The falcon's daughters

Chapter 47

- Please say you're kidding!

Kit stared wide-eyed at the bridge in front of them. The old stone bridge was mossy and there were no stones on the sides. She walked forward and looked down over the edge of the ravine. At the bottom of the ravine the water rushed forward.

- Cade it's at least thirty meters down! Have you seen how old the bridge is? It will never cope with our weight or that of the horses.

- I have crossed older bridges than this. It won’t be a problem.

- Can’t we cross the ravine higher up? there’s a village over there, isn't it?

- It's a three-day trip to the village of Kit. Lace wanted us to avoid being seen.

- But is there no way to get over further down then?

- No, this is the only bridge.

- I guess we have no other choice.

Dorcha laughed inside Kit’s mind when she sighed and reluctantly to a step towards the bridge.

- Don’t worry Kit I go first and tell you where the weak spots are.

The panther carefully placed the large paws on the bronze moss-covered stones. Step by step she moved forward. Carefully she looked down at the rocks and moved her paw over a hole in the middle of the bridge. She sighed in relief as she felt the solid ground under her paws again.

- It seems steady.

- I truly hope so. It is a very long way down.

A strong wind swept over the ravine and tore into the wood that formed the bronze frame.

- Do you want me to go first?

She looked at Cade's friendly smile and nodded.

- Yes thank you.

Cade grabbed Àrdan's reins and they began their journey across the bridge. Kit watched intently every step they took over the slippery rocks.

- It’s fine. The bridge is steady!

Slowly she put her foot down on the stone bridge and heard the clattering sound from Chiro's hooves as he stopped next to her. She took a firmer grip on the black horse’s reins.

- Okay Chiro, let's go then.

The moss-covered stones were soft and slippery under her feet. In the moss, the prints of Cade's boots and Dorcha's paws were visible. She took a deep breath as a wind swept over the bridge. As the wind calmed down, they continued, and Kit set foot on a moss-free rock. Cade heard her gasp as the stone disappeared under her foot and she fell on the bridge.

- Kit! Are you okay?

- Yes. It was just a stone that came loose.

She looked down at her leg that had ended up in the hole and placed her hands on two large stones and moved her bodyweight over to them. Beneath her hands she could feel the vibrations from Chiro's hooves as he nervously moved on the bridge. As she slowly began to pull her leg up from the hole, pebbles and gravel plunged into the rushing water below her. She felt a strong jerk when the stone under her one hand suddenly sank down a bit.

- Kit!

Cade hurried out onto the bridge and the stone sank away another bit of vibration.

- Stop! The bridge will give way!

Carefully he retreated to the stable ground and looked anxiously at the couple on the bridge. Her hand trembled as she let go of Chiro's reins.

- Go boy.

Chiro snorted and stood still on the unstable bridge.

- Listen to me, boy. The bridge will collapse. You must walk carefully.

The brown eyes looked at her before he slowly started to walk over. Kit took a deep breath and lifted her hand away from the sinking stone. She moved towards the middle of the bridge and sighed lightly when she could feel the stones under both her feet.

- The bridge won’t last long. Hurry up!

The vibrations in the stones increased as she got to her feet and when she moved on one foot a faint rumble was heard behind her. She looked over her shoulder as the large rock landed in the water with a loud splash. She hurriedly took a step forward when the stone under her feet trembled before it collapsed and disappeared into the swirling water.

- KIT RUN!

Cade's voice was filled with fear as stone after stone began to fall from the bridge. The falling stones quickly approached the part where Kit were standing. She took a few steps back before turning around and running. The stone bridge trembled beneath her feet as the collapsing bridge reached her. The solid ground was just steps away. She stretched her legs and bet everything on one jump. A smile spread across her lips as she landed on the solid ground. However, the smile quickly faded away. With her toes she stood on the edge of the collapsed bridge. Desperate, she struggled to keep her balance as she looked down at the wild stream as the ground shattered beneath her. The dizzying feeling of falling came to her seconds before Cade's hand wrapped around her wrist and pulled her to safety. She breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at him. He smiled confident at her but she could tell from the look in his eyes that he had been scared.

- You didn’t think I would let you fall did you?

- Next time... Next time, I will choose the path.

- As you like.

Sol took the almost dry piece of cloth and dipped it in the bowl of cold water. She squeezed out the worst of the moisture before folding the fabric and placing it on Lee's feverish forehead. Another piece of cloth was soaked and she pressed it gently against the hot skin of his upper body.

- Has there been any change yet?

- No, your majesty. The fever refuses to go down.

- I see. How are you Sol? Have you slept at all since this happened?

- Not much. But probably more than you, your majesty.

- You must rest my girl.

- I can 't leave him.

He placed his hand gently on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. For some reason he had a feeling that the seer’s care was the best help his son could get right now. She soaked her cloth again and continued the work of trying to cool Lee's feverish body. Worgan looked at the girl for a moment before giving her shoulder one last squeeze and walked towards the door.

- Has Teron made any progress yet your majesty?

- No not yet.

His voice filled with pain and a bitter tear ran down his cheek. 

- It seems like the only thing we can do now is watch him die.

- Worgan! What are you saying?

Y’zora walked in through the door and the king sat down on a chair and buried his face in his hands.

- I can no longer hope that my son will get better. Y'zora, the fever has been raging in his body for six days and Teron still does not know what poison was on the arrow. No matter how hard it is for a father to admit, I have to realize that Lee is lost. He will die.

- No you will listen to me now! Lee is not lost yet. As long as he is still breathing, there is hope and a chance to save him!

- I really wish I could believe you Y'zora ..

- Well believe me then! Lee is not dead so stop acting like he is!

- Yzza!

Sol shouted in despair and they turned to her only to see how Lee's body suddenly began to shake in violent convulsions.

- Teron!

The force of the cramps caused the prince's body to bend up in an arc and then fall apart again and shake violently. As suddenly as the cramps had started, they stopped and he seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

- Yzza, what happened?

- I don’t know my child. I don’t know.

They sat down quietly on the edge of the bed and looked at him anxiously. Prepared that he might get new cramps or something worse.

- Your majesty! What happened?

- My son got cramps.

- Cramps?

Teron’s face became shocked before it turned sad.

- Then I'm afraid there's nothing more we can do, your majesty.

- What do you mean?

- As you probably know Lady Y'zora, there is only one poison that gives its victims cramps.

Y’zora looked tormented when she realised what the physician was talking about.

- Whiteroot.

- I don’t understand. Shouldn't whiteroot work immediately?

- Your Majesty. The longest any victim lived was only five minutes before death occurred. How your son has been able to endure for six days is beyond my comprehension.

- But now that you know what poison it is, you can give him a cure.

Teron looked at the girl’s hopeful face and sighed sadly.

- I am afraid that there are no known antidotes for whiteroot. The last chance we had to save the prince's life is gone. But…

- But what about Teron?

- It is just a thought, Lady Y'zora.

- Well out with it!

- As you know, your majesty, whiteroot are deadly in the smallest dose. But the poison I found on the arrow wasn’t whiteroot but an insignificant herb and yet this little herb has managed to delay the whiteroot’s effect by almost a week before it struck and it has probably kept your son alive for the past six days. Maybe I can succeed in producing something …

- But don’t just stand there man. Get to work. It may still be possible to save him.

- Go with him

Worgan turned to one of the guards and gave him orders.

- Make sure he has all the help he needs and all the material he requires.

- Yes, Your Majesty.

The guard bowed before hurrying after the doctor who had already disappeared down to the hospital room. Worgan stumbled when he got up and smiled happily.

- There is still hope. My son may survive.

- I told you not to give up hope. But you must rest my friend.

- I should stay here.

- And how much use are you for your son if you are ill because you have not slept in the last week.

- You start to sound like Chira. She nags me too.

- And she will be happy that I was here and could do it in her place

- You're right, I guess. But if he wakes up …

- I promise to tell you if there will be any change.

Reluctantly Worgan gave in to Y’zora’s bicker. He knew he had to rest for his son’s sake but he didnt want to leave him alone.

- Fine, fine. I will go and rest. Can you handle things here Sol?

- Yes, Your Majesty. I'm staying here to watch over him.

- Thank you, my dear.

When Worgan and Y'zora left the room, she picked up the rags that had fallen to the floor during Lee's seizures and put them in the bowl. She gently stroked a lid from his forehead. She sat on the edge of the bed and picked up one of the rags and squeezed it out before lightly pulling it over his skin. Finally, when she could barely keep her eyes open any longer, she put the rag back in the bowl and gently caressed his cheek. She carried the bowl of water to a bench by the door and then sank to the floor next to his bed. She put her arms on the edge of the bed and leaned her head against them so she could see his face.

- Oh Lee. Please be alright.

She closed her eyes and slowly began to slide away to the soft slumber of sleep when she felt someone touch her cheek. When she opened her eyes, she saw Lee's glossy blue eyes.

- You are awake. 

She smiled and got up so she could sit down on the edge of the bed.

- I felt your touch. How could I sleep when an angel touched me?

- Shh you shouldn’t talk. 

She anxiously laid a finger against his lips when she saw what an effort it was for him to get the words out. 

- You need to rest and regain your strength.

- My angel.

He took her hand from his lips and kissed it lightly before raising his hand to caress her cheek. 

- My beloved angel.

- Lee…

A tear slid over her cheek to fall on his hand as she began to cry and he mumbled faintly before he slipped back into the darkness..

- Don’t cry my beloved

She leaned her head against his chest as the sobs cut through her body and her tears wet his skin.