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Chapter 10 - Claws of Pain and Breath of Fever


Aliria remained at their 'camp' for another week to continue to recover from her confrontation with Raven. From what Leneth told her, Raven was still alive and leading his army. It only occurred to her after the fight exactly how weak she really was.
Pain never left her, and neither had the fever. It was like - to her - a wild dragon. It clawed at her flesh with its talons and tore with its curved fangs. Its fiery breath blew down her lungs and onto her face and brow, making her weak and beads of sweat roll down her brow.
But it often left her - enough to let her eat, drink, and get a few hours of peaceful sleep - but it always returned to her, as if the dragon was not just satisfied with its cave of treasures it had found.
Leneth tried as hard as he possibly could - finding her herbs to make tea to settle the dragon, but to no be little avail.
The best solution, Aliria had found, was to just try to sleep it off.
Once she was well enough to ride with Leneth, they set off back to Amur. This time, they were more cautious about riding, for they didn't know if Raven decided to stay close to his camp. And they didn't want any straggling Darkling soldiers finding them.
Aliria looked at a small pile with embers that still let off little puffs of smoke and glowed a pale orange.
So this is what he was talking about, Aliria thought sickly to herself as they past the burnt and brittle bones.
They continued on, leaving the bones of the dead behind.
The ride was rough, even rougher for Aliria. Every bump caused her to grit her teeth.
She tried not to show her pain to Leneth, but she often caught him looking at her with great concern when he thought she wasn’t paying any attention.
They rested often to feed and change the bandages, but continued their slow pace after an hour.
It took them five days before they left the forest and spotted the walls of Amur.
Apparently, Dalg had already heard of the attack at the camp; and the city had an air of depression looming over it. Not many people were outside when they rode through and the ones that were, were shuffling in a hurry.
The gates opened for them to the castle courtyard, they dismounted their horses, and entered the familiar corridor that leads into Dalgs conference chamber.
Two solemn looking guards nodded to them before opening the polished wood door.
The room was darker than it normally was; the black flames were only a dull glow and didn’t crackle as loudly.
Dalg was perched upon his throne, his elbow leaning against the arm rest and his head rested on his open palm. The white of his eyes were reddened his sagged. He sat up when he noticed the two.
“Haven’t gotten much sleep I see.” Leneth said as he approached him.
“Of course not, damn it!” Dalg growled. “It’s hard to sleep when the enemy is on your doorstep!”
Dalg sighed and messaged the bridge of his nose.
“Well?” Dalg asked impatiently. “What have you learned while away?” There was silence for quiet some time before Aliria spoke.
“Raven the Reclaimer has arrived on our shores, and not just Raven. He seems to have brought the entire Paladin army. We are not just dealing with the Paladins, but the Alorans as well.”
Silence once again filled the room, but not the kind of silence as before. It was the kind of silence that surrounds a dying rose, decaying in its glass case.
Dalgs face was knitted in a mix of confusion and frustration.
“Did he at least say something to you?” He asked, his voice a welcome in the hall of silence. Aliria nodded.
“He knew who I was.”
Dalg shook his head. “But why got to her, not Leneth?” Aliria heard him mutter under his breath before swearing crossly to himself. “Do you know how he found out about you?” He asked sharply.
“No.” She croaked hoarsely. Fever still veiled her eyes.
He waved his hand at her and Leneth. “Go.” He said sourly, covering his eyes with his hand. “I’ve had enough of this talk about Raven and Darklings. Go find that nursemaid you were so found of, what’s her name, Marianna, to dress your wounds and boil you some rags.”
She bowed swiftly before leaving Leneth to bare the weight of Dalgs questions.


((Before I post the next chapter,I need my readers oppinion. I am already into the final chapters of the book and at the part with Aliria and Dalg. Should I be clean and simple like 'And he slipped into her bed silently,' or give more details like,' He kissed her neck before laying ontop of her,pinning her arms up,and raped her.' Let me know which one YOU,the readers,prefer through comments on this chapter. Thanks.

(Don't get you hopes up pervs,I am only saying very little and not going into FULL detail... ninja ))