Chapter 53
1367 Words
The sun had long since disappeared behind the approaching dark clouds and Kit shuddered when a strong wind tore at her coat. She looked at the windbreak she had built using the little material she had found. Near the bay she had found a dense grove where she had taken Cade. An area large enough for them and the horses had been cleared and she used the branches to seal the sides of the poor shelter further.
- It's not much. But it can probably keep us dry and warm.
- I could have helped you, you know. These injuries are not so bad.
She looked patiently at Cade who laid inside the shelter with a cape to keep him warm.
- Cade you have deep wounds in your chest. It is bad enough without you tearing and getting dirt in the wounds so they become infected. If we are to continue to Teralana tomorrow, you need to rest.
- And you need that too.
The rain began to fall and soon the storm was over them. She went into the shelter and sat down by the warm fire. Out of the pouring rain Dorcha came running. She rushed into the temporary shelter and put the leaves she had in her mouth in front of Kit. The sharp smell from some of the leaves made her nose sting.
- What is this?
- Medicine. Do you remember what Lace showed us when we were little? You had cut yourself on a sharp rock by the shore.
She nodded and stacked the various leaves.
- I found the same plants not far from here. It made your wound heal without leaving a scar. I thought they could help Cade.
- Do you remember the amount?
She took out a small bowl from her bag.
- Three of the gray.
She took three of the long, narrow, gray leaves and put them in the bowl.
- Five of the leaves with purple underside, three of the hairy, four of the thick and two of those with prickly edge.
She put the various leaves in the bowl and then drew her knife. The top of the knife's shaft was softly rounded and she used it to mash the blades. The different smells were mixed when the leaves were stirred together and created a fragrant aroma.
- What's that?
Cade looked on as she took the bowl and sat down next to him.
- Some herbs that will help your wounds heal.
She gently stroked the green gag on the wounds and he gasped sharply.
- Sorry.
- It’s alright. It just stung a little more than I had expected.
King Worgan sat in the throne room and rubbed his nose tiredly. In his hand were several reports from small villages and towns that had all been attacked by the gords. In the last time since the melting snow, the attacks had increased and the dangerous creatures were gathering in increasing forces. All attempts to defeat them had failed. When Genevie found out that Rik'oti could be behind the change of the former peaceful gords, she immediately sent two battalions of her most loyal dragon warriors to Raa'tik. Only one of them had returned. Before she found out what had happened on the island, the man died of his severe injuries. Gloomy, he took out a letter that had arrived from Genevie earlier in the day and read it again.
"Uncle.
I'm afraid the situation is starting to get extremely serious here. The battles against the gords have cost me more than half of my warriors. I can not send them out in battles that I know they can not win. But if nothing is done, I fear that the gords will soon hit Madetor's walls without me being able to stop them. I know they have been friends of all the countries for a few hundred years but something needs to be done. I prayed to the gods that the answer to our problems would be on Raa'tik but without ... the two battalions sent there were my absolute best men. They should not have died that way. I'm sorry uncle but I can not risk the lives of more of my men and leave my country without defense. My generals work to defeat the gords. I will send a messenger as soon as they have come up with something that can be to our advantage.
Until then, I wish you all the best.
Genevie ”
- Is something wrong father?
He tore his eyes from the paper and looked at Lee and Sol standing in front of him.
- A letter from your cousin. The gords are starting to become a big problem. I have received reports from all over the country that all say the same thing. The groups merge and become larger. It can not continue like this. But how can we stop them?
- The oracle may give us the answer. It's soon time for me to go there.
- We can hope so, my friend.
He took a look at their smiling faces and hid a laugh.
- Well I guess it was something you two wanted me since you came here.
- She said yes father.
He approached them and a wide smile covered his lips as he closed them in his arms.
- I'm really glad to hear this. We need to plan your engagement and talk to the priests.
- Both Sol and I want Kit and Cade to be with us father. And of course that mother has returned then with.
- Your mother should be back any day now. Lace said it will be another three weeks before your siblings return.
- And then it's almost time for me to leave.
- We can wait until you come back, my girl.
- It will take months until then father.
- When do you have to go Sol?
- About a week after they return.
- Then it can not be helped. You can not deny Tyrall the joy of being present at your engagement to Lee. After all, it is his throne that you will inherit.
- I know father. I guess I'm just impatient.
He looked at the smiling faces of the young people and laughed.
- I can understand that, my son. I was that way to when I was getting married to your mother.
Kit turned the skewer with the rabbit lying over the fire. She looked away from the ruins that were clearly visible at sunset. The old city had once been a jewel in Tamarin's kingdom but something had happened. A violent plague had befallen the city, and after three days there was not a living creature left. Many feared that the plague could spread and the old caravan route that led between Laniro and Adirat was rerouted to avoid the plague-infected city. Cade put down a handful of wood next to the fire and sat down. He held out his hands to the heat.
- Tomorrow we will arrive at Teralana. But I don’t know what Lace expects us to find among all the ruins.
- He would never have sent us here if there was no chance that we would find the heart here.
A poking sensation reached Kit and her hand reached for the star-shaped stone. She closed her hand on it and focused her thoughts on the feeling.
- Kit are you there?
- Where else would I be Sol?
- How are you?
- We'll reach Teralana tomorrow.
- Then you should be back soon.
- In a few weeks. But you already know that.
- Well, I did.
- What is it Sol? I can hear that something has happened.
- Lee has proposed to me and I have said yes.
- Proposed! Are you getting married? With Lee? When did this happen?
- Earlier today. I just wanted to tell you so you do not get a shock when you return.
- So you thought it was better to shock me now, she laughed dryly. But how could ...
- I promise I'll tell you everything when you're back little sister. But not until then. Sleep well and good luck.
- Sol! Sol!
Kit shouted in her mind as her sister broke off the connection. With a frustrated sigh, she let go of the stone.
- Sol?
- Yes, she had some news.
- What has happened?
- My sister and your brother are getting married.
- What are they going to do? But she's a seer.
- Not any more.
- Writer
