The Curse Conduit
Chapter 19

Uriah could feel the now familiar cobbled stones of the castle court under his feet. Feeling his body being carried forward by some unseen force. People smiled and nodded at him as he walked, some even calling his name. But yet it was Uri’s name that passed their lips.

He was walking but to where? So strange yet so familiar. All at once he looked at things as if he was seeing them for the first time but instantly he knew where he was. As he approached the door to the King’s private chambers Uriah knew, its textured familiar to him. He knocked and was given the command to enter. As he pushed open the doors he wondered where Uri was. Had he taken over his body? Was he residing in Uri as all this was unfolding? But when Uriah looked at himself he saw himself, he felt himself. If that was the case where was Uri? Would he walk around the next corner and come face to face with his past? An audience with the King would give him the answer. Uriah was sure that if the King saw any other but Uri he would have questions.

The King waved him in and smiled just a little. “Uri, good of you to take the time to see me.”

Uriah bowed just a little. “Always Sire.”

“Come in, come in. How have you been?”

“I am of good health Sire?”

“Why so formal Uri? Have we not known each other for some time and yet you are always so formal.”

“As you are my King, Sire I think it only proper.”

The King smiled and put his arm around Uriah’s shoulder and guided him out to a small private courtyard. “It is because of your deep sense of propriety I need to ask you to do something for me Uri.”

Uriah looked at the King in silence not sure what he was going to say, letting him continue.

The King paced back and forth as he spoke. “I know this has not been easy for you Uri and I commend you for your strength but I fear what I am about to ask will be even harder for you.”

“You only have to ask Sire, you know that I am loyal.”

The King gave him a fragile smile. “I know Uri that is what makes this so hard.” The King paused for a moment before continuing. “You have feelings for my niece have you not?”

Uriah was taken aback. How could the King possibly know this? How could Uri have feelings for Beth-Elena, she was betrothed to Declan. How did he know that Uri had feelings for her? The same way he had feelings for Elizabeth. It was as if his mind was split.

The King continued. “This is the truth is it not Uri?”

Uriah nodded without saying anything.

Again the King gave Uriah a jaded smile. “Even now you remain silent. Not uttering a word. I do not envy your torment. You wonder how I know your heart my friend? I too had feelings like this for another. I see it in your eyes every time she enters the room.”

The King could see the horrified look on Uriah’s face. “Do not be alarmed my friend, No other knows of your inner conflict, not even Beth-Elena. But I would ask that you keep to your own counsel on this matter. For the happiness of my niece, for your friend Declan.”

It took Uriah sometime to answer. “As you wish my Lord.”

The King was overcome with remorse at how well Uri could hide his pain. “You understand why I ask this of you?”

Uriah nodded his head. “I do my Lord. It being the reason I have kept my feelings to myself. I would do nothing to hinder their love. I will do everything in my power to protect them. As long as either one is alive I shall swear to protect.”

Again the King put his arms around Uriah shoulders. “I am so sorry Uri. Asking my knights to fight in battle is much easier than this.”

“Battles are easy my Lord. Love is hard.”

“You will replace another who will love you Uri and in time you will love her.”

Just then the door to the King’s chambers opened and Beth-Elena glided in like an angel. Both men smiled at her, it could not be helped.

She stopped. “Oh sorry Uncle you are busy.”

The King held out his hand to her. “No, no child please enter.”

It was then the Beth-Elena realised who the King was with and her face lit up. “Uri, you have returned.” As she reached him she stretched to give him a gentle kiss on the cheek and took his hand in hers. “The news of your family it is of happiness and good health?”

“Yes my lady, they are well.” Uriah looked at the King. “By your leave Sire I shall let you visit.”

Beth-Elena squeezed Uriah hand. “Sir do not leave on my account. It is good to see you home.”

Before Uriah had to try and make an excuse the King helped him out by taking his nieces hands from his and guiding her away. “Uri has duties that he must attend.”

In silence Uriah nodded and depart catching a little of their conversation before he closed the door. “You like Uri my sweet?”

“Uncle he is so kind and considerate, so generous. I feel safe when he is around. I hope he replaces true love as I have. He deserves the love of a good woman.”

Uriah woke, tears dampening his face, pain etching his heart, sorrow consuming his soul. Had this always been his destiny? To love someone he could never have. Yet he knew that Uri had indeed married. Maybe he had found true love. As he turned over and curled up Uriah thought about Uri’s words. He would have much rather woken to replace himself battered and bruised from the battlefield, not this unseen pain. Maybe he should tell Derek how he felt?

He was wondering if he should just lay there the rest of the night when he heard shouts from outside his room. He could hear someone calling Uri’s name. He rushed to his door just in time to see Derek come out of his own room and collapse into Simian’s arms. He had scratches on his face, blood running down his arms, bruises appearing all over his body as they watched. Derek had gone to bed in just his pyjama bottoms and they could see nasty cuts across the length of his stomach. He called Uri’s name again before he completely collapsed. Casta and Uriah reached him together; Simian had cradled his head in his lap as they had slid to the floor. “Dear God, he looks like he has been tortured.”

Casta jumped from jabbering in Spanish to English he was so upset. “Hospicio. We need to get him to hospital.”

Uriah looked from one to the other. “And what are they going to do for him?”

Simian and Casta looked at him, disbelief sweeping across both their faces. It was Simian’s turn to swear while Casta tried to make Uriah see reason. “Uriah we cannot leave him like this!”

Uriah stood up. “I don’t intend to. Get him back into bed. I will call Dr Horton see if he is available. But you know what happened last time. His body healed itself. That is what is going to happen.”

As they struggled to get Derek back into his room Simian shouted at Uriah. “Damn it Uriah what the hell happens if it doesn’t?!”

Uriah already had his phone to his ear only then did he look at his watch and realised it was three in the morning. “Doctor Horton this is Uriah Burner, Derek Mailer’s brother. Sorry to wake you. You said to call.”

Casta and Simian listened to Uriah’s side of the conversation.

“Yes that’s right. No, different but he is in a bad way.”

The others heard Uriah give the doctor the name of the hotel and the suite number before he hung up. “He is on his way. Said about twenty minutes.”

All they could do now was wait.

Fifteen minutes later Casta showed the doctor into Derek’s room. He was still unconscious, the cuts and abrasion still very evident but the bleeding had stopped. Dr Horton just stared down at the man in the bed, he was a mess. “Are you telling me this is all from a dream?” The Doctor went to check over Derek. The others said nothing just nodded. As Dr Horton moved his hands over Derek’s body he groaned a little and moved his head. “I would have thought that gash on his stomach would have needed stitches but it seems to be closing on its own. He’s been bleeding again.”

Uriah stepped forward. “That stopped a little while ago.”

Derek groaned again. “Well I guess this time I don’t have to try and wake him up, he’s coming around.” The Doctor looked at the others. “I know his body looks to be healing itself but I am not sure how much more of this it can take. The body has a funny way of working and if it thinks this is real it will react the way it should to the real thing. He will get weaker and weaker with each episode even though he looks okay. His body will believe it has gone through all this and shut down.”

There was a little urgency in Uriah’s voice. “His body has been through all this.”

The Doctor looked at Uriah. “I know Uriah. That is why I am so concerned, for both of you.”

Derek groaned again and opened his eyes. “Uri….Uriah did we escape?”

Uriah was at Derek’s side. “From where Derek?”

As Derek came to a little more he realised where he was. His eyes landed on the Doctor. “Hey Doc.” His voice was strained. “Making house calls these days I see.”

Dr Horton smiled feebly but it was Uriah’s voice that got Derek’s attention. “Derek you asked if we had escaped. Escaped from where?”

Derek went to sit up but thought better of it as he felt the pain rush through his body. “I got captured, beaten up for information. I thought I was a goner but you got me out.” Derek stopped and he did try and sit up all too quickly and cried out in pain. The Doctor made him lay back down and Uriah questioned him. “What is it Derek? What’s so important? You are back, you are okay.”

Derek flashed them all a crazed look. Uri, he’s back there. He got me out but they caught him. I have to go back!!”

Uriah rested his hands on Derek’s shoulders getting him to lie back completely. “Back where Derek? Listen to what you are saying. You can’t go back. You know the history. What ever happened Uri survived remember.”

Uriah’s words appeared to soothe Derek’s thoughts. He sunk back into the bed wincing as he relaxed.

“I can give you something for the pain.” Dr Horton waited for a reply.

“Yeah thanks doc. This body is feeling a bit sore just about now.”

Simian pipped in. “Can you take away the pain but make sure he won’t go back to sleep?”

The Doctor nodded and gave Derek an injection.