Cinderfella

Story: Cinderfella 2: A New Life

Chapter: 10 The Attack

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

Freedom of expression is precious. To do that Nifty needs help. Your donation is greatly desired. Give to http://donate.nifty.org/ or this story ends and all the others! That would be a crime!

A'Dore is attacked, but the manner of the attack no one is prepared for.

The Attack

It's just how the world works. You have new crisis arise to overcome, but after's it's settled and fine, another crop up. Candor wouldn't be coming back. That much I knew. And things calmed down. Seth and I were fine.

One night Seth and I were doing our nightly hot bath after the children were in bed asleep...and other things. When I heard a bell ring.

I pushed away from Seth a little. "If that's Demetrius come on, if Dara, wait for a second," I said getting the drying cloth, and since no one came, I gathered it was Dara. Seth dried off as well. We put on our trousers before I looked up. "Okay."

Dara appeared. "Forgive me, but..." she said sadly. "Ella wanted you to have this immediately." She handed me a note.

I took the note and saw my sister-in-law's elegant script.

Christian was in contact with a man who died and passed on whatever he had to Christian. Christian's dying. You have to come.

My heart sank upon reading this. Literally, the news sunk like a stone in my gut and all strength went out of my legs. I sat on the bedside suddenly. "He can't die!"

Seth frowned taking the note and read, then sat down suddenly, too. He looked at Dara. "How long does he have?"Dara shook her head. "Days. No more than a week."

I was instantly in motion. I had to get to A'Dore!

Seth grabbed me quickly. "Erik, you can't just leave." He pleaded knowing how I'd react.

I looked at Seth surprised. "I don't have a choice. I have got to see him."

Seth nodded. "I know, but we have children. We can't take off like this and I won't let you go alone." He shook his head. "Even if we find someone to take the boys, even if we don't take the carriage and ride full out, it will take over a week."

I walked closer to Seth. "I have to go. This is Christian!" I felt the tears start. "He's my brother. But he is so much more, don't you know that? When I was growing up, Christian was my hero. He was strong, brave...then when our father died. He became so much more, not only my brother but a father. As the years passed, he became my best friend. There's only one other man I love more, that's you and you know that, too, but it's different. I have to go. We're made from the same two parents; he is part of me. If I can do nothing, I have to go!" I repeated. "I can't choose between you two, please don't ask me to stay." I was crying more now. "Think if it were Sam. Would you not go?"

Seth nodded bringing me close to him hugging me. "I would, but we can't leave the boys with anyone, not for that long. You can't go alone. If something happens, I don't want to raise them alone. I couldn't." Then he looked at Dara. "Ella said Christian got this.... whatever from a man that visited A'Dore. Can Erik get it?"

Dara nodded. "Yes."

"We have children Christian's never even seen!" I wailed. "He's just in his early thirties!"

Seth looked to Dara. "I know you can turn things into carriages, you can do some amazing things. You can't get us to A'Dore quickly? Is there something we can do to prevent Erik from getting sick, too?"

"The magic won't let us take you like we travel," Dara said sadly, pleading for us to understand. "There is something we can do to prevent Erik from getting sick."

I had a thought. "The magic won't." I nodded. Then looked up. "Demetrius!"

Demetrius did his entrance through the wall. "Even combined, we can't transport you. You know this all too well."

I nodded. "But Lukus showed Arthur a substance we've not known before. Is there something...technology wise that can get us there quicker? It doesn't have to be magic."

"There is. I'll ask Lukus." Demetrius said nodding and vanished.

I looked around the room. How would I do this if there was nothing to get me there faster?

"What does he need to prevent Erik from getting sick, too?" Seth asked Dara.

Dara waved her hand and this thing, it looked odd. Something to fit over what hadto be a person's face. It had flimsy material over a part that allowed air in. "There are things in this world, so tiny they can't be seen by the eye alone. Christian got those things and that is what's killing him. This will allow you to breathe, but won't let those creatures in. When you finish visiting, you must bath immediately each time. Understand?"

But I was distracted, so Seth walked over to me. "Did you hear her, Erik?"

I nodded. "I heard. I've got to get ready."

Seth stopped me again from hurrying off. "For what? If you ride, you'll need supplies. Wait until Demetrius comes back to know what he has to say."

Wait? I have never been so impatient in all my life. If there was something that would work; fine. If not I was wasting travel time; time just seemed to crawl by before Demetrius and Lukus appeared.

"Is there a way to get me there quicker, or do I head out now?" I asked them as soon as I saw them.

Lukus nodded. "There is a way." He took a deep breath, "But it involves accessing a kind of science rather than magic. We've used with others in the past, we don't even understand how it works, not really. It is ancient science." He waved his hand and a mirror appeared on a wall. "This is a doorway."

I frowned at the mirror. It was tall and wide like a full-length mirror that allowed a person to see his whole self in reflection. It was framed in a gold frame, but there were four jeweled crystal-like stones about the size of a small plate one puts those delicate china coffee cups on, one on either side, the top, and the bottom. "I don't understand."

Lukus nodded. "Because I haven't told you. Don't ask me how, but it's not magic in the sense you've seen us use. Let's say, it just creates a door between distances, so distance don't exist, but it comes at a price."

"A price?" Seth asked. "What price?"

Demetrius walked over. "The price is...we can never come back here. That means me, Dara and Lukus."

"To us? Or just me?" I asked.

Dara smiled sadly. "That means you, Ella, Christian and Seth." She put her hand on my arm. "I know how much Christian means to you. We understand."

"But Erik. People die." Demetrius said softly. "Nothing will stop that. Even if you stop this one, another death will happen, to you, Seth, Ella, and Christian. It's part of life."

I heard him, but I didn't want to. "So, why bring this?" I waved at the mirror angrily. "I go, he dies anyway, but I can see him!? You know I have to see him!"

Dara swatted Demetrius in irritation. "Give him the vial!"

Demetrius nodded. "I will, woman!" He growled. He held his hand out. A glass vial appeared. Inside it was a liquid of...I had no idea. It was not clear like water. A slight cloudy look and it glowed, "With those creatures in his body. His body needs to fight off those tiny creatures. The body can, but it requires great strength. This," he waggled the vial, "won't cure him, but it will give him the strength to allow his body to cure itself as intended."

Seth had listened as all this was explained. "But it will work."

Demetrius gave a shrugging nod. "It will give him a much better chance." Then he looked sad again, "But we won't come back if you take these...chances." Then he got a needle out. "And I'll need a portion of your blood."

"My blood? Why?"

"Because you and Christian have the same blood. You were created by the same two people, therefore the same blood. Any blood would do, but your blood, Erik, will give the liquid a model that will work for Christian...better than anyone else's blood. This liquid has preservative powers and will give Christian's body the idea of what Christian's blood should be." Demetrius said reaching forward with the needle and jabbed my finger. As the blood pooled, he tipped my finger over the vial. That single drop made it turn a little pink, but it still glowed.

Then Demetrius held the vial up. "And you have to give it to Christian. No one else."

I nodded but took the vial. "So, how does this doorway work?"

Lukus nodded and vanished with Dara.

"They're going to give your sister her mirror," Demetrius said. "In order to work, there has to be two of these mirrors. Which I should say, there are only two in the Universe I know of. You have one and now Ella and Christian have the other. Ella has to know, as well. That's why Dara went with Lukus to explain what's about to happen."

Then I saw the reflection in the mirror change. It blurred, then solidified and I was looking at another room. Not a reflection of the room we were in but seeing in a totally different room. Then I recognized it. "That's Christian's and Ella's room in A'Dore," I said walked up to the glass and put my hand on its surface.

Demetrius nodded. "That's right."

My eyes widened as I saw Ella approach the mirror with Dara. "Ella!"

"Oh, Erik!" I could see her say it, but I couldn't hear her. She looked terrible. She'd been crying for a while and looked as if she hadn't slept in days. I watched as Dara pointed to the mirror and to say something to Ella.

"Dara's explaining what I'm going to explain to you," Demetrius said to me. "In order to hear, you need to touch these two crystals." He pointed to the ones on the side, but then motioned for me to do it.

Touching each, the crystals, gems.... whatever; they began to glow. Then I heard Dara speaking to Ella just as she appeared only a few feet away.

"...and do this whenever you want to just speak to Erik or Seth," Dara explained. "Touch the left one to see, the right one to hear."

"But to go through this doorway, you have to touch the upper and lower ones," Demetrius said. "You can do it from either side. Then they can come to you..." he looked at me again. "...or you can go to them."

I was feeling a little better as if this was going to work. Hope. "Why didn't you tell me about this before?"

Demetrius frowned. "Because I didn't want to lose you." He confessed. "When you do this, we'll be gone." He looked at his wife. "None of us wanted to lose either of you."

Ella nodded. "But if we don't, Christian will die." She said. "Why not give me the vial?"

Dara shook her head. "I'm sure Demetrius told Erik, only he can give it and have it work and have the best chance of working. He and Christian are made of the same stuff. They are products of the same parents. It wouldn't work as well if I gave it to you to give Christian. What's in that vial is basically Erik, therefore Christian."

Demetrius shook his head. "It's a special kind of fluid. Created by God himself, I suppose. Supposedly it's made from the juice of the Forbidden Fruit." He shrugged. "But since you're already living in sin, what harm can it do further?" Then he smiled. "I've never heard of anyone getting more knowledge of good or evil as it was written in the Bible, but it has special properties that will boost his strength. In Adam's and Eve's case it gave the means of having their own will. He'll need that to get rid of those creatures."

Seth shook his head. "This is ridiculous!" He said irritated. "These rules, who makes them up? This doesn't sound like a God that I read about."

Demetrius smiled and shrugged. "There are a lot of rules and restrictions imposed by God. For what purpose, only He knows about."

Seth wasn't satisfied but went on. "So, if we use this...doorway, you can't return to us? Not ever? Why?"

Demetrius shrugged. "That's just understood. That's why we haven't done it before. We know it's true."

"But know this," Dara added. "This must remain quiet. No one outside the family is to know about the doorway. Keep it covered, in the attic...out of sight."

"If happened on by someone, it will just be a mirror. If touched in front of people, there will be problems. After you use it now, I'll move it to the attic. Almost no one goes up there for now." Lukus said from A'Dore's side.

"We'll come back through it up in the attic," I said taking the vial. "But all we have to touch these crystals."

Lukus nodded. "That's right."

Now, I was impatient to go but sad that I'd never see any of them again. "Is there a limit? Only me? Can Seth go?"

Dara chuckled. "Of course. And the boys, but they must be sworn to secrecy. If you can get a two-year-old to understand secrecy, but most people don't understand sign language anyway. And Dennis talking, but not understandable yet. We're good for now."

I nodded. "Okay."

Seth looked at me. "I'll get the boys." He said and walked out of our room.

I looked at Demetrius. "I hate I'll lose you, but I can't just be here and not do something and let him die."

Demetrius nodded. "I understand." Then he grabbed me in a tight hug. "I'll be watching, but..." he smiled. "I won't be delivering messages anymore. You won't need to use them with the doorway." He chuckled as a tear formed. "But you need to give Christian this as soon as possible to better his chances."

"And he needs to consume it all." Dara clarified. "Every drop."

"When his fever ends, the little things inside him will be gone," Demetrius explained. "But until he does, wear this breather and wash your hands after you see him. I won't be able to bring you more liquid to cure you. So, don't catch it."

"And be careful with the doorway. The mirror can break and if that happens, it won't work anymore." Lukus warned. Then he vanished and reappeared in Seth's and my room. He hugged me. "This family has been very interesting the past decades. I'll miss you."

Seth came in carrying Dennis and leading Toby by the hand. Toby yawned, having been woken up. He spotted Ella in the mirror and his eyes widened. He waved and signed to Ella.

"Hello, Toby." Ella greeted. "You'll be coming here in a minute." Then she hugged Dara. "I'll never forget what you've done for me. I have a wonderful life because of what you did for me." Then she looked at Demetrius and Lukus. "All of you, though I just met you Lukus."

Lukus nodded and shrugged. "Your loss." He smiled.

I was about to approach the mirror. "Wait," I said. "You didn't say you wouldn't come back for Toby or Dennis."

Demetrius quickly held his finger up to his lips and waved us down with his other hand, "Shh! Don't say that too loud and remind Him." He grinned pointing straight up toward Heaven and God.

I nodded understanding. "I see." I grinned. He wasn't gone. He'd be back. I won't really lose him. I reached down and lifted Toby. "Let's go. Your Uncle Christian is very sick. I need to give him some medicine."

I reached up and pressed the crystals and below. Nothing changed.

"Reach through. When you're there they will stop glowing and it will be a mirror again until they're touched again." Demetrius smiled. "Have a good life." Then he vanished, I saw Lukus, and Dara vanish.

I did reach out and was shocked when my hand didn't hit the glass, Seth touching me to be sure we don't split up, but I reached into Christian's and Ella's room. I was stepping up and into the room in A'Dore.

"I need to leave someone a note here," Seth said quickly, making me pause while putting Dennis down and wrote a quick note with the quill and ink. Then picked up Dennis and followed me cautiously.

Ella had held back, but once we were in the room, she rushed at me. "Oh, Erik, thank God! Christian's so sick."

I nodded. "I'm going to him." I gave Toby to her. Then I had the breather and vial. "I'll wash in his room as I leave. What room is he in?"

"Down the hall to the left," Ella said, her tone was to hurry. "Seth knows where your quarters are in the palace."

I rushed down the hall, where I saw a bunch of men waiting outside a door in the corridor. One man looked up surprised as I came rushing up.

"Prince Erik!" The elderly doctor said. "But you're in Blethos! How..."

"Later!" I smiled to be polite but passed him.

"Wait, Your Highness!" The man reached to grab me. "Your brother's illness will certainly kill you!" He shouted as I pushed past them.

"I know!" I shouted back but went into the room. Christian was all alone in this huge bed. There was a thin veil over the bed, but underneath was my brother that I saw through the sheer material. Putting the breather on before entering, I was disgusted with what I saw. He was so pale, but the horror was his bedding had not been changed, but I suppose that was because no one here wanted to die to do it. How were these little creatures kept to just Christian? But he was alive. I sat on the bedside and touched his fevered brow. "Hi, Christian." I wept as I said his name.

He blinked and turned his head. His eyes tried to focus on me which widened as he saw me.

"It's me. Your brother Erik."

He shook his head. "You can't...be...here. You'll...die." But I saw in his face that he was still trying to protect me. He had no strength to push me away.

"No, I won't." I shook my head. "I got help from Demetrius." I held the vial up. "This will help. He told me that little creatures have invaded your body. This will help you get rid of them." I moved so I could get him to sit up. "You must drink all of it," I said moving the vial to his cracked lips. "Please, Christian. I won't let you die."

He blinked a few times, then nodded. Then I held the vial to his fevered, chapped lips as he drank the liquid. I made sure he took every drop as I had been instructed. He gasped as he finished the vial. "Tiny creatures? They must be extremely small."

"So small we can't see them. We have seen ants so small they appear as mere dots that move on the ground. Why not something even smaller?" I explained. "This mask keeps me from getting them in me. I'm not leaving you, Christian. I'd never leave you. I will do anything to keep you from leaving us."

Christian smiled. "I know. I love you, Erik. Please don't get these...whatever."

"I love you, too. I'm doing all I can not to get them, but you have to have help." I said as now there were tears coming down my face. "You have to fight these things." I could smell the urine and sweat. "But we're going to make you more comfortable. I'll wash you up and change the bed and your clothing."

I was pleased when I went into the bathroom and saw that Christian had those copper tanks installed. I lit the flame under the water tank and let the tank heat up. Then cracked the door open. "I want soap. I want it now." I said. "Clean sheets and fresh night clothes for Christian to wear." All I got were unbelieving stares. "Don't make me get all imperial on your asses. Do it now!! Move!!" I stopped again. "Oh, and Doctor, bring me that stuff you gave me to reduce fever. That Aspi-willow stuff. And don't worry, I'll give it to him." I almost never did that. I pointed at who was supposed to be the royal physician as I instructed. "We'll talk about how I found my brother later. Count on it."

"But Sire!" The man paled. "Anyone going in there gets a death sentence!"

I pointed to the breather. "Not if you take precautions. A man of your knowledge doesn't know this?" I slammed the door shut. I was angry. Not at the doctor, but just angry. I'd apologize later. It wasn't his fault they didn't know about these little creatures. I don't think anyone human did. It took only a few moments before there was a knock on the door. A servant I hadn't met was bringing the tray of steaming soup and bread. When she saw the breather and she gasped in terror at what she saw.

"I'm Prince Erik, King Christian's brother. I'm perfectly human." I sighed as I took the tray and thanked her.

"I'm not Ell, but I'm going to feed you now, okay?" I said softly.

He looked at me weakly. "How is Ella?"

"She's very scared," I said honestly. "She doesn't want to lose you. You're the most important person in her life. And I don't want to lose you either."

He smiled at that and nodded. "But she's okay? No symptoms?"

I shook my head. "Not that I saw. She'd cried a lot and looked very un-Ella-like." I smiled, he seemed to have a little more strength now. That fluid seemed to be working. "I'll show her how to breath with this thing and she can come in."

"No!!" Christian stated firmly shaking his head. "She can't see me like this!"

I nodded pushing him back. "Relax. I mean, I'll feed you, clean you up, change the bed and then I'll let her come in." Then I grinned. "If you're good."

He grinned. "You're liking this, aren't you? Telling a king what to do."

I chuckled. "It will go down as one of the highlights of my life." I pulled him easily up to sit up more. "Let's sit up a little. You look a little stronger. The fluid seems to be working, but that could just be wishful thinking."

Christian looked instantly puzzled. "How did you get here? Had you left to visit before? Demetrius didn't give me a message telling me you were coming."

I nodded patiently. "Well, there was a price for getting me here as quickly as I got here. There is no more Demetrius, Dara or Lukus."

Christian looked surprised. "Why?"

"That's how I got here so fast." I placed the bowl on the side of the bed and dipped the spoon. "I'll explain later, but you have to get well. You have two nephews you haven't met here as well."

Christian smiled at that. "They're here, too? And Seth?"

"All here." I nodded again. "I'd kiss you, but I can't until you get rid of these creatures." I waved at him.

"I feel stronger," Christian said smiling. "What was that stuff?"

I grimaced, hesitant to tell him. "It's supposed to be made from the juice of the Forbidden Fruit."

"What!?" Christian balked, "What Eve gave Adam!?"

I nodded. "Even Demetrius said it was supposed to be. I don't think he knows what it is either, but I can't ask him now. It seems to be working."

Christian thought about it for a few minutes. "It didn't taste like apple."

I rolled my eyes. "The Bible never said it was an apple." I took the spoon to his mouth. "Shut up and eat this."

Christian smiled. "Bossy."

I nodded again with a grin. "I learned from the best!"

The water was ready, so I got a wash basin and filled it with hot water now available. I helped him up a little more and undressed him. He was stronger but still weak. I cleaned him up from head to toe. Placed him in a chair covering him with a blanket as I heard a knock on the door again.

Taking the Aspir-willow, clothing, and sheets. I gave him the Aspir-willow, helped him in the nightshirt and changed the bed. Then, he was exhausted. Putting him back in a clean bed. I pulled the covers back up and lay him back down then I lay beside him. This was my brother. He had been my role model, not only for me but for Seth. There were many qualities I saw in Seth that Christian had. I admit it, I loved Christian. A part of me may even be in love with Christian. But who isn't a little in love with their hero? He meant more to me than he should perhaps, but I loved and was in love with Seth, but I loved and needed Christian for other reasons. I need Christian alive. I would not let him die.

What were the little creatures? No one else seemed to be sick, but that man and then Christian were the only ones I knew of. How did that happen? If just breathing the same air made a person sick, who else was sick? I needed answers. For now, Christian was going to get better.

I stayed by Christian's side most of that night and much into the next day. While he slept I did go and asked those at the door to make space in the hall. I needed to bath and see my husband who had to be worried in a way I hoped I'd never know. I didn't know much about these tiny creatures, but I wasn't taking the chance that one could go from me to someone else as I passed. I used another bedroom the palace used for guests and had some clean clothes for me delivered. Bathed and put what I'd worn there to the side of the room. These little creatures...I didn't know how they lived or how long. Would washing be enough? Would my clothes need to be destroyed? I bathed in water that was almost too hot, but would that be enough? After bathing, I dressed and went into the hall and was immediately grabbed by Seth who hugged me so tightly.

"I heard you were bathing." Seth said holding me back to look at me. "I had to see you. Are you okay? Is Christian getting better? How is he?"

I saw Ella come up behind us also looking worried.

I nodded. "He's alive." I assured them. "And that fluid seems to be working. He's stronger, but without the Aspri-Willow he's still a little feverish. So those things are still in him, but Christian seems to be fighting them. He's winning."

Ella just put her head in her hands and wept a little in relief.

I kissed Seth. "I'm fine. Nothing aching or attacking me."

"Can I see him?" Ella asked.

I nodded. "He wants to, believe me, but he wants to get rid of those things completely before he does." I touched my sister-in-law's hand. "He doesn't want to risk you getting those things. I can understand how that would be his whole focus." I shook my head. "But why was it he only got it? How did you escape?" I asked Ella.

She shook her head. "He met with a man from Parisia. He wasn't showing the symptoms at first. And I got a bad cold, so to keep from giving it to Christian, I slept apart from him...to get rid of the cold before we came together again."

I nodded. "This may be the only time a cold saved a person's life. And the lives of your children, but no one else in the kingdom has these things?"

Ella shook her head. "The man was staying here in the palace. When he got sick, it happened so quickly. How these creatures only were given to Christian, I don't know."

I nodded. "If I didn't know better, it almost sounds like an attack on Christian."

"But why?" Seth frowned asking. "Who?"

I shrugged. "That's what we need to find out." I said hugging him again. "How are the boys?"

Seth smiled. "Having a great time with their cousins."

I looked at Ella's distraught face. "He's getting stronger, Ella. I know he'll pull through. I can't imagine what it would be like to have Seth sick and not be able to touch him. This has got to be so hard for you."

She was back to being a queen. She raised her head and smiled. "If it means he lives, that's all that matters."

I nodded kissing her on the cheek. "He will. I'll do all I can to make sure he does." I turned to Seth. "Now, I want to see Toby and Dennis."

Seth grinned. "I know they want to see you." He pointed down the corridor and led the way. When we were out of earshot of Ella, he turned to me. "Do you think this was an attack?" He asked me.

I shrugged as we continued down the corridor. "It almost seems so. We'll know more when we talk to Christian more."

I entered the playroom with my nieces and nephews. I was instantly hugged on the leg by Toby. Dennis was babbling at me, trying to stand already to come over. He instead gave up and crawled to me. I hugged Toby and walked over to pick up Dennis. That was tricky, holding one while trying to get them both. I ended sitting down so I wouldn't drop either. Toby's hands were going quickly to tell me something and I missed most of what he said. Where had I been? That I got.

"Okay." I said to them both. "I have a brother, like you two have. Daddy has one, too. Only my brother got sick. I had to help him. I gave him medicine to make him strong to get better. That's where I've been." I explained.

Toby signed again. Is he better?

I nodded. "He's getting there. I think he will be soon. Until then, be good for Daddy and I'll be back with you soon. I promise."

Thomas walked over. You could see him trying to be as adult as he could be. "You got here so fast. How did you do that?"

I looked at Seth. Then back to my nephew. "If I tell you, you have to swear not to tell a soul, I mean no one can know other than this family."

Thomas looked doubtful but nodded. "Okay."

"You know about your mother's fairy godmother?" I asked.

His brow wrinkled. "Those are just stories."

I knew Christian had doubts before until he met them. "They aren't just stories. Your mother did have a fairy godmother. I had a fairy godfather."

Thomas looked to Seth as if he would shake his head or nod. "Did he? Have a fairy godfather?"

Seth frowned. "Why would your uncle lie? I've met his godfather, and I've met your mother's godmother. They are real."

"This is hard to believe, but they were fairies?" Thomas struggled with the idea. I was his uncle and Ella was his mother and he struggled to believe the unbelievable. Why would we lie to him? But it was just made up, right? "I mean, magical and all that?"

I nodded. "They can do magic and all that." Then I got serious. "Now, what I'm going to tell you we can prove. When your father got sick, I was given a way to get here faster. Instantly. I was given a door we could step through that was like going from one room into another. Only it was from our home Blethos to here in A'Dore. In order to do that, your mother and I had to give up our godparents."

"Because of Dad?" Thomas asked.

"It wasn't his fault. But in order for me to get here fast, I'd willingly give up access to magic for your father's life. He's my brother." I smiled at Thomas. "So, do you want to see the doorway?"

Thomas nodded.

Entering his parents' room, I directed him to the wall the mirror was. Thomas looked at the mirror he'd never seen before but showed the reflection of the room.

"It's a mirror." Thomas shrug,d.

I turned him to face me. "What I'm going to show you goes nowhere else." I stressed again.

"Okay," Thomas nodded again.

I pressed the crystal to the right and the image blurred then refocused on what was our attic.

Thomas' eyes grew. "How...?" He looked closer and saw more of the attic like looking through a window until his head hit the glass of this window.

"Sorry," I chuckled, pulling him back. "That was just to see into our home. If you want to go through." I pressed the other to the left, the bottom and top. "Now try it."

Now Thomas put his hand up and pressed forward into our attic in Blethos. A thousand miles away. His eyes grew even more! "How does it do that?"

I shrugged. "Even Demetrius, my godfather didn't know. It just cuts distance away." But I pulled Thomas back. "No one can know."

"Got it," Thomas nodded. Then he looked sadly. "Is Dad really getting better?"

"He's trying and I'm doing what I can to ensure he does. He means a lot to you, but he means a lot to me, too," I said.

Thomas hugged me. Even though he was trying to be an adult, but he was still a little boy inside.

"Now, I should get back to your father. He's got a ways to go yet." I said.

Back in the room Christian was in, I saw that he was awake trying to get up. I put the breather on quickly and hurried to his side giving him my arm to keep him up.

"Bathroom," Christian said smiling telling me where he was heading. "I thought I could make it."

"I'm not leaving, Christian," I assured again. "I just wanted to see Seth, the boys and tell Ella you're doing better."

Christian nodded as we went to the bathroom. "I didn't think you left." He chuckled, "But I will need help to make water."

"Whatever you need," I helped him get the nightshirt up and sit down. I felt his forehead. It was still a little warm, but he was not as sweaty as before. "You've almost licked these little buggers, but not quite." Then after I got him back in bed. "So, this man from Parisia. Who was he?"

"Jean Claude Remiere." My brother said. "A nice man. He was proposing a business in A'Dore."

I nodded. "He breathed on you?"

Christian frowned. "No more than others."

"So, how did you become invaded?" I asked. "Was there something odd that happened?"

Christian thought and shook his head. Then he frowned as he remembered. "There was one instance...it was nothing I thought. He bumped me."

"Bumped you?" I asked.

Christian nodded and held up his arm. "I got snagged on something sharp. It cut me a little. A scratch really." He showed me a part of his left arm where a scratch was healing. "He scratched himself when he did it much more severely." Then he thought more. "He really was quite upset. I remember telling him that it was no big deal, but he almost seemed...panicked."

I nodded. "That's when he got sick?"

Christian nodded. "That evening, the same as I did. Only his cut was deeper, and he died so quickly."

I frowned. "So, these creatures could have come from that scratch. On him was a cut. He must have known he got more of those little creatures than you did." I shrugged, "He knew he was going to die."

Christian frowned. "An assassination attempt?"

I nodded. "These things must be able to invade quicker by a cut, but I was warned about breathing them...I don't know. They may only live a short time out of our bodies." I shook my head. "Is there anyone else out there that has more hostile intentions than say.... well...anybody?"

Christian shrugged. "No more than usual, but who would do this?"

"That's the question," I pondered. "We need to find the answer."

"These things travel in the air?" Christian asked.

I chuckled. "I'd say close air, but yes. That's why I was glad Ella had that terrible cold."

Christian nodded smiling. "She wouldn't even hug me. She was hoarse and coughing...."

"That saved her life." I nodded. "And therefore, saved your children. I know how affectionate Ella is with the children and she stayed away from them, too. I'd say someone not only wanted to kill you, but the whole family."

"But he or she would have to know if doing that, you would be next in line to be king if we all died." Christian said.

"Who would want to kill you and have me become king? I was one for a while. King Consort, but still king. I never wanted the throne, in Blethos or A'Dore."

Christian smiled. "You'd be a great king. You're our father's son."

I ran my fingers over his forehead and in his hair. "No, Christian. You're our father's son. I'm your brother. In ways I can't put into words. You were my father."

I saw his face soften, "Me?"

I nodded. "You were always my hero. First my brother, then my hero. I knew you as a prince, a husband to Ella and then king. I wanted to be just like you. So, as you wanted to be like Dad, I am like him because of you. I even married a man that is like you in so many ways. You are my role model."

Christian looked stunned. "I had no idea."

I grinned. "Oh, come on, Christian. Know that I would give my life for Ella, my children, and your children, but there are two men I would not even have to think about giving my life for. That's Seth and you." I hesitated, "I've been little in love with you since I was twelve."

"What!?" Christian didn't recoil, but he was surprised.

I chuckled. "Relax. I never wanted to marry you. I fell in love with the idea of you as a model to follow." I grinned. "That would have been too weird if we were close like a marriage, even for me if we did more. Isn't it normal for a little girl to marry a man she models after her father? In my case, and I'm not a girl, but that model was you. You're kind, smart, unselfish, gallant, and noble. And you have to admit, you're very easy on the eyes." I smiled. "That's what I see in Seth. He has so many of those qualities in him that you have. He was born, like you, the son of king and born to be king. Naturally I fell in love with him." I got closer to Christian. "Now get better. I won't let you die. You've got a family out there waiting anxiously and a kingdom full of people that love you. I love you the most...." I chuckled again. "...well, there's Ella. She loves you more."

Christian smiled at that. "You're a good man, Erik."

"I try to be." I turned at the knock on the door. "That must be something for you to eat." I went to the door and now the servant didn't gasp when she saw me. I thanked her and took the tray. Coming back, I put the tray down. "Now, do you think you can feed yourself? Or do I need to feed you again?"

Christian laughed picking up the tray. "I think I can handle it."

I touched his forehead. Even without the Aspir-Willow he was feeling cooler to the touch. I grinned. "I think you've kicked those little creatures away. But we'll see. A few more hours."

"These little creatures," Christian said as he ate. "How do we fight something we can't see?"

I thought about that. "We'll have to think of something." I assured. "We just need to get ready. If this was just an attack on you, that's one thing. If was an attack on our family, that's something else. I can't ask Demetrius or any of the others like him about it now. We'll have to do it on our own this time." I tapped the breather. "We may need more of these, but we'll have to make them, too."

Christian looked, tilting his head as if that would help him see better. "What's it made of?"

"That's another thing we need to find out." I nodded. "I will have to find a way to see things very small to find something that will work. It might keep those creatures out and let air in, but it's damned uncomfortable."

"If it works, and I'd say it does." Christian observed. Then he shrugged, "We've lived all this time with no magical assistance, we can do it now."

I nodded. "And we will." But I had to figure out how.

I had thought about what we needed to do. I spoke with the men gathered to see if my handling of my brother's health would work.

I spoke with the captain of the palace guard and the doctor. "What happened to the man that died? What was done with his body?"

The doctor frowned. "We burned him and his bed sheets and him. We wrapped him in the sheets and threw the whole contents in the incinerator."

I nodded. "That's procedure. What about his belongings? His clothes and jewelry...things he brought with him."

The captain of the guard shook his head. "His room has not be searched. We didn't know if someone would get this...sickness from anything there."

"See that two guards are posted at the door to that room and no one," I said firmly. "I mean no one is to go in or out. We need to find what it was that scratched Christian and cut this man."

The captain was not understanding, "I don't get it."

"This person got an audience with Christian. He had to have papers telling why and who he was. We need to know who he was." I explained. "But more important, I need to know what it was that scratched my brother and cut him."

The doctor shook his head. "It wasn't an infection."

I shook my head. "No, but something he scratched Christian with had some small creatures that used that scratch to make Christian sick." I frowned at the doctor. "I'm treating Christian for that reason and am winning. Do you have a better plausible explanation?"

The doctor was trying to understand, "Small creatures? They must be very small."

I nodded. "So small a human can't see them at all, but they were used to attack my brother. And they almost worked."

"Someone used these small creatures to try to kill our king?" The captain of the guard asked, but his voice had doubt. "And this man used a delivery system to give it to the king? I'm not totally convinced."

"Again, if there is something that makes more sense. Tell me, I'm all ears, but I've given Christian medicine to fight these things, and it's working. I offer that as proof." I said. "This was something used to limit these creatures to only Christian. I even think they can be transferred by close contact. This means Queen Ella. She would have passed them to her children. Eliminating the entire royal family in one attack."

The doctor was looking very frightened hearing this, "Who would come up with this sorcery? Why?"

"It's not sorcery. That's why I'm having that room the man used blocked off. I need to find out who and why," I explained. I pointed to the captain of the guard. "Do as I tell you, Captain. Get it done. No one, not even one of the guards is to go in. Understand? I'm still Prince Erik. Please don't argue with me."

The Captain nodded. "Of course, Your Highness." He bowed and hurried off to have done what I asked to be done.

"How do we fight something we can't see?" The doctor asked.

I shrugged. "We'll have to find a way," Then I put the breather back on and went back to Christian.

To be safe, Christian and I waited until the next morning to see if the fever returned. He was still cool. I knew that fevers often got higher as the day progressed, but he had been cool the night before. I had slept in the same bed with Christian. I was a little wary, but I sighed as I removed the breather.

Christian rolled over and looked surprised at me, "You look terrible." Then he smiled.

"At least I can breathe better now." I looked at his unshaven face. "You don't look so good either." I rubbed my brother's bearded face. "It's already soft!"

Christian swatted my hand away. "Quit," He groused irritated with the smile and then grabbed me to him. He buried his face against my neck. I felt his kiss on the side of my head as his breath hitched. "I didn't know I could love you more," He sobbed. "I owe you my life. I would have died if you hadn't come. I was sure I was going to die. I will always be there for you as you are always there for me. I love you, Erik." He cried softly.

I was crying now, too. "I would move Heaven and Hell, make a pact with Devil himself. I'd give my very life for you, Christian. I love you, too." I hugged him back. Then I sat up wiping my face, then his. "Do I help you shave? I don't want you to slash your own throat shaving." I brushed his hairy face again, which he didn't stop this time.

He chuckled and nodded. "I'll let you do it." He held up a shaking hand. "I think that would be better. Can you shave another man?"

I shrugged. "We'll see."

That got his eyes to grow in concern. Then he shrugged. "Save me from those little creatures only to be killed by that same brother?" He shrugged. "I'll risk it."

I chuckled at that. "Are you sure you don't want Ella to help you now that it's safe?"

Christian rubbed his bearded face. "Understand when I say this, she can help me later, with the day-to-day stuff." He said sadly. "This would be too much. I'd scare her. I want to be at my best possible when I see her."

I nodded. "Sure." I went to the door again and opened it to those gathered in the hall. "Okay, the danger has passed for now." I saw several of the faces relax and a few sighs were heard, all in relief. "My brother is going to be fine."

The elderly doctor stood. "How did you do this?" He asked in amazement. "How did you get here so fast?"

I nodded. "It was planned. And fortuitous. Now, I need Christian's shaving supplies and a clean night shirt. He still needs to gain strength. I want a meal here as well. I'll help him. Tell Ella she will be seeing him soon, but don't let her in until I say so. Christian doesn't want her upset." I smiled at them. "I've breathed the same air, even hugged and kissed him, I'm fine. Then danger has passed. You can spread the word."

I got a few bows and I watched as some were now rushing to do what I asked.

"Can I see him?" The doctor asked hesitantly. "I'm still his doctor."

"Sure." I opened the door wider to let the man in.

The doctor gasped a little at seeing Christian. "Forgive me, Sire," He bowed to Christian. "I'm not used to seeing you so...pale."

Christian laughed. "Or hairy, I imagine." He rubbed his face.

The doctor smiled. "Actually, no. The unshaved face is not your usual presentation, but I'm relieved you seem to be recovering." The doctor looked at me. "Can I ask by what magic you cured our king?"

I shrugged. "It was not so much magic as the magic of science. His own body had to be given strength the.... disease had stolen from him. Then his body cured himself." I turned the doctor back to the door. "I'm going to clean him up before Queen Ella arrives, so...excuse us."

The doctor stopped as he was leaving, "I am so sorry about how you found your brother. I didn't know what to do..."

I nodded. "I know. You must forgive me, too. I was angry, but not at you, but what happened. We'll talk about what should be done if this occurs again. From what I understand, this is a new kind of warfare. We'll need to be ready." I pushed him gently. "Now scoot." I waved for him to exit.

Lighting the tank so the water would heat. Things were being brought I needed to clean my brother up. I got him washed, shaved, shampooed his hair and I have to say he looked a thousand percent better. He was almost the man he was before the creatures attacked. His color was better, and he ate the full meal I was given to feed him. And he was hungry! These were all good signs. I finally stood back looking at him.

"I think Ella will be happy," I said smiling. "Overjoyed that you're alive, but happy to see you. I'll go get her." I began to walk away when Christian stopped me. I looked at my brother.

"I owe you my life. I knew I was going to die. I'd never see Ella, you, my children again." He said softly. "But you brought me back. I can't thank you enough. If you want the whole kingdom, I'd gladly give it to you."

I chuckled. "Well then. Do me a favor then," I grinned. "Keep the kingdom, please. This headache is yours alone, okay? Promise me you'll never give it to me." I kissed his temple. "But we'll have to find out where and who this Jean Claude Remiere was and what this attack was about." I smiled. "I love you, Christian. You can't die. I won't let you. Not yet." I squeezed his hand. "Now, I'll get Ella. I'll have the kids brought in a little later. Your partner in this life needs to see you alone now."

Christian nodded.

Opening the door, I saw Ella sitting in a chair brought for her in the corridor. I smiled. This was the Ella I remember. She was dressed almost like she was going to a party or something. The green dress was clean and pressed. Her blonde hair done to perfection. She was beautiful. She rose from the chair as she saw me.

"Christian needs you, Ella," I said smiling. I waved to her. "You look spectacular."

Ella smiled. "This a favorite dress of his for me to wear. He likes to see me in it. So, I thought he should see it." Then she hugged me. "Thank you."

"He's not completely well. His strength needs to return, but he's over those creatures. Don't be surprised if he's not strong yet."

Ella nodded. "But he will be." Then she opened the door and went in, closing the door behind her.

I saw a servant passing. "Excuse me. Do you know where my husband Seth and my children are?"

She nodded. "They're in the playroom."

Going to that room, I opened it to see a beautiful sight. There were my four nieces and nephews and Toby playing. Thomas was reading a book, Ada and Ana were playing with Edward and Toby. Dennis was asleep in the arms of Seth who was rocking him in a chair. All eyes looked to me as I came in.

Seth smiled at me. "Is it over?"

I nodded. "He's gotten rid of those things." I said going to him. "He's getting his strength back. He will be fine."

Thomas stood instantly, "Can we see him?"

I nodded. "Yes but give your mother a chance to see him alone first. Someone will come soon to take you to him."

Seth stood with Dennis and then handed him to a woman that kept the children when the parents were busy. "Can you watch them a few minutes?"

The woman bowed. "Of course, take your time."

Once free, Seth grabbed me and embraced me fiercely. "Thank God you're okay." He said sighing. "I was so worried."

I hugged him back. "I know you were." Kissing him gently, "I'm so tired."

Seth nodded. "I see that." He smiled. "I've not seen you this tired since we had that outbreak of measles with Toby and Dennis. You should rest."

I nodded taking his hand, "I need you."

"I'll always be with you." Seth nodded coming with me out of the playroom. "I'll stay with you as long as you need."

In our chambers, I got cleaned up and then put on one of Christian's night shirts. Seth was relaxing on the bed we'd shared whenever we were in A'Dore.

I stretched out beside Seth, "Just stay till I go to sleep?"

Seth nodded circling his arms around me, "I won't leave at all. Toby and Dennis are well cared for. I'll be here when you wake up."

"We've got some things to do later. What note did you leave Grace?"

Seth shrugged. "I just said we had a family emergency; we'd taken the children and I wasn't sure when we'd be back."

I nodded feeling sleepy. "That's good. They don't know if it was your side of the family or mine. So, no one will be suspect if we stay a while." I breathed heavily, "We've got a long road ahead."

Seth kissed the side of my head. "We'll do what we need to. You helped me in Blethos. I'll help you in A'Dore."

I had slept, sort of, with Christian, but it wasn't a restful sleep. My hand inevitably on Christian's chest to comfort myself he was still breathing. Every time Christian moved or let some sound out, I was awake to be sure he was okay. True to his word, Seth never left me. Seth had taken his shirt off and removed his shoes, but he remained as I felt him in his usual position, spooned behind me, his arm over me to protect and just keep us in contact.

"You're awake," Seth said softly behind me kissing the back of my neck.

I rolled to face him. "I am," I kissed him fully and gently. "You know? I think this has been the longest we've ever been apart."

Seth chuckled. "Apart as in we've not made love?"

"That's it," I nodded.

"You were kind of busy." Seth smiled. "Saving your brother's life was a bit more important."

"Well, he's going to be fine now." I said crawling over him, pinning his arms down. "Shall we make up for lost time?"

Seth kissed me hungrily. "I think that's a great idea." He looked at the bedside table. "We have what we need."

I smiled sitting up more and pulled the nightshirt over my head. "I have what I need right here." My hands released his arms and ran my fingers over his naked chest.

We did make love. At first it was quiet and then it became more urgent with the touching and just being together.

We made love twice and while I was making love to him Seth came again! That's three for him and me. We both collapsed panting. Seth held his head as the swooning finally lessened. "I don't remember anything...so intense." He said in gasps.

I chuckled. "We're never going this long without again."

He nodded. "Making up for lost time was pretty good." He smiled at me, "I'm hungry."

I looked out the window as the sun was setting. "It is dinner time." I sat up. "And I need to see Toby and Dennis. Are they okay?" I asked looking at Seth. "I don't mean are they physically okay, but do you think they knew what I was doing for so long?"

Seth nodded. "I told them. They're fine."

Seth and I cleaned up and dressed quickly. We got our boys, who were very happy to see Dad and Daddy together again.

Toby signed to me. Is Uncle Christian okay now?

I nodded. "He is much, much better. In fact, I'll introduce you now. Okay?"

Toby nodded with a smile. I have a lot of uncles and aunts.

I chuckled. "You do." I looked at what he had on. It was almost too big. Then I remembered, we didn't exactly pack. This must have been Edward's clothes.

I knocked on Christian's door.

"Come in," Christian said stronger than before.

Entering, Christian sat straighter when he saw Seth carrying Dennis and I had Toby.

"I thought you needed to meet your nephews," I said smiling at Christian.

Christian smiled at us. "I wanted to for so long."

I turned to Toby. "This is your uncle. King Christian. My brother," I said and signed. Then looked at Christian, "Toby can read lips, so don't worry. Just make sure he can see your mouth."

Christian smiled as I lowered Toby to the bed. Toby needed to trust Christian and decide to go to Christian himself. I guess he did for he crawled over to my brother. "Ella told me. She even showed me some signs." He pulled Toby into his lap and looked directly at Toby. "Your Aunt Ella also told me you were very smart." Toby just smiled bigger.

I turned to Seth, "And this is Dennis. Who's already talking and trying to run."

Christian looked at the two boys. "They're beautiful!" Then he looked at Toby, then Dennis, then Seth and me. "I swear, and I'm not lying. They look like your sons."

Seth smiled. "Because they are."

"I mean, they look like both of you," Christian clarified. "Hi, Seth."

I looked around the room. "Where's Ella? The kids?"

Christian laughed. "Thomas was hungry. Then Ada and Ana wanted to eat, so Ella took them to have dinner." Then he got a look I knew. "In fact, I'm hungry, too." He waved to the end of the bed. "I'm breaking a rule, but hand me my robe. I'm going down to dinner." He looked at Toby again. "I'm hungry. Are you hungry?"

Toby nodded.

"Let's go eat," Christian said scooting to the side of the bed.

I chuckled picking up Toby. "Are you strong enough?"

He smiled as he took the robe I handed him. "I know if I can't, you'll be there." He said confidently. "I trust you with my life."

I smiled when he said it again, "Well, it was Mom's rule about dressing for dinner. No night clothes at the table" I said as he put the robe on. "You're king! You can overrule mom's rule. You could go naked, and no one would dare say a word. This is your home. You're king!"

Christian chuckled. "I won't go that far," He put on his slippers. "I'm pushing it only this time."

When we walked into the dining room all eyes were widened as Christian walked in unaided.

"Dad!" His children all said happily seeing their father up.

Ella stood instantly coming to Christian. "Honey! You shouldn't be here. You're not strong enough yet. I would bring you dinner."

"I'm fine." He looked at me, "My brother is here. No problems." Christian said as he kissed her. "I was sick of that room anyway." He confessed. "I'll get better faster if I have my family with me." He said looking at his children, then Seth and me and sat at his usual place at the head of the table.

A servant came in as we were sitting. She looked at Christian surprised, "Your Majesty. I didn't know you were coming down!"

I grinned at her, "Neither did we, Ida."

Christian shook his head. "Sorry about the robe." Then he grinned at her, "As much as I liked the soups, can I have dinner?" He motioned at the table and thrust his hands lightly at the nonexistent plate, "I mean a real dinner?"

The woman nodded with a bow, "Certainly, Sire." She hurried off to get him his dinner.

I growled with a smile. "What about us?" I asked my brother as I waved in Ida's direction.

He smiled. "She'll be back." His daughters were now on either side of him hugging their father who kissed each on their head. Thomas, though he tried to be a man, he was still happy to see his father and gathered with his sisters. Even Edward wanted to go to his father, which of course, Christian smiled taking his little boy in his lap.

"Children don't tire your father out," Ella warned but looked pleased to see him enjoying their family.

Christian shook his head. "I thought I'd lose them. It's okay," He said placing a kiss on his son's head. Dennis clung to his father. "They're the next best medicine." Then he smiled at me. "Yours was the best."