The Ballad of Lenore (Part 17)

My stomach sunk to my knees

The guards knew not who they held

We carried him into the building

The sanctuary for their unwell

We laid him on the first sheeted table

A group of healers approached

A tall lady gasped, I knew it was her

I begged, "Lady Vesomere, forgive our encroach"

"Is that Gaston?" she asked, unbelieving

"Yes, Lady, I plead for your mercy.

He bleeds his life out to save our House."

I moved to the side to let her see

His torn face was ghastly, bloody and pale

She motioned to her attendants

They gave her cloths and potions

She proceeded with her treatments

"Thank you, kind Lady!" I sighed in relief

Then Elandon stepped through the door

"Who lies on that table?" he asked

"It is Gaston, my brother, Elf lord."

"Lady Ulwen, you need not suffer him."

She said, "It was a long time ago, 

I regret the strife from a drunken mistake

I cared for him once, you know."

"This is your domain, it will be as you wish.

But he must leave as soon as he's well

We all must gather to travel to war

And the sylphs must be tamed by a spell."

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito