I reincarnated in game

25 A Turn for the Worse

Up to a dozen men encircled two individuals at the back of the cave; all were in various aggressive, combat stances with weapons drawn, except one who appeared to be fleeing the scene … all were frozen solid.  Their angry and surprised expressions showed their transition to ice happened quickly and without warning.  Their skin was an unnatural hue; frost clung to their features, clothing, and weapons. 

Hugh and Judi wove their way between the icy statues.  Hugh accidentally bumped into one knocking it over; both the body and the sword the man held, hit the frozen floor of the cave, smashing into a thousand shards that scattered across the slippery surface.  They made their way to the back of the cave … it was then they confirmed that the two who had been the target of the aggressors were Matthew and Kenneth.  They had obviously been ambushed by Bob’s crew while they were just starting to prepare for their evening meal. 

Kenneth was kneeling; he held his father who was lying prostrate on the ground before him, looking pale and weak.  He looked up with tears in his eyes, and in a voice that shook with emotion, said, “Judi!  Hugh!  Pa is hurt!  Can you help him?  Please!”

They rushed forward to where Kenneth was.  They could see where Matthew had been stabbed just below his rib cage as evidenced by the bloom of blood that stained his clothes.  It didn’t look good.  Hugh took in the scene.  Obviously, one of the attackers had been able to stab Matthew.  It appeared that the others had been frozen in their tracks before they could do more damage.  Their only comfort was that Kenneth didn’t appear to be wounded.     

Judi felt Matthew’s forehead, then moved her hand to the veins in his neck; his pulse was thready and weak.  “I don’t think we should move him to his present state.  We need to make a fire to stop him from going into shock.”  She reached under her cloak to a small pouch that she carried at her waist.  “I have some magic herbs from the forests of Cowson which we can brew into a tea.  It is our best hope to help your father.”  She stretched her hand to Kenneth, saying, “Come with me to find some wood to build a fire.  We can use one of your pots to make the tea.”  Kenneth stood and placed his hand into Judi’s.  Together they slipped past the frozen army and went to look for firewood.

Matthew stirred.  Hugh leaned over him, patting him on his shoulder.  “It’s OK, Matthew, we are here now.  We will try to make you feel better so we can get you back to town and to a doctor.”

Matthew shook his head weakly in protest, “No … I know that my situation is dire.  I can feel that the darkness element has entered my body through my wound and it is corrupting my body.  I don’t know if I am going to make it.  If I don’t, I need you to make me a promise.”

Hugh leaned closer as Matthew paused to catch his breath; it was hard to hear what the older man was saying because his voice was fading with the exertion to speak.  “I will do anything I can for you, Matthew; you are like a father to me.”

“I need you to promise me that you will take care of Kenneth if I die.  He is not able to manage on his own.  He will need someone like you to guide him … Promise me, please!” Matthew said breathlessly.

Hugh wanted to assure Matthew that he would survive and would be there for Kenneth but he knew in his heart that it was probably only wishful thinking.  “I promise.” Hugh said simply, choking on his emotions.  He looked at his friend.  Matthew had relaxed visibly.

“Thank you, Hugh.  I knew you wouldn’t let me down.  You are a man of honour; reliable and talented, with a bright future.  You will be a good influence for my boy; he looks up to you like a brother.”  Matthew gave a weak smile just before he broke out in a coughing fit, further wracking his fragile body.  When the coughs subsided, he closed his eyes momentarily; drained of all energy.

A sound made Hugh raise his head.  Judi and Kenneth were returning with just a few scraggly branches.  He looked questioningly at the meager amount of fuel they had gathered.  Judi smiled and then said, “It’s OK … I can duplicate this supply with some wood magic.  It will be enough to warm Matthew and boil the water.”  Before starting to build a fire, she selected two larger leaves from her pouch, passing them to Kenneth to give to Hugh.  “Put those directly on the skin over Matthew’s wound; it will reduce his pain and let him rest more easily.”  

Judi was surprised at the amount of effort it took to increase their supply of fuel.  She had done this many times before without any difficulty.  She wondered to herself if her wood magic was weakened because they were so close to the dark energy of the abyss.  Eventually, she was able to amass sufficient wood to create a small fire.  They filled a pot with water.  When it started to simmer, Judi searched through her supply of herbs and selected the strongest from among them; she added it to the pot and stirred the tea slowly until it came to a boil.  It would have to steep for fifteen minutes to allow for the liquid to become infused with the healing medicine from the herbs. 

When it had cooled sufficiently, they poured some into a cup and held it to Matthew’s lips.  He sipped tentatively.  Patiently, they continued to offer the tea to the injured man until it had all been consumed.  Matthew’s cheeks showed a slight bit more colour after drinking the medication; he seemed to be more comfortable as well.  They knew the situation was still touched and go at best.

The night was approaching.  The three had something to eat, then Judi suggested that they would need to take turns keeping watch over Matthew until morning.  If he was stable enough then, they would try to load him onto the wagon and take him to Halea to seek professional help. 

Hugh spoke, “I will take first watch.  You and Kenneth can try to get some rest.”

“OK,” said Judi. “Wake me up in four hours.  I will take second watch so you can get some sleep, too.”  She took Kenneth’s hand and led him to the area which he and his father had set up as their sleeping quarters.  After she got him settled, she picked up a couple of spare blankets and brought them out to where Hugh had seated himself next to Matthew.  “Take these; there is one for each of you … it will make it a little more comfortable for you.”  She walked back and settled in next to Kenneth; she was exhausted and fell immediately into a deep sleep. 

Hugh sat quietly, watching his friend’s laboured breathing.  He looked at Matthew’s epithet.  It showed he was at only ten percent health; his health bar was flashing red.  “It doesn’t look too good, my friend.  I feel that I have only just started to get to know you and now you are lying here with your health at a dangerously low level.  I wish I could do something to help you.”  He reflected on how quickly he had bonded with Matthew and knew he would miss him terribly if he didn’t make it.  

A little later, he rose, crossed over to Judi, and tapped her lightly on the shoulder.  His shift was over, hers was about to start.  She couldn’t believe that four hours had elapsed already.  She roused herself, stretched, then moved to Matthew’s side.  Hugh settled into the place she had vacated; he was fast asleep before his head hit the blanket.

Judi saw that Matthew looked a little stressed.  She checked his temperature and felt for his pulse.  He felt a little warm; his pulse was weak but steady.  Retrieving more of her herbs, she used a rounded stone to crush the leaves against the floor of the cave.  Taking the corner of the blanket, she soaked up the essence of the herbs, then wiped Matthew’s forehead.  The dampened edge was held under his nose so he could inhale the scent.  The effect was immediate.  Matthew relaxed and seemed to fall into a restful sleep.  At the end of her shift, his breathing was less ragged and he looked to be doing a little better.

She was careful not to disturb Hugh when she went to waken Kenneth.  “It’s your turn now.  Your father is resting comfortably.  I wiped his brow with some herbs and it seems to have settled him.  Hopefully we will be strong enough by morning so we can get him on the wagon and take him to town.”

When Kenneth went to where his father lay, Matthew sensed the movement and opened his eyes.  He saw his son’s worried face looking down on him.   

“My boy,” Matthew struggled to speak as his son sat down next to him.

“Pa,” Kenneth responded lovingly.

“I need you to heed my words.  If something happens to me, I want you to stick with Hugh.  He will be able to watch over you,” Matthew said raggedly.

“OK, Pa,” Kenneth choked out; tears filling his eyes.  “You’re going to be OK though, aren’t you, Pa?”

Matthew smiled up at Kenneth; he was proud of the man his son had become but still worried about his overly trusting nature and the curse that afflicted him.  He was happy that Hugh would be able to be there for him, to guide him and keep him safe. 

Kenneth reached over and held his father’s hand.  “I love you, my boy,” Matthew whispered as he tried to squeeze his son’s hand; even that slight movement caused him to wince in pain.  He knew it wouldn’t be long.

Kenneth wiped the sweat from his father’s brow and moved over to place his father’s head in his lap.  “Take it easy, Pa.  I don’t want you to make it worse.”  He continued to cradle his father’s head until the sun came up. 

Hugh and Judi wakened and came over to check on Matthew.  Judi checked his temperature and pulse; Hugh checked his epithet, Matthew’s health bar was almost depleted, he wasn’t going to make it!

Matthew opened his eyes and looked from Hugh to Judi and then to Kenneth who was bent over him in concern.  “It is time son.  I’m not going to make it.  Hugh will be there for you.  Remember that I will always be with you in spirit.  I love you, Kenneth.” 

His health bar blinked and was gone.  Matthew’s eyes closed for the final time.