“I see your appetite has returned.” Nathan didn’t smile and his eyes remained squinted. “I am sorry there isn’t more, but we will be out tonight and back to the Central Palace in a few more days. This is almost over.”
Almost over…She hoped he was right.
∞∞∞
“Danni. Wake up. It is time.” Nathan shook her shoulder in the darkness.
Her eyes flew open. It was time! Her stomach churned. Goosebumps stole across her body. What if she couldn’t do it? What if she lost control? What if the others were hurt? Her heart began to race. She tried to suck in a breath, but her chest felt too tight. Everything was too tight—Nathan’s cloak around her, the bars of the cage, the thick darkness, the weight of the task ahead, the screams that echoed in her ears…
Nathan’s hand came down on her shoulder with enough pressure to calm her. “It will be all right.”
Air again entered her lungs and the screaming in her head ceased.
“Can you stand?” Nathan held her arms and pulled her up. After so many immobile days, her legs couldn’t hold her and she collapsed against him. He held her while she forced her legs to remember their job. When they could finally support her weight, he steadied her and they took a few steps together to the center of their prison.
Though it wasn’t many steps, it brought the weight of the world down upon her. The moon shone little more than a sliver, but she could see the others staring at her, and their eyes pierced her soul.
She heard every noise—every mouse that scurried around through the brush, every owl that searched for food, every bat that flapped about in the sky—the sounds amplified by her heightened senses. She could feel Nathan’s steady hands, one on her arm, the other on her waist, and their strength comforted her.
The others lined up against the back bars and she faced the front, toward the sleeping throng. Nathan remained beside her. Her breath came so rapidly it filled her head with a tingling numbness and her heart pounded till she thought it might burst through her chest.
“Stay behind me,” she said in a voice that couldn’t have been her own. He stepped behind her and placed both his hands on her waist.
She closed her eyes and steadied her breath. This was it. She sucked in a great breath and pushed Nathan’s hands away from her waist. Though still weak, she wanted to stand on her own. She couldn’t lean upon anyone any more. This moment was hers alone, and she was strong enough to seize it.
Night’s darkness fell upon her. She closed her eyes and concentrated on gathering the strength and power of the ring, then she brought her hands in front, the palms forward and her elbows bent. Her arms felt as heavy as lead.
The night creatures stilled their movements and silence descended upon them like a blanket hushing the night. She mustered the ring’s energy, then let it fly.
Chapter 34
Nathan felt the night grow silent when Danni gathered her power and suddenly knew she would do too much. He wanted to call out to her, to hold her, to stop her from hurting herself, but he was too late.
A wave of red pulsed from her ring toward the army and wiped out tents and sleeping soldiers in its path. Nathan caught her as the blast threw her body against his and slammed them both backward against the bars. The entire cage collapsed and buried them in shards of broken wood and metal.
Nathan shook his head to clear it, then threw debris off himself and Danni. She didn’t move. “Danni. Danni!”
Her lips were pale and she didn’t stir. He heard a shout and saw his men righting themselves. They had to run. Now. He didn’t have time to worry over her yet.
He scooped her into his arms, then turned and saw Will crawl from the pile of rubble, a few scratches on his face, but otherwise all right. “Will! Run!”
Will got up and ran. Nathan followed with his precious load.
He ran hard without even a glance behind him. On and on they ran until his concern for Danni overpowered his fear of pursuit.
“Stop!” he called. His companions stopped. He laid Danni on the ground. “Check her, Doc.”
Doc knelt beside her and felt her skin, then her neck. Nathan tapped his thumb against his thigh and counted each second that ticked by. The color drained from Doc’s face and he shook his head.
“Is she…?” Nathan couldn’t bring himself to say it.
“No, Nathan, she is alive—barely. She cannot be moved again or she will surely die.”
“But the army.” Colter pinched Nathan’s shirt between his fingers. “They could be right on top of us. We have to get farther away!”
Nathan glanced from Colter to Doc and then at Danni. He didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t be moved, but if they stopped, they might be caught and killed.
Memories of Danni splashing him at the stream crossing, laughing at Will’s jokes, and healing his hand flashed in his mind’s eye and clouded his thoughts. He shook his head to erase the images. There wasn’t time for emotions. He had to think clearly—like a leader. They had a few options to choose from and he thought over each consequence.
“For the moment we keep Danni here,” he finally said. “Edward, Garin, scout out the camp behind us. I think Danni might have slowed them down. Use the dark to your advantage and stay in the shadows. The moment you learn anything, get back here and report. Will, Colter, keep watch between us and Edward and Garin. Alert us when they return. Doc, do what you can for Danni. Everyone be careful.”
The men nodded and headed out on their assignments. Doc continued to examine Danni while Nathan paced back and forth. He watched her and listened for the army or his men.
“There is nothing more I can do for her.” Doc’s face was tight and drawn. “Perhaps if I had some medicine, or even some herbs…”
Nathan sat down beside her and touched her face. It felt so cold and clammy. He raised his eyebrows at Doc who shook his head. Nathan understood. She was dying and there was nothing they could do about it.
The minutes passed in silence, and Nathan’s concern grew for Danni and his men. Perhaps he shouldn’t have sent them out. They could had been captured or worse.
Horse hooves clopped toward them and Nathan froze. He had no weapon. In the dim moonlight he saw a low branch on a tree, ripped it off, and held it like a club.
“Nate?” Will’s voice called. “Where are you?”
The breath he held whooshed out. “Over here.”
His four men came into view in the dim light. They led two horses loaded high with supplies.
Nathan felt his mouth drop open. “What is this? What of the army?”
“You will not believe this,” Will said. “I thought Edward and Garin jested when they told us. I had to see for myself.”
“What?”
Will licked his lips. “You said you thought Danni might have slowed them down a bit.”
“Yes.” Nathan nodded.
“Well, she slowed them down a lot. We went back to the camp and it was chaos. Tents and bodies were strewn all about.”
“What?” Nathan must have heard wrong.
“It is true,” Garin spoke up. “Briggs was yelling at everyone, but there were only about twenty men who could move about. The others were either gravely injured or…” he glanced at Danni, “…dead.”
Nathan’s mind spun. Briggs’s group had been about sixty strong. If there were twenty left then Danni had injured or killed nearly forty men. She couldn’t have—it was impossible. Yet he had felt the night grow heavy and silent when she gathered the ring’s power. He had felt her strength unite with the ring’s, and the combined effort threw them all backwards when she released it. He knew it was true. She had sacrificed herself for them.
“What about Lane?” he asked. “Was he killed?”
“No.” Will sounded disappointed. “Apparently his tent was near Briggs’s at the camp’s other edge. Danni’s power seemed to lose strength the farther out it went. Those closest to our cage were killed, some farther on were injured but not killed, and those who lived w
ere the farthest from us, like Briggs and Lane.”
Nathan turned from Will to the horses.
Will followed his gaze. “I figured these wouldn’t be missed in the chaos, and we need supplies. We had no time to be picky, so I don’t know what is in the packs, but anything is helpful.”
“Open them up. Perhaps there is something to help Danni.”
Edward and Garin went to the horses and unloaded the packs. Nathan stepped closer to see through the moonlight. He leaned in, his whole body anxious to see what they found. There were blankets, food, water canteens, and medical supplies! He snatched the medical items and raced them to Doc.
Doc wasted no time. He took some herbs from the pack, mixed them with water, and put them in a cloth which he laid across Danni’s forehead. Nathan took a blanket and draped it over her.
Garin handed him some food and he accepted it gratefully.
“From what you have described,” he said between bites of dried fruit and meat, “I do not believe Briggs will come after us tonight. He has other things to attend to. However, I want two guards throughout the night, to be sure. We will switch off so everyone can get some rest. Doc and I will take first watch since we still need to tend to Danni. Take some blankets and get some sleep. We will check on the army again in the morning and make a plan.”
They all agreed and in that manner passed the night.
∞∞∞
Nathan awoke groggy and exhausted. He hadn’t slept much, but the sun arose so he did too. When he could hold his eyes open properly, he checked on Danni.
Her skin seemed like stone in the pale morning light and gray circled her eyes. He placed his hand upon her forehead, then yanked it away in shock. Her skin burned!
“Doc!” he yelled.
Doc jerked awake. Their eyes lock for an instant, then Doc rushed to his side. He stepped with great control into his role as physician. He felt Danni’s forehead with steady hands. He checked her pulse. He listened to her breathing. Then he spoke in a calm voice. “Get me the medical supplies and a cloth with cold water.”
Nathan got up and ran to get the supplies. He tripped and stumbled in his haste, then jumped back to his feet again. He grasped the bag and raced it back to Doc. He ripped a piece of cloth off his cloak and wetted it with water from a canteen, then held it out to Doc.
He wrung his hands while Doc administered to her. Doc crush herbs and added them to the wet cloth, then placed it on her forehead. He prepared another cloth, removed her boots and stockings and draped it over her bare feet. Then he opened her mouth and let medicine drop onto her tongue.
He turned from her to face Nathan and the others who had woken at the commotion.
“These rags will have to be changed frequently to keep them cool,” he said. “Is there a stream nearby or must we use our drinking water?”
Nathan knew the area well. A stream ran south from the mountain and nearly paralleled the road to the Central Palace. He sent Edward and Garin to fetch some water.
Edward and Garin hustled off with two pots from the army’s supplies.
Nathan watched Doc care for Danni, but he couldn’t quite give her all his attention. Something nagged at the back of his mind—some duty to keep them safe. Then, through his worry, he remembered the army. If they came after them, they would be captured again.
“Will!”
“What is it, Nate?” Will’s blue eyes filled with anxiety.
“I need you to check on the soldiers. Take Colter and see if they are coming after us. Be careful and return the moment you know anything.”
Will gave a half-smile. “We will. Don’t worry, Nate. She will be fine.” Then he turned and left with Colter.
Chapter 35
Edward and Garin returned with a pot full of water.
Doc instructed Nathan to dip the cloths in the cool water and rub them across Danni’s forehead, face, arms, and feet.
Nathan obeyed and administered to Danni as he had seen Doc do.
Edward and Garin prepared a meal. Even the tantalizing smell of fresh hotcakes after near starvation couldn’t draw Nathan away from her side. He wouldn’t leave her until her eyes once again shone like emeralds. Then he would know she was well.
“Nathan,” Doc interrupted his thoughts. “Go and eat.”
He tried to protest, but Doc pulled the cloths from his fingers and took over Danni’s care.
“You cannot help her if you have lost your strength. Go enjoy a warm meal.”
With a deep sigh, Nathan looked once again at Danni, then joined the others. Will and Colter returned.
“No one is coming after us,” Will said between bites of food. “They were still caring for their wounded. One soldier mentioned Lord Donavan’s wrath at losing the princess, and Briggs’s face turned green, then he ran off into the bushes. I don’t think he will return.”
Will paused to take a drink, then continued. “Lane scanned the area—probably thrilled to take command—then stepped right into the leadership role. What a halfwit! I wanted to punch him in the face! I would have too, but Colter stopped me.”
He popped a bit more hotcake into his mouth. “Well, anyway, Lane told the survivors to put the wounded in a wagon and gather what supplies they could so they could continue on to Donavan’s castle. He sent some men out to find Briggs, but I don’t think they will find him. What a coward! He acted so puissant when he tortured Danni, but at the mention of Lord Donavan’s wrath, he flees like the dastard that he is.”
Will shook his head. “A soldier asked if they should send out a search for us, but Lane said he figured we would be halfway to the Central Palace by now. I guess he didn’t consider how this would affect Danni.”
Nathan turned to look at her again. He shoved the last of his food into his mouth and went to relieve Doc.
Her condition did not improve through the day, and the fever made her sweat and writhe about.
In the afternoon Edward and Will returned to watch the enemy camp. They brought back word that the group had indeed turned south and headed toward Donavan’s castle. Relief washed over Nathan. He could let Danni rest.
“We gathered more supplies and found a small wagon they left behind.” Will stepped toward Nathan. “It is slightly damaged, but could be repaired. We could use it to carry our supplies or even Danni when she is a little better.”
Nathan considered Will. He had bags under his eyes and Nathan realized that his attempts at humor had seemed a bit more forced than usual. The last week had been rough on everyone. Will was right. They couldn’t stay there forever—and Danni would never fully recover until she was home.
Will put his hand on Nathan’s shoulder. “If you want the wagon, we could bring it up along the road when we are ready to travel on to the palace.”
“Yes. I want everything ready so we can leave the moment it is safe to move Danni.”
It seemed, though, that she would never be able to travel. By the following evening the fever still raged. Nathan took the first watch that night and stayed by her side. Garin relieved him a few hours later.
“Wake me after your turn so I can check on her.” Nathan shut his heavy eyelids and fell asleep.
Hours later, he awoke with a start. His stomach jolted as he saw the first rays of sunlight over the distant mountains. He had slept all night. He jumped up and ran the few steps to Danni’s side.
Doc sat beside her. He smiled at Nathan. “All is well. The fever has broken.”
His words were confirmed when Nathan placed his hand on her head. Her skin no longer burned beneath his fingers. Her temperature matched his own. Her face, though still pale, had lost the grayness that had worried him.
He sank to his knees, overcome with relief. A tear slid down his cheek and he brushed it away. Then a thought struck him. He thought hard over the last few weeks and tried to count the days on his fingers. He wasn’t positive, but he thought it was…yes, it had to be. He stood up and met Doc’s concerned face.
“Are you all right,
son?”
“Yes…” Nathan’s mind was elsewhere. “Um…stay with her. I will be right back.” He strode off into the hills.
He had to find the right thing. It had to be perfect. He passed trees, bushes, and flowers, but they were not enough. Then he spotted it—a rose bush in bloom with beautiful wild red roses. He searched through the roses for the right one. Then he saw it—a flawless red rose halfway between a bud and full bloom with velvety petals spread open to welcome the world.
With gentle fingers, he snapped the stem and freed the rose. He carried it with reverence back to where Danni lay. Doc watched him approach.
Nathan knelt and placed the delicate rose beside her head. He leaned near and pressed his lips against her forehead. “I promised you I would make this day special,” he whispered. “It isn’t much, but happy birthday, Danni.”
∞∞∞
Nathan watched Danni through the day, relieved to see her released from her fever. When evening approached, his men gathered around him.
“I think we should all get a good night’s sleep tonight.” His men stared at him in surprise. “The army is no threat to us anymore and Danni has passed the critical stage. There is no need for a guard, and we all need a peaceful night.”
But a peaceful night’s rest was not what he received. Instead, he awoke to screams. Danni was obviously trapped in another nightmare. He went to her and did his best to calm and comfort her. She relaxed at his touch and they both fell back to sleep. Twice more, nightmares disturbed her slumber, but were quelled by his embrace.
In the morning Nathan approached Doc. “Can we move her? I want to return to the Central Palace as soon as possible. We are close—only about a four day journey. She will heal faster there.”
Doc sighed. “She is still not well, Nathan, but I believe you are right. We must take her home.”
After breakfast, Nathan ordered the men to pack up camp and bring the wagon. He and Doc prepared Danni for travel. He scooped her into his arms and was surprised at how little she weighed. With all the stress and little food, she had lost weight that she couldn’t afford to lose.
The Power of The Ruby Ring Page 16
