After a much-needed, restful, and relaxing day and night, I woke up the next morning with Celest lying comfortably in my arms. I was still extremely sore, but that's what the wine is for. As I rose, I cracked open the blackjack and started chugging with power in my core. It spilled out of the side of my mouth, completely wetting my beard. The power of wine is immaculate, I thought, as I let out a thirsting grunt.
"Good morning, my love."
"Morning."
"Are you having a little early morning snack?"
"Yes, I was parched."
"Do you mind if I have a swig?"
"Certainly not, have at it," I told her, as she grabbed it out of my hands and chugged it like a woman.
"That is quite the scene… quite the scene indeed," I said, as she was chugging the life out of it.
Finally, she stopped and gasped for air, and said, "You like that?" as she winked at me.
"Very much so! What a woman you are." I said, with hearts in my eyes.
"Are you ready to head back home, or do you need a few hours?" she asked.
"No, I'm fine. I am not a tit sucker. I'm ready."
She looked like she was worried about what her father would make of this, and honestly, I was a little worried, as well. We have been gone for several days. So, the king is probably worried sick about Celest. He might even have thought we were dead. So, we need to haul ass and get back to the kingdom to ease his pain and suffering.
We then packed up, as I kicked the fire out and set course for Greengrass. There was a downpour of rain falling from the dark clouds above, coming down like hellfire. The sound of tapping hooves let us know we were alive, as we looked at each other, riding hard side by side… her hair was blowing in the whistling winds, as she turned her head and smiled at me.
After a few hours of a painful ride back, we reached the gates of the kingdom and dropped off our horses at the stables, then walked up as the guards yelled out, "OPEN THE GATES AND GET THE KING!" as Celest let me lean on her shoulder for support.
Everyone gathered around on the main street near the entrance. The king came running down towards us. "CELEST!!! ALEX!! Goodness gracious!! What has happened? Erny! Tend to Ser Alex!"
Erny, the doctor, instructed me to lie down on the gurney, and the guards will take me to the hospital. As I was being carried away by the guards, I heard Celest telling her father everything that happened, as I drifted off into a restful daze…
A couple of hours rolled by, as I lay in the hospital, numbed up with opium, but slightly in pain. I felt relieved and mellow as I took the opium. There was a shortage of pain after, as my body began to feel nothing. I was tired… so tired. My glitchy vision was slow and jumpy as the king came to visit me.
"My dear boy, you are a hero of the kingdom… I am sorry this has happened to you. Greengrass shall forever be in your favor, and they shall sing and chant tales of your bravery, your name shall live on so long as this kingdom shall stand tall! I left your coin in your quarters. Thank you from me, my family, and the people of the kingdom, Ser Alex!"
I couldn't speak from the ill effects of the opium and its overwhelming high, but I was grateful for the king's words, I thought, as I drifted off.