The Wounded Warrior

Queen Sypha stood in her lingerie staring at the assortment of dresses displayed in front of her by the maids. None were worthy of the ball she would be attending tomorrow evening to celebrate her close friend Queen Yara and her husband, King Young, on the birth of their son.

Her sister Misaki and cousin Astrid Lee sat on the couches of the room watching as Sypha tried on different dresses that never seemed to be the one. Sypha wanted their opinions on attire being that Astrid worked in high fashion and luxury, and both women loved fashion. So far nothing had spoken to the young queen.

The two women had a feeling however that it was more than just a dress she was looking for. Over the last two months problems within the country had been arising. Kidnapping, stealing, and destruction of several properties are just some things that have been going on. Many of the people were angry, confused, and frightened which then shifted the blame on the young queen.

Many people questioned her ruling and authority which in turn angered her. She was trying her best to get to the source of the problem and deployed more soldiers to monitor the city but these people destroying it were very smart and fast. Sypha hasn’t been out since all of the problems arising so finding the dress for the 100-day celebration for the baby was the perfect way to come back out and say she is capable and strong.

“My Queen,” Sasha, head of the royal guard, announced from the doorway with a loud knock, “Permission to enter?”

“Permission granted, you may enter,” Sypha spoke softly as one of the maids brought out another dress.

Taking a quick glance, Sypha waved it off making her return to the closet in the other room. Another maid slips on her silk robe quickly before Sasha waltzes into the room. Walking to Queen Sypha’s figure, he bowed slightly before handing out a large black bag that held clothing and unzipped it. Misaki and Astrid’s eyes took in the beautiful soft blue color of the dress and envisioned how the drape/shape would appear on her silhouette. This was it.

“Thank you, Sasha,” Sypha murmured softly looking at the fabric.

Cecilia, the high maid, quickly grasped the bag from Sasha taking it to a safer area to store. Sasha and Sypha both nod in thanks before an anxious look covers his features.

“My Queen, there has also been a bit of an incident.”

Raising an eyebrow, Sypha’ eyes lock to Shang, her personal guard, at the doorway before setting back in Sasha.

“What has happened?”

“It will be easier to show, my Queen.”

Sypha looked to her sister and cousin before back at Sasha. Nodding her head in agreement, she slipped on her sandals leaving the room escorted by Shang. The two were hot on Sasha’s trail as he led them towards the west wing of the castle heading straight for the infirmary. Sypha kept a neutral expression on her face as a tight feeling settled in her stomach.

She wasn’t sure what she was going to see or even to expect but going to the infirmary was not a good sign. She hoped her brother, Makoto, wasn’t in there for something stupid. She has had to see him in there one too many times, she hoped this wasn’t anything serious. Sasha pounded his fist on the door of the infirmary announcing the arrival of the Queen and Shang.

The door swung open, and two guards quickly bowed to the Queen before stepping aside letting the group in. Sasha led them over to where the doctor stood with his clipboard standing in front of a large bed. The curtain covered the man from their eyes as they walked closer. As the queen finally made it to the front of the bed beside the doctor, she couldn’t help but gasp. Shang flinched beside her as they took in the beaten, bruised stranger.

Sypha couldn’t help but notice although beaten and bruised with a wrap all over his body, the man is beautiful. His long dark hair sticking to his forehead and tattoos wrap all over his body from his neck down to his right leg. His body was built, muscles huge on his arms and legs. His jaw is sharp and skin is so beautiful, so smooth. His beard is scruffy attached to his mustache. He was big and burly, not looking like any of the men in her kingdom. It caused a stir in her belly.

A foreigner, in her kingdom. Interesting.

“What happened?” Sypha asked, directing the question to Sasha as she stepped towards the beautiful man never letting her gaze stray.

“Some guards were patrolling the east wing when they heard a grunt in the garden. They found him bleeding out and immediately brought him here,” Sasha let out before pulling a bag from under the bed, “He had this on him.”

Handing Shang the bag, the guard looked at the man’s items before his eyes lit in recognition. He knew who this man was and just how dangerous he was. Pulling his cuffs quickly, he attached the man’s wrists to the bed. Sypha and Sasha watched Shang in confusion.

“What is it, Shang?”

“My Queen, I’ve heard legends of a man. He is a skilled man said to have enhanced abilities. Stronger than most men, intelligent, and brave. Most can identify him by the tattoo on his neck, the giant snake. Feared in the land for his skills in combat and stories spread of his gruesome nature in battle,” Shang let out, “What I don’t understand is why he is here.”

“Well,” The doctor cleared his throat, getting the attention of the group, “You’ll soon find out as he will be waking up soon. His injuries will heal in time and nothing life threatening. Make sure to call me once he wakes.”

Taking a bow, the doctor takes his leave to another patient.

“My Queen, how should we handle this?” Sasha asked and Shang nodded his head at the question, quite curious.

“I will speak to the man; he will not want to speak to who he deems a threat. Please wait outside the infirmary,” Sypha stated sitting in the chair beside the bed.

Shang looked hesitant leaving the queen beside the dangerous man but knew she could handle herself. Taking his leave to the door with Sasha, Sypha turned back to the man and couldn’t help but admire the way he looked.

Sypha had never held any feeling for any man she had met, prince, commoner, it didn’t matter. Yet this foreigner had stirred a feeling inside of her from just his appearance she couldn’t get rid of. Lifting her palm to his face, she gently pressed it to his forehead feeling the heat rising. Turning around, she noticed a cloth folded beside cool water and instantly took it.

Wringing the cloth in the water and folding it once more she patted the man’s forehead humming lowly. While she patted along his upper body and hummed along to the nursery rhyme her mother would always sing to her, she didn’t notice that the strange man had woken up. His eyes never left the angel-like woman that was tending to him and couldn’t help but take in the beauty of his savior. Her hair was long and jet black clipped behind her head. She was thin with noticeable curves although wearing the silk robe, her skin was fairly pale and eyes thin and small with long lashes. She was so beautiful and looked nothing like the women in his country. He couldn’t help but wonder where those men had dumped him for dead.

Pain rippled inside of him causing him to let out a groan and Sypha’s head jerked meeting his eyes with hers. The two didn’t speak but instead stared, unable to look away. His heart warmed at the look in her eye and Sypha couldn’t help but blush putting the towel away.

“How are you feeling?” Sypha asked the man softly moving away from his body.

The man didn’t respond for a moment, looking down at his bandaged torso and legs. Attempting to move his hands he couldn’t help but feel the restraints and looked up at the women in question.

“I’d feel much better without the restraints,” He spoke out gruffly, laying his head back down watching the woman.

Raising an eyebrow, Sypha leaned back against her seat watching him shuffle trying to get more comfortable in the bed. Her eyes zoned in on the bandages darkening and called out the doctor. Hearing a squeak on the floor Sypha turned to the doctor breathing out as he bowed.

“Sypha...” He responded before looking up, catching the eye of the stranger, “Ah you are awake.”

“His bandages need to be changed, Dr. Lim.”

Dr. Lim nodded instantly, grabbing fresh bandages from the cabinet behind him. As he waltzed over beside the man ready to change his bandages, the stranger grabbed the doctor’s wrist tightly. Dr. Lim yelped out in pain as the man’s eyes hardened on the stranger physician unaware of his intentions.

Sypha reached out softly gripping his chin turning him towards her. The man couldn’t help but loosen his grip although still holding tightly onto the man. Her eyes seemed to drown him, and he couldn’t breathe.

“Let him help you,” Sypha whispered, not letting her hand falter as it stayed holding his hard jaw.

He bit his lip letting go of Dr. Lim, “Not him, you.”

Dr. Lim raised his eyebrows before the man dropped his hand instantly. Pushing the materials towards Sypha, he left the area leaving the two alone not wanting to be caught in the stranger’s strong grip again.

Sypha shook her head and began tending to his wounds and redressing the bandages as he sat silently watching her. He wondered in that moment just who she was. She clearly was a woman of higher regard and power, telling the physician what to do. The man even noticed how she carried herself. He was not only intrigued but indebted to the woman.

“Who are you?” The man asked, sitting up straighter as she moved in closer, redressing the bandages around his waist.

Sypha remained silent for a moment, not wanting to give off much information.

“My name is Sypha... And who may you be?”

“Raiden.”

“Raiden,” Sypha murmured out, causing his stomach to tighten slightly.

As she finished redressing and cleaning the wounds, Raiden leaned back in the bed turning to face Sypha as she wiped her hands. He couldn’t help taking her in once more, she was so beautiful and talented with medicine. It was difficult however for Raiden to figure out who exactly she was.

“Well, Sypha, I am indebted to you. You saved my life and from now on I will do the same.”

“Raiden...”

“I swear this to you Sypha,” he stated in a hardened tone leaving no room for any argument.

“Okay Raiden. But there is still much to discuss,” Sypha responded, taking a stand to leave, “I will be back tonight where we can discuss more, until then rest.”