Chapter 12: Chapter 11 – Lana

When Raviel woke up, the sun was high in the sky and lit up his whole room. He narrowed his eyelids slightly at the sudden brightness. He wished he could move if only to change position, but the pain paralyzed him and invaded every part of his body. He closed his eyes again, trying to forget the pain caused by his lacerated back. It was a waste of time. He couldn't remember having been whipped so many times before, but it was the first time a slave had tried to escape. His back would probably bear new scars.

“Raviel…”

He slowly turned his head to the side, his vision still a little blurry. A woman sat on a comfortable stool moved there for the occasion. Dressed in a long dress tied at the waist with ribbons, she held herself very straight. Her dark hair formed an intricate hairstyle held in place by several golden pins. She wore many jewels made of gold and precious stones, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings… But this look did nothing to erase the softness shining in her smoky eyes and the tenderness of her smile. She looked like Raviel. This could be seen in the finesse of their features, the oval of their faces, the shape of their eyes, and their noses.

"Lana," he said with difficulty.

Raviel's voice was unnaturally hoarse, probably from his dry throat.

“How do you feel?”

“I’m fine, don't worry.”

Lana left her seat with a sigh and sat on the edge of the bed. She ran a gentle hand through her brother's silver hair.

"You won't convince anyone. You're still feverish,” she added, looking worried.

Raviel made a move to sit up, but the pain immediately stabbed him, and he let out a moan.

“Do not move like that; you risk aggravating your injuries!”

Raviel froze, wheezing and clenching his fingers around the sheets.

"Have you seen father?" He whispered.

“I ran into him before he left for the thermal baths. He briefly explained the situation.”

Raviel nodded vaguely. That his father went to the thermal baths early in the morning did not surprise him. After Aster's escape, there's no doubt that showing himself like this in public would allow Magnus to make it clear that it was just a minor incident.

“Was it really necessary to intervene as you did?” Lana asked softly.

“Yes,” Raviel breathed through gritted teeth. “I promised him that no one would lay a hand on him.”

“Whether you're protecting Mel or even the other inhabitants of this house, I can understand. But he... He's only been here a few days and didn't hesitate for a moment to put you in this situation by running away.”

Raviel didn't answer right away.

“I understand why he acted like that,” he finally whispered.

Lana accepted the explanation, but her face told Raviel that she disapproved.

"Now that you're awake, I'm going to get Mel so I can treat you."

She got up and quickly crossed the room, while Raviel closed his eyes again. He felt exhausted. Mel's voice reached him a few moments later.

"How long will it take to take effect?"

“The pain should subside by tonight, but it will take several days for his wounds to heal,” Lana replied. “His back is in really bad shape.”

Raviel turned his head slightly to see Mel approaching the bed. She gave him a soft smile.

“I need you to help him up while I apply the ointment,” Lana asked. “It might be a little unpleasant.”

Mel complied immediately, and Raviel's jaw clenched as he slowly sat down on the bed. The pain radiated throughout his body, so much so that breathing became difficult. Lana's fingers brushed her skin, and his hands suddenly tightened on Mel's tunic, which kept him in a seated position. She grimaced slightly, but said nothing and didn't try to pull away.

Lana dutifully continued her task, spreading the ointment on each of the marks left by the whip. Raviel gave a low moan and closed his eyes. His hair fell loosely over his forehead as he lowered his head. He felt like screaming. The balm burning on his raw wounds was unbearable. But Raviel hadn't been able to scream for years. He buried his voice deep inside him.

"Hang in there" Mel encouraged.

Another moan escaped him, almost inaudible. Mel felt her body shaken by imperceptible tremors. Raviel’s fingers could not release their pressure on the young woman's arms. Visibly exhausted, he rested his forehead against Mel's shoulder. After an interminable moment, Lana finally sat up.

"I'm done," she announced. “He should be bandaged so that the wounds do not become infected.”

***

Raviel had laid down again. Lana had chosen to stay by his side, even though he was dozing off intermittently. The balm now brought with it a strange numbing sensation, and his body felt numb.

"How are Pontius, Renatus, and Tianna?" He finally asked.

Pontius was Lana's husband, and Raviel had always appreciated his kindness, especially to her. As for Renatus and Tianna, who were eight and six years old respectively, they brought a real breath of fresh air and innocence.

"They're fine," Lana said gently. “But they regret not seeing you more.”

Raviel didn't answer, but a flash of sadness furtively darkened his face.

“Our home is and always will be open to you. Why not come more often?”

“You know why,” he finally replied. “I don't wish to bring more trouble to your family.”

“It will not be the case!”

Raviel cast an unconvinced look at Lana.

“Of course, it will. Since what happened and your new position…”

“It was three years ago! Things aren't like they used to be.”

“I can, unfortunately, assure you they remained like they were.”

Lana frowned.

“What happened?”

Raviel sighed and sat up to lean back against his pillow.

“Rufus, then Helvia came to see me.”

“Helvia?” Lana retorted. “What did she do to you?”

Every trace of sweetness had left her face, and Raviel looked away.

"Nothing, don't worry.”

“No! Stop telling me over and over not to worry! I swear that if that little viper touches you one more time, she'll regret being born!”

Raviel whirled around her, and the pain seized him once more.

"You've done enough," he replied. “You have a family, you must think of it above all. Going after Helvia will only get you in trouble!”

Lana's anger suddenly gave way to deep sadness.

“Raviel, you are my brother.”

Raviel lowered his head, her hair hiding his gaze as his fingers tightened slightly on the sheets.

“Please ... Thank you for everything you do for me, Pontius, and you, but do not put yourself in trouble.”

He didn't give her time to reply and added, looking sure of himself:

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“There are more pressing problems anyway. I fear the Emperor will be assassinated.”

Lana didn't answer right away but adopted a thoughtful expression.

“That doesn't surprise me,” she finally said. “Pontius told me that the situation in the Senate is becoming tenser every day. The split between Valens’ supporters and his opponents is deep, and the emperor is far from having the upper hand.”

Raviel nodded slowly, looking grim.

“And that's not all. For some time now, I have had this strange feeling of…”

He seemed to be searching for his words.

"It's hard to explain," he continued. “It reminds me of how I feel when someone uses their Gift while feeling different at the same time. Like a danger lurking, never showing itself.”

He hesitated for a moment before adding:

“I also feel that way when mother has an episode.”

On the other hand, he was careful not to say that he had this impression when he saw Aster fight. Lana listened carefully, and her face darkened every second.

"What could that possibly mean?" She finally whispered.

"That some things are beyond us…”

Silence fell over the bedroom, only broken by the noises reaching them from the rest of the villa.

"Maybe it's worth going to a temple," Lana said after a long moment.

Raviel nodded after a moment of thought. He avoided temples and only went there for special ceremonies, where the crowds were so dense he went unnoticed anyway. But maybe Lana would manage to get some information.

"I'll start with the Temple of the Strategist," Lana announced. “This will arouse less suspicion since I am attached to it by my Gift. I will think of what to do afterward. Meanwhile, go to the Massallia Library.”

She got up elegantly and approached the bed. She then ruffled Raviel's hair affectionately, a smile on her lips.

“I'll have to leave you; it's getting late. But don't forget that I love you, little brother.”

Raviel smiled.

“Me too, Lana.”

She headed for the atrium, her jewelry clicking lightly in time with her footsteps. As she was about to leave the room, she suddenly turned around.

She seemed to struggle for words, unsure of herself.

“About the promise you made to me…”

Raviel's eyes widened. They had never spoken of this promise again.

“If your life is ever in danger, don't hesitate to break it. Break it and run away.”

Raviel was dumbfounded.

“Why?”

“Because I prefer to know you far away, but alive.”

Lana spun around and left the room.

"I won't, Lana! That would put too many people in danger!”

***

After Lana had left, Raviel had enough of having to lie down. Despite the pain, he took a few cautious steps to the large window. Eyes closed, he savored the light breeze rushing into his room.

“Excuse me…”

Raviel turned around. Aster was standing at the entrance of the room, a steaming bowl in his hands.

“Nerilla asked me to bring you this.”

A smile bloomed on Raviel's lips. Nerilla was convinced that the key to healing lay in a good broth and prepared it for him each time he was injured.

"Can you put it on the table, please? I will drink it shortly.”

Aster complied and stopped. He would have liked to say something, to apologize, but the lump in his throat held back his words. Seeing him like this, Raviel could not help speaking again in a soft voice:

“How are you?”

Aster raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"I'd rather ask you that question."

“Lana's ointment is working, don't worry.”

Aster was silent for a few moments.

"I'm sorry," he finally blurted out. “I didn't think you would interfere like that. I didn't want to see you hurt.”

He couldn't put aside that painful feeling of guilt, nor forget Raviel's bleeding body when he had brought him back to his room the night before, unconscious. It had taken him an interminable moment to then wipe away the traces of blood on his arms.

“I understand,” Raviel whispered, looking away from the window. “Your desire to flee is legitimate. And I'm sincerely sorry for forcing you to stay here like this. Protecting you was the least I could do.”

He waited a moment, but seeing Aster remaining silent, he added in a low voice:

“I wasn't completely honest with you.”

Aster froze, his body tense with apprehension.

“I'm definitely not safe, but the reason I chose you over someone else is that I saw you in one of my visions.”

Stunned, Aster's response stuck in his throat, but Raviel had to guess the questions swirling in his mind, as he added:

“I can't give you more details, and I don't know why it happened, but I'm trying to find out. So I'm just asking you to give me some time.”

Raviel was having difficulty concealing his fatigue, and Aster had the impression that he was paler. Yet the young patrician remained upright and faced him without wavering. Like the day before, when he had taken his punishment without hesitation. Aster knew he was indebted to him. Raviel had probably saved his life by pulling him out of the gladiator school. And he had kept his word by not letting anyone lay a hand on him, despite his wrongdoings. Aster could hide it for a long time, but if he was honest with himself, he had to admit that Raviel had earned his respect. And the fragility he saw in him touched him more than he cared to admit. Maybe because they looked alike in some ways.

“I would have preferred you to show this frankness with me from the start,” he began. “But I also understand why you didn't.”

After all, he had never done anything to make Raviel trust him so much.

"I owe you a debt," he went on. “For this reason, I will protect you, without attempting to flee again, as we had agreed. When you no longer need me, and you have solved the mystery of your vision, my debt will be repaid and you can set me free.”

Aster tried to convince himself that it had nothing to do with any form of attachment towards Raviel, Mel, Rogis, and Nerilla, nor with the painful loneliness he suffered from since the destruction of his village. Even less with the curiosity that he felt since Raviel had told him about his vision. It was just a slight setback before he regained his freedom. Yet his response lit up Raviel's face.

"Thank you," he replied with a smile brimming with sincerity.

Aster couldn't help but smile as well.

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