The Ring Keeper, page 23
“Will you check on the others?” Callonen asked the two men nearest Harrow and the guard, and they began pulling off the soldiers’ weapons and chain mail.
“I don’t see anything.” Tess had finished her inspection. “There’s not a mark on her skin.”
What had happened to her? Would she recover? Had he lost her? Callonen felt his stomach clench. He knelt beside Allia and began pulling the redleaf out of her dress pocket.
Talon’s examination had revealed a wound on Mirithel’s arm. He pulled out his knife and cut the sleeve of her dress away so he could see the injury.
The soldiers had finished checking the two unconscious men. “We found one bite on each of them,” the nearest man reported, pointing to a wound on the guard’s shoulder and another on the back of Harrow’s neck.
Callonen held out a handful of leaves to Tess. “Will you please treat them?” He turned to Talon with another bunch. “All I know is to crush them and apply them to the bites.”
Harrow was lying on his stomach. The others had removed his armor and shirt, and the angry red bite stood out on the back of his neck just above where his chain mail had protected him. Dark lines spread from the twin punctures. Tess rubbed the crushed leaves liberally into the wound. Then she moved to the guard, repeating the process. Neither of them moved or responded at all.
Callonen took Allia’s hand in his. He could see the pulse beating in the hollow of her throat. He touched her forehead and found her skin warm. She seemed unharmed, except that she didn’t respond to his voice or touch. Would she recover? He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. She would be all right. She had to be.
The remaining soldiers set up a rotation to guard the edges of the camp. Those not on watch settled down to sleep. Callonen, Talon and Tess waited nearby while the stars brightened above them. Talon held his son close.
“Zarek, do you mind if we look at your shoulder?” Callonen asked.
The boy leaned forward and pulled his collar aside to show where he’d been bitten.
“You can see it.” Callonen stared at the place that had been a red, swollen wound earlier. Now nothing remained but two round white scars.
“That’s where it bit you?” Talon asked.
The boy nodded. “It doesn’t hurt anymore. The lady made it better.”
“When Allia touched him, I saw a flash of green light. It sounded like she was in pain, and then she collapsed. I can’t wake her.”
“Have you ever seen anything like this before?” Talon asked.
“Never,” Callonen said. “It’s a miracle.”
“Magic,” Talon whispered.
The time dragged. Little Zarek curled up beside his father and fell asleep. Talon tucked a blanket around him. Tess had dozed off between Allia and Harrow. Callonen sat beside Talon, watching.
In the middle of the night, Harrow groaned and shifted. Tess woke up. “He moved! Maybe he’s getting better.” She took more of the redleaf and applied it to Harrow and the guard. Talon did the same with Mirithel.
There was nothing else Callonen could do for Allia. He made sure she was covered warmly and returned to his vigil.
Tess
TESS HEARD A GROAN and opened her eyes to see the gray light of dawn. Harrow was stirring beside her. She sat up. He lifted his head a little, turning to look at her. “What happened?”
“A spider bit you,” she explained.
“I remember that,” he mumbled. “We were going back to the horses… That’s all.”
“We rode out of the forest and camped here. Do you want some water?”
He nodded.
She helped him drink, and then he closed his eyes again. Tess pulled the blanket around him.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
Callonen
CALLONEN REALIZED HE MUST HAVE DOZED. When he opened his eyes again, Talon was still sitting there, watching his wife. Callonen rubbed his hand over his face and sat up. He checked Allia. She lay unmoving, exactly as she had before. But she was breathing, still alive.
“How is she?” Talon asked.
“The same,” Callonen said. “Mirithel?”
“She’s beginning to stir. Harrow woke up a little while ago, and I hope she will soon.”
The sun was high when Mirithel gasped. “Zarek?”
“He’s all right,” Talon bent over her immediately.
“How? I thought I lost him.”
“He’s well now.”
Mirithel took a deep breath, calming herself. Opening her eyes, she recognized her husband. “Talon? How did you find us?”
“We found you in the forest. We’re doing everything we can to help you feel better. What can I do?”
“My arm hurts,” she murmured.
Callonen offered him more of the redleaf. “Try this.”
Talon rubbed the leaves between his fingers and applied them to her arm.
“That helps,” she whispered.
He gave her a sip of water, and then she slept again.
By noon, the unconscious guard had woken too. He, Harrow and Mirithel were all still weak and sick, but they were alive. Zarek showed no sign of pain or illness, and Allia remained unresponsive.
Callonen stayed where he was as the slow hours passed. If only there was something more he could do for her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Year of Warding 21, Varda, Sarine
Tess
AT MIDDAY, TESS KNELT BESIDE HARROW. He lay on his side and seemed considerably more alert than he had the previous night.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“Not good,” he confessed. “But I’m alive. Last night, I wasn’t sure I would make it.”
“You’re already improving,” she observed.
He tried to push himself up and made it about halfway before he fell back. He shook his head. “I can’t even sit up. Please don’t tell the others.”
“Don’t worry,” Tess said. “You’ll feel better soon. Can I look at the bite?”
“Yes.”
She moved to kneel behind him and removed the bandage covering the wound. It remained swollen and oozing, but the red lines radiating out from it were fading. “Does it hurt much?” she asked. It looked awful.
“A bit,” he admitted through gritted teeth.
Tess left their camp and searched through the surrounding brush until she found more of the redleaf. After harvesting it, she mixed the leaves into a poultice and spread it over the bite.
“Does that help?” she asked.
“Yes,” he sighed. “Thank you.”
The company remained in their camp that day. Tess and those who were healthy cared for the sick. The others who had been bitten were weak and dizzy—except for little Zarek, who was full of energy and constantly running around. Finally, Callonen asked him to gather firewood, and the boy dashed back and forth collecting sticks.
Tess offered Callonen food as he watched over Allia through that day. He was so focused on her that he barely ate anything. Allia didn’t stir. There wasn’t much Tess could do other than check on them frequently.
At midday, Tess took food to Harrow, but he ate only a few bites.
“My stomach,” he muttered, holding it. “And if I move, the world spins.”
“Just stay quiet then.” She put her hand on his shoulder.
Covering her hand with his own, he looked up at her and said, “Thank you for helping me.”
Allia
ALLIA OPENED HER EYES to see dark vegetation and the night sky. Where was she? What had happened? She tried to move and couldn’t. She gasped, terrified. It felt like her limbs were bound.
Callonen bent over her. She could see him in the flickering light from the campfire. “Are you all right?”
“I can’t move,” she said. “What happened?”
He took her hand. “Can you feel that?”
“I feel it, but I can’t move my hand.”
“What can I do?”
“May I have some water, please?”
He brought the water, but she couldn’t raise her head. Callonen lifted her so she could drink.
“Thank you,” she murmured, her eyes closing. “I’m so tired.”
“Rest,” he whispered.
She felt his lips brush her forehead.
When Allia woke again, the sun was high and her thoughts were clearer. Callonen sat beside her.
“What happened?” she asked. “I remember looking at the boy. They said he was dead, but I watched him take a breath, even though you could barely see it.” Just as she spoke, Zarek ran past where she lay. Allia stared after him in amazement. “He’s alive?”
“Yes,” Callonen said. “When you touched him, he became well again.”
“How?”
“I don’t know… I saw green light flash from your ring… It must have hurt… You sounded like you were in pain. Instantly, the boy was whole. Did you know the ring could heal?”
“No! It’s never done anything before,” she said.
“As soon as it happened, you fell unconscious.”
“I remember looking at him… When I put my hand on him, I felt a terrible pain… in my shoulder.”
“That’s exactly where the boy was bitten,” Callonen said. “You… felt his injury… and then you healed him.”
“I’m so happy he’s well,” she said.
“But what about you?” he pointed out.
“I feel stronger than I did,” she said, but his words made her uneasy. What if she didn’t get better? What if her strength was permanently gone, dooming her to be an invalid forever?
Callonen squeezed her hand as if he could tell what she’d been thinking. “You’ll be all right,” he insisted. “I’ll take care of you until you’re strong again.”
His devotion warmed her heart, and she felt tears welling in her eyes. “What if I don’t get better?”
He bent to kiss her forehead. “I would still be in love with you. But don’t worry. You will get better.”
The next day, when Allia woke, she discovered to her profound relief that she could move her hands and arms a little. Gradually, her strength returned. That afternoon, they began their slow journey back to the city. Allia couldn’t walk or even stand. Two of the soldiers lifted her into the saddle in front of Callonen. He put his arms around her and held her in place.
“I can usually get on a horse by myself,” she murmured.
“You’ll be able to soon.”
She hated feeling weak, but Allia loved being in his arms. She felt so safe there, and his hands were strong and gentle.
Mirithel rode in front of Talon, complaining of dizziness.
The soldiers helped the bitten guard into the saddle, while Harrow mounted his horse without aid or protest. After a moment, he got off again to lean over some bushes and vomit. When he finished, he wiped his mouth and took a sip of water, then got back on his horse without a word.
They rode at an easy pace until sunset, when they made camp again.
Tess spread a blanket on the ground before Callonen set Allia gently down. “Here’s some water,” he told her, helping her with the waterskin. “Do you need anything else?”
“No, thank you,” she replied before taking a drink from it.
“I’m going to help gather firewood,” Callonen said. “I’ll be back soon.” Then he joined the other soldiers in setting up camp.
“How are you feeling?” Tess asked Allia.
“I am getting better,” Allia replied. “I can move my feet a little now.” She demonstrated. “But I hate needing help with everything. I feel silly, but I’m too weak to do it on my own.”
“I’m sorry you still don’t feel well, but you saved that boy’s life,” Tess said. “How did you do it?”
“It must have been my grandfather’s ring,” Allia said. “There’s no other explanation.”
They both stared at it in the evening light. The ring appeared to be an ordinary piece of jewelry. It gave no outward sign of the power within.
Callonen and the others soon had a good fire going and hot food cooking. Allia ate with only a little assistance. Callonen sat beside her, ready to provide any support she might need.
Tess was nearby, checking Harrow’s spider bite and applying more redleaf to it. Allia couldn’t hear their words as they murmured to each other.
The company settled down to sleep. Allia watched Talon as he laid his son beside his wife and wrapped them both in a blanket.
As if he sensed her watching him, Talon turned and met her gaze. He came over and sat beside her. “I owe you my thanks. You saved my family.”
She shook her head. “It wasn’t me,” she protested. “Apparently, the ring is enchanted.”
“But you are the only one who knew about that plant. Without it, Mirithel, her guard and Harrow would still have died. I love my wife, and Harrow has been my friend for many years now. He’s a good man. How can I possibly thank you?”
“You don’t have to thank me. I’m glad I could help them.”
“I’ll never forget this,” Talon promised.
In three more days, they reached the city, relieved to be home. Allia had improved enough to be able to walk with support. They entered the palace with Allia leaning heavily on Callonen’s arm. He led her to one of the large formal bedrooms—the very room she and Tess had prepared for Princess Elena, the finest guestroom in the palace. Allia remembered changing the sheets and dusting the mantle. Now he helped her to a seat in one of the beautiful chairs in front of the fireplace.
“This will be your room for now. My father ordered it prepared for you. What do you need? Food, a bath, anything…?” Callonen asked her.
“I could go back to my old room,” Allia suggested. The luxury of the room felt overwhelming.
“No,” Callonen said. “This room suits you much better. Don’t forget,” he whispered. “You promised to marry me, which will make you my princess. Use this room until we’re married, and I can take you to my room.”
She felt her cheeks coloring, and he winked at her on his way out.
As Callonen left, the servants brought hot water. Tess remained to assist as she bathed and dressed. When they had finished, Tess supported her as she climbed into the enormous soft bed.
“Do you mind helping me?” Allia asked. “I know this whole situation is crazy. I never thought any of this would happen.”
Tess looked at her, then around at the luxurious bedroom. She sat down on the edge of the bed. “I have to admit, I was jealous for a moment, but none of this was your doing. You saved four people’s lives. And one of them is a particularly good-looking soldier who now owes me his undying gratitude.”
Allia smiled as Tess blushed, obviously thinking of Harrow.
“Maybe you need to go see if he needs help,” Allia teased. “I think he would be happy to see you.”
Tess smiled. “Maybe I will. And I have you to thank for getting to know him. Really, it worked out well for both of us. Can you believe they gave you the same room the princess stayed in? You and I cleaned it!”
“I hoped you’ll move next door.” Allia pointed to the adjoining room.
“Me?”
“I’m going to need someone to help me more often. Would you be willing?”
Tess hesitated momentarily, then said, “Yes.”
“Thank you. I’m glad now that we never put a snake in here,” Allia exclaimed, laughing. “Do you need help bringing your things from your old room?”
“I can manage,” Tess replied.
They talked and laughed for a while, but Allia couldn’t stay awake for long. “Thank you, Tess,” she murmured, feeling her eyes drift closed.
Allia’s weakness following the healing passed slowly. For a few days after they arrived in the city, she still tired easily. She spent much of her time resting and had hours to think.
Mostly, she thought about Callonen and their future together. She’d sent a message to her family letting them know of her wedding plans and promising them an official invitation to the event. And in a few more days, the emperor would announce to the world that his son had chosen a bride.
She had been excited when Callonen told her about the banquet, but later nervousness took over. So many people, and they would all be watching her. She hadn’t completely regained her strength. What if she collapsed, right in the middle of everything?
The next evening, Callonen brought a tray of food, and they had dinner in Allia’s room. “Only two more days,” he said, as they finished eating. “Then our entire empire will know that you have agreed to be my bride.”
Allia tried to hide her nervousness. “I’m not used to being in front of people all the time like you are.”
“You will get used to it after a while.”
“Cal, I…” She paused and took a deep breath. “I don’t have anything to wear to the banquet.”
He smiled. “You’re now betrothed to a prince. One of the worst things about ruling a nation is that people expect to see you in formal clothes more often than you might want to wear them. Is that something you think you can adjust to?” He seemed worried for a moment.
She smiled. “I’ll be fine.”
He looked relieved. “I’m glad. Then I will make sure you and Tess both have something to wear. She should have a nice gown as well. I will have the seamstress and the cobbler come to measure you.”
“And you haven’t changed your mind either? Knowing I’ve never worn a ball gown before?”
His eyebrows shot up. “Why should that make me change my mind? They’re only clothes. It’s you I love, not your wardrobe.”
Allia laughed. “I love you too.”
The day before the banquet, Allia rested in one of the comfortable chairs near the fire, with Tess sewing beside her. Someone knocked on the door.
“Are you expecting anyone?” Tess asked. She got up and went to answer it.
She opened the door to see Harrow. The unnatural paleness of his face during their trip back to the city had disappeared. He appeared to be strong and healthy again.
