Rosie's Games

"Remove them from the infirmary, and bring another group of soldiers here," Rosalind commanded, her voice strained with exhaustion. Despite her own fatigue, she had no choice but to continue.

The Darkness had proven effective in healing the soldiers, but the battle was far from over. Their bodies remained weakened, requiring diligent care to ensure a full recovery.

Rosalind reclined in her chair, her face pale from the strain of channeling the Darkness. She closed her eyes, seeking a moment of respite amidst the chaos. However, the whispers persisted their urgent warnings echoing in her mind.

"Run... they are coming... run," the voice inside her head echoed.

She made no attempt to hide her torment. The relentless whispers had taken their toll on her, weakening not only her body but also her spirit. She took a deep breath, yearning for a brief moment of tranquility.

"Duchess, the leaders of the four families have arrived to discuss the situation," General Bohan informed her, his voice filled with concern.

"Tell them they must wait. I will summon them once I have finished healing the soldiers," Rosalind replied, her voice heavy with exhaustion.

Earlier, as she used her powers to heal the soldiers, something unexpected had occurred. Not only did her Darkness mend their wounds, but it also absorbed the mysterious darkness that plagued them. Rosalind pondered the implications, wondering if this newfound power posed any danger to herself.

To her surprise, the absorbed darkness had no immediate side effects. It neither inflicted her with painful memories nor caused her harm. Though it left her physically weakened, she felt a rapid recovery within her body, a rejuvenation unlike anything she had experienced before.

"General, fetch me a knife," Rosalind requested, her voice tinged with curiosity. "A dagger, if you will."

Without hesitation, General Bohan handed her a dagger, stepping aside to allow her space. Rosalind gripped the blade tightly and, without hesitation, made a deep cut across her palm. Astonishingly, the wound was sealed shut as soon as the blade drew blood.

A wave of exhilaration washed over her. The darkness from the disease possessed extraordinary properties, far more potent and substantial than her own. It felt dense, heavy, and yet she struggled to find the right words to describe it fully.

With renewed determination, Rosalind rose from her seat, wiping the sweat from her brow with a handkerchief. She focused on the soldiers before her, their lives in her hands once more.

Patient by patient, she channeled the darkness within her, mending their broken bodies until stability returned to their weakened forms. Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, but Rosalind persevered, driven by a sense of duty and a newfound curiosity.

As the last soldier stabilized, Rosalind sank back into her chair, her forehead glistening with perspiration. Using the handkerchief to dab away the sweat, she contemplated the darkness she had absorbed. What had begun as a simple term, darkness, now held a deeper meaning.

It possessed strength and potency she had not anticipated.

She closed her eyes, delving inward to examine her own body. Contrary to her expectations, she discovered herself in a state of prime physical condition.

Fatigue had dissipated, replaced by a sense of vitality she had not felt in years. The puzzle of her newfound abilities remained, leaving her with more questions than answers.

With a sigh, Rosalind resolved to unravel the mysteries that lay before her. She was determined to understand the nature of this darkness and its profound implications, for within its depths may lie the key to saving her people and securing the future of the duchy.

….

The atmosphere outside the infirmary crackled with tension, a stark contrast to the serenity within. The soldiers afflicted by the mysterious illness had been relocated to the garrisons for recovery, leaving the infirmary available exclusively for those who required treatment from the Duchess.

One would expect a sense of relief and joy at the soldiers' miraculous turnaround, but the reality painted a different picture.

Standing outside the infirmary, Queen Aurinda adorned in resplendent crimson garments confronted a hulking figure, a man with a massive axe and sword strapped to his back. Her voice dripped with authority as she addressed him, her eyes narrowing with intensity.

"Are you daring to refuse your Queen?" Queen Aurinda demanded, her words cutting through the air. "Let me make myself perfectly clear. I insist on seeing the Duchess, and yet you, Fabian Etonde, patriarch of the Etonde Family, along with the other great pillar families, dare to obstruct me?"

Arriane Madilu, leader of the Madilu family and the sole female among the four great family leaders, stepped forward in an attempt to diffuse the growing confrontation. A reassuring smile played upon her lips as she sought to calm the escalating situation.

"Your Majesty, we act out of concern for your safety," Arriane said, her voice a soothing balm. "The Duchess is presently recovering from healing nearly seventy soldiers..."

However, Fabian Etonde's demeanor lacked the same composure as Arriane's. Crossing his arms defiantly across his chest, he locked eyes with the Queen without a hint of fear.

"How dare you glare at our Queen!" one of the knights, positioned behind the Queen, moved to intervene, only to be halted by a raised hand, the Queen gesturing for him to stand down.

"Very well," the Queen declared, her voice laced with subtle determination. She had not anticipated facing such resistance from the four great families, yet she displayed no offense. Instead, a cryptic smile curved her lips as she met Fabian Etonde's unwavering gaze. "I shall await the Duchess's presence in the palace. Kindly ensure she comes to see me."

With that final statement, Queen Aurinda pivoted on her heel and departed. Dorothy, followed suit, trailing after the Queen with measured steps as they made their way out of the estate.

"My Queen, it appears that the audacity of the Rothley estate continues to grow with each passing day," remarked one of the knights, his voice tinged with concern.

The Queen nodded, her smile unwavering as she settled herself inside the waiting carriage. She extended an invitation for Lady Dorothy to join her, a silent acknowledgment of their shared experiences and the bond forged between them.

"I am well aware," the Queen responded, her tone carrying a mixture of conviction and intrigue. Her gaze lingered on the grand estate before her as the carriage began to move. The wheels crunched against the snow, and the Queen disappeared from view, leaving the Rothley estate behind.