Crimson and Gold

The process of separating the venom from the healthy cells and expelling it from Beatrice’s body took several hours. The sun was hanging low over the horizon when they finally sent the signal to Drusus to call everyone back to the house.

All three women felt completely spent, swaying on their feet as they walked out of the murky cellar. Saria was visibly in the worst condition.

She barely managed to climb the stairs back to the top and couldn’t even stand on her own without seeking support from the wall.

There was a thick layer of sweat covering her sickly pale face, her breathing was heavy and uneven. Her eyes kept losing focus, so she had to constantly squint her eyes.

“What’s wrong? Are you in pain? Where does it hurt?” The moment Lysandra noticed her terrible condition, she rushed to her lover’s side and helped her get to a chair in the kitchen.

“I’m alright. Just a little tired,” Saria forced a smile through the excruciating pain ripping her insides.

“Don’t lie to me. I can see you’re hurting…” Lysandra frowned, staring at her lover with a piercing, worried gaze.

The woman on the other side of that gaze squirmed uncomfortably. She parted her lips, wanting to assure the Princess it wasn’t that bad, but she struggled to muster up enough strength to sound convincing.

Fortunately, another voice came to her rescue. “I saw you brought sweetseeds with you. How about you brew it for Saria, while I’ll keep an eye on her?” Zahra interjected.

Lysandra looked at her, then shifted her gaze back to her woman.

Saria noticed the hesitation in her eyes, so she forced another smile, trying especially hard to look convincing. “That’s a good idea. I’m feeling really tired, so sweetseeds would be nice.”

“Alright. Don’t move too much. I’ll be right back.”

The moment Lysandra left, the two women exchanged understanding looks.

“Judging by Lysandra’s reaction, she doesn’t know the cost of your magic,” Zahra said, squatting in front of Saria.

“Even I got certain only today. Before, I was just suspecting this might be the case.”

Zahra took Saria’s hand in hers, then pressed the thumb of her other hand to the woman’s forehead. “Close your eyes and focus on your breathing,” she ordered.

A wave of soothing, gentle force started flowing between them.

As it entered Saria’s body, it felt unlike any other magic she had ever experienced. It was calming, rejuvenating. It felt like a pleasant shade cast by a giant tree on a hot, sunny day. Or a fresh, cool grass in the middle of a secret meadow.

At some point, Saria even started smelling the sweet scent of oranges, although she wasn’t sure if it was real or merely a figment of her imagination.

The waves of the healing magic soothed the pain within her body and calmed her boiling blood. Even though it didn’t get rid of it completely, at least breathing was no longer painful or difficult.

“Much better. Thank you,” Saria said, being in a noticeably better condition. “None of the other healers was ever able to do something like that.”

“That’s because most of those lazy good-for-nothings learn how to fix a broken leg and think that’s all the knowledge they’ll ever need,” Zahra snorted. She disliked unambitious people the most, and in her own experience, most healers were just that. Unambitious and lacking passion.

Saria remembered the clinic she visited while trying to rescue Eris and couldn’t help but agree with Zahra’s assessment.

“How long are you planning to keep it a secret from Lysandra?” Lady Merea suddenly asked.

“As long as possible?” Saria sighed. “I can’t imagine her taking this well. It’s better if she doesn’t have to worry about it.”

Zahra rested her arms on her hips and gave Saria a stern look. “At the rate you’re going, it won’t take her long until she figures it out. Every time you use your magic, part of your life force is traded for it. It’s fine if you don’t use it too often and your body has time to heal, but push too hard at once, and you will die.”

Saria scratched her cheek and gave the woman a wry smile. “So, no going all out unless absolutely necessary? Got it,” she said.

Seeing the other woman narrow her eyes, she quickly added. “Look, it’s not that bad. This time, I didn’t even pass out or bleed. I’ll just be careful from now on.”

Zahra stared at her in silence for a while. “Now I understand why Lysandra is so smitten,” she said suddenly. “You’re both stubborn like a bullhog and have this absurd need to sacrifice yourselves.”

Feeling like she was both praised and scolded, Saria remained silent, only smiling awkwardly. “So does that mean that you will keep it a secret?”

Lady Merea walked over to her newest patient and gave her a solid flick on the forehead. “I will. But mark my words.”

Zahra leaned over and stared deeply into the crimson eyes. “Dare to die and leave my friend heartbroken, and I will personally drag you back from the afterlife, Darling,” she said, flashing a brilliant, albeit threatening, smile.

Despite the slightly rough treatment, Saria didn’t take offense. Quite the contrary. She rubbed her sore forehead with an amused expression.

“What are you laughing at? I’m being serious.” Zahra lifted her chin with an ostentatious ‘humph’.

“I can see why Lysandra keeps you in such high regard.” Saria turned her smiling eyes to the beautiful, tall woman. “You truly have a heart of gold, Lady Merea.”

Even though she didn’t want to admit it, the compliment really did stroke her ego. Zahra rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue in a feigned annoyance. “Cheeky brat.”

***

Not long after, Lysandra returned carrying a freshly brewed bowl of sweetseed soup. While it didn’t have any special healing properties, sweetseed—or more formally known as Horatius’ Poppy—was known for its reinvigorating quality.

The soup made out of the fine seed was favored especially by physical workers and warriors, who often needed to replenish their energy fast. Another common use was to serve it to people with mild cold or other draining, but not life-threatening, diseases.

Because Saria’s condition was already stabilized by Zahra and was slowly improving on its own, the soup Lysandra brought had decently good effect on her, and in no time she was able to move around freely again.

It was just in time for Beatrice to wake up. Since the girl was still weak and recovering, the women agreed for Saria to go talk to her alone.

Using the opportunity, Zahra and Lysandra decided to step outside for a bit to get some fresh air.

“I heard your last meeting with Therion turned quite… handsy,” Zahra stated with her usual nonchalance. Despite the appearance, amusement flickered in her eyes.

Lysandra, on the other hand, tensed at the topic. “He told you what happened?”

“Mhm,” Zahra hummed. “Though it did require a bit of effort.”

Therion’s reluctance to share the full story wasn’t surprising. After all, who would want to admit to such spectacular failure?

The Princess sighed heavily, watching the setting sun with a serious expression. “Do you think I went too hard on him?”

“Oh, Darling, please,” Zahra snorted loudly. “He should consider himself lucky to be left with only a handprint on his face. If it were me, I’d send him to a Sankharian dungeon for a month or two so he can reflect on his behavior among the goldentaile scorpions!”

Lysandra took a good look at her friend, thinking that the example sounded oddly specific. “You know my love for you is strictly platonic?”

“What? Not in the mood for a bit of fun in a mushy underground? I can even have your tamer half join you.” Lady Merea flashed her a cunning smile.

“No, thank you. Mold is a poor aphrodisiac.”

Zahra clicked her tongue. “You’re no fun… But speaking of which. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice that your charming lover has the ability to use one of the rarest types of magic in the world?”

Just as she was beginning to relax, Lysandra stiffened again. “I’m sorry. I knew you were going to find out sooner or later,” she said and started massaging her temples. “It’s a dangerous knowledge to have at the moment. I was hoping you wouldn’t be burdened with it at least for a little longer.”

What did I say? Stubborn like a bullhog, Zahra couldn’t help but complain in her heart.

“This is a dangerous kind of magic. She needs a teacher to properly train her,” she said.

“I know.” Lysandra groaned. “I’ve been trying to find someone, but it’s more difficult than I thought. I need someone skilled and trustworthy. Someone who won’t hurt Saria.”

The Princess felt a light pat on her leg. “How fortunate that your wonderful and amazing friend knows just the right person,” Zahra announced proudly. “She’s a bit eccentric and can be a little rough at times, but she’s a good person. Someone I can personally vouch for.”

Lysandra looked at her friend as if she were seeing a goddess descend from heavens. “Really? Would she be willing to come to teach Saria?”

“I’ll send her a message once we’re back, but I’m certain she will accept. She had been saying she wanted to visit Aelius for a while.”

Feeling that a great weight was lifted off her shoulders, the Princess squeezed her friend’s hand tightly. Her heart was full of gratitude. “How do I even repay you?”

Zahra rolled her eyes nonchalantly, but it failed to hide the amusement shimmering in those warm green irises. “I am magnanimous. If you want to repay me, then just live a long and happy life with that red-eyed beauty of yours.”

Then, suddenly, she remembered something. “Oh, one more thing. That woman, the blood magic teacher? Don’t be frightened by the tattoos,” Zahra said, pointing at her own face. “She’s no longer a part of this organization.”

The Princess felt a little puzzled by the unexpected disclaimer. “Wait. Who is she exactly?”

“Well…” Zahra started weakly, appearing unusually troubled. “She used to be an assassin…”