot catch sickness the way that a human can, so this makes me very anxious. The sight makes me uneasy as I have never seen my Captain in any unwell state before in my existence. His eyes roll fitfully behind his eyelids and his skin feels hot beneath my palm, though he does not sweat, further leaving me to believe that he is physically incapable of doing so. It feels as though a snake coils itself inside of my gut as I look down at him, watching helplessly as he is exposed to the unknown.

"He will be quite alright," Serilda assures me, standing from her seat and walking over to retrieve my nearly empty cup. She turns her back as she takes the cup to the fireplace, where the kettle is still hanging over the flame and begins to make me another cup of the unique tea. "He has you looking out for him, after all. I believe that his father would be proud of the way he looks after you. Illius was the only one who truly understood the old King's ideas." 

Bellamy makes a noise in his throat to express his differing opinion on the matter, drumming the fingers of one hand atop the table. "That Sidhe King was a fool if you ask me. What sort of relationship did he have with the human King, anyway? Friends do not often damn themselves for one another." 

Despite his apparent boredom with the events happening around him, I note the way that Bellamy's free hand rests at the hilt of his sword as his gaze trails Serilda attentively. It seems that he does intend to keep his word to Illius, after all. Perhaps Bellamy is more than he lets others believe.

When Serilda returns to bring my refreshment, she pauses to look over the table at Illius to check on his progress. A growl from Sage warning Serilda of her proximity to me produces a small smile from her. Serilda shakes her head and slides the cup the rest of the way to me before backing off and returning to her side of the table. 

"They were infatuated with each other, of course," Serilda says in response to Bellamy's question. I ignore her pointed gaze as she settles back onto her cushion and makes to continue speaking on the topic, attempting to smother the annoyance that it brings me. "It was far more than friendship."

Bellamy lifts his lip in disgust at the revelation. "Do you mean to say that they were..."

"Lovers?" Serilda says the word freely, taking a casual sip from her teacup. "Of sorts, I suppose they were. Not in a physical way, of course. They both had wives and children to consider. Sometimes, soulmates do not belong to the corresponding genders that they usually would. Occasionally they appear to us as friends."

Sage sighs and rests her head on the table, reacting to my distress. I reach my free hand to stroke her ears apologetically. I am alright. You are doing well. 

Sage licks my knuckles with a whine. Want to go.

I know, we will leave soon. You are being a good girl. Curiously, my eyes flicker to Serilda across the table. Do you remember her?

Sage heaves another sigh, redirecting her gaze to our host. Only you. You mine.

Serilda bears a secretive smile as she watches me silently interact with Sage, her eyes reminded me of a cat's as they catch the light of the fire beside her. "It is interesting. The whole lot of you are strange, really. You have named the Chimera, yes?"

I nod, clearing my throat against a tickle. Even though I would very much like to accept the refilled beverage to satiate the inconvenient itch in my lungs, I have no one to pass it as safe for me to consume. I may have just witnessed her pour it for myself, but her back was to me the entire time so I could not see her slip something into it if she wanted to. "Sage. My mother gave the title to her before I was born." 

Serilda seems to find this interesting, watching intently as she runs a finger around the rim of her cup. "Sage," She tests the name, appearing disappointed when it evokes no reaction from the black beast when coming from her lips. "You are her Marked. You are very fortunate, Your Highness; it is very rare to have such a creature claim you. You will never walk alone for as long as you live." 

A familiar throb in my shoulder reminds me of the ancient bite wound. "Indeed."

"In fact," Serilda continues, unblinking. "Some may consider you someone of ancient prophecy, My Lord." 

My frown is so deep that it even creases my brow. Of all of the things that I have seen with my father's inherited ability, I have yet to been shown anything about myself, unless it includes a vision of myself being put in the way of danger. The look that I give the Magic User from across the table is one that should transform her tea into ice. She is toeing a dangerous line with this talking of prophecies, especially in front of Bellamy, who I would prefer to keep in the dark about such things. "There is no such thing," I say, giving my words a steel backbone of warning. "Let us focus on Illius. He is my only concern at the moment." 

Serilda's finger pauses it's tracing around the lip of her cup, surprised by my sudden animosity. Seeing that she has happened upon a sensitive subject, she casts an understanding glance towards Bellamy, finally seeming to notice my reason for it. "Certainly, Your Highness. I apologize for overstepping my boundaries." 

Bellamy's brow is furrowed in confusion as he glances between us, attempting to understand what secret exchange has just taken place in front of him. He writes it off with a shrug, probably concluding that my foul mood has been brought on by the stressful state that Illius is in. 

Even distracted, I do not overlook the way his grip tightened on his sword hilt at the change in my voice. Considering that Sage did not make any aggressive motions towards him, I find it safe to say that it is not me that he was bracing to ward off, should my tone have evoked a negative reaction from our host. Illius may decide that he does not detest Bellamy quite as much if he were able to see this reaction from him. It seems that Bellamy's word is as good as a vow. 

Illius stirs in my lap, bringing my full attention back to him. Our eyes focus on each other in unison, but the dazed and unfocused look in my Captain's gaze makes me anxious. It takes a moment for Illius to force his eyes into full focus, but when he does, he brings his hand to my face the same way that mine is on his. Touching me seems to bring him back to the present and I can physically feel him relax. 

"She is right," He mutters, voice so soft that only I can hear it. The crackle of the fireplace is louder than him. "I remember everything." 

"It worked?" I repeat, disbelieving. Illius brace an arm on the cushion beside me, pushing himself back into a sitting position. 

Illius immediately scans the room, a hand reaching for his sword. "You are alright?"

Bellamy makes an offended sound. "Of course he is. Relax a bit, won't you? Not everyone is out to get your precious Prince." 

Illius tosses him a vexed look before focusing on Serilda. "You were truthful." 

"Of course, I was," She says, gesturing towards him. "Is it all clear to you, now?" 

Illius turns to look down at me. I feel him searching for my understanding of the memories, frowning slightly when he realizes that I do not have the same knowledge as he does. You did not look?

I press my lips into a tight line. I did not look.

For as long as my memory extends, Illius and I have always shared the same information between each other. Aside from the events most recently, there has not been a single secret between us, so it feels strange that he should know so much more than me about a topic, even though this topic is himself. 

Illius' brow is furrowed, not sure how to feel about my lack of understanding for the first time. "Yes, I understand now." 

"How do you feel?" I ask, looking him over carefully. His complexion is back to normal now, which I take as a positive sign. 

When he turns to me, the smile he offers does not correlate with the strange sheen in his eyes. "No need to worry, Sandy, I am alright."

His words do nothing to ease my  concern. I turn to Serilda, making to stand from my seat. "I know that we have things yet to discuss, but my Captain has had quite enough for today. I believe it is time that we take our leave," I make certain that I leave no room for argument, and Bellamy stands with me, eager to get out of this place.

Serilda raises her brows, surprised that I should like to leave with so many questions still remaining unanswered. She does not attempt to argue, however, which I am grateful for, just nods and follows us to our feet. "As you wish, Your Highness. I will show you to the door."

I extend a hand to help Illius to his feet, but he proves his physical condition is well by standing on his own. He squeezes my shoulder, however, expressing his gratitude for the offer. It is not his body that I worry about, but rather the persistent look of wandering in his eyes.

Illius fastens his sword to his belt and keeps me as close to him as ever as we walk towards the door. I note his lack of voice, but give him the silence without argument. He surely has a lot to think about now and I have no intention of robbing him of the attention needed to ponder the new information. It must be overwhelming to suddenly remember so much about yourself; I assume he is meeting himself all over again, as if he were being introduced to a complete stranger.

Serilda watches Illius and I carefully and Bellamy's gaze is also at our backs. She pauses in the doorway to grat us exit to home. "Do return in a few days time, once Captain Illius is feeling better. There is much to discuss yet, about many things."

I nod, only partially listening to her before pushing past, trailing Illius out. "Of course. Farewell until then, you have been an incredible help." 

As much as I would prefer to head straight back to the castle so that Illius may rest, I still have requirements to fulfill before then. I would ask Illius to leave ahead of us, but I know that I would be wasting my energy. Even in this state, he will not leave my side willingly.

We walk in silence down the deserted side street for only a moment before Bellamy speaks up, apparently unable to keep quiet any longer. "What have you remembered? It must he quite interesting."

I shoot him a venomous look, trying to keep him quiet. "It is not your place, Bellamy."

The Prince raises a hand as if to fend off my tone. "I am aware of that. It is your business, however, and you have yet to ask for yourself. I am merely curious."

"I trust in my Captain to tell me what he is willing to, in his own time. He is his own master and he may do what he wish."

Bellamy seems surprised to hear the protective bristle in my voice. "I meant no offense. Do you have a city market? I would like to see it. Your culture differs from mine, so I would find it interesting."

Illius steps closer to me, though he appears clearly imersed in his thoughts and presses his hand againt mine. Even in his current state of mind, he is aware of my feelings and takes the time to comfort me.

I take his cue to calm myself before Sage senses my hostility and points it towards Bellamy. I know rightfully that he has done nothing wrong, so I try to push my sour mood aside. Whatever is bothering Illius enough to steal his attention while we are in a public setting, I trust that he will enlighten me with what he has learned as soon as he has processed it, himself. He simply needs time to sort his new memories out and make sense of them. 

"Yes, we do. Stalls should be beginning to pack up soon, but we should be able to make it in time," I pause and point down an alleyway that connects the street that we're on to another one. "This way will be the fastest."

Though the sun has not yet set, the air feels as cold as ever before.