Plague of Mybyncia (31 page)

He stops and when he spins toward me, it
nearly breaks my heart. Both his eyes are glazed and red, the tip
of his nose pink. He swallows. “I’ll be back. Sampson wanted to
know the second you woke up. They want to do an internal exam and
see about your leg,” he looks to it. His mouth opens, but quickly
closes again, his focus up and away. “I’ll come back when they’re
done.”

“Reid…” I try once more, but he’s already
leaving the room.

I don’t have more than a few minutes before
Ariana, Mae and Pratt tumble in, Sampson right behind them. Pratt
reaches my bed first, dominating my attention with her bright,
worried eyes.

“You’re awake! Do you remember anything?
How’s your leg feel? Everyone thought it was going to be a few days
before you woke up. Reid hasn’t left your side,” she exhales in one
long breath, glancing at the door behind her, “except just now. But
he’ll be back any second. Really, we thought you wouldn’t be up for
days!”

“What day is it?”

“Same,” Ariana smiles gently, “just
later.”

“Almost evening,” Mae adds, “you’ve been out
for a while.”

“Is everyone else okay?” I ask.

Ariana nods. “Yes… you are the only one who
did not return awake. After the Gorgen nearly crushed you, you
passed out and Reid took you back on his Millix. You have been in
here since.”

“I—you sound better!”

Ariana blushes. “It is the Dilly. We are not
fully healed but the straight Dilly is definitely having a positive
effect.”

“But I only grabbed a few strands.”

“And after you killed the Gorgen,” Sampson
approaches, “Werzo, Booker, Qippert and Clarence stayed behind to
gather more. Reid, Tucker, Jace and I took off to get you back to
the FH. We…” he suppresses an amused grin, “we were going to gather
much more but Reid was already racing off with you. I had to assure
you both returned in one piece. I needed to keep my promise to the
chancellor.”

“Oh…” I’m still trying to wrap my mind around
everything, “…was he mad? Is the queen?” I look to Ariana.

She blushes again, glancing at Sampson. “She
was not happy when she awoke. And then seeing Reid fly in with you
unconscious… well… she definitely was not pleased.”

“But she came around,” Sampson continues.
“Especially when I informed her you would make a full
recovery.”

“And
especially
when she saw all those
bags of straight Dilly,” Pratt adds.

“So that’s it then?” I ask. “It works?”

Sampson shifts, “Well… it’s not the antidote
and as we’ve come to discover, it won’t
completely
clear the
virus. But it’s slowed it to an almost nonexistent rate,” he sighs.
“Unfortunately, we’ll still need to gather the Nazual, but the
straight Dilly has bought us some time. Enough to have you
recover.”

“And how long is that going to take?” I
glance to my right leg exposed from the cobalt skirt I wore from
the first feast. I’m still in my baseball tee, but my legs lay
outstretched in front of me, the right bandaged from my knee to my
ankle with a large red stain down the center of the white
gauze.

“Not more than a day or so. At most you’re
looking at a three day recovery.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad.”

“You’ll need to remain in here. We’ll have
the attendants bring you food and such, but it’s best you’re not on
that leg. Give it ample time to heal.”

“There she is,” Clarence grins from the
doorway. “I turned around and half the table was gone.”

“Table?”

“We were in the Dining Hall, celebrating our
victory and your survival with some jugs of Hunnis,” he clears his
throat, his face hardening. “Thought we lost you there for a
second.”

“Can’t get rid of me that easy.”

“Yes, you’re tough—we get it. But seriously,
you’ve got to quit doing that. Think you gave Reid a heart
attack.”

“Where is he?”

“Probably drowning in Hunnis with the others
now that you’re awake. I’m sure he’ll stumble his way back in here
later.”

Oh…

“So how much Dilly did you get?” I look to
Sampson.

“Filled every last bag. Everyone infected is
doing much better, but it’ll be short-lived,” he sighs as his
shoulders slump with defeat. “I really hate to admit it, but unless
we’re able to secure the Tregmint, it seems the Nazual is our only
choice.”

“Is it really that much of a suicide
mission?”

“Depends on our strategy… but let’s not
discuss that now. You’re awake, we have ample amounts of straight
Dilly, and for the time being, we’re all in relatively good health.
It’s time for celebrating.”

“I’m in,” I sit up.

“I’ll grab the boys,” Pratt jumps up and
sprints out of the room before anyone can say otherwise.

“Will your mother be offended if we… indulge
a little?” Mae turns to Ariana.

“Not at all. Although… I am not sure if she
will join us.”

“It’s late anyways,” Clarence grins.
“Probably best to leave the queen and chancellor out of our little
celebration.”

“Think so?” Sampson asks.

“Oh yeah… I’ve just come from the Dining
Hall. The kids are in
no
mindset to be around royalty.”

“Alright,” Sampson nods, “just us in here for
the night. Princess Ariana, you are of course, more than welcome to
stay.”

“I would love to for a quick moment,” her
face lights up. “I have to tend to my mother and sisters first, but
I will come right back. Maybe,” she leans toward me, “I can secure
more Hunnis since the Dining Hall supply is nearly depleted.”

“Have they gone through that much
already?”

“Been drinking since we returned this
morning,” Clarence grins. “Can you blame them?”

“And Reid?”

“He hasn’t left your side since you returned.
But like I said, he’s probably drowning in the stuff right about
now. Yes,” Clarence turns to Ariana, “if you could secure some
more, that’d be wonderful.”

“I will return shortly then,” she smiles
brightly before turning for the door.

“I better go make sure Pratt’s handling them
alright. She’s probably having a difficult time tearing them away
from the Hunnis,” Clarence follows Ariana out, leaving me with Mae
and Sampson.

“Alright,” I turn to them, “before they
return, how bad is it?”

“How bad is what?” Mae looks puzzled.

“My leg, what we did—
everything
.”

“Like I said, your leg will heal up fine,”
Sampson grins, “and the queen has mostly forgiven our trespass. I’m
pretty sure she has helped empty the Hunnis reserve.”

“In worry or celebration?”

“Both.”

“Will she be onboard for a trip to
Nerwolix?”

At my question, Sampson grows serious. “We’ve
yet to broach the subject. It will probably play out
similarly.”

“So that’s a no?”

“It’s something needing to be discussed at a
later time. For now,” Sampson paces in a small circle, “we need to
keep you and the others safe. Let’s use this time for recovery and
rejuvenating.”

“Will you be sharing a jug of Hunnis?”

A shadow of a smile crosses Sampson’s lips.
“It’s never been my drink of choice. I think I may stay for one
drink, then leave you and the others to the celebration.”

“Just one?”

“I’d fare better tending to the queen and
chancellor. Clarence may stay for a jug—Qippert as well—but I
wouldn’t be surprised if they retired early.”

“And what are the plans for tomorrow?”

“You’re staying right there,” he indicates to
the coral bed, “while Clarence, Qippert and I work with the queen
and chancellor on the next phase of regrouping the kingdom. I’m
serious, right there,” he points again. “You’ll also have a full
body exam, external and internal, just to make sure you’re healing
well.”

“Yeah, Reid mentioned something about
that.”

“It’s very simple and quick but it needs to
be done,” he heads for the door, pauses and glances back at us. “I
need to speak with Reid briefly. We’ll return momentarily.”

Once Sampson leaves, Mae turns to me with a
frown.

“You should’ve seen him, Fallon. When he
carried you in… he had this look on his face…” she gathers her
thoughts. “And then he wouldn’t leave you. What happened when you
woke up?”

I inhale, my chest tightening at the memory
of his red eyes. “He was upset. Then he just left. Said he’d be
right back, but…” I look to the door.

“He probably just needed a minute.”

“Yeah, but why’d he need to go? He could’ve
stayed.”

Mae shrugs. “He wouldn’t talk to anyone all
day. He just sat by your side, waiting for you to wake up.”

“And the second I do, he leaves?”

“Ay—you’re up!” Jace grins, standing in the
doorway. “We missed you at dinner—or, I guess, drinks.”

Tucker, Booker, Werzo and Pratt pile into the
room after him, followed quickly by Clarence and Qippert.

“Welcome back,” Tucker smiles. “You had us
worried.”

“You had
Boss
worried.
We
knew
you’d pull through,” Jace laughs, glancing around the room.
“Speaking of…”

“He’s with Sampson,” Clarence looks at the
door. “They should be here any second.”

“Alright,” Werzo rubs his hands together,
“so, uh, where’s that Hunnis we were promised?”

“Haven’t you had enough?”

“I think Pratt’s right,” Clarence sighs. “How
about one more drink—a toast to Fallon’s revival—and then we cool
it for the night?”

“That’s ending the celebration a bit early…”
Werzo mumbles.

“Early?” Booker scoffs. “You’ve been going
since we got back.”

“We’ve all had a
long
day,” Clarence
laughs. “Best thing is a final drink and then retirement.”

“And the princess?” Qippert asks. “Will
Ariana be joining us?”

“She went to get another jug of Hunnis.”

“
Yes
…” Werzo whispers under his
breath.

“One last drink,” Clarence narrows his eyes.
“Then we should probably have Fallon rest. She needs time to
recover.”

The door opens and Ariana enters with a set
of small bowls and one rust colored jug. She glances around, her
focus settling on me. “Am I late?”

Tucker shakes his head. “Sampson and Reid
aren’t here yet.”

“Oh…” she turns, looking for a place to set
the jug. “Well I can…”

“I’ll take those,” he helps her with the
bowls and begins passing one out to each of us. “Werzo, make
yourself useful. Start pouring everyone a drink.”

“On it, Rogue Leader,” he takes the jug from
Ariana’s hands and does as requested, making his way around the
room. As he stands over my bed and pours a portion of Hunnis into
my bowl, Sampson enters the room, followed quickly by Reid. Werzo
looks up at the same time, an eager smile crossing his lips.
“
Yes
. Now we can start.”

“Everything alright?” I look at Reid.

He glances over my leg. “How do you
feel?”

“Same,” I shrug. “Fine.”

He nods, accepting a bowl from Tucker as
Werzo quickly fills it.

“And you, Fychu?” Werzo raises the jug over
Sampson’s bowl. “Can I interest you in a drink?”

“Just one for me,” he nods the Rogue on.
“Then I’ll be off. I’d recommend the same for everyone as we’ve all
had a long day. And Fallon,” he turns to me, “I know you’ve just
awoken, but you’ll need as much rest as possible. That leg needs
time to heal.”

“We retiring to separate sleeping quarters?”
Jace asks.

“Not as of yet,” Clarence shakes his head. “I
believe the chancellor wants to resume that once he feels his
people are well enough. We’ll also be able to discuss it tomorrow
morning at breakfast with the queen.”

“Sounds good to me,” Werzo lifts his cup.
“So, are we toasting or what?”

“Yes,” Sampson raises his bowl and everyone
does the same. “To returning after a most brutal mission when all
our odds were stacked against us. And,” he lifts his bowl higher,
“to Fallon, who refuses to give up, even in the direst
circumstances. May our good fortune and strong will continue.
Cheers.”

“Cheers,” everyone says, lifting their bowls
to their mouths.

It’s the first time I’ve ever tasted the
beverage. It’s like swallowing a shot of fire and instantly, I’m
shaken awake, everything growing slightly fuzzy.

“Woo!” Werzo exclaims. “Every time!”

“That’s uh…” Mae gulps, “…strong.”

“I’m dizzy,” Pratt holds her head.

“That’s probably enough for you,” Clarence
takes the bowl from her and stacks it with his own. “Anyone else
done?”

I raise my hand and he collects mine as well,
placing all three on the floor.

“Me too…” Mae drops her bowl with the others
and Sampson and Qippert follow.

“Alright,” Sampson scans the room. “Everyone,
please have a safe and enjoyable evening. I’m heading to the
queen’s chamber with Qippert. Princess Ariana,” he gestures to the
door, “if you’re ready.”

“You’re not staying?” Tucker steps
forward.

Clarence rests his hand on the Rogue Leader’s
shoulder. “Princess Sansa has moved into Varille’s chamber. With
the straight Dilly having such a positive effect, it’s only
appropriate to have all royalty housed together with the
chancellor.”

Dismayed, Tucker nods. “Will you be at the
breakfast tomorrow?”

Blushing, Ariana nods. “Yes. I will see you
all there,” she smiles, looking around the room, settling on me and
then Tucker. “Have a wonderful evening.”

Tucker nods again as Sampson and Qippert
escort her from the room.

“Another drink?” Werzo holds the jug over the
Rogue Leader’s bowl.

Still staring after the closed door, Tucker
nods and once filled, he brings the cup to his lips, drowning the
beverage in one fast gulp.

“It’s only until tomorrow,” Clarence laughs.
“But Sampson’s right—Fallon should probably get some rest. If
anyone is still looking to stay up, why don’t we uh… retire to the
Dining Hall for a bit?”