Imeeya was releived to find that the Queen had taken no offence at her interruption. She supposed that in situations like this, all conventions fell by the wayside. She prefered to hang onto the formalities herself, it made her feel like she had some sense of grounding in all of this chaos. It surprised her to find the Queen taking her by the arm and leading her over to Vangelis in spite of the messy state that she was in. Before she had even had a chance to properly thank Olympia, she had spotted her husband, and Imeeya found herself staring after the queen as she rushed off.
After a moment to process the whirlwind of what had just happened, Imeeya turned back to her cousin. Despite his protestations that he was fine, she could see that his arm was covered in blood and there was a nasty gash across his thigh. Her own aversions to dealing with blood had long since been numbed, but she still cringed a bit internally to see someone she actually knew injured. While on some level, she knew Vangelis must have dealt with worse than this in his years of being a soldier, she couldn’t help but be shocked at the extent of his injuries.
”This doesn’t look like ‘fine’ to me.” Imeeya retorted back to her cousin. ”Come with me, and we’ll have those taken care of.” Imeeya’s argumentative tone served only to mask the concern she had at her cousin’s injuries. She had already embarassed herself enough by her outburst in front of the queen. Imeeya headed off back in the direction of the tents where she had previously been working at helping the injured. She didn’t wait to see if Vangelis would follow her. There wasn’t much she could do if he didn’t want to be persuaded to do something, but she hoped that he would listen to her advice, if only so she could figure out for sure how much she needed to worry about how bad his injuries were under all the blood.
Vangelis gave little response to his cousin's fussing. Partially because he was stoic by nature and partially because he was unused to it. Or to seeing Imeeya behave with such concern around him. This was not due to any great break in her personality or shifting of her character, but more to do with circumstances. Whilst the Drakos and Kotas family were close, it was always sat family dinners or public events or other calm and peaceful situations in which Imeeya and Vangelis had ever interacted. And even then, the interaction was slight mostly due to Vangelis' quiet manner and refusal to engage in idle chit-chat. It wasn't a lack of caring between the two of them for their familiarity was strong. But they weren't often to be found in discussion with on another purely due to circumstance.
Now, the two cousins were being placed into a scenario where there were no other siblings or parents that would step in faster to aid in Vangelis' injuries, leaving Imeeya to be the point of familial caring, and the injuries themselves were an anomaly to the young woman. Dolomesa had its share of accidents and injuries in the mines, but Imeeya would have been kept clear of such disasters (for the most part). And she certainly wouldn't have been exposed to cuts or wounds that were so clearly inflicted in war or through deliberate combat. Accidents were one thing. Malicious intent to kill was another.
Vangelis was about to wave his cousin away, to insist she go and help elsewhere with someone she didn't know, someone for whom there would be less emotional connection with (a connection that could only hinder her peace of mind), when Imeeya seemed to gain some of her Kotas inherited spirit of efficiency and started insisting that he follow her towards an opposing tent with more supplies and bandages.
Standing back up and being careful to avoid the Prince Irakles (whom he nodded to with respect for his title and performance on the battlefield) and the Lady Meena whom he narrowly avoided as she went to go and seek more aid from a Condos Lord, Vangelis followed his cousin between the injured, around the healers and further away from the dead, as she guided him towards an open bench, beside a table of bandages and clean water. On the opposite side of the tent, Vangelis spotted the Lady Selene working on her own patient, but was quickly distracted when Imeeya started to busily prepare the pieces in front of her.
Sitting down onto the bench as he was ushered to, Vangelis started tugging at the ties on either side of his torso with his good arm in order to remove the leather tunic. The thigh plates would have to wait until his arm was checked out as he felt it better to not allow blood to flow freely from more than one place at a time. Refusing the ask for help, as was his way, Vangelis then reached behind him and pulled at his undershirt so that it came up and over his head, sending his hair on end and his throat expelling a sharp grunt as he was able to pull it free from one arm before pealing it away from the blood soaked second.
Bare chested, her was scratched and clipped and dirty as heck with dust and sweat and flecks of blood from numerous wounds - some he took, some he inflicted. But it was clear that the only injury that actually needed attention on his upper half was the harsh laceration across his left bicep. He rubbed the back of his hand beneath his nose as he rested his right forearm on an upraised knee and waited for Imeeya's action or instruction...
"I can assure you it's not as bad as it looks." He offered to the girl when he noticed the way she glanced at his injuries. His lips quirked up a little at the corner as if he were teasing his cousin. "Doesn't even hurt."
Chrysanthe had been helping to arrange the necessary supplies, not content to wait idle. She had located the needles and thread first, as she had volunteered to help with sewing and then moved on to making sure the bandages were arranged neatly in case they were needed. She knew that they would soon have to help out with treating the injured who had been arriving. So Chrysanthe hadn’t initially noticed as the woman came over and talked to the noble who she was helping familiarly. Not wanting to be accused of listening in on a conversation that didn’t concern her, Chrysanthe had kept her head down as the two interacted, yet as the woman spoke, Chrysanthe realized that she recognized the voice.
Looking over, Chrysanthe recognized the woman who she had met just a few days ago when she gifted her some golden bangles that she had admired in the market. Chrysanthe bowed her head quickly at the woman. “How nice to see you again, my lady.” Chrysanthe said quickly. She was still somewhat embarrassed by the generosity the woman had shown her. She could only hope that the woman would not ask what had happened to the jewelry that had been gifted to her. It had long since been sold, the coins hidden behind a loose brick in her room back at Rhode’s house. It was only a matter of time before she would be able to leave this city.
”I didn’t expect to see you here.” Chrysanthe addressed to the lady, trying to hide her surprise and embarrassment at seeing the woman again. ”Is there something you need? I was just arranging the bandages here.” Chrysanthe gestured to a small pile of linen cloths sitting next to her. She was too flustered to realize that the man whom she was helping had already asked the lady the same question. Nikolias of Condos,Meena of Vasiliádon,
Meena’s attention was rapt upon Lord Nikolias as he spoke. She didn’t much care to hear about that battle, as it would only add fuel to the flames in her angry crusade of reasons not to like Stephanos. But she merely nodded in agreement with the lord, concernment etched into her features. “Yes, my Lord. How devastating that such bloodshed occurred. It is such a travesty to say the least. All of those Taengean lives lost...” She murmured softly before trailing off. It was the silence that spoke for her. Nothing more needed to be stated about the impulsiveness of the battle. It was already in the minds of the people and had more than likely caused them doubt in Stephanos’ abilities.
She itched to converse more on the topic, but followed Lord Nikolias’ lead and did not go further with the subject. Besides, she needed bandages and was on her way to grace him with a response whenever the woman at his side greeted her. Her head was bowed as if she’d been trying to disappear from their view. Whether or not that was her intent, she succeeded in doing so. Meena had completely glanced over her once the lord began to speak, forgetting that she was even there to begin with.
Yet, as the recognition dawned on her she couldn’t hide her genuine surprise at seeing the woman again. “It is good to see you as well. How interesting that the fates have us crossing paths again.” She replied with one of her friendlier of smiles. “I am here for bandages.” She answered moreso to them both.
Well, partly. She’d really been sent to solidify the unity between Irakles and Nikolias. She’d already completed her first task in dropping the subliminal messages. And Lord Nikolias’ obvious distaste for the carnage ensued had him ripe for her statements. But, in all reality, who wouldn’t be? It had been a senseless fight that had occurred simply so Stephanos could stroke his own ego. Irakles would have never sent so many soldiers to their deaths and had they been in more private place, Meena just might have said so.
Nikolias wasn't aware of Meena's reason for being here beyond bandages, nor that the alliance between himself and Irakles needed to be solidified, really. He thought that he and Irakles had covered all that at the dinner they'd had- but even so, he was unsure that if that was part of Meena's purpose in coming here that such things needed to be discussed in a medical tent with helpers present. Even if the helpers might be commoners, one never knew what rumors could circulate because of their overhearing such a conversation. Especially if said commoners were servants- then they might tell their masters.
Consequently, he had to think a little harder than usual about how to talk to Meena.
"Would you like honey and wine as well?" he asked Meena. The girl may have to leave the tent to get them, and he hoped Meena would pick up on his reason for asking, even if the girl may not leave right away. Besides, the combination of honey and wine together was a good healing agent, the wine good for cleaning wounds and the honey capable of either getting rid of infection or preventing it from happening entirely.He made a gesture to the girl to wait and then to fetch them if Meena should say yes.
His mixed grin and grimace brought up a powerful urge in her to either slap him or kiss him and she wasn't sure which she wanted to do more. On one hand she was still upset that he'd put himself and their family at risk like this and he seemed far too pleased that he'd been proven right, but on the other it didn't matter anymore. Their arguments and moments of coldness didn't matter anymore because he was home and he was safe, they were all three safe.
As if giving his own reaction to that the little prince within gave a kick, seemingly frustrated that his confines had grown so small of late. It was such a whirlwind she could hardly believe the eighth month was upon them and that she had grown so large in what felt like such a short time. Smiling, the queen placed a hand on her bloodied chiton to calm her son as they moved towards the tents. Xene's arrival was a welcome one and Pia gave something of a sheepish grin as the princess admonished her for being on her feet, giddy that Stephanos had returned victorious and in one piece.
"You're quite right, your highness. I simply needed to see that he was well before I could go back to my rest."
Following her sister-in-law's subtle nod, Olympia sat upon the bench and brought her husband down beside her, fingers going to work at the fastenings of his armor so they could take a better look at any injury that might have befallen him.
"I believe we shall have to visit the palace baths once your wounds have been tended to. And this tunic is ruined."
She plucked at the tatters where it had been shredded during the battle, glad it was the material instead of his skin that had been ripped in such a way. Accepting the wine the servant brought her on Xene's orders, she held Stephanos' glass for him until his arms were through with being used to remove the layers upon him. They would have to give condolences, speak to the widows and families that had lost husbands and fathers and sons, but right now she needed to simply revel in the fact that he was alive and their hopes for the future had not been lost with him.
Meena's thoughts wandered back to Irakles as Nikolias spoke. She couldn’t fight the growing urge to return to his side. She needed to make sure that he was entirely well. The Senate meet was drawing close and it would not do to have him appear weak and useless. Especially, against Stephanos and the other nobles. There was little that could be done here anyways amongst prying eyes. It was hard for her to nurse him under such scrutiny. She needed to see him and feel him for herself. All the things that she might do to comfort him – even the slightest of caresses –she dare not do in public.
Returning her attention back to Lord Nikolias, it took her a few seconds to catch onto what he was trying to convey. Graciously smiling, she replied, “Thank you for the kind offer, my lord. I will leave my handmaiden, Astraea, behind and she will take any vessels of honey and wine that are given to us.” She nodded in Irakles’ direction. “I am afraid I must return. However, you are always welcome to our home.” She hoped it would be enough for the lord. She wasn’t too keen on discussing anything beyond the superficial in such an open setting. She had little faith in those around her, even Lord Nikolias himself. But, she conducted herself in the most courteous manner towards him.
Holding the clean bandages in one hand, she waved Astraea over with the other. After instructing the girl to remain behind with Nikolias, she bowed her head in respect towards the lord before taking her leave. She tucked the bandages into the fabrics of her clothing as she approached Irakles. She’d done just as he’d asked and only hoped that he could uphold his end of the bargain. That they would return home where she could watch over him. She still could not breathe a sigh of relief; however, as her steps brought her closer to her lover, she found that her breathing became easier.
"My Prince," She greeted with an assured nod, signaling that her task was complete. "I am ready whenever you are."
He was pleased that he was proven right. If his wife’s estimation of his grin as indicator of his happiness that he was completely, totally, and undeniably correct, it was a blessing that she could not also share his feelings. She’d see that he was over the moon, elated with his own success. That, right there, would probably make her angry. Thankfully, though, she seemed content enough that he was back and was none the wiser that, if given this chance, he’d take it again and again and again, until every single Creed was purged from Taengea.
His mind was already filled with how the battle had gone and what he could have done better. As Pia pulled away from him, his gaze went around the tent to find Vangelis because he was suddenly struck with an idea that he wanted to see how the prince found it. But then he pulled away from that notion. While he was now beginning to feel a friendship towards the other man, it was really quite pointless. Vangelis would be king of Colchis and hardly ever in Taengea. Stephanos preferred to pour energy into people who would be close to him.
Despite the fact that he was the one who needed medical attention, he did want Pia sitting down immediately. The two of them weren’t ever alone, however. There were servants who’d already prepared a bench for him, away from everyone else. Gods forbid the king sat in the midst of a crowd. This turned out to be fine, though, because nearly as soon as they’d sat down, his sister appeared with a bowl of water and bandages.
He smiled up at his sister, suddenly feeling a little nostalgic to see her in the tents. She was right. She had seen to both him and Zacharias countless times, though, thankfully, he’d never been grievously injured. Before he was completely aware of what was happening, he found a wine glass placed into his hands, only to be taken out of it, and Pia and Xene talking both to him and across him as his armor was unstrapped and then lifted off him completely.
This was easier said than done because the throwing star that the Creed had used had to be dug out first. He gritted his teeth while this was done and was left with the baffling feeling of being in more pain now that the weapon was out. As his wife plucked at his tunic and tutted that it was ruined, he took the opportunity to take the wine and down it. This was the watered down kind that was drunk during the day and it was refreshing to say the least. He wanted more, not having realized how thirsty he was until he’d had the first taste of liquid.
Once he’d had enough, and once Xene had done all she felt necessary, Stephanos gave his sister a side hug that left her as disgusting as his hug to his wife had done, and then he stood. “Come,” he said, holding out a grimey hand to Pia. “I want you safely indoors. And a bath,” he added as an after thought. His motive was not only this, but he had some changes that he wanted to discuss with her. This battle, and leading up to it, had had a way of resetting his priorities. Pia needed to be the first person he told about these changes.
Once he was certain that servants had his weapons and armor, he slipped his arm around Pia's waist and led his wife back to the palati on one side, with his other arm around his sister's shoulders on his other side.
Nikolias wasn't really surprised Meena hadn't wanted to talk in the medical tent. but at least he'd tried. It had seemed important enough to her that he at least felt he had to give his best effort to finding a way to talk to her. When she said he was always welcome in their home, he nodded. "As the two of you are in mine," he said, bowing in return. He handed two clay amphorae to Astraea, one filled with wine and the other with honey. "Just in case," he added. She had seemed more concerned than usual, and he did not know her as a squeamish sort of woman, so that concerned him a little as well. "Please let me know how he heals."
When Meena and Astraea would leave, he would turn to Chrysanthe.
"Well, I suppose we should prepare for others, then." Nikolias said. He found an old but clean sheet and ripped it in half, tearing more strips to use for bandages as he spoke.
Imeeya was glad that Vangelis complied with her insistence that he needed his injuries looked after. She wouldn’t have anticipated an argument against it from Vangelis, he was a man of few words, but if he had objected she may have found herself walking back alone. As Imeeya returned to the tent of supplies, she immediately fell back into the routine of caring for the injured. She sorted through the supplies she would need to take care of his injuries. She found a length of clean linen and water as well as wine to wash the wound. She was worried about what she might find under the drying blood on his arm and grabbed a thread and needle in case the wound needed to be stitched together. While at first, it had been a shock that one might sew flesh together as one might sew together fabric, the thought no longer horrified her, and it proved to be a skill that was easily adapted.
Imeeya returned to the bench where Vangelis sat to find that he had already removed his armor and his shirt. She was relieved to see that the wound on his left arm was not nearly as bad as the amount of blood that had soaked his tunic had appeared to indicate. Still, removing the fabric that was covering the wound had reopened the slash and blood had resumed slowly flowing down his arm. Imeeya had not even realized that she had been staring at the wound until her cousin’s words cut through her thoughts, reassuring her that his wounds weren’t as serious as she might be imaging. Though she was sure he was only joking when he said that it didn’t hurt. Still, she appreciated his effort to try to put her at ease. It was one thing treating injuries on strangers, and something completely different treating someone she knew. Especially her older cousin who had always seemed so indestructible.
”You won’t be saying that once I start cleaning it.” Imeeya responded. It was partially a warning and partially a challenge. Imeeya wouldn’t have expected Vangelis to admit it even if it did hurt. With that Imeeya took a piece of clean cloth and dipped it into the water before gently dabbing it over the dried and fresh blood, trying to determine the extent of the injury under all of the mess. Imeeya worked quickly, though she tried to be gentle. She didn’t offer any of the reassuring words that she had offered to the others she had treated. She knew coming from her mouth Vangelis would see them for the formalities that they were. Instead, she focused on cleaning the wound efficiently, quickly revealing the gash which had been producing all the blood. Luckily, it seemed to be a relatively clean cut, so it would be a simple matter of cleaning and bandaging. ”This might sting a little.” Imeeya warned as she washed the wound with wine to prevent infection. Imeeya wrapped his arm tightly in a linen bandage and securely tied off the ends so that it would hold itself in place. Imeeya stepped back and wiped her hands on her chiton to clean them. ”I suppose you were right,” Imeeya admitted to Vangelis “It wasn’t as bad as it looked. We’ll see if the same can be said about the other one.” Imeeya glanced at the blood stain on his leg, hoping that Vangelis was right about that injury as well.Vangelis of Kotas,
His eyes followed his lover till she arrived at Nikolias's side, and while he was too far out of earshot to hear anything, the prince smiled when he saw positive interactions between the Condos lord and his lover. While he doubted Meena would do anything to foil his plans, and if anything, the woman had been doing her best to ensure said plans went ahead as smoothly as possible, he was a micromanager at heart, and could not help taking part in matters.
Helpers milled around him, one passing him a mug of fresh water after a shy, respectful smile, one that Irakles returned in kind. Accepting the water with his good hand, the liquid soothed his parched throat, reminding him of how long he had went without a proper drink of any form of liquid at all. Wincing a little when his chest lurched and caused him to catch his breathe, the prince wrote it off as an aftereffect of the adrenaline wearing off, and instead began observing the remainder of the medical tent, exchanging a few words to anyone who checked on him.
By the time Meena began to make her way back, Irakles had a satisfied, if a little weary smile on his face. It came to no surprise to the prince at her words, quick to remind him of his promise. Meena had always been as such, firm in her decisions and knowledge in what she wanted - and perhaps, it was why he had decided to move her into the Mikaelidas house, and sire two daughters with her. She had a sharp wit about her that would prove an asset in court and his plans, as she was already showing now.
Conceding, he nodded, and placed the mug of fresh water on a nearby table, before allowing her to help him off the one he sat on. Looking around, Irakles could see his nephew and family had went off long before him, something the prince did mind per say, but his mind worked in a way to use the information in future. As the Senate meet drew nearer, Irakles needed every card he could play, and he wasn't letting any chance slip him by.
"As you wish, my lady." he replied in an even tone, allowing Meena to assist him as they made their ways out of the medical tent. Unlike Stephanos, Irakles's journey back to the Mikaelidas mansion was likely to be slower, as the prince would make it a point to stop and check in on any he would happen to chance upon on his way. Always with a concerned word, or with a promise that assistance would be provided should they come knocking, Irakles played the part of a perfect prince the whole way, always one concerned for the welfare of the kingdom and the people.