Welcome to the second, and final chapter! Thank you to Queen V, Charlotte, and Guests for reviewing. As well as to Chottof***ingmatte for following, (sorry for editing your name, but kids might be reading this.) Hope you enjoy the chapter, please read and review!
I screamed.
Jaron's hands fly to his stomach as he stumbles backward, and Roden catches him as he falls. The others were frozen in shock, but quickly unfroze and flew into action. Tobias rushes over to where Roden has gently laid Jaron on the ground, while Mott and Manson engage in battle.
The fight ended quickly, however, when Mott, fueled by his anger and worry, drove a sword through Manson's chest. I watch them fight out of the corner of my eye, but my focus is on Jaron. It looks bad, really, really bad. I struggle some more, desperate to go over and be with him, but the ropes refuse to budge. Exhausted, I slump over and start to cry, still calling Jaron's name.
After a couple of minutes, Mott looks up and seems to realize my predicament for the first time. He glances back down at Jaron as if assuring himself that Jaron wouldn't disappear, before rushing over to me. He pulls out his sword and easily cuts through the bonds.
I swiftly jump to my feet and rush over to Jaron. I collapse by his side and stifle a gasp, the wound isn't large, but it is deep. Jaron groans, turning his head towards me, "Imogen." He mutters weakly.
I grasp his hand tightly as I listen to Tobias as he assesses the damage, muttering to himself as he goes. After a few minutes, he looks up, still worried but looking a bit relieved as well, "The sword missed all vital organs, so as long as we can keep him stable until we reach the castle, I should be able to heal him. Right now, our biggest worry is keeping him alive until we can get him to Drylliad and doing everything possible to prevent infection."
He rummages through his medical bag and pulls out a roll of bandages and wraps them carefully around Jaron's stomach, also pulling out some aravac leaves, which he stuffs in Jaron's mouth to dull the pain. Tobias directs Roden to ride ahead and alert the castle, while Mott tries to come up with the most comfortable way to get Jaron home. This was going to be difficult as we had all ridden horses.
Through all of this I stayed by Jaron's side, I know that Tobias said that Jaron had a high chance of survival, but I was still terribly worried. Mott came back to our small huddle looking concerned, "Imogen, you will ride your horse out in front and will lead my horse behind. Tobias, you will take your horse and tie it to Jaron's. I will take Jaron and carry him on my horse while Imogen uses her horse to help steer mine. Ride fast, we're losing time."
Jaron's eyes flutter slightly but are jerked open once more as Mott scoops Jaron into his arms. He groans and thrashes as Mott carries him towards our horses, my heart breaks at seeing him so devoid of life. I trail behind Mott and Jaron, watching as Mott eases himself onto his horse, carefully clutching Jaron in his arms. Tobias and I mount our own horses and lead the way down the path with Mott trailing behind, being careful not to jostle Jaron too much.
We travel as fast as possible, though not fatal yet, Jaron still desperately needs medical attention, and we can't risk his life any more than we already have.
After over an hour of strenuous riding, Drylliad comes into view, we are almost there. Tobias lets out a sigh of relief as we pass through the castle gates, and I feel myself do the same. The castle has the medical supplies that Tobias needs to heal Jaron, here he'll be safe.
Amarinda and Roden are pacing anxiously in the castle courtyard with a couple of attendants ready nearby. This view of the castle never fails to impress me, but today I have other things on my mind as I quickly dismount and rush over to Jaron. He looks even worse than before if that was even possible and my heart clenches with worry. Amarinda, Tobias, and Roden run over, and Tobias quickly checks Jaron's vitals as Amarinda moves to stand by me.
Tobias's features relax a bit as he turns towards us, "His pulse is faint, but still there, If we can get him to the infirmary, he should make it through." At those words, Mott practically sprints to the infirmary as we follow, where he lays Jaron down on a bed while Tobias rushes around gathering supplies. I sit in a chair nearby, anxiously clutching Jaron's limp hand.
A half-hour later, Jaron is stabilized, and Tobias is confident he will make it through. Tobias is putting away his supplies while Amarinda, Roden, and Mott hold a whispered conversation in the hall. I, however, haven't moved from my spot by Jaron's side, his hand nestled between mine as he sleeps peacefully.
Jaron stirs a few minutes later, turning towards me as his green eyes blink open sleepily. My heart practically leaps with joy, but I simply lean over him grinning softly as I brush the hair out of his eyes, "Hey."
His green eyes come to focus on mine, and I see the recognition in them, "Imogen?" He croaks out,
"Yeah Jaron, yeah it's me"
His eyes travel down his body, coming to rest on his bandaged stomach, and I see his brief confusion before he seems to recall what has happened. He goes to sit up, but quickly lets out an audible gasp, his face twisting in pain.
I try to push him back on the bed, but he waves me away, his face set in determination. Slowly inching his way up, he makes his way to a sitting position, much to Tobias's dismay. Out in the hall, the conversation stops, and Mott peeks his head in, his eyes alighting with relief when he sees Jaron awake and talking. He calls the others in, and they all gather around the bed.
Jaron grins, asking why they all look so worried, and Mott's face turns somber as he replies, "We almost lost you Jaron, on the way back, you very nearly died."
Jaron's still smiling, but his eyes are sad, "Thank you Mott, all of you, for getting me home."
Roden steps forward then his face etched with guilt, "Why did you jump in front of the sword Jaron? You're the king, I should be protecting you, not the other way around."
"We're friends, of course I was going to save you, you would have done the same for me. Now, how quickly can I get out of here?"
I smack him, and the others turn away, shaking their heads. Tobias's stern face reminds Jaron that he won't be getting out of here for a while. Jaron's only response is to tug me closer, and I snuggle into him, carful of his wound, and peck his cheek.
We fall asleep like that, and I know that however injured he may seem, soon he will be back to his old self and getting into all sorts of trouble.