Chapter 10

"An Oath"

I suddenly felt frightened.

So many people died from fever. I could not be one of them. I had so much left to do.

I had to tell my parents I loved them. I had to tell my friends how much they meant to be. I still had to discover the runes with Dragon. I still have to be knighted.

I tried not to panic, but it was easier said than done.

"I cannot," I said, trying to find my voice. "I cannot have a fever, Gunther."

"Jane," he said, "you are burning up!"

"I cannot die!" I yelled.

His expression changed to something I had never seen before. It almost looked as if he had realized I could die. He grasped my hands and looked me in the eye.

"Jane, you have to swear to me that you will not die."

I was confused. How was it that he thought I could control God's fate?

He squeezed my hands and said again, "Jane, swear to me."

"I," I tried to form the words, "I swear."

He seemed satisfied then, at least for a moment. He swore angrily, "Bat bladders! The worst is that there is nothing we can do! It is dark now. We would be completely lost if we left now."

I was suddenly growing tired again. I knew I could not stay awake much longer.

He shook his head and sighed. "You are just going to have to rest. By first light, we will leave."

I nodded and felt my eyelids closing.

I was asleep within the moment.

***

"Jane! Oh, Jane. Please, please wake up!"

I opened my eyes to see Gunther. The sun was just now rising. He kneeled beside me, grasping my hand.

"Gunther?" I asked. "What is…?"

"Shh," He said quietly. "We must go now."

I was so tired. I was unsure if I could even stand. He helped me on my feet, and I took a few steps. I felt dizzy and stopped. I regained my balance and went on. My legs, then, went weak, and I nearly fell. Gunther caught me and set me back down.

"I cannot," I whispered. "I am so tired. Gunther, do not make me go."

"Jane," he said sternly, "we are going whether you like it or not. I know you do not feel best, but that is why we must leave right now. If we do not get you back to the castle by day's end, you could—"

He stopped, and I opened my eyes to see why. He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. He would not finish. It did not matter; I knew what he meant to say.

"I cannot walk," I whispered, feeling my eyelids beginning to droop.

I barely heard him next. I knew I was beginning to fall asleep, I was no longer interacting.

"I will carry you, then."

I was hardly aware that he was lifting me upon his back. Somehow, I was able to stay on. The way he moved around, it was impossible to fall asleep. But I was still only half there.

He kept speaking to me. He kept telling me to stay awake.

And how I tried! I wanted to give in. I wanted to get into the smallest ball possible and sleep forever. And I would have, too, if Gunther had not made me swear an oath and kept reminding me of it every second past.

That was how the hours passed: myself, trying my hardest not to give into the temptation of rest, and Gunther, carrying me on his back, refusing to rest as well.

He was being so selfless! I will never know why he did that, and I will never get inside that brain of his to figure his thoughts. He will always be a complete and puzzling mystery. But, I would like to think that it was because he cared.

***

"Help! Help!"

I can never explain how I felt. It was almost like my spirit was hovering over my body, picking everything up. Hearing every sound and feeling every wince of pain.

But, it seemed as if my brain had shut off. I was unable to open my eyes and move my body. I could not process anything said to me, nor could I even understand it.

I was there, but then, I was not.

"What is it, lad? What is wrong?" It was an unfamiliar male's voice.

"Is he not the Merchant's son?" I heard another whisper.

"Jane!" It was Gunther's voice. "She is ill; very ill! Please! I must get her to the castle!"

"Now, calm down, boy," Replied the male's voice.

I heard a deep breath, and then Gunther's voice continued, "She is sick with fever, and has a nasty cut on her head. She lives at the castle; she is one of the king's squires."

"Aye, so she is the girl…" I heard a muttered voice and a mumble of agreement.

"Please!" rang Gunther's voice.

"Hang on, boy! I will get your father. He is on the other side, loading his junk and such. I will ask him to bring a cart and drive you to the castle."

"Please hurry!"

And, before my senses were gone again, I heard Gunther whisper in my ear, "You swore, Jane. You swore to me."

***

I awoke briefly.

It was so quick. I opened my eyes and saw Gunther on his knees beside me (We were in a cart connected to two horses drove by the merchant, but I was unaware of it then).

"Gunther?" I whispered.

He looked down at me, a concerned frown creased on his lips. He grabbed my hand and leaned down to whisper, "We are almost there, Jane."

"Where?" I asked.

"To the castle. Pepper and the others will help you get well." He smiled at me, and I smiled back.

And then everything went black.

Disclaimer: No, I do not own Jane. **sobs**

Author's Notes: OKAY! One more chapter after this. Can you believe it? After all this time...

I'm unsure of what to post after this story is finished. I'm either thinking a story I wrote for English (Oh! It was amazing. To teach us the lesson of plots, my English Teacher allowed us to write anything. I chose a story for Jane (And my teacher actually had seen the show before! Ha!), and it was 26 pages long). Either that, or a kind of prequal to it. I'm thinking I'll do the first, since it's already done, and the "prequal" (Excuse my spelling) has only one chapter done. XD

Also, I just wanna say how much I love you guys. OVER 40 REVIEWS! You guys are so amazing. Thanks ever so much~