27. Unsettle

Closing your eyes you can still feel the heat from Ulf's body on top of you but the weight seems to melt away. A moment later you open your eyes and quickly lift your head. While you're still lying on your stomach you're back on the bed in King Rurik's chambers. A heavy fur is draped across your body and you're covered in a thin coat of sweat. You lift your head and feel slightly stiff and sore but attribute that to the awkward position you fell asleep in. Looking around, you see it's dark outside, and Rurik is still isn't around. Rolling over, you sit up and move back to lean against the headboard. As you sit thinking about your strange dream you notice your gown is wet, presumably from your sweat. You place a hand on the back of your stiff neck and rub it gently. A memory from the dream flashes through your mind and you quickly move your hand to your hair. Your fingers run down it's length and your heart skips a beat when it reaches an area where a small piece has been cut off the end. Shaking your head, you quickly decide that you must have noticed it before and forgotten about it. Then, your subconscious used it as part of the bizarre dream you just experienced.

Despite telling yourself this you still have a slightly uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach. You're unable to fall back asleep and stand at the window, watching the sunrise, an hour later. When Rurik's attendants come to fetch you for breakfast you tell them you're feeling unwell. Unfortunately, this results in the opposite of your desires as you're quickly rushed back into bed. A salve is applied to your forehead and you're **** to eat a rather unpleasant tasting broth. Finally, after you pretend to fall back asleep, do the entourage leave the room. You quickly throw the large amount of skins covering you off and get out of bed. After wiping the salve from your face, you dress and quietly slip out. If you can just get some fresh air and time to think you're sure you'll feel better. Once you're outside you become aware of how spaced out everything is in the courtyard. It wouldn't be long until you're spotted and likely brought back inside. Glancing to the side, you feel yourself reluctantly drawn to the forest beyond the wall. Pulling the hood of your cloak up over your head you start heading in its direction. You're thankful this entrance isn't as heavily watched over at this time of day and just a single guard patrols through every few minutes.

The guard would have no way of knowing you're supposedly ill so you don't try to hide from him as you walk closer. Acting as if you're about to start heading in the direction of the sauna, you slow your pace after he walks by. Pausing for a moment you wait until he's a few yards away before quietly moving to the entrance. Keeping an eye on his turned back you quickly slip through the door and noiselessly shut it behind you. You keep a brisk pace as you make your way down the path towards the somewhat foreboding forest ahead. When you step inside you're surprised to find it's not so unsettling after all. You decide to take a different path than the one you had followed the first time you entered the forest. You walk down a narrow path for a while but eventually know it's time to turn back. Your disappearance has surely been noticed by now but at least your mind feels clearer and more at ease. That is until you exit the forest and see a large figure standing beside the entrance that leads back to the keep. You start walking back down the path towards the entrance and King Rurik meets you half way. "I thought you weren't feeling well." His voice is sharp and you flinch slightly under his hard gaze.

"I thought a walk might help." Rurik continues surveying you for a moment before taking a step towards you. You stare forward at his torso but can feel his eyes still looking down on you. "Is that all you were doing?" His hand wraps around your arm as if he's anticipating some type of reaction. "It wouldn't be wise for you to try to going back to your old life." You wince slightly when you realize you've temporarily forgotten about Sten during this whole ordeal. Clearing your face of emotion you choose your words carefully as you look up at him and reply, "I would never go against you, my lord." Rurik's face softens slightly at your words and you realize it's not often that you address him so formally. Though you're aware of the power that comes with being King you still haven't fallen into the customs and mannerisms expected around nobility. His grip on your arm loosens slightly but his expression still seems bothered by something. You follow him back into the keep and he leaves you to return to your chambers alone. Deciding it's best to continue staying on his good side you change into a dark blue dress for dinner as it seems to be his preferred color on you.

His attendants help you put your hair up into an braided hairstyle before you're escorted to the great hall. You follow behind the group and when you arrive they part so you can move ahead. As you do you feel your heart drop when you look up at where the King is seated. Sitting in the typically vacant seat to the left is none other than Ulf. A wicked grin flashes across his face when he sees you and you have trouble walking forward. Eventually you make your way up to the men and give the King a small bow. He seems to take note of your added effort and gives you curt but approving nod. Taking your seat you keep you gaze low and adverted as everyone around you eats. After an appropriate amount of time you quickly excuse yourself and head back upstairs. The corridor is currently empty as the majority of the people are still downstairs in the hall.

When you reach the door to the King's chambers you pause when a familiar, yet unwanted, feeling of unease comes over you. When you turn around you find Ulf standing directly behind you. Pressing your back up against the door you look up at him warily. "It's nice of you to get all dressed up for me." He reaches out and his fingers run through a lock of your hair. There's no room for you to pull back further as you're stuck standing between the door and his large frame. He pulls back after a moment when the sound of people coming up the stairs can be heard. Grabbing your hand you feel him place another object into it before whispering, "I'm around whenever you need me." Ulf straightens up and walks a few feet down the hallway before turning and entering one of the other rooms. Let your breath out shakily, you enter Rurik's chambers, before opening your hand. This time he's given you a strange metal talisman in a small t-shape with a wolf head at the top point. You walk over to the window with the intentions of throwing the object out but find you're unable to do so. Your curiosity overtakes your logic and you end up tucking it away with the empty vial before retiring to bed.