Page 39 of The Silent Mountain
I don’t think Favian truly distrusts Cassie, but she is a witch, and they are still wary around her. He is probably also annoyed because it’s Stefan’s task to keep an eye on her, and the last thing Favian wants is for Elio to get into any danger.
Elio is so busy with calming down Theodor that he doesn’t pay attention to his older brother, but fortunately, Favian doesn’t comment on what he heard either. Drama avoided.
I think it’s good that you didn’t say anything,I link him.
Favian’s eyebrow moves up slightly in surprise at hearing my voice, a smile curling his lips.I figured, if I said something, Elio would either get terrified of my potential reaction or just ignore me and do it anyway. I prefer knowing what’s going on, so I can watch him. Need to have a word with Theo and Stefan, though.
The babysitters,I chuckle.From experience, I can tell you that I was a kid once, too, and when my brothers and I wanted to sneak around, we always found a way.
I know,he says.From experience as well.
I try to imagine Favian as a kid, before the witch took everything from him, and when he had a normal childhood. Well, as normal as the childhood of the future Dragon King could be. The dragons at that time were a lot about rank and etiquette. How much freedom did he have?
I know that my siblings and I had a lot of freedom. My parents didn’t care if I befriended commoners. Ita, who even became my father’s Gamma, wasn’t a member of royalty. She was a normal, young woman who showed talent as a warrior and worked hard.
“We ran out of ham,” Elio mutters.
“I will get you more,” Theodor offers, just for Cassie to start giggling.
“They attend to all your whims,” she teases Elio.
Elio blushes, while out of the corner of my eye, I can see Favian smirk. He is the last one who should laugh; he spoils his little brother rotten, but it’s cute. I love that side of him.
“Maggie,” Elio complains. “They are making fun of me.” I follow his gaze while he looks at the kind old lady, realizing she hasn’t said much at all. “Maggie?” Elio asks carefully.
I let my attention wander over to the old lady, seeing how pale she is and how her hands tremble slightly. My own hand dashes forward, catching her cup before she can drop it, while Theodor jumps up and grabs her arm. “Margarete,” he mutters, his grip preventing her from dropping over.
Favian is suddenly next to us. “Barbara, run and alert Frederick. Cassie-“
“I will grab the items we need,” Cassie blurts out.
The two women dash out of the room, while Stefan and Favian gently lift the old lady up. “Stay with Elio,” Favian orders Theodor. “Stefan and I will take Margarete to her room.”
“I will come with you,” I say. “Maybe you will need help.”
Favian nods at me. “Yes, please follow us, Alana.”
I squeeze Elio’s shoulder, noticing how scared he looks, before I hurry after Favian and Stefan, making sure to open the doors for them until we reach Maggie’s room, a beautiful and generous room Favian gifted her with as a thank you for saving Elio’s life.
I help the guys to put the lady into her bed. Her eyes are heavy-lidded, and she groans in pain. “Hang in there, Maggie,” I mutter.
Favian and Stefan discreetly leave the room, so I can help the old lady change into something more comfortable, then help her into bed.
“My head won’t stop spinning,” she whispers, grabbing my hand. “I’m so tired.”
“Rest a bit, Maggie,” I mutter.
“Will you stay?” she asks quietly.
She looks so small and fragile, lying in her bed. I actually have work to do, but there is no way I can leave her alone now. Favian enters the room right at that moment and catches her last words. We exchange a glance, and I nod at him before turning to Maggie. “Of course I will stay.”
I stick to my promise, sitting next to Maggie and talking to her, although she isn’t responding a lot, but her eyes light up whenever I mention Favian and Elio, so I make sure to tell her about how well they’re getting along and how sweet they are to me. Eventually, Frederick, the healer, and Cassie arrive. He checks on her, explaining to Cassie what he is doing and what might help to soothe Maggie’s pain. It will be her task to come up with a potion or an ointment, with Frederick’s help of course.
Maggie is starting to look better after Frederick has given her some medicine, and smiles at Cassie. “Aren’t I lucky to have two healers attend to me?”
Cassie turns red like an overripe tomato with joy. “I’m still learning, but I will give my best,” she blurts out.
“It is lovely to see a young person like you try so hard and be so eager to learn, to be so motivated and helpful,” Maggie tells her. “Never lose that spirit.”
