Ranger's Apprentice belongs to John Flanagan, not me.
Dying
Nate was dying. Will was sure of it. He could see the angry red lines stealing up his son's leg from the crushed foot. Nate hadn't been fully conscious in almost 24 hours, tossing and turning with fever.
Will hadn't said anything to Alyss or the other children. He could still see hope in their eyes when Malcolm spoke of "turning point" and "time will tell". He guessed that Halt had come to the same conclusion. He wasn't sure about Pauline. She was too good at hiding her emotions.
Nate kicked the bankets off yet again and mumbled something inaudible. Will recovered his and layed a kiss on his precious son's head. After two miscarriages, Will and Alyss had agree to stop trying to increase their family. Two years later, Alyss became pregnant, and Nathaniel, their precious gift, had been born. Only to be taken away a mere 4 years later. Will wished that he could strangle the higher power that had made that decision.
"Will." It was Malcolm, sympathy in his eyes. "Go sleep. Alyss is worried, and she needs some comforting."
Will shook his head. "I want to be here when he dies."
Malcolm's eyes got sadder, if that were possible. "Nate is too strong to die in the next few hours," he said. "Go sleep."
Will stood and did as he said, looking back once to the tossing form on the bed.
When Will woke several hours later, Nate was no better. If anything, he was worse. Malcolm met with him and Alyss in the sick room while Halt and Pauline took the older children to Jenny's. Nate needed more and more care, and the others just weren't getting the attention they needed. Jenny adored the Treaty children, and the feeling was mutual. They would be well-cared for there.
"I'm sorry to say this, but if we do nothing, Nate will die," Malcolm said. Alyss gave a little cry, and Will held her close, letting her put her head right by his. Nate moaned in his fevered sleep.
"However," Malcolm continued, "if we amputate the foot, there is a chance he could survive."
Alyss was crying now. The emotions and lack of sleep of the past week and a half had caught up with her. Will held her, rocking softly side to side, the way he had when she had miscarried, his tears mingling with hers. Malcolm turned to bend over Nate, giving the two what privacy he could.
It was a long time before the couple could bring themselves to where they were ready to listen. But when Alyss, her face still streaked with tears, turned to Malcolm, her voice didn't shake as she asked, "What are his chances if we remove the foot?"
"I'd guess about 75% chance that he'll pull through and be completely healthy afterwords, and another 5% chance that he'll live, but he'll be an invalid and probably die young."
That's only 80% altogther, Will thought, but he put on a brave face and asked, "What do you think, Alyss?"
"I think we should do it," Alyss said, her voice starting to quaver again.
Trying very hard not to think of the 20% chance that Nate would die, Will said, "I agree."
Just one more drabble to go!
Many thanks to moniquebowman, jellyfish1234, and wheretheresawill for reviewing.
~Tortoise