Matron fevered severely. The bandage had soaked through several times and the child set to tend him replaced it again. It was starting to look better, the black and green had began to be replaced with clearish fluid and blood. The Epson Salts had worked as well. Drawing moisture away the wound gradually closed itself. The herbalist had done well , that with Matrons will to live and fortitude.
Matrons mind although not well had stayed long enough to fend off Jezabel and retake mental control. The dreams however, he could do nothing of those. They came at will, and sought to torture him in a restless sleep. In the dream world only moments had passed.
**
"Effie, where are you? Come out I want to see my wife and children!" Matron had just returned from a hunting trip into the mountains. He had noticed the chimney was barren when he rode up however thought nothing of it as it was not that cold out.
Now inside the hose he saw everything in its place. Effervescia did keep a clean house. Nearing supper time however the absence of a pot on the fire was strange. Then the fright set in. Where were they, there is no one here.
"Theron....Sarah...." fear took him and as he did on the battle field so often he channeled it to anger, "EFFERVESIA, THERON, SARAH....COME OUT NOW!"
His command voice rang through the home. Boomed against the walls and threatened to shatter the very foundation. Surely they had heard him, surely they would come running to him from wherever they had been hiding.
Moments passed into minutes as Matron stood their in the center of the mountain home. Minutes passed into hours as Matrons mind raced. Where were they, the horrors assaulted his mind. The emotions raged, abandonment turned into fear, fear turned into anger.
They would not return. Wed to the perfect balance to his life for only 3 years, having only raised his children for 2, Matron was now once again alone in the world. What had happened to them....
"I can help you find them..." The voice said from behind him.
Matron wheeled and faced the voice clutching his glaive in a manner that only meant death for someone. Nothing was there, no person, no thing, the home was devoid and lifeless save him.
"My lord knows all and can bring them home to you...." Again from bbehind him.
Turning once again Matron roared and slashed with the glaive as he turned this time. Air screamed as it died a thousand horrible deaths to the blade of Matrons weapon. However blood was not shed.
"SHOW YOURSELF FIEND!" Matron bellowed to the empty air.
She was just there. Standing in front of Matron, the light glow about her person made the silver hair brilliant. Those green eyes were pools of mountain water one could just dive into. There was nothing about the woman that was imperfect. Even her feathered wings were daring him to look away.
"Angel, why have you come to me...?" Matrons eyes teared at the beauty of the angel and he fell to his knees. "Why do you tease me with your promises".
"I do not tease, I bring hope Matron" The angels voice was as song so beautiful. All you must do is release me, draw the sword Matron. Turn me loose and I will help you".
**
Matron sat upright, sweat splattering about him. Frantically he looked around him. The young man scooted back from him. Matrons eyes darted around him, they landed on the glaive and his jacket. His hat was there, all of his belongings except the sword.
"where is the sword...." Matrons voice was weak and low. He reached for the water skin next to him and drank deeply.
The young man pointed behind Matron to the wall. Turning he saw the weapon sheathed and leaned against the wall. A great sigh of relief escaped his lips. He hated the thing, hated what it did to him. Loosing control as he did the one time he drew the sword, the slaughter he caused with it. Vampires, of course did deserve that slaughter, however Matron did not deserve to loose that small part of himself that now belonged to the blade.
Standing his leg screamed at him and the young man protested, "Sir, the poison is not fully drawn out yet."
"There are things to be done..." Matron could not stand by when he could be of some help. It was impossible for him to know there was someone that needed help, and not be able to help them. His focus was not nearly that of which he saw from Tyrteaus, that man is a rarity anymore.
"Young man, the Knight..." Matron spoke as he pulled his jacket on "Did he make it inside the walls?"