It had been the most daunting of hours passed since Irina was first attacked and beaten to damn near nothing by the black knights of Narsil, since she was quickly rushed to the aid of Nurse Rosie and her ladies and waiting, carried to the castle's infirmary upon a rickety stretcher, where upon several other hours grueling and absolutely grotesque, had dwindled, the nurses doing all they could during the surgey, trying their best to keep Irina afloat before she plundered into the black Abyss awaiting her weary soul, and......their harrowing and dedicated efforts to saving this blood spattered and broken knight.....were not in vain. Thanks to the swift reactions and actions of Nurse Rosie, and practically all of the castle's maid staff, the woman still lived to tell her tale, but unfortunately...Irina wasn't much in the mood for speaking. "Ugh......owww....." Groaning deeply, still racked with such agonizing torment piercing her still battered and bandaged body, Irina's ice blue eyes fluttered slowly open, everything around her blurry and unrecognizable at first, before her sight began to refocus, now realizing she was not in her own bed or her bedchamber come to think of it. Heavily and ever sluggishly, Irina's eyes skimmed about the white room, first noticing off in the corner the large wooden table, the pine planks reddened by the dry remnants of her own blood...at least she assumed that was her blood, seeing how she now discovered her entire torso was wrapped tight in sullen bandages and gauze, and her arm was in a cast, nestled atop her stomach and slowly rising with each miniscule breath the knight drew.

"Hmmm? Oh....Sir Irina, you're awake." The sleepy little voice had startled Irina at first, sounding off to the left of the bed, where her head gradually moved to meet eyes with Ginger, the poor lass looking tired as ever having sat in that chair through the night, yet still that same cheeriness to her voice and her soft expression to the woman's awakening....after what must've seemed a very deep slumber. "Thank the Goddess you survived. I don't know what I could've told the Princess if you didn't. I swear she would've lost her mind had she discovered that you were dead." The way Ginger spoke, it felt as if the knight had passed on, her voice soft yet filled with a sense of dread...or perhaps it was a deep sigh of relief escaping in the girl's words to Irina. Speaking of the Princes though, she was all who seemed to be on the injured knight's mind, alongside how unbearable these damn bandages were...alongside the tinges of pain rattling her nerves. "P-princess.... where is she....?" Deep was the woman's voice in speaking to Ginger, weighted by sleep and a raspy throat. "Is she....is she okay....Lady Ginger...?"

With a short nod, Ginger answered the knight, " She is indeed, Sir Irina, but when you two arrived back to the castle, she was gone from us. I'm sure she is merely hiding, as she tends to do so when moments such as these appear so abrupt." Then, the gentle hand of the maid fell tenderly upon the knight's, mainly upon the woman's cast arm, suspended rather uncomfortably in a crude sling, but it would do. "She has you to thank for alot, brave Irina." Softly the petite maid whispered, a serene and equally soft smile crossing her lips to accompany her peaceful demeanor. "Had it not been for you, it would be her lying here...or worse. The Princess is quite the lucky girl to have someone such as you looking after her." As sweet as the compliment was to Irina, it left her a bit....confused to be honest, at first slowly lifting her eyebrow towards the maid in some suspicion, to question what Ginger was going on about, but...no point in jumping to conclusions so quick, so merely Irina just returned the smile, "Thank you, Lady Ginger." Gingerly, no pun intended, the maid nodded before standing, slowly ambling her way towards the door, but stopping to give a few last words to Irina, "You should get some rest now, and don't worry about Lady Crystal, Sir Irina. Nurse Rosie and I will be sure the Princess is here to see you first thing tomorrow morning. Goodnight." With her last partings give to the woman, the maid left the room, slowly closing the door behind her.

Deeply Irina sighed, wincing a bit at the expanding of her lungs pushing against her sore ribs while she turned her head, facing a window to the right of the room. She lied there, her eyes upon the shimmering stars of the deep blues of a midnight sky, alit so bright by the fullness of the most beautiful moon she had ever seen. And what a joy it will be to see M'lady when I do awake... Pleasantly the knight mused, a soft curving of her lips into a light smile, before closing her eyes gently.....and drifting off to sleep....

---

Not long after, morning had soon arrived, the first rays of the early sun basking through the infirmary's tall windows and bathing a well rested but still slightly weary Irina in their warmth. It took alot for her to even lean up in her bedridden state of broken bones, fighting back the urge to cry out from the massive jolts of pain attacking her while she made herself incline forth to reach the tray of food delivered to her by Nurse Rosie. Wasn't much, a few pieces of lightly buttered toast with raspberry preserves, a glass of orange juice and some freshly sliced apples, but after going through all that inflicted her the past day, Irina didn't really feel up to eating a hearty meal, even upon her first bite of toast, as instructed by the smiling head nurse, Irina was finding it a tad difficult to swallow, but still she managed to finish the rest of her breakfast without any further difficulty.

Setting the tray aside on the nightstand with her only good arm, Irina thanked the nurse, Rosie giving her a gentle nod in return and a soft smile as she left the infirmary...whereupon....Crystal had entered shortly. "M'lady....." A smile came to the woman, seeing her Lady, safe and sound, not a single scratch to mar that beautiful face that stared upon Irina, alive and well but definitely not in the best of shapes. Carefully as the white haired girl approached her, Irina tried to move herself to a sitting position in bed, gradually moving her right hand to fall upon Crystal's shoulder softly as she beamed happily to the Princess, "M'lady....you need not worry about me. This is the sacrifice I must make....to protect you..." Twas a bit difficult at first, but she managed to pull the girl into a gentle embrace, whispering, "I'm so glad that you're safe, Crystal....."

Crystal frowned when Irina sat up in the hospital bed, noticing the slight pain on Irina's face just from moving a bit. She sat down beside the woman, sighing as Irina placed a hand on her shoulder. Irina seemed to be in a good mood, and honestly that kind of annoyed The Princess, beaming up at her like that. Crystal knew this would happen eventually, she had tried to tell Irina back then, but Irina wanted to be a knight so badly that she was willing to die for her. It made no sense, but Crystal couldn't even try to understand what went through that head of her's.

"Mmm..." She smiled and nodded softly to her protector, unsure what to say to the woman. Crystal resisted making eye contact with Irina, keeping her eyes on her lap or just on anything that wasn't Irina. She really couldn't bare to look at Irina's face, but that didn't really matter now... The lady knight pulled her into an embrace, their faces were side by side, and everything from the waist up was pressed against Irina's battered body. Her face burned red, the whisper, the closeness of their bodies was really overwhelming, yet it felt...nice. Crystal inhaled Irina's scent, it smelled minty from all of the ointment and herbs they put on her, but she quite liked it. Pressing her lips gently against the spot by Irina's earlobe, a gentle, discreet kiss. Would Irina even notice? She closed her eyes for a few seconds, about how long her lips were touching Irina's skin.

A small smile crossed her lips as she pulled away and whispered back, "I'm not so easily broken..." Crystal lifted up from the embrace and for once, studied Irina's bruised face. Still beautiful... A familiar smirk played on her lips and a devious glint in her eyes as she contemplated attempting something more bold. Instead, she caressed along Irina's jaw line with her fingertips. "You should be glad I got you back in time. Argo was having quite the fit." She said in a somewhat teasing tone, though still a mere whisper.

Of course Crystal didn't mention anything about her own worrying or fits... That would be too embarrassing, but surely Irina knew by now that Crystal didn't like to discuss her feelings.

She could've lost herself in that tender embrace, feeling the warmth of the beautiful Princess alleviate the tinges of pain that bothered her so, but not as long as she was close to Crystal, smiling softly as her cheek brushed against the girl's, tingling pleasantly at the gentle touch of her skin to Crystal's, closing her eyes and taking in the sweet smell of lavender that emanated from her lady....how she loved that wonderful scent, but...Irina had to wonder why she always felt this way around the Princess, why all of a sudden her emotions could change in an instant...upon glancing at that face of infinite beauty that stared at her with shimmering eyes of amethyst, such shades of purple that seemed to hypnotize the knight...into just giving in and letting herself go. Twas only weeks, but it felt as though months that Irina had come to know her lady, charming yes, and a hint devious, leaving the woman flustered as ever, and...even in this moment she was at peace, there was always that infamous deviousness about when Crystal was near.

As much as she wanted to pretend it didn't happen...it most certainly did. She felt it, the tender touch of the Princess' lips to her skin, a tiny peck upon the cheek, or moreso the nape of her neck, just a tad below her earlobe, but still....Crystal kissed her. W-what? And Irina....she was at a loss for words having felt the kiss, the very minute area where her lady's soft lips had made contact tingling ever wildly and sending chills throughout Irina, even after her the Princess' lips had retreated and left the woman awestruck inside, her heart absolutely aflutter. True, twas not a kiss upon the lips, and even so, the kiss could've just been in more of a friendly manner. Natural it was for two women, close friends or not, to exchange such brief and friendly kisses, at least that is how the knight had thought of such manners, but....why such a reaction to such a kiss? Also, it seemed as if that simple touch of her lips to another woman was a bit more than friendly for the Princess, judging by the girl's ever noticeable smirk present upon those same lips, and the subtlety of her fingertips tracing the soft contours of the woman's face, Irina's cheeks slightly reddening with every little touch.

Ugh....what is wrong with me? She pondered, listening to how her lady's usual sly and cheeky tone of voice was seeping through those lips...lips she....very much wanted to feel again for some reason, but merely gave a mental shake of further licentious thoughts from her head. Still, the Princess wasn't the only one with a sly tongue. "Was he now?" Irina first replied, not exactly feigning concern for her steed, for she did feel bad for putting her valued horse through quite the stressful gauntlet. "I suppose he worried a great lot for me....as I'm sure you have, M'lady." And Crystal couldn't deny it either. She may have liked to believe that during the harrowing effort to save her wounded attendant that Irina didn't hear every single one of her frantic pleas, her heartfelt and broken cries for help, but clear as a bell's chime did Irina catch upon every word spoken, up to the point where she unfortunately blacked out. And to her lips, a similar smirk to her lady. Caught ya. She smiled on the inside....but not just at the aspect of possibly outwitting the witty Crystal, but.....realizing that her lady was worried for her.

Crystal's devious grin faded into a weak smile as Irina called her out on being worried. "O-of course I worried about you. Did I really need to say that aloud, Irina?" She closed her eyes briefly, her eyes burning with tears. The knight had seen through her facade, probably heard her crying and screaming like a maniac as she struggled to get her onto Argo. The memory of being covered in Irina's fresh blood, the dying groans of those men, being tied up and lead to only The Goddess knows where resurfaced from the back of Crystal's mind. It was only yesterday that this happened, and no one could expect her to have forgotten being tied up like a pig for slaughter after just a day. Still, she would prefer not thinking about that...Not only was it extremely embarrassing to be put in such a position, and to be seen as an emotional wreck by Irina and the castle staff, but it was also terrifying to know that Vaross' henchmen were still out there...prowling around in search of something...something Crystal desperately hoped she had been wrong about. There was still a hint of doubt in her mind though, that maybe it wasn't Vaross and he wasn't after that.

Crystal wanted to tell Irina about it, but her mother had told her never to tell anyone - even if she trusted them with all of her heart. All telling Irina would is worry her even more about The Princess' already endangered life, but Crystal also didn't want to be seen as a freak by her Royal Attendant. She liked their friendship just the way it was and honestly would rather not ruin that. Then this would really turn into a job for Irina, and Crystal didn't want to be seen as just a job. If the lady knight only she what she signed up for...

Her eyes opened, glazed with extra moisture but thankfully no tears spilled over. She caressed the side of Irina's face once more, smiling with a shake of her head before moving a bit on the bed and placing her hands on her lap. "I should probably get going. You need to rest..." She sounded distant now, no longer her usual teasing self. "I'll need to tell Father what's happened, he probably doesn't know, yet. He's quite detached from the castle news, and he'll need to know you won't be competing in the tournament."

Though her small victory was short lived over Crystal, that playful and jesting smirk....slowly curling downwards with the furrowing of her eyebrows at the sudden shift in the girl's demeanor towards the woman, that being a sharp decline from the Princess' more accustomed playful self, that cheeky sneer of hers, to a more fragile and considerate smile...that didn't seem to reflect as much cheer, but more of a disheartening in the beautiful lass, brought upon more or less by Irina's quick and witty remarks. A slight of guilt Irina felt, wondering if what she said bothered her lady deeply, rekindling the scorching flame of tormented memories Crystal would rather forget than recollect in every single ghastly and heart-wrenching detail. What torment it must be for her, suffering from those tragic and horrendous mental images of her attendant, fighting to grasp to what life was left in her battered and bloody body, undergoing the horror of such agonizing pain and practically having been reduced to nothing but a terrible mess.

Not to mention, Crystal must also be suffering a great lot from her terrible plight earlier yesterday, being tormented and treated as nothing more than a rodent by those loathsome curs in armor, those disdainful knights of Narsil, which Irina had the pleasure in ending their miserable, hate filled lives.....but still wondering of them, if evil was truly rooted in all or if these men...were just swayed to the wrong by their nefarious Lord. Speaking of whom, it was certainly becoming rather alarming that Varros was stepping up his game, so to speak, no longer going for the subtle approach, but downright attacking head on. Twas only a matter of time before the fiend plotted something more....drastic, and the very thought of such weighed heavily upon Irina's mind, not to mention that sickly drop in her stomach...wondering which other lives his next strike may claim....other than her lady's.

A great deal she worried for Crystal, but not in the sense that her appointed task would be at stake, no....rarely now did she see the girl with hair white as the peaceful winters of Alegasia as such....rarely did she see her lady as just another job. Crystal....she was her dearest friend, someone who despite how much she agitated the woman, someone Irina held dear to her heart, and the knight be damned if anyone were to steal the very life she swore to protect, not just swearing oath to the Royal Daughter of the King.....but to her closest companion...

Glancing tiredly to that face she cherished to see, she noticed a telltale glistening from her lady's soft and delicate eyes. Tears? and yet not a single drop had fallen across the Princess' cheeks, as if she were fighting desperately the urge to break down and sob before Irina....but for what reason Irina pondered, well...other than the knight's foolish jests exhuming some painful recollections that should be long buried and easily discarded from the mind, and again there was that tinge of regret for doing so. She closed her eyes for one more blissful moment, one more gentle touch from her lady upon her cheek, before the hand of Crystal receded and the Princess was giving her farewells to the knight, reminding Irina....that due to her recent injuries....she would no longer be able to compete in the Annual Tournament. Damn! How could I have forgotten. Oh Goddess...now what am I to do? Pray to the Goddess Irina's recovery was speedy, but broken bones aren't ever mended in a day, so said Nurse Rosie to Irina once, and how Irina wished they were. Oh well, there was no point in whining over it, perhaps next year it would be Irina's honor to serve Alegasia in the tournament, so good fortune to the knight who should take her place...even if it was either Pindel or Versetti.

The Princess was readying her leave, but before she could, Irina moved her good arm to reach for her lady's hand gently, a whisper being the only voice she could manage with a smile tenderly tracing her lips, "Must you leave so soon?" She asked of Crystal, but carefully did her hand slip away. As much as she wished for the Princess to be with her for just a few more minutes, just a few more moments of casual conversations, the exchange of gentle smiles, Irina must realize that Crystal was the Princess, and as such had many Royal obligations to fulfill. Best not to keep her from them. "I suppose you should explain to His Majesty the reasons behind my injuries....." Irina sighed....yet paused with another furrowing of her brow. Would it be wise to speak of the attack? To rouse His Majesty into such a fury over the ill treatment of his beloved daughter and to conjure forth the flames of war? Or to again be dismissed as paranoid and chided for accusing a Noble Lord for such atrocities committed? Irina honestly didn't think so, and as much as she loathed herself for lying to the King, it would need to be done, at least to save His Majesty from making...a terrible mistake. "But M'lady, before you go-" Grabbing Crystal, she pulled the girl closer to her, her voice dropping to a more discreet whisper, "I must ask you not to speak of those knights. Tell His Majesty that it was..a bear that attacked you and I. I know this sounds farfetched, but believe me. Telling the King of such an attack from Narsil....it could lead to war."

Crystal glanced at her hand where Irina's fingers were delicately wrapped, and found herself...mostly her face getting hot that Irina had basically asked her not to go. The royal attendant must have been hit over the head a little too hard, because Crystal was not used to Irina acting like this, or maybe she was the one that had been hit over the head; It was after all only a few minutes ago that The Princess had placed a sweet little kiss on Irina's cheek. Crystal acknowledged that she was starting to like Irina more than she originally planned, just judging from the disappointment she felt when Irina moved her hand away, leaving Crystal's feeling quite cold and longing for the simple touch again. As Irina spoke, Crystal's eyes wandered to Irina's lips, the way they moved when she spoke...was sort of hypnotizing to The Princess. Crystal offered a tight lipped smile and looked away with a nod, though she clearly was not all there at the moment. Her mind had wandered to a different place, a place that had nothing to do with what Irina was talking about or The King. What's wrong with me? She wanted to smack herself in the head for thinking such inappropriate things... and towards another woman no less.

She was about to get up, more like speed out of the room, but Irina had suddenly grabbed Crystal and pulled her closer... Her heart was beating so loud she could heard it in her ears, and her cheeks were blushing something furious. Crystal didn't know what to do and was mentally freaking out about what was about to happen. She swallowed nervously and half closed her eyes, but to her surprise... Irina wasn't trying to do anything that Crystal had in mind, though she did have to agree with her Royal attendant that telling The King wasn't a good idea. Crystal didn't want to lie to her father, but it was for the best. She sighed and nodded in understanding, a silent agreement between the two women. Lord Vaross deserved to pay for his crimes against Alegasia, but the whole country of Narsil didn't deserve to burned to the ground for their ruler's actions.

Crystal smiled softly and placed her hands on top of Irina's, "I shall return later to tuck you in." She whispered against her ear before leaning away from Irina, and finally getting up from the hospital bed. She left the room without looking back at Irina, and headed for The King's chambers to discuss the alleged bear attack.