Part Twelve
The old woman smiled a toothy grin as she whispered. She had to do this quickly, she reminded herself as she moved her hand over Willow's body. The girls breathing began to increase, then slowed and evened out as her fever broke and her lungs cleared. She slipped deeper into a restful sleep as the old woman stood up. "Have faith, Willow." The woman shimmered and disappeared as voices came floating into the cell.
"..probably dead by now."
"I hope not. Shaledon would not be pleased. She is needed."
The clanking of keys, then scaping and the cell door opened to admit two priests in long red robes. One hung back by the door while the other entered. He knelt by the girl and checked her. "She is still alive, looks like the fever has broken."
"Good. She'll heal up nicely. Just in time for the sacrifice."
*****
Tara stretched and yawned then realized someone was beside her. "Will..?" She stopped, remembering where she was. Buffy sat up beside her. "It's me Tara. Sorry." Buffy smiled, then swung her feet to the floor and rubbed her eyes.
"I miss her."
Buffy looked into Tara's blue eyes. "Hey, we're going to get her back. Don't get pessimistic on me now." Tara gave a small smile, "Thank you, Buffy."
Buffy raised an eyebrow, "For what?"
"I was starting to feel lost last night…or…I guess it was morning… Thank you."
"That's what friends are for Tara. And….family."
There was a tap at the door. "Come in." Buffy called. The door opened to admit Alvrin. He looked tired but he smiled as brightly as he could. "Good afternoon, Ladies. Just thought you'd like to know we are close. Should be there within the hour. We received a messenger pigeon and our people are waiting."
"That's great, right?" Tara exclaimed climbing out of the bunk and translating to Buffy. "We're closer than maybe they know? So maybe, we still have some surprise on our side?"
The old man looked Tara, the hope rising in her eyes. He should tell her that the demons were spelled so that upon their death, their employer would know immediately. Instead he smiled, "Maybe so. How about some food before getting ready to ashore?"
The girls spent the next hour eating and getting ready. They were given waterskins and provisions for three days. When land was finally sited, Corwitthen droped sail and finally anchored the ship. He stood at the railing and unwrapped a mirror which is used to signal towards the shore. Three quick flashes answered him. He helped his uncle and Buffy lower the dingy to the water, then threw some of the bags into it. Buffy helped Tara over the side to the small boat that would take them to the rest of the rebels. As she started to follow suit, Alvrin stopped her. Buffy looked at him questioningly.
He offered her a gift bundled in cloth, "They will help you on your way. One for each of you." Buffy pulled the wrapping away to behold a long silver dagger with blue runes emblazoned on it. She ran a finger over it lightly, amazed. "Wow." She whispered. She looked up at the man, and smiled. "Thank you." Alvrin smiled and patted her on the shoulder, then dropped a similar package down to Tara, who clasped it to her.
"Thank you, Alvrin. And Corwitthen…for everything." Tara told them.
"You can thank me latter, girl. I've still got to get you two to land…and it could be I forget how to operate such a tiny boat." Corwitthen teased as he climbed down behind Buffy. He waved to Alvrin then picked up an oar. With strong strokes he sent the boat skimming across the water.
*****
Amilia leaned her weary head against the cell wall, her eyes closed. She had long ago stopped feeling the cold, every bit of her was numb. The shackles on her wrists clanking as she tried to raise her hand, as if the chain had suddenly grown tired of holding her. She scoffed at herself. In the fifteen days she'd been there, nothing had changed. Sometimes one of the jailors would tell her that it wouldn't be long till her grand daughter was captured. "Thanks to you, the High One has a second chance. So nice of you to summon her for us." One had laughed at her, standing with her food tray in his hand.
"You wont be laughing when I get out of here." She thought to herself. She was furious at being taken so quickly. She'd been distracted when the binding spell had caught her, seconds before a hand clubbed her into unconsciousness. The pain in her head had been nothing compared to the pain in her heart. She had never suspected her oldest friend would be the one to betray her.
Never in all her life had she thought that Krin would betray the rebellion. There had to be a good reason, she thought. Maybe they had forced him somehow. She would never know though, because his betrayal had been rewarded with a fiery death. "Oh, Krin. Why didn't you talk to me." She prayed that Tara was safe. She knew Tara would be on her way to rescue her, but she rather hoped the rebels would write her off as a lost cause, keeping Tara far away from here. The thought of the High One getting his hands on her precious grand daughter made her feel sick.