Compagnons D'Âme

Chapter 2: Médecine Forte

My awaking was rather strange. For once I felt warm and well rested, unlike my normal short nights. I was laying on something as soft as a cloud. Finally, believing this to all be some fantastic dream, I opened my eyes, and saw a room I had never seen before.

It had a high wooden ceiling in a dome shape that had pictures of flowers and such painted on the panels. The walls were a peaceful creamy white and the floor, the finest hard wood of an oak tree. I was in a bed that was covered in cotton sheets and blankets. On a bed next to mine, Colombe was laid on his stomach, nude, with a blanket covering his bottom portion. It then occurred to me I was nude too. I blushed, and clenched the blankets tighter.

From behind a door, a young Esprit walked out. She was lovely, she had peach colored hair and warm brown eyes, and I noticed that her skin was much more tan then the normal Spiritueux I saw. She was carrying a tray that had bandages and a tub of salve on it. She wore a pink dress with long bell sleeves and a white apron. She noticed me looking at her and gave her warmest smile.

“Rubis, the Mortel is awake now!” She said, turning to the door she had just entered from. The girl then turned to me and smiled. “Don’t worry, she will be here soon and she is the best guérisseur in all of La Terre.” The girl had an accent to her speech. Though her Parole was excellent, I could tell that she wasn’t native to Sol. As if she could read my mind, she looked at me and smiled.

“I am Cereza, or Cerise in your language,” she said, placing the tray beside Colombe. “I am from a small ville in L\'Espagne.” L’Espagne was south of Sol. From what I had heard it was a very sunny country and our closes ally.

“I am coming Cereza,” said a voice from behind the door. After the voice, came a woman. She was an Esprit to, but a full grown female. She had grey hair that fell to her shoulders and the clearest blue eyes I have ever seen. Her face was pure serene and she wore the white gown of a guérisseur. “Greetings young one, I am Rubis.”

From the moment I saw her the name Cristal had been running through my mind. She was just like a crystal in appearance and demeanor, nothing like a the blood colored and vibrant rubis.

“As you know, we don’t pick our names,” said Rubis, as if she too could read my mind, or just my puzzled look. “Our mères and nature do. But my Mère like many Nobles decided to trick nature. She had four servant girls each hold a large gem of either an emerald, diamond, ruby, or sapphire in front of her eyes when she gave birth to me. Her eyes were attracted to the ruby, hence my name.”

I found this odd, that Nobles had in plan what they wanted to view when they gave birth. Lost in my concentration I didn’t notice Rubis approach me.

“Dehydrated, malnourished, exhausted, and a few bruises, my dear,” she said in a very motherly voice. “With a proper diet, bed, and Maître, you will get much better.” I didn’t know what to say, I hadn’t even thought about my health since I met Colombe. “Yes he is bad off, the infection has set in those cuts, but I will have it out of his body within this week.”

I frowned.

“What is wrong?” asked Cereza, as Rubis moved on to work on Colombe.

“I wish you would all stop reading my mind,” I pouted and know I looked like a child. This made both Rubis and Cereza snicker.

“Such a witty child,” said Rubis, not taking her eyes off the task at hand. “He shall be wittier with something on his stomach. Cereza, fetch Nuage and tell her to bring some broth and bread.” Cereza nodded her head, and went out a door that I hadn’t seen before. I turned my attention back to Rubis and Colombe. Rubis was slightly humming as she gently put a salve on Colombe’s back, and put on gauze bandages. Colombe moaned in relief as the soothing properties of the salve were absorbed by his skin.

“Dame Rubis?” I asked, trying to catch her attention. “What are my duties to be here?” I was curious as to what was to be expected of me. I had a feeling it would be nothing domestic, the Roi had purchased me, and he had a league of servants to do his biding. I feared the thought of anything sexual. As I was a new purchased slave, my virginity remained intact. Virgin slaves sold better to costumers. Poor Colombe had been hurt by his last Maître, I feared what would happen to me.

“First, I was a Duchesse, not a Dame,” said Rubis, finishing her work on Colombe. “And the key word there was. To be a guérisseur, one must give up one’s title of Nobility. And what Aigle has planned for you, or what Loup has planned for him,” she pointed to Colombe, “Is known only by them.”

I was shocked at how informalky she referred to the Roi and Prince, even in private and of high Nobility, or use to be of high. As if to prove to me further she was a mind reader, she just laughed a bit at my face.

“Don’t give me that look,” she said. “I am their Tante. My sister, Émeraude, is their mère.” I was a bit shocked at that. To be sister to the Reine de Douairière was almost Royalty, yet she became a guérisseur. I wanted to find out more about it, but the look Rubis gave me told me not to press her.

“I won’t make that mistake again,” I whispered bowing. Rubis smiled.

“Young one, what is your name?” she questioned. “And also your friend’s? Those Gardes aren’t the most polite and forgot to mention it to me. Cereza and I were both curious as to what they are. We have been calling you Fée, and your companion Ange.” I smiled a bit at that. So many in the past had called us by those names. I could still see that beauty which attracted such names in the rare glimpses I received of myself and in Colombe’s face, but beauty is not something admired in the life of a slave, specially not in yourself.

“I am called Papillon,” I said. “And my friend is Colombe.” She smiled at this.

“Butterfly and Dove,” she said. “Suits you both well.” She smiled at me, which I couldn’t help but return. “And as for your mistake, you haven’t made one yet. You asked a question and I answered you as best I could. Never fear asking Papillon.”

I didn’t say that a slave should never question someone, specially someone so much higher then them. It seemed to me that Rubis either didn’t understand the etiquette of slavery, or chose to ignore it.

The door Cereza had left through, reopened. I was expecting to see her there, but was surprised to see two women I took to be Dames there instead. Both of them were dressed in heavily brocaded silk gowns that seem to weigh more then they did themselves. They were both Spiritueux. One had sea green hair, and the other a emerald green, done up in elaborate buns and curls. They appeared to be sisters, if not twins. They held silk folding fans in front of their faces and were smirking behind them.

“Dames Lis and Soie,” said Rubis, through a very strained voice. “What do I owe the pleasure of your visit.” I could tell she didn’t mean that. The sea green one came forth, passing by me with a sneer.

“Hello Guérisseur Rubis,” she said. “Your sister has set us to retrieve some of your herbs to help with headaches. She has been suffering from one for a few hours now.”

“Dame Lis,” said Rubis, her voice taking on a colder tone. “If it has been a few hours, why do you come just now?”

“Oh,” said Dame Lis, pretending to be thinking about the question, “Well, we heard you were treating some patients, but I guess I heard wrong. I only see slaves here.” She and the other girl sneered again in Colombe and my direction. I had pulled into a bow the minute they entered and remained so quietly. I was use to such treatment. Rubis, however, wasn’t.

“Dame Lis,” she said, her voice just like ice. “They are patients, and owned by the Roi and Prince. I hope you will address them with such respect as you do with me.”

“Of course,” laughed Dame Lis. “After all, I hold you so high in my regards.” The other girl laughed at this too. Rubis glowered and left to go back to her office. Dame Lis, and who I took to be Dame Soie came to my side.

“Well, well, well,” said Dame Soie. “Who do you happen to be.”

“I am Papillon,” I said. “And Roi Aigle is my Maître,” They laughed at this too.

“Papillon,” Dame Lis said. “You look more like a mere Mouche to me. That is why I shall call you, Mouche.”

“And your little friend is who?” asked Dame Soie, who seem to find this amusing.

“He is Colombe, slave of Prince Loup,” I said.

“I think Corneille is better suited for him,” said Dame Lis. “Mouche and Corneille. A perfect pair of slaves for the dirty cleaning, which I am sure you shall be used for. What use would Royalty have for slaves such as yourself. You aren’t very attractive nor smart.” She and Dame Soie let out a laugh. I kept my tongue like I was trained to, though I very much wished I didn’t. Though, I couldn’t disagree with what I was wanted for. After all, I had no idea what I was wanted for.

Cereza reentered, carrying a tray with two bowls of broth and two rolls on it. She was smiling until she noticed who I was with. Her face paled and she placed the tray on a table near the door, so she could curtsy to the ladies.

“Dame Lis and Dame Soie,” she muttered. “What a pleasure to see you both.” Dame Lis and Dame Soie both gained even wickeder smile.

“Look who has joined us sister,” said Dame Lis. “La Chienne Espagnole.” I nearly gasped at the insult to Cereza. Cereza remain quiet though.

“Yes,” said Dame Soie. “Just like a bitch in heat, always sniffing around Contesse Tournesol, who is just too nice with her.”

“Yes, sister,” said Dame Lis. “I would have kicked her like you should do with any beast,

like those two on the beds. They haven’t been beaten enough if you asked me.”

“Noone did Dame Lis,” said Rubis, who had returned, carrying a paper packet, which she thrust at Dame Lis. “And in the future, I will request of my sister to send different Dames dans L’attente, ones who will treat my help with proper respect and deserving of the title. And tell Contesse Tournesol of your little insult to Cereza.” Dame Lis and Dame Soie turned paler then Cereza, and quickly made their way out of the room. After they had left, Cereza regained her color and a heated attitude.

“Dame Mauvaise Herbe and Dame Coton should learn to speak as their titles imply,” she said, folding her arms across her chest. I laughed at her nicknames for them, finding them much more clever then the ones they had thought of for us. I think Rubis did to, for she gave a slight smile.

“I concur,” she said. “But Dames are easily jealous of those they know to have better connections then them.”

“What connections do we have that is better then Dames?” I asked. Rubis smiled. I was confused. Cereza was an apprentice and Colombe and I were merely slaves, how could we out rank dames?

“Well, Cereza happens to be engaged to Contesse Tournesol,” she said. I opened my eyes in wonderment. Cereza seemed so young, and she was engaged to a Contesse?

“Yes,” giggled Cereza. “Tournesol is many years my senior, but is still so young. The moment she laid eyes on me, she decided I was the one, even though I have no Nobility in me.” Cereza sighed a bit, and Rubis gave her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

“You’re a future guérisseur,” said Rubis. “They are highly placed in Noble society.”

“I understand her connection,” I said. “But Colombe’s and mine?”

“You are Royal slaves,” said Rubis. “Royalty rarely takes slaves, for they have enough money for servants. When they do, they have a very good reason. The Noble ladies fear that reason, but you will have to find out the reason why, Papillon.” She finished before I could ask. “Time to get something on your stomach. Aigle will not be happy with a too thin slave.” I nodded. I was hungry.

Cereza brought forth one of the bowls, a spoon, and a roll. I ate slowly, though my stomach yearned for me to go more rapid. I knew well enough that you should never eat fast or too much on an empty stomach that has shrunk over the years. The broth was the best thing I have had since I had left home, and the roll melted in my mouth. I believe I must have given a few groans of pleasure, for both Rubis and Cereza were giggling at me while I ate.

Another groan soon joined ours. I recognized it as Colombe’s. He had awoken from his sleep.

“We need to get something on his stomach,” said Rubis. “But he can’t feed himself. Cereza, could you please do it.”

“Of course,” said Cereza, who had already moved to Colombe’s bedside. But the door open, and in stepped Prince Loup, still in the outfit I had seen him in when Colombe and I were purchased. I bowed as best I could and Cereza curtsied. As a full guérisseur, Rubis wasn’t required to show such respect to Royalty, especially as it was her nephew.

“Tante Rubis,” he smiled at her, moving to embrace her. “It is a pleasure to see you.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” said Rubis, and I believed her.

“How is Colombe doing?” he asked, breaking the hug.

“Better then should be expected,” she replied pointing at him. “Cereza was just about to feed him.”

“Allow me to do it Tante,” the Prince said. “He is after all my responsibility and I should learn to do it and he to get use to my presence.” I gasped as the Prince sat at a stool by Colombe and picked up the spoon to feed him.

At first Colombe refused.

“Little one,” cooed the Prince. “You need to eat and get better.”

“Papillon,” he gasped out.

“Ah, you want your friend,” he smiled. “Papillon is sick also and resting. I though am healthy, and ready to feed you, so please eat.” Colombe finally opened his mouth and allowed for the Prince to feed him. I was still in shock that a prince would do such a thing as feed a slave, but then I don’t think many would have bought an abused slave, or had them medically treated.

The Prince smiled at Colombe as he ate, encouraging him to take another sip or bite. When the food was all gone, Colombe fell back asleep again, looking more peaceful then I have ever seen him. The Prince put the bowl next to the bed, then turned and faced me.

“Tante Rubis,” he said. “Is Papillon well enough to leave?”

“As long as he rest for the next few days and eats,” she replied.

“Good,” smiled the Prince. “Aigle was most anxious to have him back. Though he doesn’t show it to anyone but me.” Rubis and the Prince both laughed at that, though I didn’t get the joke. “Can you walk?” he said to me, knocking me out of my thoughts.

“Yes, your altesse,” I said, returning to my bow. The Prince stopped me.

“Loup is my name,” he smiled at me. “And Aigle is my brother’s. In private or with family, just refer to us by are given names. We receive enough titles as it is.” He and Rubis laughed. “Also, no need to bow. I get more then those then I can count.” I returned to my sitting position.

“Yes, Loup, I can walk,” I said, unsure of my words.

“Then we shall be off,” he announced. “Farewell Tante Rubis, Cereza, and Colombe. I shall be back later.” He helped me off the bed and to secure my footing. Then, much to my embarrassment, Rubis and Loup put a pair of sleeping pants on me. I just remembered I was nude, and Dames had been in the room with me. I don’t think my cheeks have ever been redder, but Loup just gave a slight smile at it. He lead me out the door and down a large spiral staircase. I gaped at the finery of the halls I was lead down. Loup kept at a brisk pace, obviously in a hurry to get me to where ever we were going, and I knew better then to ask questions.

We finally stopped in front of a large wooden door, that had pictures of dancing dames and seigneurs. The door was lovely and I wished to have had the time to admire it more, but a Garde outside it opened it up to reveal many noble Spiritueux females sewing, with one that looked much like Rubis in the middle, except she was a bit younger and with longer hair. I gave a low bow and Loup just bent his knee.

I saw Dame Lis and Dame Soie mixed in the crowd, along with another half a dozen. They returned our greeting, but the woman in the middle didn’t. She jumped up and ran to Loup.

“Loup,” she sang, giving him a big hug that would have knocked me off my feet. “How do you fare my son?”

“Fine Mère,” he smiled back at her. “I just came to ask on behalf of my brother, if you would assign Dame Safran to be in charge of his newest purchase and Dame Saule to be in charge of mine.” I was shocked. He was assigning a Dame to be in charge of me? Whatever for?

“Of course, of course,” she said, waving her hand as if it was a trivial thing. “They are so bored with just working with me, and so many others are dying for their position. I am sure their Pères wouldn’t mind having their daughters work directly for the Roi and Prince. But I want to see them!” She began jumpy like an excited child. Loup just smiled.

“Colombe is still to ill, but Papillon is here,” he pointed to me and the Reine de Douairière skipped over to me. I was still bowed.

“Oh, Loup he is so pretty,” she exclaimed. “But, dear, I must see your eyes. Look at me, Poppet.” I obeyed her and she gasped at them.

“Lavender eyes!” she said. “The oddest shade I have ever seen, and on a Mortel no less. Aigle has all the luck to be able to find such a beautiful lover.” My eyes widen at that. Lover? Me? To a Roi? Impossible.

“Mère,,” lectured Loup. “Don’t frighten him his first night here. Aigle will probably do that.” They laughed, as did all the Dames. I noticed Dame Lis glaring at me through her false laughter. I was too shocked to. “But, it is getting late, and Dame Safran still needs to clean and dress him.”

“Of course,” she said. “Safran, dear, you must be going.” An orange haired Esprit rose up from the gaggle of Dames. She had yellow eyes and wore her hair in a cascade of ringlets. She wore a simple silk gown in red, trimmed in gold. She had a gentle face and sweet smile that I easily returned.

“Farewell,” she said, in a voice that was deeper then most females I have heard, but not deep enough to be a male. “It was an honor serving you your majesté, and I hope to serve your son as well as I did you.” She curtsied to the Reine de Douairière, then to Loup and me.

“I am certain you will my dear,” she replied, and I left with both Loup and Safran.

Once outside, Loup turned to us.

“I must be getting back to my duties,” he said. “Dame Safran, I trust you to take good care of him.”

“Of course, my Prince,” she smiled. He nodded and was gone.

Safran turned to me. “Her ladyship was right, you are a lovely boy.” She smiled again, but this time I was too nervous to return it without Loup’s reassuring presence. “Don’t worry, I am nothing like the other Dames you have meet. I actually practice those manners they taught us in finishing school.” She giggled, and I was flabbergasted.

“How did you....” I stated.

“I know you met Dame Lis and Dame Soie this afternoon,” she replied. “And I know how they are.” I nodded, believing every female here must be capable of mind reading. “But we must get you ready.” She lead me down another three halls before we stopped in front of another wooden door, this time craved with mermaids, and guarded by four Gardes. The moment they saw us, the opened the door and Safran lead me inside.

It was the largest chamber I had ever seen. It had porcelain tiles done in a mosaic portraying two mermaids embracing, surrounded by an underwater kingdom. Vases of flowers decorated the room, and the floor had both rose petals and thick rugs covering it near a large marble tub, that could have comfortable fit ten people in. The walls had similar underwater scenes, and the rest of the room was just as impressive, but Safran was impatient with me, and moved me to the bathtub, that was already filled with warm soapy water that had the smell of roses and lavender.

Before I could protest, she stripped me of my pants and helped me into the tub. Then she started scrubbing at me, gently, with a soapy rag of the same fragrance of the water. She hummed and sang lullabies as she washed me, paying careful attention to my matted hair.

“You might be wondering about my name,” she said. I actually was. Safran was named for the herb saffron, but I don’t understand how her mère saw that thing first, as it wasn’t very noticeable a thing, unless you were in a herbal shop.

“My mère was blind,” she said, scrubbing me with vigor. “So she named me after the first thing she smelled. The guérisseur delivering me had ran out of smelling salts that he used to keep woman in labor awake, so he resorted to using the herb saffron, hence my unique name.” I was puzzled. I had never heard of a blind Esprit before.

“How did she,” I began, but Safran cut me off.

“Another tale for another time,” she replied, then helped me out of the bath. She dried me off with a fluffy towel, then left me alone for a moment. She came back carrying a few packages wrapped in silk. She untied one, revealing a silk tunic and leggings in violet, with silver embroidered into the shape of butterflies over a field of flowers along with undergarments. She quickly dressed me it in.

The outfit was the finest thing that had ever graced my skin. It was so cool and smooth it felt like it must to wear water wove into a cloth. She admired the clothing on me, before placing a pair of satin silver slippers on my feet from another package.

There was a mirror nearby, and while she was undoing another package, I moved to look at it. I gasped at my appearance.

For the first time, I noticed how truly lovely I was. My hair was clean, though still messy, as was my skin. I was dressed in an outfit worth more then I have ever seen, that was as lovely as an actual flower and fit me so well. Safran came behind me, holding a silver brush, and started on my hair.

It was painful at first, but she was as gentle as possible, and soon had the matted tangles smoothed. Then she added jewelry.

Besides Nobles, I have never seen anyone wearing jewelry. Not even my mère had a wedding band. Safran placed a silver collar set with an amethyst cut in the shape of a butterfly on my neck, that had letters I couldn’t read in the mirror. She put a silver bracelet on my left wrist and a silver ring set with an amethyst on my right ring finger. She then sparkled silver dust in my hair, and added a thin silver wire circlet to my now neat hair.

“Perfect,” she admired. And though it sounds vain, I couldn’t argue with her. “Now it is time to be introduced to Roi Aigle, or your hopefully future lover.” I was knocked out of my thoughts with the mention again of the Roi as my lover. “Didn’t you know that was why you were bought?” questioned Safran. “The Roi and Prince fell in love with the two of you at first sight.” My look answered her question.

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Author\'s Note: Taken from my fictionpress account