It has been several days now, since the attack at Kells...
Brendan and I have been trying to find a safer route away from the Northman, so the book can be completed in secret. The snow has finally begun to melt, but it has left swamp-like paths for us in return. The main roads have become too venerable to attacks, leaving the side roads as our only option.
However, something doesn't feel right about these parts of the woods. The air feels thick, almost to a point to where it seizes your throat and chokes you. Everything looked moldy-green and faded into mist, from the skeletal trees above us to the murky slush covered grounds below. It was all too quite. But regardless of the sudden disappearance of wildlife, I was getting the impression that we were being watched. I've been keeping a vigilant eye on Brendan, making sure he doesn't fall behind. The grief over the death of his uncle and brothers has slowed him down quite a bit. But we can't stay here for too long. I fear if we don't find our way out these woods soon, we'll be in for trouble.
The sound of Brendan's coughing finally broke my concentration.
"Brendan? Are you alright?" I asked with concern.
"Hm? Oh, I'm fine Brother Aidan; it's just the air. It's so heavy here." Brendan replied, while Pangur Ban leapt onto his shoulder to brush against his cheek.
"I know lad, I feel it too. But we'll get out of here somehow, I promise."
"I sure hope so, I don't like this place." Brendan said.
"Neither do I, lad…"
Pangur leapt off Brendan's shoulder and began scouting ahead.
"It feels cursed."
"Cursed? What do you mean?" I responded.
"It doesn't feel the same like the forest of Kells. In fact it feels more like Crom's cave but… worse…" Brendan's voice trailed off.
His knees grew weak, causing him to sway until he suddenly passed out and fell onto the soggy ground below.
"Brendan!?" I gasped with shock, as I rushed over to his side. "Brendan! What's wrong? Speak to me!" I cried out.
But Brendan grew silent and went limp in my arms. I put my fingertips on his neck. His pulse was slow but present. I moved to his forehead.
'He has a fever!' I thought, feeling the heat coming off his brow.
Pangur rushed to the scene and began pacing worriedly back and forth.
"Don't worry Brendan. We'll find you someplace to rest," I grunted, mustering my strength to lift him onto my back.
Pangur lead the way as I carried my apprentice steadily behind. I could see ravens staring down at us with hungry eyes as we searched through the fog. I frowned, as a few got uncomfortably closer.
Just then Pangur Ban started mewing at me.
"What is it, girl?" I asked, as she tugged at the end of my cloak and ran off.
I followed her until she darted behind a waterfall. I took a closer look to find a hidden cave beyond the water.
"Heh, well done Pangur Ban," I smiled, and crept inside, away from view.
I laid Brendan down, letting him use my satchel to cushion his head for the time being. He just needs some rest… That's all.
By the time the next day came, my hope began to dwindle.
"His fever has gotten worse, Pangur, I must go find some medicine to slow it down," I muttered, and headed outside the cave.
The cat quickly jumped in front of my path. I saw in her eyes that she was trying desperately to persuade me not to go.
"Pangur, I must go for Brendan's sake, if I don't he may not have a chance... You understand," I said to my cat, stroking her snowy white head. Pangur's ear sank down and she brushed up against his chest.
"Keep an eye on Brendan for me, alright," I requested, and walked over to Brendan.
The boy had been asleep since yesterday and beginning to breaking out in a cold sweat. He had grown pale and looked green around the gills. I took off his cloak and blanketed it over my apprentice as I whispered to him "Hang in there lad, I promise I won't be gone for too long."
Pangur watched with concern as I ventured out into the misty woods.
The cat noticed that Brendan was coughing and snuggled up with him to keep him warm. Brendan was trapped in a dream. A nightmare of the Viking's attack at Kells. _
It was dark and cold. Voices could be heard from all directions. Suddenly bursts of flames appeared, arrows light up the sky and came down at lightening speed. Screams of terror from the villagers and monks filled the air while the loud battle cries from the Vikings were getting closer. I ran blindly trying to find a way out of the blood and flames.
Suddenly a great flash of light blocked my path and rows of jagged teeth. CROM! The great serpent lashed out his black tendrils and rooted me in place. As the foul snake struck, a blood curdling scream came out of the wind and drowned out the sounds surrounding me.
"AISLING!" I screamed, abruptly waking up.
Pangur jumped out of my lap and walked over to me with a worried look on her face. My head was spinning as I gasped for breath. Groggily, I took a look around.
"Brother Aidan?... Where are you?" I said hoarsely, as I tried to get up.
But my limbs gave out and tumbled weakly onto the rock-solid floor of the cave. I soon noticed Aidan's warm cloak wrapped around me.
"Aidan... Where'd you go?..." Brendan whispered. _
I searched desperately for roots or blossoms in hopes of breaking Brendan's fever. But there was none I could find, the plants that I recognized had all withered up and died, thanks to the cold and unforgiving winter.
"Uhh, It's no use... these plants are useless," I growled in frustration.
Suddenly I slipped on a hidden layer of ice and fell on my back.
"Aghhh! OW!" I roared in pain.
As I was regained my bearings, something caught my eye. Up above was a piece of lichen on a tree branch.
'Ah, that might help slow down the illness,' I thought, bringing myself to my feet. 'Hmm, it's awfully high though… But I can't afford to pass this up, it maybe the only thing that can help Brendan.'
And up I went.
My fingers dug into the bark as I climbed up the tree. The branch was finally within reach. I carefully moved closer towards to the lichen, trying his best to stay firmly on the tree. I reached out to pluck it, before a strong gale of wind blew harshly through the branches. I hung on, desperately trying to keep my balance. But without warning the branch I clung on to snapped.
I quickly tried to reach for another branch but it was too late. As I fell, a splintered root gashed my side and the muddy ledge struck my head.
Writhing in agony, my body was finally plunged into the murky waters below. My eyesight went dark as I felt myself sink deeper into the pool.