The Shadowed Crown

Chapter 18

They broke camp as the first hints of dawn touched the horizon. Amelia, still heavy with sleep, climbed onto the horse, gently laying down along its neck and quickly falling back asleep. They ventured back into the woods, sticking to the less-traveled paths, but a sense of unease settled over Col and Shae. Their eyes darted around, their senses on high alert.

The horse suddenly grunted, refusing to move forward. Its struggles woke Amelia, who asked groggily what was happening.

"Something's not right," Col said, his voice tense.

As if on cue, Shae grabbed the front of his armor, yanking him to the side. An arrow whizzed past, embedding itself in the tree where he had just been standing. Col studied the arrow – a crude, barbed goblin arrow.

A chorus of guttural snarls erupted from the surrounding trees as goblins swarmed out, brandishing crude weapons. Col drew his sword, its steel gleaming in the dim light, and engaged the closest goblins, his movements swift and deadly.

Shae, a whirlwind of motion, danced around the goblins, a deadly combination of assassin skills and magic. She unleashed a fireball, incinerating several goblins in a burst of flame.

In the chaos, a goblin managed to pull Amelia from the horse. The horse, enraged, kicked the goblin in the head, giving Amelia a chance to scramble away. She ran into the woods, seeking cover behind a thick tree, but another goblin seized her.

Col, fighting desperately, tried to reach Amelia, but he was surrounded. Shae, seeing Amelia's plight, unleashed another burst of magic, sending the goblin clutching her flying through the air.

With the immediate threat neutralized, Col checked over Amelia, ensuring she was unharmed. Shae was about to make a sarcastic remark when she saw a goblin slowly raise its crossbow, aiming at Col.

Without hesitation, Shae shoved Col out of the way, taking the arrow in her right shoulder. The force of the impact knocked her to the ground.

Col swiftly decapitated the goblin then turned to Shae.

Shae grit her teeth, her face pale. "f**k! It burns!"

Col quickly removed the leather shoulder piece of her armor and ripped the fabric of her tunic, exposing her shoulder and top of her breast. The arrow was embedded deep, just below her shoulder, close to her lung. Around the wound, the skin was already turning a sickly green, and dark veins pulsed with venom.

"Poison," Col said grimly.

Amelia, her eyes wide with fear, asked, "What do we do?"

Col gently picked Shae up, carrying her to the horse. He carefully placed her on its back, then mounted behind her, supporting her weight. He helped Amelia up behind him.

"We need to get her to a village, and fast," he said, gently urging the horse forward. "That poison is spreading."

Even with three riders, the horse moved swiftly, driven by a sense of urgency. They searched desperately for a village, for a healer, but found only ruins and desolation. Col could hear Shae's breathing becoming labored, a harsh wheezing that spoke of the poison's rapid spread.

He pressed on, asking every traveler they encountered about a healer, a doctor, anyone who could help. Finally, a woman, her face etched with worry, told him of a witch who lived deep within the woods, a recluse rumored to possess potent healing magic, but who demanded a steep price for her services.

They urged the horse deeper into the tangled woods, following the woman's directions until they spotted a small, crooked hut nestled amongst the gnarled trees.

Amelia slid off the horse, her face pale with worry.

Col jumped down, then gently lifted Shae into his arms.

He looked down at her, his heart clenching. Her once vibrant golden skin was now pale and clammy, the insidious poison tracing dark veins up her neck. She was drenched in sweat, her breath coming in ragged, wheezing gasps. Her eyelids fluttered, barely open.

"Don't worry," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I've got you."

He carried her to the hut, kicking at the weathered wooden door. It creaked open, revealing a young woman of striking beauty. Her hair, the color of midnight, cascaded down her shoulders, and her eyes, a piercing emerald green, held an ancient wisdom. Her features were delicate, yet strong, and her lips held a hint of a knowing smile.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice laced with a thick, melodic accent.

"Please," Col begged, his voice raw with desperation. "My friend… she's been hit with a poisoned arrow. It's killing her."

The witch's gaze flickered to Shae, her brow arching. "Your friend is an assassin," she observed, her voice cool.

"Can you help her or not?" Col demanded, his voice strained.

The witch sighed, then opened the door wider. "Bring her in," she said, her voice resigned. "Place her on the table."

Col gently laid Shae on the rough wooden table. Her body was burning with fever, her breaths shallow and ragged.

The witch examined the wound, her eyes narrowed. "Basilisk poison," she said, her voice grim.

Col felt his heart plummet. "Basilisk?" he whispered, his voice hoarse.

The witch furrowed her brow. "It's a wonder she's still alive," she muttered.

"Is there a cure?" Amelia asked, her voice trembling.

The witch shrugged. "Only one," she said, her eyes distant. "Phoenix tears. Unfortunately, I'm all out." She walked to a shelf and turned back, "I have no more."

Col looked at Shae, her face contorted in pain, her breathing labored. She had saved his life. He couldn't let her die. "There has to be another way," he said, his voice desperate.

The witch paused, then said, "There was a Phoenix that flew by a few days ago, heading west, towards the mountains. A few hours' ride."

Col nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "I'll go," he said. "I'll get her Phoenix tears."

The witch smiled, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "It will be dangerous," she warned. "Phoenixes are powerful creatures, and their tears are not easily obtained."

"I'll do whatever it takes," Col said, his voice firm.

The witch raised an eyebrow. "She must be special to you," she said. "She has about a day, maybe a day and a half, before the poison reaches her heart. Then, nothing can save her."

Col nodded, his gaze fixed on Shae's pale face. He turned to Amelia. "Stay here," he said, his voice urgent. "Keep an eye on her. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Col turned to the witch. "Tell me everything you know about this Phoenix," he said, his voice sharp and focused. "Where it nests, its habits, anything that can help me."

The witch, her expression thoughtful, began to describe the Phoenix, she moved her fingers in the air using magic to painting a vivid picture of the majestic creature. "It is a creature of fire and light," she said, her voice low and melodic. "It nests high in the peaks, where the air is thin and the mountains touch the sky. It is said to be solitary, fiercely territorial. And its tears… they are not freely given. They must be earned."

She paused, her eyes meeting Col's. "Be warned," she said, her voice laced with a hint of caution. "The Phoenix is a creature of immense power. It will not be easily persuaded. And if it deems you unworthy, it will not hesitate to incinerate you."

Col nodded, his jaw set. "I understand," he said, his voice firm. "I'll be careful."

He turned to the horse, which stood patiently outside the hut. He checked his sword, ensuring it was sharp and ready. He gathered a few supplies, a waterskin and some dried rations, enough to sustain him for the journey.

He looked back at Amelia, her eyes filled with fear and determination. "Take care of her," he said, his voice gentle. "Don't leave her side."

Amelia nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I won't," she whispered.

Col hesitated, his gaze lingering on Shae's still form. He reached out, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead. "I'll be back," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "I promise."

He mounted the horse, urging it into a gallop. He rode westward, towards the towering peaks that loomed in the distance, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination. He knew he was facing a perilous journey, a quest that could cost him his life. But he also knew that he had no choice. He had to save Shae.