Chapter 19a

“Five weeks. Stop wriggling, Kore.”

“Five weeks?! You jest? Five pissing weeks?! Physician Sillix, fix whatever that is that's hurting down there, I have to go! Ben! Get back in here. Ben!” Kore howled.

“Kore, I'll sedate you if you don't settle down!” Sillix barked. Ben came back into the room. “Please stay, General Astrella, she's getting hysterical.”

“I am not!” Kore said hysterically. “OK! I'm OK, don't glare at me.” She sulked. “Just ... hurry up. Please? Ben! I have something very important to tell you. It's about the Ambassadorial side library. It needs ... renovated.”

“I know. Shush Kore, we know all about it and it's bizarre wall structure. Like I said, we have a lot to tell you but not if physician Sillix thinks you're going to get worked up.” Ben said and Kore glanced at Sillix and tried to sit still. “Jyp's never moved from this very spot, Kore. He's slept right on the floor here.”

“He's wonderful isn't he?” Kore smiled. “Whatever you have him doing for the Military will be great for him Ben, thanks. He deserves to feel valued.”

“Well Faust gave the actual position to him, I seconded it totally. He's a regimentally retained personal security guard. He's now getting paid to do what he's done since he met you.” Ben laughed. “So how has your handiwork fared, physician Sillix?”

“Any handiwork would fare well on a body like this.” Sillix said officiously.

“I couldn't agree more.” Ben smirked at Kore who tried to get the billowing nightdress she'd been draped in, to drape in a more seemly manner. “So is she OK for a room full of visitors?”

“For an hour only. I'll leave orders with Ambassador Astrella that it has to be no longer. Kore, you are not to leave this bed. Do you understand me? I mean it. I'll have you in the infirmary and supervised constantly if you even try. General Astrella? No excitement.”

“For me? Oh, I see what you mean.” Ben winked at Kore who snorted a laugh. “We won't let her get over-heated, don't worry.”

“Physician Sillix? Will you please tell my brother I'm OK?” Kore begged. “We've never been apart for five hours, let alone five weeks.” Her lip wobbled and she tried so hard to look tough to prevent it doing so.

“Of course.” Sillix said. “He's doing very well himself, it must be a family thing. He's hoping to be entertaining his lady for his birthday next month.” He laughed and left the chamber.

“His what?” Kore frowned after the physician. “Who? I thought he was ill?”

“All in good time, Kore, I promise.” Ben assured her. “Twenty one in four weeks and three days. Yes?” Kore nodded. “If you've finished lazing about in here by then, we could try a different room. Dining room? Or if not, we'll go out to dinner right here.”

“I'll probably be a part of this bed by then. Yes, thank you, I'd like that.” Kore nodded. “I may have to borrow either another gown or a nightdress from Jasmine though.” She wafted a sleeve at Ben and caused a draught.

“It is a bit voluminous isn't it? My mother says it's hers but I rather think it would fit the old boy. No matter, you still look stunning.” Ben complimented at Kore felt herself going red, not a very common occurrence. “Kore I've never been as scared in all my life as I've been these past few weeks.” Ben exhaled loudly. “I'm surprised Sillix hasn't arranged for me to be beat up. I kept panicking every few hours and hauling the poor man in, day and night.” He smiled. “Faust called me a big soft fanny.”

“It must be a man thing, Jyp's as bad and Leo's at least ten fannies worth.”

“I don't think Jyp, or even Leo, have quite the same outlook as I do. Kore will ...”

“All fixed up eh?” Faust boomed from the door.

“Not quite.” Ben muttered and stood up. “I think we're going to need more chairs.”

Lord and Lady Astrella, Ben, Faust, Creed, Ursus, Jyp, Blacklock, Shawn, Jasmine and even cadets Rowan, Lumni and Roscus all crammed into the bed chamber and Kore had to be glared back into her pillows when she tried to scramble out of them in excitement.

“Who's going to start?” She asked eagerly. “Get on with it! I'm going to tell Sillix you're all stressing me out! I remember seeing Ben running towards me at the arena where I was with Jasmine, then nothing until Ben and Jyp were fighting over the hairbrush. Fannies.”

Ben started by telling Kore how he carried her to the guest Villa, then everyone else had a part in relating the events and occurrences that had taken place, right up to that morning's meeting. The silence that followed was deafening. The last piece of news imparted was Kore's appointment as sole beneficiary to ninety two per cent of the DeGaise estate.

“Er ... I want to see Leo.” Kore said eventually. “I can't ... do ... that on my own. I need Leo.”