His Majesty made good on his promise and quickly had his brother arrested. Then he offered to have me accompany the girl home. I was both excited and anxious when she enthusiastically agreed. This was my chance not only to teach her Ausbarlian, but to learn more about her people, language, and culture. Truly an opportunity I would be eternally grateful for.
Before we departed, the girl held her hands out in front of me, and her palms began to shine with warm light. As I wondered what she was doing, I felt the painful swelling in my joints subside. This mysterious girl, Lilac Grimwood, was miraculous indeed. I had much to learn from her.
I was led into the interior of the walls encircling the city. There were thousands of menacing creatures within, but all knelt as their sovereign passed. Lady Grimwood took up the magic tool from earlier once again and tapped at the images it displayed. Moments later a strange carriage appeared, with two large green wolves harnessed to it. I say wolves, but they seemed more like overgrown pups. Lady Grimwood went over to inspect the new arrival, as though she were surprised to see it.
“Is this carriage your doing, Lady Grimwood?” I asked. We were still speaking the ancient language. I hadn’t gotten around to asking her how she knew it yet.
“Oh, yeah,” she said. “It’s a long way, and I figured walking would be tough for you.”
“Truly? You’re too kind.”
When I approached the carriage, the door opened of its own accord. The interior was cozy, with a pair of very plush seats situated across from one another. Rather than a set of steps, a small ramp complete with guard rails appeared. I was floored. This carriage was of finer quality than any I’d ever seen. When I sat down on the cushioned seats, I sank slightly into their pillowy softness. It was the most comfortable seat I’d ever experienced. Lady Grimwood sat across from me, and we enjoyed a pleasant conversation as we traveled to her home. Though the way there was long indeed, the carriage was swift. It seemed like hardly any time passed before we arrived.
During the trip, she revealed that the language she and I were speaking was not her native tongue, but one she had learned from one of her subordinates. Her actual native language was one that escaped me entirely, and I was thrilled beyond words when she offered to teach me to speak it.
As we exited the carriage, I could see many strange and wondrous sights all around us. I asked about everything, and in turn, Lady Grimwood asked me what our words for the things she showed me were. We were a pair of teachers, learning from one another. How long had it been since I’d felt this way?
The weather cooled as summer gave way to autumn, and winter simply flew by as well. I was able to send messages to the royal palace regularly, and they sent replies back in turn. I didn’t know if any of the things I told them were helpful or not, but I was having the time of my life. Lady Grimwood’s Ausbarlian language skills developed remarkably. She was apparently quite used to learning new languages, and when her subordinates learned a new word, she immediately knew it as well. Quite the advantage. I must say, my progress with her native Sprigian was much slower, though I did have the benefit of being surrounded by dozens of native speakers on a daily basis.
As spring arrived, I took ill. I was in bed for days on end—I didn’t know how long. During that time, Lady Grimwood penned a letter to the king unassisted, to send for a doctor. I must admit, by that time, I was well and truly smitten with her. She was absolutely precious, both in appearance and in her sweet ways. It was obvious to me why her followers adored her so. During that time, as I lay there sickened, she would sit by my bedside and read to me as I lay awake in bed. At the same time the previous year, I would have been ready to let death take me; I’d lived a long and productive life, spent doing something meaningful. As I looked into her sweet face, however, I realized I wanted to live. With her around, I now enjoyed life so much that I couldn’t bear to let it end.
When the doctor arrived from the royal capital, she left me little hope. After a single exam, the head royal physician flatly declared there was nothing she could do, and went straight home. Lady Grimwood wept for me and vowed to cure the malady herself.
The next day, Lady Grimwood returned with a glass bottle full of a glowing golden liquid. She removed the stopper and held the mouth of the container to my lips.
“Drink this,” she told me.
With unwavering trust, I did as instructed and imbibed the magical concoction. I could feel a heat in my chest as it worked its way down my throat. Then I took a deep breath, and felt the spring air fully fill my lungs. My body suddenly felt stronger than it had in years. I looked down at my hands to discover they were quite a bit smaller. In fact, my whole body felt lighter as well. Lady Grimwood hurried to summon some attendants, and had them bring in a mirror. I didn’t recognize the figure reflected in it when I gazed that way.
“It seems to have worked, but I suppose a few side effects were unavoidable,” she said. “What do you think?”
“I’m one of you now. I’ve become a Sprigian.”
My formerly grizzled and elderly voice now sounded youthful and full of life. The figure in the mirror was a Sprigian, just like Lady Grimwood and her subjects. Light brown skin, pointed ears, long silver hair, golden eyes, and a handsome face devoid of any facial hair. I felt my face to confirm that this was indeed my own reflection. My robe hung loosely around my smaller body.
“How do you feel?” Her Majesty asked eagerly.
“Different,” I replied flatly.
“Good different, or bad different?”
“The malady seems to have gone away...but so has the rest of me.”
“Please don’t be upset, but I created some potent life essence in the Unseen Realm, and brought it back here to cure you. I didn’t realize the effects would be this drastic. I ask that you forgive me—I swear, I had only the purest intentions. Though, I realize you may resent me for this. After all, your body will probably never be human again.”
I shook my head. “How could I resent you? You’ve given me a new lease on life. Why, this body is far stronger than my old one ever was. I’ve never been so muscular. I should be thanking you for it.” I flexed my bicep to show off my newfound muscle, and my robe fell open, partially exposing my chest. Thankfully I was still seated, and nothing else slipped out. Lady Grimwood made an adorable noise and hid her eyes with her hands until I was decent again. Was she embarrassed to see my chest? How long had it been since anyone thought about me that way? Her reaction set my heart pounding.
Lady Grimwood summoned a Sprigian named Hammer to the room, and he measured my body. A few hours later, I had a new robe, made from durable materials I’d never heard of before. I’ll have you know, I cut quite a dashing figure in my new clothes.
I sat at my desk at the end of the day, and penned a letter to His Majesty. How can I possibly explain this? I wondered as I put pen to paper.