Chapter 12: Chapter 12
Updated chapter. Thanks to all those who are still reading and reviewing. These updates won't change the story just hopefully make it easier to read and answer a few questions that I missed the first time.
Chapter 12 – A Cure
After Gwen had left, Gaius checked on Sir Oswald then climbed the stairs to Merlin's room. He looked around, everything was neat and tidy just as Merlin had left it and he missed him more than ever. He sighed and retrieved the book of magic from its hiding place.
He sat on the bed and flicked through the pages until he found what he was looking for.
Standing, he closed his eyes, "Come home soon Merlin, please, we miss you, I miss you," he muttered. He opened his eyes and went to the desk looking for the scrap of cloth Merlin used as a bookmark. He found it under a book about herbs and placed it between the pages where he'd found the spell he needed, with one final look around the room he returned to his work bench. He prepared the potion as the book instructed then poured it into a bowl. He checked on Oswald, then made sure his door was locked before he chanted the spell, his eyes glowed and the liquid bubbled and changed colour. Gaius checked the book again. Satisfied he had done his best he replaced the book where he had found it. He mixed the potion into the poultice mixture to make it easier to apply to the wounds.
Using magic tired him he just hoped it would work. He returned to Sir Oswald, his condition had already worsened, his breathing was shallow and he was very pale.
He removed the bandage from Sir Oswald's side and applied the poultice to the wound. He chanted the second part of the spell and then sat back looking for a change. Sir Oswald mumbled then laid still, Gaius looked down at the bowl with the poultice mixture and wished Merlin was here to help him.
Sir Oswald groaned and Gaius looked up again, Oswald's colour was returning and his breathing became easier.
There was a knock at the door, Gaius placed the poultice mixture on the table and hurried to the door, drawing back the bolt. He opened the door to see a young boy waiting in the corridor.
"Can I help you?" Gaius asked.
"My name is Osric, I was told my father, Sir Oswald, was here and is badly wounded," he said looking towards the screen.
"Well Osric come on in, your father is over there," Gaius said indicating the bed behind the screen.
"Is he going to die?" Osric asked walking slowly towards the bed. There were tears in his eyes as he looked up at Gaius.
"Osric?" Oswald asked opening his eyes and looking at his son.
"Father," he replied running to his side and taking his hand.
"I think he will recover," Gaius said smiling at both of them. "You must rest Oswald."
"Thank you Gaius," they said together, Osric was still holding his father's hand.
"I have errands to run, stay here with your father and make sure he rests," he said.
"I must return to my duties," Oswald said trying to sit up.
"You have been badly wounded, if you rest now you should be fit enough to get up tomorrow," Gaius said gathering his supplies.
"I'll stay and look after him and make sure he stays in bed," Osric said smiling at him.