~~A/N: Thankyousomuch to my two reviewers:
Nabooru: She's Deuteronomy's daughter. Thanks!
Crystaltear1: Thankyousomuch!
Now: Onwards to Chapter Two!~~
The next morning, the King was up with the dawn, heading straight to the infirmary to see his son. He found Tugger already there. "My son," Deuteronomy greeted him, "Have you been here all night?" Tugger smiled.
"Yes Father. I could not sleep." The king nodded.
"Has there been any change?" The prince shook his head.
"None. He is alive, but very weak. In truth Father, I fear for his life." He shook his head. "I should have gone to look for him. If I had found them before this… or if I had been fighting alongside my brother…" he broke off. His father touched his shoulder.
"I am almost glad you did not. Should Munkustrap die, then I should not have lost both my sons in one fell swoop." Tugger sighed.
"Is there nothing we can do for him?"
"Macavity is brewing a potion that should strengthen him," the king said.
"Macavity?" Tugger asked. The king nodded. Tugger bit his lip. "I do not like that idea Father."
Deuteronomy looked surprised. "Why not? He has served us well for many years."
His son sighed. "I cannot help it Father, but I do not trust him. I keep thinking he is plotting something… I do not know what, but something. And I do not like the way he keeps looking at my sister. I fear he has some evil planned for her."
He was interrupted by the door opening, and Durian slinking in, carrying a tray on which a golden goblet rested. He stopped short when he saw the two, and bowed to them. "Good morning to you, my lieges. I bring the first draught of the potion for the Prince Munkustrap. Is there any change in his condition?"
"None," Deuteronomy answered. The henchcat nodded and motioned to Electra, one of the castle maids.
"Give this to the prince. It will give him strength." She nodded and took the goblet. Durian bowed again and left, scurrying out under Tugger's distrusting stare. The king sighed, and touched Tugger's shoulder.
"Come, my son. Are you not meeting with the Lady Bomberlurina today?" The prince brightened. He had been enamoured of the lady for many years, and was now courting her. The king smiled and told Electra, "Tell me the moment there is any change, for better or worse." With that, he took one last look back at his wounded son, and left the room.
*****************************************
Durian scurried back to his master's rooms. Macavity stood in the centre of his potions room, stirring a foul looking brew. He looked up as the other cat entered. "Well? Has the potion been administered?"
Durian nodded. "But Master, we must be careful. Before I brought the potion in, I heard the king and Prince Tugger talking. The prince mistrusts you and guesses at your intentions."
Macavity looked surprised. "Really? He is smarter than I gave him credit for." He waved a paw dismissively. "No matter. By the time he figures anything out, it will be too late. As soon as the eldest prince is dead, the second shall also die." Durian grinned. "Now. Hand me the powdered nightshade."
*********************************************
Two weeks went past and still Prince Munkustrap was no better. The castle doctors were trying everything, but day by day the prince sank a little lower. The king was frantic with worry. Doctors from all over the kingdom were called in, but to no avail.
Finally, one day a proclamation was read aloud in the main square of every city and posted on every street corner, offering a huge reward to anyone who could help save the prince. The announcement spread over the kingdom like wildfire. Soon hundreds of cats were lining up outside the palace to try their cures. These ranged from herbal cures, strange potions, and magic. Nothing helped. Macavity still gave the prince his potion, killing him slowly.
********************************************
Eventually, the proclamation reached a small farming community near the capital. The cats had little contact with the world, preferring to live in their small hamlet. A trader brought the news that the prince was ill, adding the reward was growing every two days. This caused a great stir among the villagers. Jellylorum arrived back home in a state of furious apprehension. "Mistofelees!" she called to her son. The black and white cat wandered in from a walk in the woods.
"What us it, Mother?" he asked, surprised at her agitation.
"We've just had a trader from the capital. He's told us the king's eldest son is dying of a strange illness, and is offering a large reward to any who can find a cure!" she exclaimed.
Mistofelees looked astonished. "How did this happen?"
"He was fighting a beast threatening a village. He was wounded and brought back to the palace. His wounds are healing very slowly, but this disease is killing him. The king is frantic!" She composed herself. "You have knowledge of herbs and medicines from all your wanderings in the forest. You've helped many villagers out here."
"Are you saying I should go and try to heal the prince?" her son asked. "I can heal stomach-aches and constipation, but I have never tried anything this big!"
Jellylorum smiled. "You never know unless you try!" Her face grew serious. "Do think about it my son. You know the king is getting old, and Prince Munkustrap is ready to lead the kingdom. If he dies… Prince Tugger has not been trained to rule…" She paused. "The moment you wish to go, I will be ready to send you."
~~Ã/N: And Mistofelees has arrived! Again, hope you like, and insert obligatory beg for reviews here,~~
