OC-tember Day 5 - Throne
Thank you @oc-growth-and-development for the OC-tember prompts!
CW: panic attacks. PTSD.
This one focuses on Lorvain, Adiranâs eldest brother. Recovering from a nasty injury he received while fighting in the north, he sneaks off one night and finds himself alone in the throne room... (700 words)
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Lorvain hadnât set eyes on the Talveran thrones in almost two years.Â
Wincing, he limped his way into the grandiose hall, nodding to the guard stationed at the entrance. While clearly confused, the man saluted and made no attempt to stop him. And why would he? Lorvain was still the crown prince, despite the efforts of some. While he had no doubt the guard would inform the King and Queen of his visit come morning, at that precise moment, he just couldnât bring himself to care.Â
He was finding it harder and harder, of late. To care.
Nothing had changed. He had been sent away to the frozen north, held the line for over two years with meagre supplies and miserable soldiers, nearly lost a leg for all his efforts... and nothing here had changed. The polished floor - massive slabs of pale, rippled stone - remained just as spotless as he remembered. The weavelit chandelier, blazing like a silver sun, still hung proudly at the centre of the roomâs vaulted ceiling. The smaller weavelights, hung on walls and pillars in smokey casings to offset the harshness of the chandelier, continued to tint the air a softer honey-gold. Theyâd been fitted just before he was sent away. Just in time for the tournament season.
Lorvain had to stop halfway, pressing a shaking hand to one of the pillars that lined the hall from entry to dais. His right leg throbbed, burning beneath the freshly wrapped bandages. They reeked of alcohol and some kind of salve. The thaumist had almost killed herself, trying to undo the damage. Heâd watched, near-mindless with fever, as sheâd grit her teeth and pushed through the pain. As a larger tear had opened on her own thigh, hidden beneath the folds of her robe. Apparently heâd stopped her, when he noticed the dark, spreading stain. Demanded a physicker instead - bandages and salves - then immediately passed out.
Divider, he hoped she had stopped.
