She looked up at her with a small frown. "It's sad that finding him in a dungeon is what convinced everyone else.."
"Even that is not conclusive," she said with a small sigh. "I am sorry, Calliope, but you understand that we need to be thorough."
She nodded slightly. "I am afraid of the treatment Puck did. It's unfortunate, but I don't believe it was good."
"Puck had his commands," the Queen said gently as the messenger went to go rest. "I doubt he would disobey them."
The army began to trickle in. She would see Puck first, his white hair red in some places from blood as he limped into the war room. Behind him was an elf who had a limp body thrown over his shoulder. She would see wing remains that were terribly familiar on the body's back.
Cal was silent, but there was dread filling her, and she looked down before she could start panicking.
The Queen frowned, tilting her head. "Let me see him." "Your Majesty, you shouldn't get too close," Puck said roughly. "He's dangerous." "He's unconscious, Puck," the Queen replied, tapping the table. "Set him down here." The elf nodded and set Ben down roughly, his head smacking against the solid wood of the table. Ben looked as if he had aged years in the week of her absence. His eyes were sunken and he looked as if he had lost quite a bit of weight. Blood was smeared on his face and he was breathing shallowly, his body limp.
Cal was silent, but clearly upset. She wondered about the treatment, but didn't say anything, looking up at the queen.
The queen eyed him carefully before stepping back. "Take him down to the cells, but do get him medical attention," she said, looking up at the elf before looking at Puck. "You too, commander. That leg looks bad." Puck only inclined his head. He seemed to be avoiding Calliope's gaze.
She hesitated before nodding, feeling it wise not to argue. "Thank you." She went to go to cell with Ben.
They went down to the dungeons, which were not comfortable by any means, but she would imagine that they were more comfortable than the ones of the human kingdom. Ben was set down on a cell bed and medics were called to begin to care for him, their hands glowing with magyck as they worked.
