"I have never thought that, Ester." Camilla replied wearily.
"You represent the city, as our Queen. As that ridiculous mate of yours does aswell." Ester snorted.
Resentment flared in Camilla's stomach and she bit her tongue before she had the chance to shoot back a rude reply. "Look Ester, I can speak for the individual citizens of my city. I may represent them as Queen, but they have the right to their own opinions and voices." Her voice turned harder as her anger showed through "If you aren't will to help me, then stop wasting my time."
Ester began to make a strangled, choking sound and powerful spasms racked her frail body. Camilla stepped forward, alarmed, assuming she had gone too far and been too harsh with Ester. Then she realized the ancient dragoness was laughing.
"You have spirit, Camilla," She coughed "There were many who thought you were too young to become Queen, that you weren't ready. I was not one of them."
Camilla felt warmed by the unexpected praise, Ester, she knew, did not give praise lightly. "Thank you, Ester" She said gratefully, gesturing towards Amaria again "Can you help her?"
Ester bent down and examined Amaria closely, her pale green eyes narrowed slightly. "I have not seen this in a long, long time," she murmured after awhile.
"What is it?"
"The Darkness, the power of evil which corrupts the heart's of all Caronians. It lives inside of them, prompting the darkness that lives inside everyone, even you and me." She eyed Camilla seriously "To override their good intentions and create monsters."
Camilla listened, her attention focused completely on Ester's words.
"Ocasionally, this Darkness takes hold of an object. Something of significant sentimental value to them like a book, or, in this case, a piece of armour. When a soul whom it hasn't corrupted comes within range, it will attack it and attempt to take it for its own."
Camilla paled "Does that mean that... that when she wakes, she will be like them?"
Ester shook her head "No. I'm guessing that the goodness in her heart prevented it from doing much damage. The emotional conflict was probably what knocked her unconcious."
Visibly relaxing, Camilla sighed "She'll be alright then?"
"Yes, she should be good as new in a few days."