D.B. Cooper:
Um, yeah, you could say that Bobby's really sick. Anyway, he's worse than in The Garden Of Zinn (I guess he more than regrets having eaten the berries in the meantime ;) )
Oh, thanks for that nice compliment.
At first, I had doubt to post the story at all 'cause I though that I've put too much caring in it and that I've written them way out of character. But then I decided to submit it though and see if others think that as well...
ah and thanks once again for your review.

Rana Kane:
Thank you for your nice comments.
oh, yes he tried to walk alone but failed since he just was too weak, but showing a little will should be a good sign actually, shouldn't it?
Correct, you said it. No, he's not a lost cause yet! But you're right, time is slowly running out, sooner or later at least.
Yeah, this long journey can't be in vain, right?
So, what more will they have to do? Let's see... ;)

11.

After a worried glance at the siblings, Hank turned pleadingly towards the two protectors, "Please, we've got an injured person. He was poisoned by the berries of the Tree of Sadness and is going to die, if we don't help him immediately.
Dungeon Master told us about the sea but we didn't know that you are guarding it, though.
Please, help us; grant us access to the sea. We're gonna do everything you demand."

The protectress shook her head and the protector explained, "We're not authorized to demand something in return for the use of our sea.
Our duty solely consists in taking care of the compliance of the order and ensuring the maintenance of the sea."

"Does that mean you will help us?" Presto asked hopefully.

The keeper nodded deliberately and swayed slightly in the emerging wind.
Then he proclaimed, "We see no reason to deny you the access to our sea. The eldest have given their consent."

Happy about the news, the Young Ones turned away from the protectors and were about to return to Sheila and Bobby, when the keeper spoke again, "But has Dungeon Master also told you how to help your young friend?"

Diana, Eric, Presto and Hank stopped midway between the two and the siblings and turned around again, waiting for an explanation on the protector's part.

"Well, did he?" he pressed them on.

The friends exchanged awkward glances, before Diana started hesitatingly, "Well, not directly. Dungeon Master just said that the water of the Sea of Madness is the only cure for the poisoning..."

"He was right with that. However, he should have told you as well how you are supposed to help the boy exactly."

"Please, Protector of the Sea, there's no time to lose. My brother might be dying at any moment!" Sheila meant despairingly.

"No, he won't! We still have some time. We're well versed in the symptoms of this disease." the female keeper explained plainly.

"What?" the Thief shouted almost exasperated but the two ignored her.

"So, do you perhaps want to wash him with the water quite simply or make him drink it? What have you intended to do exactly?" the keeper asked almost arrogantly.

Embarrassed silence followed on this simple question.
Of course they didn't know how they were supposed to use the curative water to be effective.
Dungeon Master hadn't enlightened them about it and they also hadn't asked him - and if they had asked, what would have been Dungeon Master's answer? Most likely one of his famous riddles again.

And if the Young Ones were honest, they didn't even bother to think about the use of the water.
They have taken it for granted that Bobby just would have to drink this water to get cured.
The clever requesting of the keeper showed them how stupid and naive this thought had been.
Maybe he only wanted to check how much they have dealt with the subject by now.
They realized that they haven't done it very intensively.

"Well, I can assure you that those procedures will get you nowhere.
You have to understand the disease and its consequences at first to be able to use the water correctly.
Since the main aim of the poisoning seems to be the heart, it would be clever to begin there with the healing process.
So, the water has to get to the heart to be able to free it from the poisoning.
There's no other way." the protector explained.

The Young Ones seemed to reflect on that for some time.

"No!" Sheila gasped out all of a sudden so that the others winced startled.

Author's Note:
I hope it's not too confusing for you when I used different names for the protectors. I thought it would be quite annoying to read 'protector' on and on.
And now there are only three chapters left to go...