Jordan's new illness

The next day, Shiandra packed all of her belongings and prepared to leave. When Carmen knocked on her bedroom door, she teased Shiandra about not having prepared a hot bath for her as she usually did. Shiandra replied that Carmen was no longer a child and did not need her. Carmen was surprised by her response and asked if she was leaving without saying goodbye. Shiandra confirmed that she was, stating that she was no longer needed as Carmen was now a grown woman. The princess insisted that Shiandra should at least say goodbye before leaving, and ran to fetch King Cyrus when Shiandra refused to do so.

The King was surprised when he heard that Shiandra was leaving and asked her if she was doing so because of what had happened with Jordan. Shiandra admitted that this was the reason for her departure and refused to be persuaded to stay. She told the King that she would always be inferior in his eyes, and that he had defended Jordan even after he had forced himself on her. The King tried to plead with Shiandra to stay, saying that his daughter adored her, but Shiandra was adamant that she needed to leave. She told the King that she would not stay and be disrespected by men, and that he should not follow her. The King reluctantly accepted her decision and watched as she left in a carriage.

Carmen followed Shiandra, shouting her name, but Shiandra did not turn around. The princess cried as she watched the carriage leave. The King apologized to Carmen for what had happened, but she was still angry with him. When one of the warriors informed the King that Jordan was not well, he immediately went to see him. The King was shocked to hear from the royal doctor, Mr. Collins, that Jordan was suffering from a type of paralysis. The doctor suggested that shock or heavy medication could be the cause.

The King went to see Jordan and spoke with him alone. He wept as he remembered their friendship and asked Jordan what had happened to him. Jordan lay there silently, tears streaming down his face.

The following morning, Shiandra packed all of her clothes.

Carmen was awake by then. She knocked on the bedroom door.

"Enter." 

"Nana, why have you not made a hot bath for me like you always do?" She teased.

"You are a woman, you are no longer a child."

Carmen was surprised by Shiandra's response.

"Nana, that was a joke. I did not mean to offend you. Are you leaving?" 

"As I have mentioned before. You are no longer a child. You do not need me anymore."

"Were you planning to leave without at least saying goodbye?"

"Yes!" Shiandra pressed. 

"Wait here then I'm coming now."

Carmen ran to get King Cyrus. 

"What is it Carmen?" The King asked irritably.

"Shiandra was about to leave without saying goodbye to us. What have you done to her?" 

The King shot a glance at Shiandra.

"You're leaving?" He asked.

"Yes my Lord. The child has grown and my services here are no longer required."

The King was embarrassed. He did not expect such a response. 

"Carmen may you excuse us. I would like to speak with Shiandra alone." He said.

"But father.."

"Now Carmen!" The King shouted.

The princess did as she was told with a frown upon her face. 

"This is something I need to do. Carmen will be a woman soon." Said Shiandra

"Be honest with me. Are you leaving because of the incident that occurred with Jordan?" 

Carmen at the time was eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Yes as a matter of fact it is." Said Shiandra.

"What can I do to remedy the situation?"

"Nothing!"

"But Shiandra I need you here. My daughter adores you. Please do not leave. Especially in this manner." The King pleaded.

"But I need to. I will always be inferior here. Even when you saw what Jordan was doing, you still defended him. He forced himself on me!" Shiandra said in a sharp tone.

"I know you are angry, but you will be careful how you speak to me."

Carmen covered her mouth in shock. She wanted to enter the room. But if she entered who would she be expected to side with, Shiandra or the king.

"Won't you at least stay until it becomes Carmen's birthday?"

"I will not stay here and be disrespected by men. I will leave and you will not follow me. Your secret will be safe." Shiandra pressed.

"Then I will no longer stop you if that is your final decision."

A carriage arrived at the palace. 

"It is time." Said Shiandra, grabbing her bags.

"My warriors with help you with that." Said the King.

"I do not require their help!" 

Carmen ran to the dining room, she watched as Shiandra hurried out of the palace. The princess had tears in her eyes. The King followed behind her.

"Nana,Nana!" Carmen shouted running after Shiandra, who did not bother to turn her glance to either the King nor to Carmen.

The carriage left. Carmen cried silently then returned back to the palace. The King went after her.

"Forgive me my child." Said the King.

"Forgive you for what. You were protecting your friend!" Carmen shouted angrily.

"You heard us?"

Carmen turned her gaze away from the king, while keeping her arms folded. 

"One day you will be a ruler. You will understand my reasons for doing certain things."

"Protecting a man who forces himself on a woman?"

The King stood there silently.

"Carmen, Jordan represents our country. He is not just any warrior. He is one of our best!" The King pressed.

"Ahhhh!" Carmen shouted angrily. Then ran off to the woods, leaving the King in awe.

One of the warrior's came to the king.

"Sigh you need to come with me " he said.

"What has happened, is Carmen hurt?" 

"No Sigh. It's Jordan. He is not well."

"What are we waiting for then? Let's leave right away." 

The King took a horse and immediately rode to Jordans home, with two warriors accompanying him 

The royal doctor, Mr Collins was attending the patient. He had blonde curled hair, a slight moustache and tiny blue eyes. He was very good looking and yet he had no interest in marrying a woman. He was interested in men, but no one knew this except himself and those he once were involved with.

"Dr Collins! I arrived as soon I heard the news. What is wrong with Jordan?" The King asked.

"It seems Sigh, that Jordan has a kind of paralysis. However, I'm still yet to confirm this."

"Paralysis. What could have cause this?" The king asked, with great concern in his voice.

"At this moment all I could do is assume. Shock can cause paralysis and heavy use of medication." The doctor explained.

"Jordan was not under any medication."

"Forgive me if this will offend but the man was not always around you. He had his own life as well. He might have been depressed to the state where he took heavy medication."

The King noticed tears coming out of Jordan's eyes.

"Can he hear me?" The King asked.

The doctor nodded.

"I would like to speak with him alone."

The doctor went to another room. 

The King covered his mouth and began to weep.

"What happened Jordan?" He asked.

Jordan layed there silently. With only tears running down his face.

"Ah, old friend, it's good to see you. Do you remember the first time we met? We became fast friends, even though we were so different. You loved the sword, while I was always more interested in ruling. After my father's passing, I became the King of Kineti, and I knew I wanted you by my side as my advisor. You always gave the wisest advice.

Do you remember when you introduced me to Carla? She was the love of my life, Jordan. I fell for her hard. Her laugh, her touch, those beautiful eyes of hers... she was amazing in every way. You were the one who encouraged me to marry her, and I'll always be grateful for that. We were happy for a while, until she was called back to Gishon to fight an enemy that threatened her country. I should never have let her go. I never saw or heard from her again.

You were there for me when I was in so much pain. You encouraged me to move on, to find someone else, to not be lonely. But my heart belonged to Carla. It was only when I met Carmen that I finally started to feel happy again. And you, my friend, kept her past a secret and treated her like your own daughter. You even encouraged your son Alex to play with her when she was lonely. You are a truly good man, Jordan.

I know what happened with Shiandra was a mistake, but you don't have to worry. She left on her own accord, without even saying goodbye to Carmen. You didn't force yourself on her, and I saw that. You've been alone for so long, my friend. It's okay to want companionship.

I have to go now, but please rest. You're in my prayers, always." The King said, as he prepared to leave for Kineti.

"Nana, that was a joke. I did not mean to offend you. Are you leaving?" 

"As I have mentioned before. You are no longer a child. You do not need me a

Carmen was awake by then. She knocked on the bedroom door.

"Enter." 

"Nana, why have you not made a hot bath for me like you always do?" She teased.

"You are a woman, you are no longer a child."

Carmen was surprised by Shiandra's response.

"Nana, that was a joke. I did not mean to offend you. Are you leaving?" 

"As I have mentioned before. You are no longer a child. You do not need me a