Royal Gardens: Sun Palace, Cairhien

The gardens are beautiful, made from broad pathways, lined with small oaks and larch-trees. Circles of flowers in beautiful shades of blue and violet rounds the foot of each tree. The pathways are long and straight, and when they meet in a crossing in the middle of the garden, they create a small 'plaza' with a sparkling marble fountain in the middle. Aside from the pathways are green areas in soft, well-trimmed grass, with several small benches in shady corners.

The flowers and the tree-blossoms are in full bloom, making the gardens a deep spectacle of natural colors. Birds and insects add their sounds to the environment, both night and day. The descending sun makes the trees and the palace cast long shadows over the Palace Gardens, almost making patterns of their own in the squarish design of the gardens.

There are four pathways, all leading from the center and the fountain. One of them leads towards the archway, taking you to the courtyard. The others lead inside the palace through different small gates.

As usual, Serenia is sitting within the Royal Gardens, speaking to several of her normal grouping. In her hand, she holds what looks to be a book, something she was reading before she was interrupted by those who approached her. This time, it looks to be several Lords who caught the Lady's attention, one of the managing to even make her smile however briefly.

A scene the young Jerlon will love to see. And he does notice it as he enters the gardens in that confident Andoran stride. Even after being here for some years, he still takes a bit of pleasure at looking down on most people. A small victory, in his mind, for their snubbed appearances around him. Jerlon's stride does slow as he notices his wife surrounded by men, and smiling? A certain fury is his instant reaction, one that calms to annoyance. And that too fades away by the time he approaches the group.

The young Lady of Hagon has long since taught herself how to school her features, particularly when her annoying husband comes about. They've been together for nearly a year now, and her heart has hardly melted as he so wished it to do, the Lady keeping her distance as much now as she has since the time she first learned she was to become his wife through an arranged marriage. She schools her smile down to something of a slight pleasant look, her eyes turning toward Jerlon as she nods her head in acknowledgement, "And here he is now." She comments to one of the men, "We were just talking about you, and your latest ventures with the House businesses."

"Indeed?" Jerlon questions, tone level as he twists his shoulders sideways to brush past one of those annoying Cairhien lords. He does reclaim his spot at Serenia's side, eyeing these men as though he's suspicious of their intentions toward his wife. "I'm certain these fine Lords had made their own suggestions on the matters of my latest ventures?" he asks Serenia, his tone almost asking for conflict.

"Actually, we hadn't gotten to that part just yet." Serenia responds to her husband's words, keeping her tone controlled and pleasant. "They were just about to leave, having a meeting with the Queen." Her eyes go to the Lords, giving them a slight hint with her words. One of the men nods and starts nudging the others away. By now some have heard of the reputation which surrounds Serenia's young, impetuous husband.

"A shame, truly," Jerlon lies as he waits for these lords to take the obvious hint. Well, obvious to everyone else, perhaps too as obvious to Jerlon. Even before they are gone, Jerlon turns to Serenia. "How wonderful of them to entertain you, though I had expected you home early this evening." Jerlon has yet to grow accustomed to barely seeing his wife, and his insistance has yet to decrease.

"I had some matters to attend here." Serenia states simply, settling her book aside on the edge of the fountain. Her eyes carefully observe her husband, taking in his features in a quiet manner. "I was about to head home soon." She comments, though it is hard to tell whether or not that is a lie. She shrugs her shoulders a bit, "But I got caught up in conversation."

"Indeed you did," Jerlon agrees, turning to watch the several lords make their departure. "Each a more desired husband then myself, is that it?" Though not exactly serious, Jerlon's tone would almost border on whining. Almost. He looks to Serenia, shaking his head lightly. "Forget I said anything, I'm sorry."

Smirking, Serenia turns her eyes back to Jerlon, after having looked after the trailing men to make certain they were out of earshot. "No." There's almost a touch of irritation in her voice over his comment. "Never did I desire any of them as a husband."

"Good," Jerlon finds a certain sense of victory in that, even if it is mild. "Though I am glad that you found a need to address my business adventures with your fellow Cairhienin nobles. At least that would mean you place some value in them?" the question comes, annoyance nearly forgotten, as he returns his attentive gaze on Serenia.

Serenia gives a small, non-committal shrug. "You are doing well enough with the few things that my parents have entrusted to your care." Her answer is equally as non-committal, and the best he's likely to get.

"And I still gain no favor from my wife," Jerlon comments, swinging in his mood back and forth. He does take a hold of her hand and lean forward to brush a kiss against her cheek. Again, more effort being placed in a 'normal' relationship, or the illusion of one in this case.

"Is it really my favor you wish to gain, or that of my parents?" Serenia challenges, her eyes narrowing slightly, "Or, that over the nobles here in Cairhien?" She takes her hand away from Jerlon's own, settling it upon her lap.

Jerlon's eyes widen at the suggestion of otherwise, a near plea in his voice as he addresses his wife. "You, of course. Yes, I don't wish you fail your parents, and no I could care less about the nobles here. But its your favor I wish to gain, yours above all of them..." Jerlon actually looks hurt, once again proving he's become an emotional wreck married to a woman as cold as Serenia. "I thought you knew at least that much about me. At least noted that much." The last of his words are whispered.

There is a moment of uncertainy which comes over Serenia. This, coming from a man who showed that he can deftly manipulate people into an unwanted, binding contract. She narrows her eyes briefly at the other man's words, as though sizing up whether or not there is any truth to him at all. Trust is a commodity that is hard to come by; particularly when the beginning of their relationship started off as a sham. This, she has never forgiven Jerlon for, taking away her choice. A sigh does finally escape her. Looking away, she murmurs gently, "I do know that about you."

Jerlon's edge near an argument was becoming apparent, expecting Serenia to argue his words. The man still shows hurt on his features, but with that hint of anger as though ready for a fight. When Serenia turns away, and murmurs her agreement, Jerlon is haulted in mid-thought. For some time he's not sure what to say. "You admit as much with such reluctance," he finally finds words, that anger dying, being replaced by hurt.

Serenia continues to look away from Jerlon, not allowing the man to see her features. There is much indecision about her, though there are some things she simply will not budge upon. "You are a hard person to judge." She comments quietly, "To trust even." Yet she lives with him and stays with him each night.

"Bu..." That was a hint that Jerlon was going to hold his objection to the first statement. The second sets his eyes bulging. "But..." he decides to go the same route, though now the pure pleading twisting on his tone. He continues to feel that dagger being twisted within his heart. "Serenia, you still will not trust me?" Though her name is spoken in the pleading tone, the latter comes out blunt and cold.

Glancing sideways at Jerlon, Serenia rises from the fountain. She doesn't turn completely toward him, not wanting to see his puppy pained features. "How can I, when you do not even seem to trust me?" There is accussation within her words, and perhaps some truth there. Her eyes trail after the men who have left, then go back to Jerlon, almost seemingly accusing as much as her words.

"I trust you..." Jerlon admits, her point hitting him hard. As his eyes attempt to find some comfort at his feet, he does manage to glance at his wife briefly. "Don't you think it hurts to be repeatedly reminded that I'm not the husband you wanted? That I'm not the man you would wish as a husband. I'm reminded of that each day, each day you don't smile at me in the morning. Each day you'd rather sit somewhere alone reading a book then to spend time with me. Each time you pass by me in the halls without even the need to touch me in some brief sign of affection..." Jerlon's outburst is quiet enough, though his features are turning red the emotional strain brought with his words.

"You knew that this is what it would be like, and even still it did not stop you from marrying me." Serenia speaks, now walking away from the fountain and Jerlon both. "I am almost certain you would feel the betrayal that I felt, and still feel each day, were you to be placed in such a situation as I."

Jerlon skips ahead to move with Jerlon as she departs the fountain. "I said I was sorry... I repeatedly ... I was wrong. I was so very wrong." Well, we're returning to the pleading, though now Jerlon is likely attracting attention. "To think there was a brief day that I made you smile, and to think that from that day I would have wanted a future with you. But I did. And I still do. And you will think me pathetic for all of my words, I know," Jerlon slows in pace then, feeling defeated, after having promised himself not to return to that subject again.

The young Lady of House Hagon stops not too far away from Jerlon. Likely, indeed, they are causing a spectacle, but not one that hasn't been seen countless times before. More recently, however, Serenia might have been noticed to start caving into Jerlon's pleas, despite her resolve not to. She folds her hands before her, keeping them away from Jerlon's sight. What he can't see, he can't touch, at least that's the theory. "I don't think you are pathetic."

"You don't?" Jerlon challenges, stepping a single step. "You've said nearly as much in the past. You call my thoughts of love in a marriage foolish. You laugh at me with spite when I bring up our past, and how I wanted you. Wanted you to love me." Jerlon shakes his head in disbelief, further crossing that line he didn't wish too. "I hang at your side each day, wanting to give you everything I have, hoping you'd receive it... and instead I get sucker-punched each time I tell you how I feel."

"I still believe love is a foolish concept." Serenia states quietly, shrugging her shoulders at her words. "I don't believe in it, and I never will. Ours is a marriage of fortune, and thats all it was." She turns her features toward Jerlon so she can look him head on, once again calmly masking any emotions she might be feeling. "And all it shall remain. I ask nothing of you, not even your attentions." She pauses, sighing a little as she regards the taller man. She shakes her head after a moment, giving him something of a hopeless expression, then just turns away and starts heading to the exit. Whatever she was about to say she keeps to herself.

"Serenia!" Jerlon blurts out, once again skipping forward to gain some distance on her. He doesn't touch her, he doesn't reach for her, but his arm does twitch outward. "Serenia... why don't you want my attentions? Just tell me why? I believe you will be faithful to me, I believe you committed your life to me. And still, with those commitments in mind, you won't wish for me to give you some attention, to want you? To want to be with you?" There's a pause, eyes closing in pain. "Even friendship...even to want a friendship with me that is more then a few said words each day."

Knowing perfectly well that Serenia didn't even give the marriage, or their lives together, a fair chance, she turns her eyes to regard her husband, though she does not pause her steps any. "Jerlon, I don't love you. I don't know that I ever could. And, with that in mind I also don't want to lead you on into believing that there's even a small possibility that my heart and mind would change. It is best we just leave matters between us to be nothing more than that of the business arrangement it was meant to be."

Jerlon blinks a few times as he haults a step away from her. He listens, his eyes going wider. There is something in those words that he picks up on, thoughts racing in that logic. "You're trying to spare my feeling?" he asks suddenly, another blow to his heart, though this one he seems to take with stride. The voice is low, his eyes finding hers. "You don't want to hurt me by trying, and having me fall completely in love with you?"

Looking away from Jerlon once more, Serenia starts to pay more attention to where she's walking. She does not answer him this; though her silence could imply a great deal. She nods pleasantly enough to a few she knows, though speaks no greeting to them as she moves onward. Likely, there are several nobles behind them eyeing them quietly. Their episodes have, perhaps, grown famous within the Palace walls.

"But..." Jerlon begins as she continues to head away from him, causing Jerlon to once again leap forward in his steps. There is a great deal of need in the way he pleads with her, saying nothing for the way he brushes by a few people just to gain his place at her side. "Serenia... don't you see the pain you're causing me by not trying? By not giving us a chance?" he pleads, his hand once again almost reaching for her, but it pulls back.

"How much more pain would it cause you to do otherwise?" Serenia asks, her voice dropping low enough so that only he can hear her now. She still does not look at him. "My own heart is settled. It will not change, nor will my mind. I am saying it bluntly now, where my stings and other words seem to have failed completely."

"Serenia..." this time his hand does touch on hers, though not to hault her progress or to turn her around. He grasps at her forearm with a light touch. "Try, please? I promise, no more nightly ritual in spirit of procreating, just try to....to.. like me? At least like me? To open yourself up a little to me..."

Oddly enough, Serenia does not cast Jerlon's hand aside as she normally would. "I don't dislike you." Again, words that could imply much more than they mean unspoken. "Nor can I promise to try anything, or ask you to make promises you will not keep." She does not believe Jerlon would stop that particular ritual, even though she's made certain to take precautions against his precautions.

Jerlon's hand slides lower down her arm, possibly heading for her hand. This alone would likely cause her more warmth then any of their nightly rituals, though he certainly is persistant in those if mostly to only have a child... secretly he hopes this will warm her to life, though another part of him is scared she will not agree to his wishes in raising the child. "Serenia, please..." Now he's begging. "Just give me a chance, if you don't dislike me, if you have some part of you that might remotely even consider liking me, then please..."

Now Serenia does pull her hand from Jerlon's own, "I don't dislike you, as a person." Serenia states quietly, "That does not mean I want to bestow affections upon you, or give you or others the wrong impression about our relationship." She gives her head a firm shake, "I cannot change what is not there."

Jerlon's defeated expression comes all too quick at hearing those words, though it doesn't stop him for bursting ahead of her and turning around to block her intended path. "Why can't you try?" he asks, no more pleadiang, just a defeated question.

Sighing deeply, Serenia crosses her hands before her, giving Jerlon a quiet look. "What would you do had I tried and failed to find the feelings you want so desperately for me to feel?"

"I'd say you weren't trying hard enough," Jerlon states quietly, watching his wife. He notes her crossed arms, and her posture, though doesn't move away. "If an Andoran can find a want to be with a woman that continues to declare she will never love him, then why can't that Cairhienin woman find a need to be with her husband, that wishes to pamper her with his fondness for her?"

"Because I don't want to be coddled and pampered." Serenia states rather bluntly, yet with a softness which suggests that she doesn't want to hurt Jerlon with the sting of her words. "I don't want your affections. There's no why's that can be explained in this, I just don't want them. I don't want to try in an endeavor that I /know/ will fail. That I'll be accused of not trying hard enough to do when I already know I can't and won't be able to do what you are begging me to do." Slowly, she shakes her head, sighing. In this, she starts to move around Jerlon to get to the final stretch of the gates.

Jerlon's arm reaches to gain a place around her waist, even though he has no intentions of holding her. "I would think any two people get at least learn to like each other if they tried, Serenia." The words are whispered, his arm retracting before Serenia would move into it, and instead he turns with her. "You claim a failure without even trying. I'm willing to try and fail, I'm willing to risk myself for a chance. However impossible."

"That is where we differ, greatly." Serenia speaks in a quieted voice, shrugging her shoulders a bit. She continues to move onward, eyes looking straight ahead. "I will not risk myself for anyone."

Jerlon blinks a few more times with those words spoke, once again leaping to her side and looking over to gain some insight of her expression. "Not even your husband? I mean Serenia... I have not halted my attempts in over a year. Do you think I will ever stop?" Jerlon's voice would almost be teasing, if not for the tone of hurt on it. "Would it be better not to lose yourself, at least a little, to the emotions brought upon by your persistant husband then have to deal with him for the rest of your life like this? A despirate and pleading fool wishing to have you?"

"I am not a possession to be gained." Serenia states just as bluntly, but again without the edge to her voice that used to be there. That alone should be some sign that she grows tired of his games to obtain her. "I have also given the same answer in over a year. It has not changed from that period, nor will it change." Though Serenia proves herself to be something of a liar. Did she not protect Jerlon from attack all those many months ago, before their marriage? Surely that's enough to prove that she will risk some portion of herself; just not her heart.

"But it hasn't been. It hasn't been..." Jerlon repeats, but not saying more, as he simply follows beside Serenia in a silence. "Your words have always been the same," that comes out as mumbling, Jerlon's eyes finding the floor much warmer to look at this moment, as he twists in his own pain.

There is no triumph showing on Serenia's features at Jerlon's mumbled admission. She simply gives him a look of sympathy, then continues forward, turning through the gates this time, and walking down the streets now.

You walk long the path until you come out to the Courtyard.

Courtyard: Sun Palace, Cairhien

The Courtyard is flat and almost vast. In front of the vast, squarish palace a broad pathway gray marble leads to the entrance gates of the main building., its rigid gray walls and towers casting a shadow down on the courtyard most time of the day. The rest of the courtyard is set up of large, smooth and squarish blocks of granite.

The ground is bare, and you get a feeling it's not at all very cold here at this time of the year. There are still some activity on the courtyard, but as the evening proceeds, many decides to retire for the night, except for the guardsmen and servant folk of course.

Aside from the palace gates, there is a tall archway, giving you a hint of the beauty from the gardens beyond. Behind you the Bronze Gates lead back to the city, and in front of you the massive palace gates allow you to enter the palace. Next to the Bronze gates you see the barracks building.

Jerlon enters along the path leading to the Palace Gardens.

"And yet," Jerlon continues to mumble, though his next words being more in that audible range. "And yet I will never forget you saving my life." Jerlon shrugs a shoulder. "There was your moment, you could have had me dead before we were married. You speak of duty, but you had none officially. That could have been the end of it, the assassin's dagger." Jerlon frowns, not seeing a great announcement in his words. "Your life would have been so much easier had the attack succeeded in its intentions."

"I did not then, nor now, wish you dead. I have had plenty of opportunities to see that through had I wished it." Serenia states in a less than public manner, keeping her words low enough still for only Jerlon to hear. "I am not a killer, like some Cairhi-" A startled cry erupts from Serenia just as she starts to complete her final words. Protruding from her back, and having pushed cleanly through her shoulder, is an arrow. She stands there, looking rather shocked, yet at the same time her knees begin to buckle.

Jerlon takes a step lead on Serenia before he twists around to realize that anguished cry. Much like her, he is in a moment of shock before moving to clasp his arms around her waist. The blood likely spills on his shoulder as he swiftly picks Serenia up. No doubt this does nothing to ease her pain, but Jerlon does intend on getting her out of the way. He's moving on instict, the way he takes her in his arms and takes steps away. "GUARDS!" Jerlon starts screaming next, mid-step. The panick blurs his vision as he tries to find the source of the attack, but gives up on that in favor of taking them away from firing range.

There are no attempts to push Jerlon away from her this time, in too much pain for her to really see or care who handles her. Another anguished cry of pain comes from Serenia's lips, the arrow being jarred into her a bit more as Jerlon graps her and attempts to pull her out of the line of fire. It can't be helped, considering its positioning.

Several guards come from the palace, the two nobles not too far away yet from the gates. All of them have their swords drawn at their urgent calling, expecting some sort of brawl to be had; some even looking as though they welcome the excitement. "What's going on here?" One demands, not seeing that Jerlon has already pulled Serenia from danger.

Jerlon only takes a few steps with Serenia in his arms, before he turns his back in the direction of where the shot went and goes down on his knee. "Serenia..." this time his pleading voice is flooded with anguise. Dumbfounded by the petruding arrow, he can't take his eyes from the tip that is coming out from her shoulder. Not putting her down, fearing the angle would be wrong, he holds her. "Serenia!" The scream a plead for some response, his eyes moist with tears. "Please...."

The young noble woman grunts and cries out in pain as she's further moved about, though in truth her cries would come regardless. That surprised expression still lingers within her eyes; her gaze still widened and now covered with fright. She hovers within Jerlon's arms, afraid to move. Gently, she manages to reach the hand up from her good arm, and squeeze one of Jerlon's own, a sign to show that she's at least able to hear him, not trusting to speak with the pain which filters through her. While it seems that the Lady will not use assassins against others, others have no scruples about doing the same to her. The would be killer is not in sight.

The guards move over to where the obvious screams are coming from, the first one who demanded an answer now demanding a response from Jerlon, "What is going on here?"

"Serenia...." Jerlon squeezes her hand back, struggling with the torment in side. He doesn't leave her eyes, as though if he would look away she would fade away. Though his words to the guard are rough. "Light! She's been shot. We need a Reader. Fast.... its bad..." Jerlon leans forward, insuring her eyes are focused on him. "We'll get you help, we will. Stay with me Serenia, just stay with me. Don't let go... please..."

The man who responded verbally to the call for help widens his eyes slightly in surprise when he does finally manage to observe the severity of what has gone on, and more so when he realizes just who was shot. He turns and mumbles a few whispered words to some of the guards, then turns his attentions back to Jerlon, "Help is on its way..." Should Jerlon look up enough to see, he'll notice two of the guards going in the direction of the nearest Reader's cottage. "In the meantime, don't move her more than you have to, and hold her still." He moves forward, looking as though he's meaning to do something.

Pain is the only thing that really fills Serenia's world at this particular moment in time, though she does hear Jerlon's words. She continues to grip at his arm, letting him know that she's still with him; her voice not to be trusted to be strong enough to answer him. SHe opens her mouth then closes it a few times, starting to form words and only able to form whimpers instead.

Jerlon does indeed keep Serenia still, his eyes moving to the hand that is gripping him despite her pain. He does lean away at the motion forward by the gaurd. "It went right through..." Jerlon states the obvious, distress on his voice. "Help her," he pleads with the guard, feeling helpless.

"Hold her still." The guardsman grunts, nodding at Jerlon's words, "I see lad." He seems much older than Jerlon in apperance and experience. He reaches down and attempts to pull part of the arrow through Serenia's shoulder, attempting to be careful despite the pain it will cause her. With that done, he snaps the shaft from the back, then starts to pull the arrow completely out of the young girl.

Serenia's eyes widen as she realizes just what the guardsman is about to do to her. Fear grips her, the pain more than she can bear. Her hand grips Jerlon's arms tightly, then another yelp escapes her as the guardsman pulls the arrow down some so that he can get a better grip. THere's little that she can do but sit there, the pain too overbearing for her to think straight. A more blood curtling scream escapes the young woman when the shaft is broken, then pulled through her shoulder. That action alone is enough to cause her to faint.

Jerlon grips at Serenia as the last of the arrow is removed from her shoulder. He frees one hand long enough to rip his shirt from his body, tearing at it enough from beneath the coat to press it against he bleeding wound. "Serenia..." he whispers, holding her close to his body in despiration.

It is then that the Reader comes, ushered forth by the guardsmen, "Alright, already, alright. I'm awake, I'm awake. This better be worth the commotion you two are causing half the city!" This is spoken to the two men who roused the woman from her slumber - curlers still in her hair and robe about her body in a haphazard manner to prove she'd just laid down to sleep.

Jerlon's attention lifts away long enough to find the Reader. "Over here...!" he yells in a despirate sord of command, eyes shifting back to the fainted and bleeding woman in his arms. He tries to prevent some of the pleading, pressing the cloth of his ripped shirt against the wound, though likely not doing too much good.

The Reader's eyes immediately go to the sound of the desparate voice. Her eyes narrow when she spies teh fallen girl, and the blood that's managed to soak through the shirt Jerlon holds against her wound. "Oh dear, oh dear." She comments quietly, clcucking her tongue against the damage done. She kneels next to Serenia, then starts to rummage through her bag, "I cna patch her up enough here to stop the bleeding, but then we'll need to quickly move her to a safe place. THe streets, where she was shot, is not the place to be healing her." Her words imply the obvious, the shooter could still be around.

A certain set of anger begins to flood through Jerlon's vains, though for now he is far too concerned for Serenia's safety. "Will she be okay, is it serious?" he asks, while leaning Serenia forward enough to expose her back to the Reader. He looks to the guards, and then around.

Those guards who came to Jerlon's call are now surrouding the young noble couple, looking intent on their job of protecting those who need their aid.

"She'll survive until I can work on her and check her more fully." The Reader answers, unable to say more than that without the proper place to work on the young noble. Her eyes narrow further when she sees the place the arrow arrived, and exited. She tsks further, shaking her head sadly, "Such a waste." She comments, and sighs. She mixes together a few herbs, complete with some heated water she brought along, and then starts to clean the wound carefully. As she does so, Serenia's body twitches a bit; partially in anguish and partially due t the fact that some of the herbs sting!

Jerlon is reassured, not having seen a person shot before, he certainly thought it was worse then it is proving to be. He looks to the guards. "Is the man found yet?" There's a certain noble tone that demands them to meet his expectations. "Don't tell me he is going to get away with this? She is the heir to House Hagon!" More demanding, anger flooding him.

"We're sorry, my Lord, but we saw no one upon arriving here. There will be an investitagion of the rooftops, but felt it would be more pertinent to guard yourself and the Lady in case the assassin attempted to return." This comes in answer to Jerlon's now heated words.

A soft moan escapes Serenia's lips at hte Reader's adminsitrations. "Keep pressing at the wound" The bedraggled, elderly woman states firmly, "It will stop the blood from flowing. "You two." She motoins to the guards who came nad got her, "Pick her up while her Lord aids in keeping her alive, and carry her home."

Jerlon does as he is instructed, moving away enough for the guards while pressing the cloth into the wound. Jerlon doesn't respond to the guards, though there is a slight nod that could have been directed more for the Reader. "Thank-you," he offers his thanks, eager to get Serenia safely back.

"Carefully, carefully," The Reader commands, taking up a position by the guards as she and they rely on Jerlon to lead them in the appropriate direction.

Change of scenery...

Courtyard: Faire Noir, Cairhien

There is likely a sizeable reaction from within the manor as the guards carry Serenia within the courtyard. Jerlon is holding the cloth over the injury, already picking out a few servants. "We need clean rags. And a place for the Reader to stay the night," he notes the last, eyeing the Reader with a certain set of expectations. "You'll be paid well," he adds, concern still showing on his features.

The Reader says nothing, for now, simply content to usher the various guards into the building, "Find her a suitable place to rest, one where you won't worry about the carpets or furniture getting damaged."

Change of scenery...

Upstairs Hallway: Faire Noir, Cairhien

They enter one of the guest chambers within the manor, Jerlon leading in the direction of the bed, and waiting for Serenia to be placed within as he lifts the fresh covers. Its unlikely he'll be carrying much about the carpet or the bed, likely both will need replacing after this. Jerlon takes his place next to Serenia on the opposite side of the bed to allow others easier access to Serenia if required. He seeks out her hand, giving it a light squeeze as he looks to her with that concern.

All throughout the trip from the streets to the manor Serenia has emitted low whimpers of pain. Not once has she talked, still passed out from the experience of the arrow being pulled from her shoulder. The wound still bleeds, more profusely should the banadages be pulled away.

The Reader's brow creases deeply, "Lets just hope that the arrow didn't pierce anything vital." The comment is made more to herself, though absently outloud. She goes to the wash basin which was also provided and cleanses her hands, a familiar practice amongst those who use medicine. She then starts to prepare her various herbal concoctions and poultices, getting them ready for use. She takes out a needle and a thread as well, then places the tip of the needle in the flames of a nearby candle, steralizing the tip.

Jerlon leans Serenia into his lap, leaving her back exposed while holding the cloth tight on either side of her body. He leaves the area open for the knitting of her skin, the thought repulsing him, but at least he has both seen and felt before after training with the sword.

The Reader moves to the back of Serenia first, eyeing Jerlon briefly as she moves to do her work. "This is likely going to hurt her, so you had best take some time to comfort her while I work." And, likely, this will be the only chance that she doesn't move away from Jerlon as he attempts to do just that, shower her with some sort of affection. The reader leans in with a cloth and starts to cleanse the wound a bit with a water and alcohol based solution, then she starts to set about the grimy task of sewing up the back of Serenia's shoulder.

Jerlon's fingers come beneath Serenia's cheek, as he hopes to guide her sights up to him if she is indeed waking up from her fainting. "Serenia... darling?" The pleading tone certainly shows hope, especially with the Reader being in good control of the matter. Jerlon reaches forward to actually kiss her then, "You'll be fine, darling, you will," he whispers in encouragement.

The Reader nods approvingly to Jerlon, "Good, good." She smiles warmly at the young man, "Keep going... coax her into wanting to stay in this world." She continues to stitch up the back of the young woman, each one neat and carefully placed. "Make her feel loved."

A light smile quirks on his lips, obviously attempting to get her anger aroused. "Besides, I still want to hear you tell me that you love me. And I'm too damn stubborn to let you go now, and you're too damn stubborn, you'll want to prove me wrong. Right?" he peers, brushing his lips against hers ever so lightly.

There is no stirring from Serenia, only those whimpers of pain as the needle now bites into her back. If anything, this would be a perfect time for her to escape from this world, and escape from Jerlon altogether. Would that not be the ultimate joke on him? Absently, her fingers grip at the sheets, knuckles whitening, the reaction totally unconcious.

The Reader frowns a moment, looking up at Jerlon almost with a sharp touch of her eyes, "You two are not happy with one another?" This does cause some complications. She does not stop her work, finishing up the neat rows of stitches, cleaning the wound once more, then putting a poutice over it before she moves to banadage it into place.

Jerlon was hoping to gain some strength from that stubborn strain inside Serenia, lightly stroking at her cheek as he pulls her head against his chest while the Reader finishes with the stitches and bandage. The embrace is short, as he guides her to face the Reader next. "It was an arranged marriage, and my wife is stubborn on the way it began," he grumbles a little, reaching for that hand that grips at the sheets and attempting to take it within his own hand.

The hand is easily taken, gripping Jerlon's hand as much as it did the sheets. The young woman has no idea of the action, unconcious as she is. The strength of her grip is not very strong, in fact some might even go so far as to term it weak, though that would not be surprising with teh amount of blood she's managed to lose.

The Reader nods her head a bit, eyes contemplating Jerlon. She goes to work on the next wound, cleansing it first before attempting to sew it up in neat little stitches. "Even so, she is a woman, and likely she'll appreciate whatever aid and help you give her for saving her life." She nods her head at that, firmly. She turns her eyes away from the young nobleman, then pays more close attention to her work.

"I hardly did that," Jerlon speaks quietly, attentions returning to Serenia. He grips that hand, moving forward to whisper in here ear, "I know you won't leave me, love." Perhaps no more encouraging then his whispers before, but he does hold her tightly within that embrace, eyes closing shut.

"Didn't you?" The Reader challenges, still taking great pains to make certain the stitches are neatly placed, "And will you not be the person who mainly nurses her back to healt? Or will you be hiring a nurse to do that work? It will not be easy, and she'll likely not want peopel waiting on her hand and foot at all hours of the day, but I don't recommend moving her."

Serenia's prone form remains silent. There are signs that her breathing is less labored than before, the pain easing off a bit; possibly by whatever was put in the first poultice on her back. Yet, there are still whimpers, the front of her now being sewn not any less painful than her back when it was in the same predicament.

"I will do anything for her," Jerlon protests quietly, his gaze strained as he opens his eyes and watches Serenia with that intensity and longing. "If she will let me..." Jerlon shakes his head, the strains of the marriage showing. "It'll be her that will likely order me away and hire someone for the nursing," he counters, clearly in distaste.

"And if she does, are you going to honor that order, or have the nurse replaced?" The Reader asks more out of curiosity than anything. She starts to finish up on this set of stitches, tying off the ends of the thread and starting to pack this side of the wound with an effective, smelly poultice. "She'll need much care, her poultices and bandages changed regularly, lots of bed rest, food and drink, preferably water and juices."

"If I cause her more strain then good, I will leave," Jerlon admits quietly. "I sometimes feel that, I cause her so much stress for simply being around... for have my ideas on marriage..." Jerlon shrugs his shoulder. "I will want to stay with her, she'll need to get herself fairly worked up to get me to leave."

"Good." There is approval within the Reader's voice, "I don't want her getting over stressed, its not good for her, and its not good for the injury. If she makes sudden movements, or attempts to get out of bed, she could rip her stitches." She places the final bandaging over Serenia's wound as she speaks, taking great care to make certain everything stays in place.

Jerlon nods quietly. "Thank-you Reader," he whispered, as he looks to Serenia nad slowly begins to ease her into the bed once the Reader is done. His hand continues to stroke at her cheek, Jerlon laying down beside her.

The bed-raggled Reader glances to Jerlon, "Now, if you would not mind, I would like to seek my bed. If you insist that I stay here the night, I can, but I want a bed to sleep within." There is a firmness radiating in her voice, "And I suggest you get some rest yourself. You'll do neither yourself nor her any good if you stay up all night worrying over her."

"Indeed, Reader. There are chambers ready for you by now, I'm sure," Jerlon confirms, his attention not wavering from Serenia as he move away long enough to remove his boots before claiming the bed to sleep with his wife. Though sleep is wishful thinking at this point, his concern will keep him awake.

The Reader nods appreciatively, starting to rise from her seat. "Thank you. I'll be wherever your staff places me for the evening." ANd with that she heads for the doors. THe guards also leave with her, though they leave word that they will return at a later time to discuss what happened, exactly.

Jerlon tries to lay down with Serenia, though eventually he fails in that, and simply sits up in the bed and urges her more within his lap. He is content with simply brushing at her cheek and insuring no pressure is applied to either side of the injury.

A soft whimper escapes Serenia as she's moved, though she doesn't complain over much about it. Several hours pass by, when finaly she awakens. Its with a start, that sends her flying upwards. Panic might appear to touch her features, then the pain of the reality of things becomes all too clear as she lets out a whimpered cry; the pain dulled some, but not alot.