Snippet #2817871

18D10A

Raiden bit down on the arrow in his mouth, ready for the pain and subsequent healing to begin. He slightly pulled his arm back, not entirely looking to forward to what was coming. He didn’t get much chance to avoid as the girl in front of him pulled his arm straight and closer to her. Raiden tried desperately to concentrate his thoughts on the bird sitting in the window sill. Nice birdy, so happy to be free and flying away. he thought he sounded like a drunkard, but he needed to keep his mind happy, not just waiting for the pain. The wet cloth she used to rub his arm felt cold on his skin. He did not care much for the careful preparation. Oh birdy, oh birdy, why can’t she just hurry up…doesn’t she know I am being expec…. his thoughts halted abruptly.

The arm he was holding out started burning, but not burning like it had so far. It was as if she was holding his arm in the castle ovens. The anguish he felt warped his mind. Screw you little birdy, are you friggin’ mocking me! He turned his gaze from the window sill to Tempeste. This can’t possibly be how it’s supposed to heal! He tried his best to keep his thoughts inside. He felt like his eyes were turning hazy, his head light as he felt he was near passing out. As a last measure he bit down on the arrow in his mouth even harder, his teeth were digging into the hard wood the arrows were made of. He noticed his eyes getting sharper again, not sure if it was the arrow or the continuing pain.

His eyes shifted back to the bird. The sounds it was now making, it was as if…as if the bird was laughing at him. You must be kidding me, you unpleasant pheasant, you absolute shit show of a bird!, A sudden shooting spike of pain distracted him from the bird. He could no longer look away and stared at his arm and the cruel witch that was treating it. It was hard to see if the look on her face was one of concentration or one of joy. She picked and picked and picked at the wound, not stopping to give him a breather at any time. Fine, I don’t need to rest, just hurry up! he thought sharply. His gaze kept switching from looking at her, to his arm, to the ceiling, to the bird and then back at her again. It was a nervous twitch, hoping that every next time he looked at her she would finally be done.

He noticed how together with his forehead, his shirt also started getting wet. He was sweating on all sides, like a fever was breaking while she was treating him. Finally, after way too long he felt the pain slightly subside. The cold cloth over his arm still hurt more than it should, but this could only mean she was nearing the end of the treatment. As she put the bandages on, he breathed a sigh of relief. With his unoccupied hand he removed the arrow from his mouth, noticing his mouth was dry as hell.
When she offered him the vial of liquid he didn’t question what it was. He was pissed and he had no time to ask questions or even say a proper thank you. He slammed back the nectar, feeling the sweetness sooth his throat, his arm, but not his mind. As she had finally let go of his arm he pulled it closer, and covered it with his other arm. He started rubbing the bandage to get rid of that nasty itch that was plaguing him.
”If you'd like it to recover sooner, please stop scratching it.” Again annoyed and a little bit busted he stopped touching the bandages.
”As you're in a hurry, I'll have bandages delivered to your room in the event you'll be traveling again. No scar will be left behind.”
Raiden got up, quickly as he could. He gave everyone in the room the stink eye, and walked out of the ward with a steady pace, only mumbling a few words none of them would be able to decipher. As the door was nearly closed behind him, he just heard one more thing. ”If you need me, I'll be here.”

If the castle staff had been scared to confront him before, it was nothing compared to now. His mood could be read throughout the castle. He no longer cared about the noise his boots made when stepping through the stone echoing hallways. He went back down the stairs on the way to his room, when one guard had the courage to address him. ”Master Raiden, please, Ivelda has been asking for you. I’d advise you to come immediately.
The guard looked sweaty, he was dressed in heavy armour and had been running. Stupid, loss of mobility was a good reason for Raiden not to ever try on armour.
”There is something I need to do first. I’m sure it can wait just the 2 minutes I need. Tell her I am on the way.”
Even through the helmet, Raiden could see the face of the man turning red and green at the same time. No one could ever tell Ivelda to wait, she was not widely known for her patience. Still pissed off by his medical treatment, he kept on walking, closely followed by the guard. The man kept on insisting all the way to the door of Raiden’s room. As the hunter nearly kicked in the door, the man who was preparing his bath jumped 2 metres in the air. It looked like the tub was ready for use. It looked inviting and smelled like lavender.
”Old man, the bath will have to wait till I am done. Make sure it’s warm when I get back. I just need to do something outside before I go to the Empress.
The guard tried to protest again. ”Sir, there really is no time to be waisted. Please Sir, I beg of you to come with me.”
Raiden got sick of his whining. He grabbed the saddle bag with the Nexu head in it and pushed it in the arms of the guard. ”Carry this…and follow me.” Raiden grabbed his bow and one arrow and left the room, closely followed by the guard. ”I really doubt there is any time for this Master Raiden…”
Once outside the walked across the courtyard. The still pissed off hunter grabbed the guard by his armour and controlled his movements. He pushed him back against the wall, the saddle bag still in his hand. Raiden grabbed the bag and put it on the ground next to the guard. He also took the helmet from the guards head and threw it on the ground as well. ”Stay here, and don’t move!”

He walked back and turned when he created some distance between him and the guard. He rested the arrow on the bow as he took aim at the guard. ”CATCH! Raiden shouted across the courtyard. The guard was stumped and did not move a muscle.
As a deep breath calmed him down, Raiden pulled the string, feeling tempted as the arrow lined up perfectly with the head of the pushy guard. Ignoring the temptation he looked up at the 4th floor of the castle, his arrow following his gaze to the window of the medical ward. There it was, still sitting there, that stupid bird. He took a deep breath, and slowly released the string. The arrow flew through the air, the whizzing sounded like music to his ears.
A loud squawk was evidence the arrow met its target. The arrow bounced against the stone of the castle, a loud thump as the body of the bird hits the window itself. Both the arrow and the bird it now pierced fell down from the window sill, right into the arms of the perplexed guard.

Raiden walked back to the guard. ”That feels better, doesn’t it? He picked up the saddle bag himself and slung it over his shoulder. He handed the bow to the guard. ”Bring the bow to my room, and make sure the kitchen prepares the bird. I want it roasted perfectly for my dinner. The guard finally seemed to find his feet and sped towards the door. ”Remember what I said. Roasted PER-FECT-LY”he shouted after the guard.
Finally feeling a smile back on his face, he walked over to the Throne Room, waiting outside, awaiting to be called in.