Adventure of Tau Heathsburough

Before the stretcher reaches the infirmary, the dark ring pulses beneath Ruouh’s sleeve. Ruouh tells a guard to go ahead and prepare an infirmary bed.

A young adult woman, a slim human woman with a narrow face and a copper healer’s clasp at her throat with dark braided hair, olive skin, and a green healer’s robe kneels beside Tau, checking his breath before guiding the stretcher toward the infirmary.

The scarred captain signals two Royal Guards to brace the stretcher. Ruouh falls beside Tau as dust sifts into the candlelit hallway.

As they rush through the narrow corridor, the castle shakes slightly.

The tremor settles quickly. The Royal Guards lift the stretcher and advance through the corridor, while Ruouh keeps pace beside Tau, one hand braced against the wall.

At the infirmary, the guards lower Tau onto a bed. A young adult woman with dark braided hair, olive skin, and a green healer’s robe cuts through the dust-stiffened clothing and examines him.

The room empties. Tau remains unconcious as the healer presses near the remembered blast. His Royal Guard Armor has absorbed the worst damage.

An hour passes beneath muted infirmary bells. The healer’s work leaves Tau’s ribs deeply sore, a concrete cost of surviving the blast, but the bruising is bound and his breathing eases.

Tau wakes groggy beneath clean linen, pain dulled to a heavy ache. Mira stands nearby with fresh bandages, and Ruouh waits at the bedside, his dark ring hidden beneath his sleeve.

Mira finishes cleaning the dust from Tau’s face and chest. As he wakes, she removes the dirty covering from his injured hand and replaces it with a fresh cloth bandage. The careful wrapping limits pressure on the wound.

Mira checks the new bandage, then bows and leaves the infirmary. Tau’s deep-seated phobia tightens his breath in the quiet, but Knightly Etiquette steadies his movements and helps him remain composed.

Once the door closes, Tau lifts his fingers to his forehead. The skin is tender beneath the stitches, but the wound is clean and firmly closed.

He lowers his hand and studies the fresh bandage, its clean layers keeping the grave palm wound covered. Across the bed, Ruouh remains at his side, watchful beneath his royal composure.

His answer reaches Tau clearly through the lingering dust in his throat. Ruouh’s voice is steady, and his hidden hand stays closed around the dark ring.

Tau tries to sit higher, but deep soreness clamps around his ribs. He works the chest plate free and sets it aside; the effort leaves a sharp ache beneath the bruising. His Royal Guard Armor has protected him, while fear tightens his breath and Knightly Etiquette keeps his movements measured.

With the armor removed, Tau settles against the pillows. His healing palm remains covered, though the strain makes the bandage pull faintly across the wound.

Tau motions to the matching necklace around his neck, then lets his arm fall back carefully. The movement pulls at his ribs, but he keeps his request clear and his gaze steady.

Ruouh’s hand closes over the concealed ring beneath his sleeve. He draws a chair nearer the bed, accepting the secrecy as a shared duty rather than a challenge to his authority.