Hello!
I generally work a couple of chapters ahead, as you read this, I am working on chapter 17. I try to pace myself, but with this story I am finding it difficult to do that, I can't seem to wait to post each chapter.
To paraphrase a quote that once hung in my High School English class (eons ago) "What is in general written without effort is in general read without pleasure." I am putting a lot of effort into this story, as I have with all my stories, and I am glad to see some of you are deriving as much pleasure from my work as I do.
Queen Merla ~ I am so glad to know you have stumbled upon and are enjoying my stories, I hope you continue to do so.
Thank you all for your kind reviews.
Enjoy!
Failte
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Darcy followed Kadmus and Dr. Gorma in their slow progression toward the hospital wing. She fought down the urge to push him or even to pick up the small man and carry him, anything to get them to Lance faster.
Kadmus chuckled, "Let's see how fast you move when you're over three hundred years old."
Darcy blushed.
"Oh, I'm not insulted, dear, you're just thinking with the impatience of youth."
They walked quietly on, Darcy trying desperately to keep her mind clear of any thoughts. As they approached the hospital, Kadmus slowed down.
"There is evil here," he whispered, stopping in front of Keith's room.
"But that's not…" Darcy began, but stopped when Dr. Gorma shook his head at her.
Kadmus stood for a moment, staring at the door before opening it. Allura looked up, surprised. She had set up an impromptu office, papers were spread out on the bedside table, a report open on her lap, two pens were stuck in the bun she had pulled her hair back in to. Quickly, she rose to greet them.
"Kadmus, it's an honor to see you," she curtsied.
"And you, your highness." He bowed to Allura and then turned to the bed. "This is your husband?"
"Yes, he was injured by Landor, Lotor's half-brother. He just recently developed a fever from a reaction to the medicine." She explained.
Kadmus shuffled over to the bedside and looked down at the young Prince Consort. "This fever is not medically caused," he said, placing a hand on Keith's forehead. "There is bad magic in his body." Kadmus lightly ran his fingers over Keith's bandaged arm, "He was cut here. It was a cursed knife."
"What?" Allura whispered.
He traced the line of the cut over the bandage. "He was lucky though. In order for this to have worked properly, he needed to have been stabbed deeply. Whoever cut him was inexperienced. By cutting his arm open, most of the affected blood was released."
Everyone in the room held their breath as he studied Keith's still form.
"Not all the blood in his veins is his." He declared.
"No. He lost a lot of blood so we performed a transfusion." Dr. Gorma explained.
"That was good. The clean blood is helping to purge the body of the poison."
"So he'll be okay?" Allura asked.
"It will get a lot worse before it gets better. This will affect his mind. It is up to him to fight it. He is very lucky. If he had been stabbed properly, he would have died almost instantly. But the fact that the cut allowed him to bleed out a lot of the poison and that there is clean blood in his system, he has a good, fighting chance to beat this."
Allura gave him a small smile, "Thank you, Kadmus."
Kadmus took her hands in his, "I just wish there was more I could do."
"You have done enough. Now we know what's really wrong with him, we know what to expect."
Kadmus nodded and turned to Dr. Gorma, "Now, your other patient."
Dr. Gorma offered his arm to Kadmus and they left the room.
Darcy gave Allura a small smile, "You okay?"
"Yeah. Now that I know what's really wrong with him." She sat down beside his bed and watched him sleep.
"I'll be next door if you need anything."
Allura smiled up at her, "Go, take care of Lance."
Dr. Gorma knocked on the door before opening it. Lance was lying on the bed, half-asleep, watching the news on the televiewer.
"Lieutenant, you remember Kadmus." Dr. Gorma stepped aside to allow the wizard into the room.
Kadmus felt the sizzling in the air as he entered. "Yes. Yes, there is evil in here."
"I know I'm not perfect, but I wouldn't say I'm evil." Lance muttered.
"You have a quick wit," Kadmus observed as he tottered over to the bed.
"Most people would just call me a smartass."
"Lance!" Darcy hissed. So far everyone else was treating Kadmus with such respect and here was Lance talking back to him.
"It's alright," Kadmus chuckled. "He's entitled to be cranky right now."
The old man stood over the bed and studied him. Lance shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. Kadmus took his wrist and felt up his arm.
"You feel a tingling in your arms."
"Yeah."
Nodding, Kadmus set his arm back on the bed. "Does the lack of feeling begin at the waist or the hips?"
"Umm…my waist."
"Hmmm," Kadmus placed his hands on Lance's waist and pulled them back quickly, as though he was burned. "I need to see where you were struck."
"I'll need to get scissors," Dr. Gorma spoke up. "He's still bandaged."
Kadmus nodded, "We'll wait."
"Do you know what's
wrong?" Darcy asked as Dr. Gorma left.
"I have an idea, but I want to be sure. If it's what I think it is, it is a very old curse."
"But is it reversible?" Lance asked.
"You were struck in the back, weren't you?" Kadmas evaded his question.
"Uh, yeah."
"Can you sit up or should we help you turn over?"
"I can sit up," Lance said, placing his hands on the bed and struggling to push himself up.
Darcy crossed quickly to the bed and offered him her hands. He shot her an angry look and shook his head.
~*~Let him do it himself. He needs to prove he can.~*~
She could hear Kadmus' voice in her head as though he was speaking aloud. She turned to look at him and he gave her a small, friendly smile. Stepping back, she watched as he struggled to sit up. Her heart broke a little as she watched this strong man struggle with something that should have been a simple task.
Dr. Gorma returned with scissors and more bandages. When Lance was finally in an upright position, Dr. Gorma undid the back of his hospital gown. Very carefully he began to cut and unwrap the bandages.
Lance began to lean to the side, feeling weak. His arms began to shake as his weight became too much for them. Ignoring his angry look, Darcy sat on the edge of the bed and took him by the shoulders, helping him to stay upright.
When the wound was exposed, Kadmus studied it quietly for a moment. Lance tensed when he felt the old man's finger on his neck. Kadmus ran his finger down his spine to the top of the wound and then circled it.
"Mm hmm," he murmured, leaning in for a closer look. Kadmus turned and set his satchel on the bedside table, ruffling though it. "I will need a mortar and pestle."
"Uh, alright. Anything else?" Dr. Gorma asked.
"No, I have everything else with me." Kadmus pulled out small containers and piled them on the table.
"Can I lay back down?" Lance asked, his head falling back.
"It would be best if you could lie on your stomach, leaving the wound open. Some fresh air will do it good and it will be easier for me to apply the salve." Kadmus told him.
Darcy stood and took his hands. It took them a few awkward moments, but they finally got him on his stomach. She pulled the blanket up so that it stopped just below the wound. It was on the small of his back, a jagged cut, about six inches long. The skin around it was red and blistering.
Lance crossed his arms under his head and turned to face her. He watched as she stared at his back. "How bad is it?"
Darcy flashed him a weak smile, "Mine was bigger."
"You just have to one up me."
"Yeah," she sat on the edge of the bed and gently rubbed his back between his shoulder blades.
Dr. Gorma entered, slightly out of breath. "Sorry it took so long, I had trouble finding this." He handed Kadmus the marble mortar and pestle.
"This should help the wound heal and help you regain the feeling in your legs," Kadmus said as he sprinkled various herbs into the bowl.
"That's it?" Lance asked.
"Oh no, not quite. This is an old curse, one I have not seen in years." Kadmus said as he began to grind the herbs. "This is just the beginning. You actually have full use of your legs, it is just that your mind has forgotten how to use them."
"What?" Lance asked, frustrated.
"The numbness is an aftershock of the wound. Once it heals you will regain feeling in your legs. However, the connection your mind has with your legs has been disturbed. Once you regain feeling you will need to relearn how to walk."
"But I know how to walk. Right, left, right, left." Lance protested.
"It won't be that simple, Lance." Kadmus added another herb to the pestle. "It will be like when you first learned to walk as a child. It will take practice and time. You will fall down a lot."
"This is ridiculous!" He exclaimed. "I'm a grown man. I can walk."
"Lance," Darcy whispered.
"It is hard for him to understand," Kadmus said. "But he will learn fast enough when he tries to stand the first time." He turned with the pestle in hand.
Taking a handful of the mixture, Kadmus began to spread it over the small of his back. Lance sucked in a breath when he felt the ice cold salve come in contact with his skin.
"It will be a while yet before you regain feeling and it won't be easy. It will start with a prickling feeling that will turn into a more intense pin prick sensation." Kadmus explained as he continued dressing the wound. "I would strongly suggest you get a professional to help you with your rehabilitation."
"Like a physical therapist?" Darcy asked.
Kadmus nodded.
"I know where we can find just the person." Dr. Gorma said.
Kadmus finished spreading the salve and placed a large square of gauze over the wound. He and Dr. Gorma wrapped bandages around Lance's torso.
"Now you rest," Kadmus announced.
"That's it?" Lance asked.
"For now. You will need your strength to fight the pain when it comes." Kadmus turned to pack up his materials.
"Is there anything we will be able to do for the pain?" Darcy asked him.
Kadmus smiled at her, "Conventional medication should be able to help with that. It will not harm him to take pain medication."
Darcy stood when Kadmus shouldered his bag and followed him and Dr. Gorma out the door.
"Thank you, sir, for everything." She said.
He took her hands in his, "This will not be easy for him, or you. But you are strong, I can see the spirit in you. Have patience for him. He will need that more than anything else."
She nodded, "Thank you."
"I'll show you out, Kadmus." Dr. Gorma offered him his arm.
Darcy watched as they left the hospital wing before returning to Lance's room.
"Aren't you supposed to be on duty?" Lance asked her.
"Dante's
covering for me so I could be here."
"You didn't need to do that."
"I wanted to," she sat on the edge of his bed. "Do you want anything? Are you hungry?"
"How're the Lions?"
"Well," she placed her hands on his shoulders, gently massaging. "Green is fine, but Red is going to need more work."
"What's wrong with her?"
"She took a hit full to the side. They're working on her now."
He nodded.
"Don't worry, she'll be up and running before long."
"Yeah, I just won't be able to fly her." He muttered, miserably.
**************************
While Keith slept, Allura crept from his room. It was time to feed Cady and she wanted to check on her. With Cady on her hip, Allura left the kitchen, heading back to the Nursery. She was afraid of how Cady would react if she saw Keith all bandaged up, if she would even recognize him. So she carried the little girl back to the Nursery, passing the rec room on the way.
Rankin and Rainger sat on the sofa with Renata between them. Romelle and Paget sat on the floor with Erik while Sven sat back on the loveseat. They were talking and laughing.
"Rankin, Paget, Rainger, it's so nice to see you again," Allura entered the room. "I am so sorry I wasn't there to meet you when you arrived."
"Don't even think about it, Allura. You've had other things on your mind." Rankin said.
Allura had never seen him so relaxed and happy. He sat back with his arm slung across Renata's shoulders.
Erik toddled over to Allura on unsteady feet. "No-no!"
"No-no?" She repeated.
"It's de vord he hears most often." Sven said.
Erik reached up with his hands grasping at air, "Kay Kay."
Allura sank to the floor, with Cady on her lap. Erik plopped down beside her, patting Cady's hand.
"Look at this," Allura said. "He's barely a year and a half old and he's already hitting on my daughter."
"Dat's my boy, a real lady's man," Sven said, proudly.
"You better not let Keith see this," Allura warned with a smile.
Erik pushed himself up and walked over to where his toys were laid out beside his mother. He proceeded to pick up each toy and carry it over to Cady.
"How's Keith?" Romelle asked.
"Kadmus stopped in. He said the fever has a magical root, the knife they cut him with was cursed. But because of the way he was cut, most of the poisoned blood bled out and the blood transfusion helped clean it out even more. He just has to wait out the fever."
"But he'll be alright?" Rankin asked.
"Kadmus thinks so, although he said it will be a tough fight."
"Woof woof." Erik set a little stuffed dog beside Cady.
"Thank
you," Allura told him kindly. "He's on medical leave for the time
being. Dr. Gorma
wants him on leave for at least a month, but you know Keith won't stand for
that."
"Any vord on Lance?"
Sven asked.
Allura shook her head, "I know Kadmus was in to see him, but I haven't spoken to him or Darcy and I didn't get a chance to ask Dr. Gorma. Thank you, sweetie." Erik set a red ball next to the dog.
"Let us know if dere is anyting at all ve can do." Sven said.
"Thanks, Sven, I really appreciate that. With Keith and Lance on leave, we may need your help. You are all more than welcome to stay as long as you like." Allura stood. "I'm going to check on Keith. Please make yourselves at home and if there is anything at all you'd like, just ask."
After returning Cady to Nanny's capable hands, Allura returned to the hospital wing. Keith was awake, staring at the ceiling.
"Keith, honey, how're you feeling?" She leaned over the bed.
He looked at her blankly, "Do I know you?"
"Uh, yes. It's me, Allura."
He furrowed his forehead and looked at her. "Where's Lance?"
"He's in the room next door."
"Can you go get him for me, please?"
"No, Keith, he's on bed rest."
"Why? What happened?"
Allura took his hand, but he pulled it out of her grasp, so she awkwardly straightened the blanket over him. "He was hit with a spell by Haggar, I told you that."
"What? Haggar? Where's Sven?"
"Would you like me to get him?"
"Yes, please."
Allura hurried to the rec room, "Sven, can I see you for a second."
"Ja, vhat's up, Allura?" He joined her in the hallway.
"It's Keith. He didn't recognize me and he asked to see you." She said, despondently.
"I'm sure it vill pass," Sven said as they made their way down the hall. "Did Kadmus say how long dis vould last?"
"No, but he did say Keith will survive it."
"You can't take it personally. Vhen de fever breaks, you'll be able to remind him of dis and I'm sure you'll get some nice piece of jewelry as an apology."
Allura smiled, "I couldn't exploit his illness like that."
"Sure you could. I'd be disappointed if you didn't." Sven teased as they approached Keith's door.
"Hey man, how're you feeling?" Sven asked Keith.
"Not so good," Keith responded. He lowered his voice. "Where am I?"
"You're in de hospital."
"I figured that much out," Keith said. "I mean, what hospital? This isn't the Academy infirmary."
Sven raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Keit, how old are you?"
Keith looked at him, confused, "Seventeen, same as you. Why?"
Sven exchanged a look with Allura.
"Sven," Keith whispered and motioned with his good hand for him to come closer. "Who is she?"
Sven took Keith's left arm and held his hand in front of his face, "She's your vife."
Keith's eyes widened, looking at the plain gold band on his finger, "What?"
"You're not seventeen, Keit, you're twenty-six. You're married and you have a daughter."
Keith shook his head, "What? No. Wait." He closed his eyes and took a steadying breath. "What are you talking about?"
"You came to Arus almost seven years ago, as Commander of de Voltron Force. You've been fighting in de Doom Var. You and Allura vere married about a year and a half ago." Sven explained gently.
Allura placed her hand on Sven's arm. She indicated the door.
"Maybe, we, uh, maybe we should back off a little. If he thinks he's seventeen, he's doesn't know me or Cady. We don't want to confuse him any more than he already is."
"Let me talk to him," Sven said.
Allura nodded and watched Sven enter the room, closing the door behind him.
Keith was lying in bed, rolling his wedding ring between his thumb and forefinger.
"Keit?"
Keith looked up at him and smiled as widely as he could under the bandages. "You guys are unbelievable."
"Vhat?"
"This is Lance's payback for last weekend, isn't it? I can believe he would go to this much trouble. And you're playing along!"
"Keit, dis isn't a joke."
"Knock it off, Sven. Where did you get her? I haven't seen her around the Academy. She is pretty hot, though. Is she Vicky's cousin?"
"Keit, snap out of it," Sven exclaimed. "I know you aren't vell, but dis is ridiculous. Read de inscription."
"What?"
"De inscription in de ring!" As he spoke, anger and frustration made his accent thicker.
Keith squinted at the inside of the ring. Keith, My King. Love Always, Allura. Keith snorted, "What the hell does that mean?"
Sven let lose with a string of Norwegian curses before snatching the ring out of Keith's hand. "I really hope you don't remember dis vhen you're better."
Keith closed his eyes, "My head is killing me. Can we stop this game now?"
"It's not a game."
"Whatever. You and Lance are going to pay for this."
"Do you want someting for de pain?"
"Yeah."
"I'll get Dr. Gorma." Sven left the room and found Allura pacing the hallway in front of the door.
"How is he?" She asked.
"Don't take it personally, Allura," Sven sighed. "He isn't vell."
"He has no idea who I am."
Sven shook his head, "He tinks it's a joke Lance and I are playing on him."
"Is he sleeping?"
"No, he has a headache. I vas going to see if Dr. Gorma has anyting for him."
"Uh, Sven," Allura said, uncertainly. "Should I, uh, should I not see him right now?"
"I don't know. Maybe ve should ask Dr. Gorma." Sven said, squeezing his hand around the ring he still held in his hand. "Allura, don't get upset. He isn't himself."
"I know."
"He took dis off," he held his hand out with the ring resting on his palm.
Allura's eyes widened and her breath caught. She nodded to Sven, "Its okay. I'll hold onto it for now."
