Freyja's Fire - Chapter 9 - A'mara Books

9

(Tharnday, cont.)

Erion Sands

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“I’m so exhausted!” Aurelia complained late in the day.

“This is the kind of work I do all the time,” Sister Naemi said without condescension. “Most people have lives of labor. Few ever reach the life of luxury you enjoy daily, Your Highness. Yet, most of us still love and admire your family in spite of the inequality of it.

“Most of us are content with our lives, looking forward to the one moment in time where we are privileged enough to interact with you. Whether it’s while you’re on holiday or because you open a school or event.”

Aurelia bristled. “I didn’t ask to be born the daughter of a king!”

“None of us ask to be who we are, Your Highness! We all have the same challenge of learning how to be who we are to the best of our abilities. I was called to the work of Vasana after my children were grown, but many of our order never marry or have children because caring for those already born is more important for us. But I will never blame you for that! We have different lives and that’s okay. But you, as one born into privilege must never forget the work of everyone who was born without! Being a royal has rights, but it also has responsibilities! I challenge you to live up to the task.”

Aurelia felt her blood boiling at the impudence demonstrated by this nun.

“It is also why your brother and your parents keep pushing you to find a husband. You have the responsibility to keep the royal family going. Resting it on the shoulders of Adrick is irresponsible and cowardly. If anything should happen to him...”

“I don’t want to be a queen!” Aurelia shouted.

“But yet, it may one day be foisted upon you,” Sister Naemi added. “It is a possibility – and you need to be ready for that day – may it never come.”

“So, Gemina and I should be looking at these sailors? Since we have already rejected every other suitor on this island? Common sailors?!” Aurelia scoffed. “Sailors are fun to play Wolff with, but that’s it.”

“You will never know if we do not nurse them back to health.”

“May I go for the evening?” Aurelia asked, hardly noticing that previously she wouldn’t have bothered asking.

Sister Naemi looked at her, her eyes twinkling. “Of course. Go and enjoy yourself for a few hours. But be prepared that I may awaken you in the night if nursing duties require it.”

Aurelia turned and left, heading back into town to the pub she had been at the previous night.

“I think I will accompany you,” Adrick said, reaching her and walking briskly at her side.

“So you can ruin my fun again?”

“Fun? Last night, you were on the verge of being raped! I’m surprised you are so keen to go again tonight!”

“He just mistook me for one of their whores, that’s all!” Aurelia insisted.

“All the same, I will be there with you to make sure you don’t get hurt. We need your nursing help. Speaking of which, where is Gemina?”

“She’s still helping Sister Naemi. I wouldn’t have left Sister without anyone helping.”

“Okay. We all need a rest, that’s for sure!”

“Is Sister Naemi right? That we are responsible for our citizens? We have to care for them?”

“As surely as they pay taxes to us,” Adrick replied. “We are as reliant on them as they are on us. You must never forget that truth.”

Aurelia dwelt on the unpleasant revelation as they concluded their walk. At the pub though, she brushed unpleasantness aside and went in, ready to play Wolff.

♥

Gemina attended patients with Sister Naemi. She reached the one she had observed the previous night.

“Where does he come from?” Gemina asked curiously, admiring his olive-brown skin and long nearly black hair. His chest was nearly free from matching hair. All she knew about his eyes were that they were dark when they looked at each other the previous night.

“His skin coloring says to me that he’s from the region of the Çtara rainforest,” Sister Naemi replied. “You would like the rainforest, m’lady. So full of life! As you can imagine, the people that live there have a strong bond with nature. Even the amulet he wears is of one of their birds.”

“Is there anything more I can do to help him?” Gemina asked, feeling drawn to get to know the man lying unconscious in front of her.

Sister Naemi produced a purply-pink stone which she handed to Gemina. “Don’t tell Stella about this one yet – I’ve only tested it on a few patients so far, but they’ve always got better faster than without. So, hold it to him, add your feelings to it – maybe it will work.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t neglect the other patients though – just because you’ve found one with a handsome body.”

“I won’t,” Gemina promised, fighting the blush that warmed her cheeks.

Sister Naemi left the tent.

“You need to get better, my friend,” Gemina said, holding the crystal to his chest. She wiped a cloth across his sweaty brow. “I want to get to know you, maybe even hold you.”