Fight for the Heir: Chapter Four

(This story might not be suitable for Children under ten.)

“Where am I?” said Bibi, waking from a deep sleep.
“Thou art in Shamara’s Castle,” said a servant named Atherton, who had a brown bushy beard and strong brow. “Thou hast had a bad beating.”
All at once, Bibi remembered Malik and his arm. “Is it bad?” he said, turning his head, looking down on the fresh linens on both of his arms.
“Thou might heal,” said Atherton, smiling.
Then came a soft knock on the door. Slowly the servant went to open the door.
“Sir, Frisk,” he let in a tall man who was wearing a green jerkin. His hair was fair and he had a green cap on to match his jerkin.
“How is our Prince?” said Frisk, grabbing a chair, and setting it next to the bed.
“I guess the best he could be,” said Bibi trying to sit up.
“No,” smiled Frisk, putting his hand on Bibi’s silver jerkin. “Thee must rest. Thou art lucky that thee escaped Malik.”
“Escaped?”
“Yes. My brothers Ferran, Ferris and I found Janan and Latavia on the road with a horse, and thee were on a litter. Ferran and Ferris went back to make sure that Malik was not following, but he was. They had swords and he did not. Nevertheless, they fought. Malik pick up a rotten tree and threw it at Ferran.”
“How bad is he hurt?”
“He has broken ribs, but nothing like thee’s wound.”
“And Ferris?”
“Ferris started to fight, but we arrived home and sent Khalid and some knights after them. One to ten, Malik is a coward. He fled into the shadows of the forest.”
“How did we get away?” asked Bibi.
“Janan dropped a branch on his head from the tree. He was unconscious for a while, I guess.” Ferris smiled again. Then he hit his head with his hand. “Excuse me! Art thou hungry?”
“No,” said Bibi looking down at his arms.
“Don’t let what Atherton said bother thee. Thou will get well. I will bring some broth.”

Bibi stayed in the castle for ten weeks with his father, visiting every week. Although Bibi was stronger, his right arm still bothered him. Finally came the day when Bibi would return to his own home. Ferran and Ferris came to bid farewell to Bibi. Ferran wore a gray tunic with a blue cape that touched the ground; and Ferris wore a yellow tunic with a green cape.
“Good bye Bibi, son of Callah,” said Ferran, bowing. “We, Ferris and I, wish we could see thee off, but we hast to bring Khalid and his horse,” Then he turned and left.
“Thou hast been our greatest friend when in need for advice,” said Ferris. “Good-bye Bibi, son of Callah, thou art one of high honor in this household.” then he turned and left.
“Does thee need help to get in the saddle?” whispered Frisk.
“Thanks,” smiled Bibi.
Then Frisk boosted Bibi into the saddle just in time for the women to come and say farewell.
“Mother,” said Frisk, walking over to his mother named Lady Kathleen. He kissed her hand. Then he led Kathleen to where Bibi was on his horse.
“Good-bye my son,” said Lady Kathleen. Bibi , remembering that he was supposed to kiss her hand, clumsily held out his left arm.
“No,” she smiled. “Thou art like my son and I hast loved thee the weeks thou hast been here.”
“I hast never been taken care of better,” said Bibi, quietly.
“Bibi,” cried Latavia, running up to him. “Thou hast saved my life! How am I going to repay thee?”
“Thou hast already repaid me,” he said, looking at her blond curls. “I would not be alive, if not for thee and thy sister, Janan.”
“Bibi, I also owe thee my life,” Janan bowed her head to hide the tears that softly landed on her sliver gown.
“Thou hast saved me, too. Do not forget that. Where would I be now, if thee weren’t there?” said Bibi.
Janan smiled. Latavia and Janan walked to their mother.
Khalid, who was to escort Bibi home, came with his horse and mounted. He waited for Bibi.
“Good-bye Bibi,” said Frisk.
“Good-bye, Frisk,” said Bibi, slapping his reins on the white horse that Latavia found.