Words of others filtered through the air, through the chaos, filtered into Fiona’s thoughts but she was spinning, trapped by the dizzying number of gophers that wandered through the room, lazed at her feet. Their chattering joined the din of the rest of the conversations filling the space around her, but she did not hear them. Did not hear the strange grey mare asking for healers, nor Asterion as the King stepped up to aid.
No, their voices did not lift her eyes until Atreus spoke her name, and then their gazes were meeting and her lashes fluttered and her fevered skin flushed even more. It took her a moment to straighten her thoughts, long enough for Israfel to step up and for her bonded to become ablaze in an effort to warm the poor creature that the Theodosia had carried in on her back. Although the gopher appeared to be in good hands she knew the one thing it would need when it roused was a drink. Dehydration was a concern, especially if they did not know how long it had been trapped.
Fiona turned, trying not to trip over her wavering, quivering legs, and made her way toward the food and drinks that had been laid out for those gathered. The lavender and ivory girl carefully filled a small bowl, and holding it tightly, returned to the group clustered around the gopher where she set it down gently so that it could drink from it when it woke. Then she stepped back, drawing away again, and saw the other creatures digging holes in the floor with great speed and power.
She wanted to plead please, please stop. What were they doing? Why were the gophers ruining their home? What can I do to make you stop? and yet she could think of nothing. Would they have brought these creatures here, sheltered them, giving aid to one of their own, only for them to destroy the court?
No, their voices did not lift her eyes until Atreus spoke her name, and then their gazes were meeting and her lashes fluttered and her fevered skin flushed even more. It took her a moment to straighten her thoughts, long enough for Israfel to step up and for her bonded to become ablaze in an effort to warm the poor creature that the Theodosia had carried in on her back. Although the gopher appeared to be in good hands she knew the one thing it would need when it roused was a drink. Dehydration was a concern, especially if they did not know how long it had been trapped.
Fiona turned, trying not to trip over her wavering, quivering legs, and made her way toward the food and drinks that had been laid out for those gathered. The lavender and ivory girl carefully filled a small bowl, and holding it tightly, returned to the group clustered around the gopher where she set it down gently so that it could drink from it when it woke. Then she stepped back, drawing away again, and saw the other creatures digging holes in the floor with great speed and power.
She wanted to plead please, please stop. What were they doing? Why were the gophers ruining their home? What can I do to make you stop? and yet she could think of nothing. Would they have brought these creatures here, sheltered them, giving aid to one of their own, only for them to destroy the court?
