235 Visitor in the Nigh

The moon is full, and the tendrils of light that filtered through the trees splashed across the traveler's cloak. He was dressed in a rather rich outfit, roses and blackened vines seemed to curl across the fabric. The beauty of his ensemble was hidden by the mud and rain he had ridden through. Out in front of the imperial gates, he pulled his horse to a stop. The guards eyed him, both standing at attention as the man's eye and a half stared down on them.

"Who goes there and what business do you have at this late hour?" demanded the captain of the guard on duty. He was already wary of this man, his powerful aura alone was enough to set the soldier on edge. More or less the scar that glittered silver in the moon's caress.

"Lord Shaman Half Eye of the Kingdom of Shadow Veil. My student has been gravely injured and I aim to see her." The old man demanded sitting high on his horse. With a soft prayer the shadows began swirling around his horse's hooves.

"You are here to see the Lady Kyera Moon?" The guard beside him asked. He was young, black haired and eyed Half Eye curiously. The old man nodded dismounting his horse to face the young man.

"Yes, what of it? Kyera is my student and it is my duty to look after her." he replied cooly really enjoying the way that sounded on his lips.

"Yes, of course Master Half Eye. I shall alert Master Tai Ken of your arrival." the black haired boy replied with a wolfish grin.

"You got this then, Lazren?" The captain asked, well aware that Lazren was now out of his reach. The Fourth prince had knighted him.

"Yes, Sir. There is little time to lose." Lazren replied before nodding for a boy to take Half Eyes horse. "Good, follow me." the pair made good time through the winding paths of the garden entrance. The actual palaces hidden in the garden Maze.

"If I am not mistaken, your one of us." Half Eye stated quietly. The sent of the boy a dead give away. The wolfling nodded sharply.

"Yea and if I am not mistaken you aren't anymore Kyera's Master than I am. However, she had found herself in need of help." Lazren replied with a bit of a quickening to his step. Half Eye matched his pace, more than capable of keeping up despite his age and physical appearance.

"Your right about that. The girl is gifted. Now what happened?" he asked jumping to the point. Lazren's brow furrowed as he recalled what he knew. Worried the slightest detail left out could be the difference in helping or hindering.

"Kyera was injured in a fight in the Village a couple days ago. When they got her back, Master Tai Ken treated her wounds. Only one problem, she hasn't woken up." Lazren tried to find more details but she was fine when he left the room. Why had she suddenly been out when he returned?

"No. Kyera's injuries were internal. Most likely broken ribs and the like. There was a bit of blood but the same you would get at a brawl." Lazren recalled, his uniform had been clean even after he carried her in.

"The treatment?" he asked next honestly curious. He had never met Tai Ken and wasn't aware of his methods. It made him uneasy to think a man he had never heard of treated his Princess.

"I don't know. I had go escort the prince out because she would have to be undressed." Lazren admitted as they entered the front walkway of the servants quarters.

"Wait… she was left alone with this healer. No guards?" He asked honestly shocked to hear this.

"He's a medical professional." Lazren replied as if that was a defense of some sort. The dark laugh that escaped Half eyes lips nearly turned Lazren's blood to ice.