“We have all been told a great untruth!” All was quiet as she paused, pushing herself to keep going. “You, and I, have been led to believe that Lashed and Unlashed can live apart.” A symphony of tense murmurs rose and Aerity shouted over them. “It is my belief. . . from what I have seen and learned . . . that Lashed were created to heal others, and Unlashed are meant to allow this healing and to protect the Lashed. We were created for a symbiotic relationship.” She brought her hands together in the air and twined her fingers.
“Weneedone another to survive. If I did not believe that with all my heart, I would not have organized this gathering today. I bring us together, not to appease the enemy, but to help my people thrive.” Her small fists banged down on the balcony railing in emphasis.
“Are there evil Lashed?” she yelled. “Aye, my good people. We know this to be true. We battle Lashed Ones this very day who choose to do harm to others. But I tell you, there are evil Unlashed as well. And all evildoers must be stopped and punished. It is time that we begin looking at one another as individuals rather than grouping one another into separate entities.” She fought for breath. “My parents have been taken. You all know that. It is time for this kingdom to come together, to join as one, if we are to have any chance at a future against our adversaries!
“I have brought you here today so that we may begin toembrace the truth, together as a kingdom. Apart, we are helpless to fight any powers of evil that threaten our peace.” She pointed down at the waiting Lashed. “Brave men and women have come today, and they have come to help you. These Lashed are not our enemies—they are your own neighbors! They are your fellow Lochlans! I know there are those among you with ailments that human healers have not been able to cure. I know there are women out there”—at this Aerity’s eyes burned—“who have lost countless babes.
“Why do you think the population in Eurona has dwindled over the past hundred years since magic was outlawed? Because it was never meant to be forbidden! Pregnanciesneedhelp. That is nature. And nature has provided a way.Let these good people help you!”
The side of her fist absolutely stung from banging it against the stone. Her chest heaved with emotion. Sweat trickled down her back despite the cold. Aerity’s eyes scanned the unmoving, silent people. Many had dropped their eyes. They waited. And waited. It wasn’t working. She pressed her lips together, trying desperately not to cry.
And then the crowd began to move.Oh, seas . . . were they leaving?But no. A young woman was being ushered to the front by a young man. Her husband, perhaps? From afar she seemed lethargic. She held her rounded stomach. They approached the west commons gates, and two guards swung them wide. The crowd shuffled to be able to see, and it was as if the entire royal lands held its breath.
One of the Lashed women stood as they entered and hooked the pregnant woman’s other arm over her shoulder. She led her to a cot and immediately set to work. Aerity wished she could hear what they said to each other. She leaned heavily against the railing, not wanting to blink. The pregnant woman did not look far enough along to give birth, but she must have been having complications to come forward.
The Lashed woman slid her hands onto the bare belly and the pregnant woman arched her back, giving a loud moan. Her husband held her hand against his cheek. The Lashed healer worked for several minutes. And then they watched as the woman began to sit up, the healer helping to gently lift her. A beautiful sound broke the air at that moment—laughter from the couple.
The pregnant woman placed a hand on her swollen stomach and laughed with joy. Whatever difficulty she’d been having with the pregnancy was obviously gone. Her husband said something and he laughed as well, taking her into his arms. And then the couple was crying. And Aerity quickly swiped hot tears from her own cheeks. The couple stood, smiling, and were led by a guard out of the west commons, back to the crowd, who converged with questions and wonderings. The Lashed healer clasped her hands under her chin.
Another woman broke through the crowd, raising a hand high and crying out, “Heal mine! Please!”
A man pushed his way forward carrying an older man. “My papa’s leg is broken!”
One by one, people came forward. A line formed. Aerity sniffed hard. She refused to let any tears fall.
“You’ve done it,” whispered the guard beside her.
Aerity shook her head. “This is only a start.” There were plenty of skeptical faces still in that crowd. Plenty of onlookers just waiting for the wrong move from a Lashed One—waiting for a reason to strike, to prove Aerity’s beliefs wrong.
But it was a definite start.
Aerity felt a light hand on her shoulder and she turned to the royal healer, Mrs. Rathbrook, her eyes watery. The woman cupped Aerity’s frozen cheek with her papery hand, nails lined from those she’d recently helped. “Blessings of the seas, Your Highness.”
Aerity gathered the woman into a hug and held her tight. “Thank you, Mrs. Rathbrook. I want to make it right.”
“You will, precious girl. You will.”
“Come,” said Aerity, taking her hand. “Let’s get in from the cold.”
Chapter
30
By the end of the day, when no rioting or rebellion had broken out, Aerity, Lief, Harrison, and four senior officers met in the king’s office to choose three villages throughout Lochlanach to implement supervised healing infirmaries: Dovedell, Craw Coorie, and Duke Gulfton’s southern town of Fetchko. She hoped word would quickly spread about the good that had been done that day.
Thirty-seven people had come forward for healing. People cried and rejoiced. Lashed and Unlashed shared grateful hugs. Aerity felt as if she were floating all day with the rightness of it. If only her parents were there to see . . .
They were just concluding business when a knock cameand two guards entered with lined faces. Aerity’s lightness suddenly dropped.
“What’s happened?” she asked.
“Nay, Your Highness, nothing has happened, per se. . . .” They glanced at each other.
Harrison stepped forward. “Then what is it?”
“Well, it’s just that, you see, we heard rumor that a beast had been captured on your travels, and we just now saw Lady Wyneth struggling to take the thing out of doors . . . she had it by a rope but I’m not sure what good that will do. It very nearly outweighs her.” They shared another worried glance.
“By the stars . . .” Lief shook his head.
