Page 78 of Gryphon’s Fire

Jima blew out a relieved breath. “I’m glad I found her. It wasn’t as easy as I hoped it would be. Sorry it took me so long to contact you. I’ll bet you were getting worried.”

“I was,” Keir answered. “But I had faith in your abilities.”

Jima’s blush intensified. A knock at the door saved him some embarrassment. “Food!” Jima hopped off the bed and ran to the door, flinging it open and practically attacking the poor servant. “Goddess, this is good,” Jima mumbled through a mouthful of baked chicken.

I thanked the gobsmacked servant and sent them on their way. When I turned around, Keir was no longer on the bed. I caught a glimpse of the dragging blanket pass through the bathroom door and followed. When I entered, Keir was already naked, bent over and testing the temperature of the water. The tub was nearly full and evidently satisfactory. Keir turned off the tap. He started to step into the tub, his movements wobbly.

Darting forward, I caught his arm, steadying him. “Careful,” I lightly scolded. “You’re still a little shaky.”

“Thank you,” Keir answered as I eased him down into the water. Immediately, the clear water turned rusty brown. Frowning at the fluid, Keir sighed. “Perhaps a shower to begin with would have been more prudent.”

I reached for the soap and sponge. “You can step into the shower after you’ve soaked.” Any residual blood would be washed away then. “How is your side?” From what I’d seen during the fight, Keir’s side had taken the brunt of the damage and was where the majority of the blood came from.

“Sore, but no longer bleeding,” Keir answered. “I thought the wound was deeper than it appears to be.”

I nodded with understanding. “Long but not deep.”

“Exactly. The amount of blood made it seem worse, but that was simply due to surface area.”

It was and wasn’t easy speaking of Keir’s wounds in such a clinical way. Doing so allowed me to dissociate from the situation. Giving my emotions free rein would hinder my ability to help.

“Can you lean forward?” I asked after I’d finished scrubbing Keir’s front side. With a grunt, he complied. The sponge was soft, and the soap had a light, citrus scent that cleaned away the sweat and dirt of a battle hard-fought and won.

Keir was silent, and I allowed him to set the tone. He would talk when ready. My patience was rewarded when Keir said, “He left a crown of my father’s feathers for me to wear.”

I continued wiping Keir’s back, sluicing water over the damaged flesh. “Not surprising considering the feathers he wore himself.”

Keir’s head whipped toward me. “What feathers?”

I wasn’t surprised he hadn’t noticed. Keir had so much on his mind, and he’d needed his focus. In a way, I was glad he hadn’t recognized his mother’s feathers. “Lady Usha noticed. Of course, Jaakobah claimed he wore your mother’s feathers as a sign of respect.”

Keir’s sharp inhale caught in his throat. Eyes wide and glistening with fresh tears, Keir started to push himself out of the bath. I pushed him back down, splashing water all over the tiles. He tried again, getting frustrated. “We need to get them back,” Keir nearly wailed. “Mother’s feathers. They’ll burn Jaakobah’s body. Mother’s feathers shouldn’t be tainted with his ashes.”

Still applying gentle, yet steady pressure on Keir’s shoulder, I held him in place. “Lady Usha already took care of it.”

Keir’s wide eyes blinked. “Are you certain?”

“Positive. I saw it with my own two eyes.” As I’d walked Keir from the field, I’d seen Lady Usha lean over Jaakobah’s body and tear the feathered crown from his bloody hair. No doubt Lady Usha would clean the feathers of Jaakobah’s blood as well.

Keir finally relaxed, but I was dismayed to see his quivering had intensified. “Good.” Keir licked his dry and cracked lips before repeating, “That’s good.” Shaking his head, Keir stared into the dirtied water. “I didn’t even notice. I should have.”

“I’m glad you didn’t,” I answered. “Lady Usha was livid enough for the both of you.”

Keir’s lips twisted into a ghost of a smile. “I’ll bet she was.”

“I would not wish to cross her.”

“No. Trust me, that doesn’t end well.” Keir spoke with the voice of experience.

Silence filled the room again and when Keir spoke, I had to lean forward to hear him. “I keep telling myself it’s over, but is it really?” Keir’s gaze caught mine and I couldn’t look away. “Did I just create a martyr?”

I leaned against the tub, my forearms resting on its edge as my fingertips skimmed the warm water. “I am uncertain,” I honestly answered. “From what I understand, Jaakobah had many followers. I suppose it depends on several factors. Is there anyone left with similar leadership qualities to organize those remaining? The response of other flights will also impact the future. They must present a united front. They must give Jaakobah’s teachings no quarter and must deny their validity. The narrative will be important. Jaakobah was a villain. He must not be allowed to be written as the victim.”

Keir’s shoulders sagged as his body leaned forward. “I don’t know how else it could have ended. Not if I wanted to save Phina and clear Eldon’s name. Not if…” Keir shook his head. “The flight needed to be freed, but I doubt many will feel that way.”

“No, probably not. At least not right now. Perhaps in time.” Not that that would be easy. Some would never be able to see or believe the truth.

Keir sank chin-deep into the water. “What I told Grandmother is true. I have no interest in taking over Father’s flight. Even if…even if the majority of its members actually wanted me to. This is no longer my home.”