Fic: Heart and Soul 1/10
Title: Heart and Soul 1/10
Author: Amedia
Summary: An attack on Glitch draws Cain, Raw, and the members of the royal household into a mystery with magical overtones.
Rating: PG for implied violence and mild slash.
Warning: Slash. Cain/Glitch
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Imagiquest Entertainment. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Note: I need to give a shout-out to my very hard-working beta reader, who commented on three drafts with precision and insight.
Also posted here on glitch_wyatt and here on tin_and_straw.
Cain found him first. Glitch was lying in a crumpled heap on the ground, bruised and bleeding and semi-conscious. A shaft of early morning sunlight slanted through the trees, highlighting the still form. He might not have looked out of place in one of the dark prison corridors of Azkadellia's fortress, but in the stately palace gardens of Finaqua this cruelty was like an intrusion from another world, an inexplicable nightmare.
Cain knelt beside him and touched his neck-still warm, thank goodness-to check for a pulse. It was there, though weak and rapid. This wasn't a momentary collapse that he could fix with a good slap. Cain touched Glitch's cheek lightly and his eyes fluttered half-open, then closed again. Cain considered going to get help, but he was worried about leaving Glitch alone. His dilemma was solved a moment later when a guard appeared on morning rounds and stopped in surprise. "Don't just stand there!" Cain growled. "Bring help!"
After a moment the guard snapped out of his shock and ran back the way he had come, shouting, "The Queen's advisor is hurt! Get help!"
A few minutes later the garden was filled with people. Cain was glad to see a trusted alchemist, though he would rather have seen Raw. "Stay back," the alchemist ordered, shooing people away. Cain was still kneeling beside Glitch, but fortunately no one tried to shoo him away, or there might have been violence. The alchemist examined Glitch briefly and looked very grave. Two assistants ran up with a stretcher; the alchemist waved them over, and under his direction, they carefully lifted Glitch onto it. "Gently, now," said the alchemist as they moved toward the palace. "Take care not to jostle him."
News must have traveled quickly, for when they reached the door to the infirmary, the Queen was already waiting just outside. "Put him in the royal suite," she instructed the alchemist. "Keep me notified of his condition."
DG and Azkadellia came running up as well, just in time to see Glitch being carried in. Their mother lifted a hand and both young women skidded to a halt just outside the door.
Walking alongside the stretcher, Cain entered the private room unchallenged.
"Oh, no!" he heard DG say. "How could anyone do this?"
Az's voice was shakier. "I did worse when ... during the bad times."
The voices seemed to be moving away, but he was able to make out DG's soothing reply. "That wasn't you."
But it's a good question, thought Cain. I've never seen anyone fight like Glitch. How *could* anyone do this? An ugly thought struck him. It must have been someone he knew. Someone who could get close without arousing suspicion.
Cain stayed, hovering, as the alchemist patched Glitch up as best he could. He didn't try to talk to the man; he figured that as long as he didn't attract attention, he wouldn't be ordered out. When the alchemist was done, Cain went and sat by Glitch's side. His friend was in a painless, drugged sleep, and didn't wake up when Cain laid a hand on his arm. Still, it may be a comfort, he thought, and left it there, not wondering to whom it was really a comfort.
The Queen was allowed entrance a little while later. She went to the other side of the bed and looked down. "Oh, Ambrose," she sighed, and bent to kiss his forehead. "I've sent for Raw," she added. "He's visiting his people, but he says he'll come back as quickly as he can. And Ahamo is returning from the Central City in case we need help in the investigation."
"That's good news, Your Majesty," said Cain.
She smiled down at Glitch, patted his hand, and left.
Part Two
Author: Amedia
Summary: An attack on Glitch draws Cain, Raw, and the members of the royal household into a mystery with magical overtones.
Rating: PG for implied violence and mild slash.
Warning: Slash. Cain/Glitch
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Imagiquest Entertainment. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Note: I need to give a shout-out to my very hard-working beta reader, who commented on three drafts with precision and insight.
Also posted here on glitch_wyatt and here on tin_and_straw.
Cain found him first. Glitch was lying in a crumpled heap on the ground, bruised and bleeding and semi-conscious. A shaft of early morning sunlight slanted through the trees, highlighting the still form. He might not have looked out of place in one of the dark prison corridors of Azkadellia's fortress, but in the stately palace gardens of Finaqua this cruelty was like an intrusion from another world, an inexplicable nightmare.
Cain knelt beside him and touched his neck-still warm, thank goodness-to check for a pulse. It was there, though weak and rapid. This wasn't a momentary collapse that he could fix with a good slap. Cain touched Glitch's cheek lightly and his eyes fluttered half-open, then closed again. Cain considered going to get help, but he was worried about leaving Glitch alone. His dilemma was solved a moment later when a guard appeared on morning rounds and stopped in surprise. "Don't just stand there!" Cain growled. "Bring help!"
After a moment the guard snapped out of his shock and ran back the way he had come, shouting, "The Queen's advisor is hurt! Get help!"
A few minutes later the garden was filled with people. Cain was glad to see a trusted alchemist, though he would rather have seen Raw. "Stay back," the alchemist ordered, shooing people away. Cain was still kneeling beside Glitch, but fortunately no one tried to shoo him away, or there might have been violence. The alchemist examined Glitch briefly and looked very grave. Two assistants ran up with a stretcher; the alchemist waved them over, and under his direction, they carefully lifted Glitch onto it. "Gently, now," said the alchemist as they moved toward the palace. "Take care not to jostle him."
News must have traveled quickly, for when they reached the door to the infirmary, the Queen was already waiting just outside. "Put him in the royal suite," she instructed the alchemist. "Keep me notified of his condition."
DG and Azkadellia came running up as well, just in time to see Glitch being carried in. Their mother lifted a hand and both young women skidded to a halt just outside the door.
Walking alongside the stretcher, Cain entered the private room unchallenged.
"Oh, no!" he heard DG say. "How could anyone do this?"
Az's voice was shakier. "I did worse when ... during the bad times."
The voices seemed to be moving away, but he was able to make out DG's soothing reply. "That wasn't you."
But it's a good question, thought Cain. I've never seen anyone fight like Glitch. How *could* anyone do this? An ugly thought struck him. It must have been someone he knew. Someone who could get close without arousing suspicion.
Cain stayed, hovering, as the alchemist patched Glitch up as best he could. He didn't try to talk to the man; he figured that as long as he didn't attract attention, he wouldn't be ordered out. When the alchemist was done, Cain went and sat by Glitch's side. His friend was in a painless, drugged sleep, and didn't wake up when Cain laid a hand on his arm. Still, it may be a comfort, he thought, and left it there, not wondering to whom it was really a comfort.
The Queen was allowed entrance a little while later. She went to the other side of the bed and looked down. "Oh, Ambrose," she sighed, and bent to kiss his forehead. "I've sent for Raw," she added. "He's visiting his people, but he says he'll come back as quickly as he can. And Ahamo is returning from the Central City in case we need help in the investigation."
"That's good news, Your Majesty," said Cain.
She smiled down at Glitch, patted his hand, and left.
Part Two