I rushed behind my babysitting charges. I did not want to lose them today of all days. The city brimming with unfamiliar people in town to see their champion provided excellent cover for anyone with a nefarious motive.
Lady Calista hiked up her skirts to run down the steps, not even bothering with decorum in the slightest. Princess Alina scurried behind her at a more controlled pace. If the two had been alone inside the palace, I would not question them both using the handrail as a slide to hasten their progress.
The palace doctor insisted that the tournament pitch a tent for his use just outside the arena. I do not think the extra distance to the castle infirmary would have made the difference between life or death, but deciding such things was beyond my power.
Personally, I think the doctor liked seeing the combat close at hand. A tent on the outskirts gave him a chance to view the fights without being accused of neglecting his duties.
Calista bobbed and weaved through the crowds of spectators that were beginning to vacate the stands. Alina kept on her heels. I trailed behind the two ladies, keeping an eye out for anything unusual.
As we reached the tent, we were met with a castle guard that I recognized. He often held a post watching over the queen.
"Your Highness, Lord Holden, Lady Calista," The man said, bowing his head.
"Hello Alejo," Princess Alina greeted the man. "We wish to check on Lord Jacobson. Is he inside?"
"Yes, Your Highness. However I do not think it prudent for young ladies to go barging into a medical tent." The guard gave his opinion boldly considering his audience.
As if to emphasize his point, a moan of pain came from the other side of the flap.
"I have to agree." If this guard was bold enough to state his mind, I should be too.
I saw the girls exchange a look. In my experience with these ladies in particular, that exchange probably meant trouble for me.
"Quite right. Lord Holden, would you be so kind as to go check on the status of Lord Jacobson for us? It would mean a great deal to me. I am sure we will be safe under Alejo's watchful protection." Princess Alina did not command me, but she may as well have.
I heaved a sigh and opened the tent flap, not even bothering with a verbal response. I knew whatever arguments I might present would just delay the inevitable.
My eyes adjusted quickly to the lower light inside the tent. In front of me I saw several cots, more of which were filled than I expected.
I found my brother at the furthest of the cots from the entrance. My mother had him cornered giving him a thoroughly embarrassing tirade about being careful.
Upon seeing me enter, he pulled the cord that kept a bedsheet from blocking off his area from view. The sheet fell concealing my mother and brother. I wonder if he realized her voice carried through the thin fabric.
I suspect he wanted to be scolded in privacy, but the action also allowed me more time to examine the makeshift infirmary for the man I was sent to find before my mother saw me.
Sir Chalmers laid on the next cot, reeling in pain complaining of a headache. I found it too convenient for a man who just lost a match to have a debilitating headache. Maybe the remedy for such an ailment could be found in a speech from his Swordsman.
Lord Jacobson sat on the next bed with his foot propped up on a pillow. A bandage wrapped a splint around his entire shin.
"Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate your help, but I really do think that Sir Gavin could use more of your attention." Lord Jacobson insisted.
"It is nothing, Lord Jacobson. A Swordsman is of much more importance to our nation than I am. I simply moved poorly. That is why I moaned." Sir Gavin tried to back pedal out of getting an examination from the doctor.
"That was not a simple moan. I could hear it from outside the tent." I cut in. This golden child needed to learn to advocate for himself and not just for what he thinks is best for the country.
"I must agree. Especially if it is what I think it is." The doctor motioned Sir Gavin toward the final cot near the door.
"What do you think it is?" Lord Jacobson questioned.
"Sir Gavin knows what I think," The doctor said cryptically. He gave Gavin a knowing glance and Gavin dipped his head. Whatever the doctor suspected was correct.
Gavin moved toward the cot without any further resistance. Once seated he looked around at the now crowded tent uncomfortably.
It was almost as if he was looking for the same cord my brother pulled, but being the cot closest to the door, no such cord existed. If he wanted to sequester himself from Lord Jacobson, he could, but being next to the only exit there was no privacy from an open tent flap if anyone should walk in.
"Please remove your shirt." the doctor instructed.
Sir Gavin removed his armor and carefully complied with the doctor's wishes. Even before he took off his final layer, I could see the red through the shirt.
Gavin turned his back more toward the doctor, revealing a heinous gash that had various amounts of scarred and healed skin around a single arrow wound. Blood seeped from a spot that looked like it had been sewn together before today.
"Did I do that?" Sir Jacobson hesitantly vocalized.
"No!" Sir Gavin responded emphatically.
"You're not to blame. Your parade guests are. Sir Gavin, I told you that last stitch needed more time to heal!" The doctor responded.
Just then the tent flap was thrown back in a huff. Princess Alina and Lady Calista thrust themselves into the tent.
"What is taking so long…" Calista's question trailed off as both ladies stared at the marred back in front of them.