Chapter 25 Desperate Measures #3
Aeolus was the last to speak, his silver eyes meeting mine with surprising intensity.
"I'm already risking exile by revealing the Whisperways," he said, his usual arrogance tempered by something that almost looked like respect.
"Might as well commit fully to treason." A corner of his mouth lifted in a sardonic smile, but his fingers brushed mine briefly with genuine warmth.
"Besides, watching you challenge fate is proving more interesting than I anticipated. "
My throat tightened as I looked at each of them in turn. These four men, so different from one another, united in their willingness to risk everything for Ryu as well as me. The weight of their loyalty was both comfort and burden I wasn't sure I deserved.
"Thank you," I whispered, the flame-script beneath my skin pulsing with gratitude and determination. "Then we move now."
Taranis adjusted his spectacles, his scholarly demeanor returning as he processed this new information. "How would we navigate these pathways? If they're as dangerous as you say—"
"I'll guide you," Aeolus interrupted, a hint of his usual swagger returning despite the gravity of the situation. "It won't be pleasant, and I can't guarantee safety, but I know the ways."
Desmond looked up from where he continued to work on Ryu, his massive hands still channeling healing energy into the dragon shifter's failing body. "We need to consider how we'll transport him. In his current state, movement that stresses his constitution will accelerate the taint’s spread."
"We'll need something to carry him on," I said, scanning our surroundings. "Something stable enough to keep him still."
Lucas, who had been unusually quiet, spoke up. "The horses. They're still at the stable near the village edge. I can retrieve them quickly."
I nodded gratefully. "The gelding is strong enough to carry Ryu if we can secure him properly. And we'll need supplies for the journey. Water, bandages, whatever might help slow the corruption."
"I'll go with him," Aeolus offered, surprising us all with his willingness to help. He caught my questioning glance and shrugged, a ghost of his usual mischievous smile playing at his lips. "What? I can be useful for more than just looking devastatingly handsome while spouting fae wisdom."
As they departed, I knelt beside Ryu again, my flame-script pulsing with a mixture of determination and fear. His eyes found mine, clouded with pain but still conscious.
"Hold on," I whispered, taking his hand in mine. His scales felt cold and brittle where the corruption had spread, nothing like the warm, vibrant gold I'd come to know. "We're going to get you help. And when you're better, I'm going to kick your ass for this heroic stunt."
I tried to rise and nearly collapsed, my knees buckling as another wave of exhaustion crashed over me.
The battle against the corrupted tree had exacted a steep price.
My phoenix nature could heal many wounds, but the rebirth was still too recent, my reserves dangerously depleted.
My hands shook with fatigue, small burns marking my palms where I'd channeled too much fire too quickly.
Even breathing felt like an effort, each inhalation sending shards of pain through my bruised ribs.
Taranis caught my elbow, his scholarly face creased with concern. "You've pushed yourself too far," he murmured, supporting my weight as I found my balance. "The blight, the battle, and now this emotional strain. It's too much, even for the Elemental Phoenix."
"I'll manage," I replied through gritted teeth, forcing myself to straighten despite the protest of my battered body. I couldn't afford weakness now—not when Ryu's life depended on our speed.
Eldrin approached, his weathered face grave. "I will remain here in Willowbrook. The villagers will need guidance as they recover from the corruption's influence. And someone should document what happened—the nature of the blight, how you defeated it. This knowledge may prove valuable elsewhere."
Taranis nodded in agreement. "A wise decision. The more we understand about the blight's origins, the better prepared we'll be to face it again."
I looked up at the old scholar, grateful for his pragmatism. "Thank you, Eldrin. Your insights have been invaluable."
A groan from nearby drew our attention. Marenna, or what remained of her, lay crumpled at the edge of the clearing, her body slowly returning to human form as the corruption's controlling force faded. Several villagers were beginning to stir as well, their movements confused and disoriented.
"They'll need help," Desmond observed, his healer's instincts evident despite his focus on Ryu. "The taint’s effects won't disappear immediately, even with the tree destroyed."
"Feria and Grandmother Eliza can guide them through the recovery," Eldrin assured us. "And I'll ensure they understand what happened here."
A short while later, a commotion at the edge of the clearing announced Lucas and Aeolus's return.
They arrived with remarkable speed, leading the dappled grey mare and chestnut gelding we'd left at the stables.
New packs were loaded onto the mare's back.
They must have resupplied before returning.
The animals snorted nervously, clearly disturbed by the corruption lingering in the air.
"The mare can carry our supplies," Lucas explained, already securing packs to her saddle. "And we've prepared the gelding to transport Ryu."
Lucas gestured to the various packs now loaded onto the mare.
"Grandmother Eliza gave us everything she could spare.
There are healing herbs—feverfew, dragonsbane, and moonroot—that she says might help slow the corruption.
Several waterskins of purified spring water that's been blessed in some old ritual.
Enough dried provisions to last us at least a week. "
He handed me a small clay jar sealed with beeswax. "And this—a special salve she's been developing for years, made specifically for shifter hide. She said it might help strengthen Ryu's natural resistance."
I turned the jar over in my hands, noting the ancient symbols carved into its surface—protective runes that reminded me of Killian's tattoos.
Aeolus approached, silver hair flowing with that constant, ethereal wind.
"We've brought bandages soaked in a healing poultice from Grandmother Eliza," he said, his expression unusually solemn as he handed me a small leather satchel.
His fingers lingered against mine for just a moment longer than necessary, a subtle reminder of our connection.
"She says it won't cure his blight, but it might slow its spread during transport. "
I took the satchel gratefully, my fingers trembling slightly as I opened it to reveal bundles of herb-scented cloth. "Thank you."
"We need to move quickly," Desmond said, his massive hands never ceasing their gentle work on Ryu's chest. "The blight is advancing despite my efforts."
I nodded, opening the satchel of poultice-soaked bandages. The pungent aroma of herbs—yarrow, comfrey, and something sharper I couldn't identify—wafted up, momentarily overpowering the acrid scent of corruption.
"Show me where to apply these," I said to Desmond, my fingers trembling as I withdrew the first bandage. The cloth felt cool and slick against my skin, the poultice leaving a tingling sensation where it touched.
"Here," Desmond guided, indicating the central point where the poison had entered Ryu's chest. "And along these veins where it's spreading fastest."
Together, we worked in focused silence. I pressed the herb-soaked cloths against Ryu's dulled scales while Desmond temporarily lifted his healing energy to allow the poultice to make contact. Each bandage hissed against the blight like water on hot metal.
"It's helping," Desmond murmured, his brow furrowed in concentration as he resumed channeling earth energy into the areas we'd treated. "Not curing, but slowing it. This might give him the time he needs."
Ryu's eyes flickered open at the treatment, a low groan escaping his throat. The sound transformed into a rumbling growl of frustration. Even now, he hated showing weakness. His clawed fingers dug into the earth beneath him, leaving deep furrows as he fought against the pain.
I placed my hand on his forehead, avoiding the corrupted veins creeping up his neck.
"I know it hurts," I whispered, my voice softening despite myself. "Just hold on. And for once in your stubborn dragon life, save the macho act for when you're not dying."
When we'd applied the last of the bandages, Desmond looked up at Lucas. "Now comes the difficult part. We need to move him without disturbing the poultice or accelerating his condition."
Lucas approached, his muscled form still bare from his shift. "I'll take his shoulders," he said, crouching beside Ryu's head. "Desmond, you support his midsection. We'll need to lift in one smooth motion."
The gelding stood nearby, ears flicking nervously at the scent of corruption and dragon. Taranis held its reins, murmuring soothing words that seemed to calm the animal.
"On my count," Lucas said, sliding his arms carefully beneath Ryu's shoulders. "One... two... three."
We lifted in unison, Ryu's substantial weight causing even Desmond to grunt with effort.
The dragon shifter's body was surprisingly dense.
A wet, rattling gasp escaped him as we moved, followed by a low, hissing string of draconic curses that needed no translation.
I felt a stab of guilt at causing him further pain.