Warren was feeling significantly less awful after his talk with Princess Devri, even agreeing to join her downstairs for something to eat since he missed lunch. He never got around to having that food, however, as a messenger-completely out of breath- ran up to him moments after the princess left. He couldn’t have been more than fourteen or so, with shaggy brown hair and dressed in snow-soaked clothes.

“Sir…Sir Warren,” he said between sharp breaths. Warren ducked into his room for a moment, retrieving his water skin to give the messenger. The boy gratefully accepted it, taking several large gulps of water before speaking again. “The king and queen have requested your presence in the throne room. The princess is being escorted there at this very moment, and I am to take you to His and Her Majesty.

“Um, alright. Lead the way.”

The messenger boy nodded, starting to run back the way he came, though not nearly as fast as before. Within minutes he and Warren had reached the throne room.

“Here,” the boy handed Warren the water skin and he took a few quick sips before returning it.

“Hold onto it for now,” he told the messenger. “You’ll probably need it more than me.”

The boy smiled gratefully, racing off down the hall to deliver another message.

The throne room doors were open, so Warren let himself in. He approached the throne

“Your Majesti-“

He stopped, a strange squeak escaping his throat as he realized two very familiar figures stood with the royal family. Forgetting his manners, he rushed over.

“Duncan!” he exclaimed, pulling his dear friend into a tight hug.

“Sir Warren!” Duncan pulled away, holding Warren’s face between his hands. “You seem well.”

Warren couldn’t help grinning. “You too. It’s great to see you again.”

Duncan smiled, and Warren felt his cheeks flush.

“Duncan-” Princess Devri said with crossed arms, “when were you going to tell me you and Sir Warren are-?”

Warren waved his hands frantically to silence her. She thankfully didn’t finish her sentence, giggling knowingly. “It’s perfect,” she said with a warm smile.

Lady Rosa, who had been silent up until this point, cleared her throat. “Get a room, you two,” she said, causing Warren’s face to burn even more. Duncan flushed slightly, though he was laughing.

“Lady Rosa, you wished to say something?” asked the king.

“Yes, pardon me, your Majesty. I wanted Sir Warren to be here when Duncan and I arrived so we could plan accordingly for Prince Rei’s… ‘treatment’, for lack of a better word.”

A shiver went down Warren’s spine as she spoke, and both Princess Devri and Duncan had placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“We will have to return to him,” Princess Devri whispered. “Do you think you can…?”

Warren sighed, crossing his arms so his hands wouldn’t start shaking. “I’ll manage,” he said, though even he realized he didn’t sound the least bit convincing.

Walking back to the little yard felt horribly wrong, even though this time he was accompanied by Duncan, Lady Rosa and the princess. All three of them did their best to keep him calm or distract him from his troubles, but nothing worked for more than a moment. The small vial felt incredibly heavy in his hand, though he refused to let the others hold it when they offered. A harsh wind rushed past as they stepped outside, but Warren barely felt it. He stepped forward, his expression blank and his thoughts muddled as he approached the sad, makeshift casket. Duncan gently pried open the lid, and everyone gasped in unison upon seeing what was inside.

Rei had thankfully been cleaned up significantly before being placed in the casket, though his armor was still dented and his clothes were in tattered shreds. His eyes were closed but Warren could only see the terrified expression his friend had worn in his nightmares. Bruises and scars were visible on his face and chest, and a pit formed in Warren’s stomach upon seeing Rei’s gloved hands. He recalled the day Rei had first started wearing gloves, when they were about fifteen or so. He’d caught a glimpse of bloody bandages underneath and had always been too afraid to ask where the injuries had come from. Warren jumped at the feeling of a hand on his shoulder.

“My apologies,” Duncan said. “You seemed…lost in your own mind.”

“I kind of am,” he replied with a shaky breath. “But-“

He held up the vial Lady Rosa had given him, hesitantly stepping closer to Rei. Princess Devri gave him a soft smile and handed him a handkerchief, which he carefully poured a drop of the potion onto before dabbing it against a large gash across Rei’s face. He turned away, afraid to look, but Lady Rosa nudged him. With wide eyes, he saw the wound close, leaving a barely-visible scar in its place. Feeling a strange sense of hope, he quickly repeated the process for several other large wounds, flinching at the sight of some of them but continuing until the potion was completely drained. He dropped the now-empty vial, not realizing until now how badly his hands were shaking. Duncan held them in his own, pulling Warren close.

“It’s alright now,” he said quietly, reassuringly. “Lady Rosa and I can take care of the rest. You need not do anything else.”

Lady Rosa nodded. “Let’s get the prince inside,” she told Duncan, gently picking up Rei and bundling him in the cloak Duncan had sewn.

“I will see you soon,” Duncan told Warren before turning to take Rei from Lady Rosa.

Warren eyed his friend.

He almost looks alive. This…This is real.

He was pulled from his thought by Princess Devri, who had put a hand against his back to gently lead him back indoors.

“It’s late,” she said softly. “You should rest.”

“But Rei-“

Duncan caught up to Warren and eyed him sympathetically. “We shan’t wake him without you. You have my word.”

Warren smiled gratefully, then allowed Princess Devri to lead him back upstairs. He was exhausted all of a sudden, and even though he desperately needed sleep, he doubted he would get much of any. Even once he was back in his room and had changed into pajamas he still thought that. And then he lied down.

Okay, exhaustion; you win. But no nightmares, got it?

Even if something or someone could have replied, Warren wouldn’t have heard them, as he was already fast asleep.