"What are we going to do!" Impedimenta wailed. She and the other women of the village stood huddled with their families, absolutely terrified. Many of them were still in shock, unable to fully comprehend how dire their situation truly was.

Vitalstitistix looked about him, taking in the frightened villagers. He felt small; weak. He hated not being able to do anything. Hated being in charge but unable to put his leadership to good use. His eyes fell on Asterix. The small warrior seemed greatly distressed, but the chief could see the wheels in the Gaul's head already turning; trying to come up with a way to help. Vitalstitistix knew they needed to do something.

"Asterix," he said, attempting to hide the fear in his voice and not quite succeeding. "Round up the others for a meeting. We'll gather in my hut. This has got to be figured out..."

"Yes, Chief." The little Gaul started milling about, approaching certain citizens of the village who he knew Vitalstitistix would want at the council. He informed Geriatrix of the meeting, as well as Unhygenix and Fullautomatix, once they could leave their families. Impedimenta was already aware of her husband's request and, whether Vitalstitistix wanted her there or not, she was going to attend. That left only Gatafix and Cacafonix. Of course, the bard wouldn't be able to participate, going by what the blacksmith had said.

Asterix suddenly realized he had not yet been able to check on the village minstral. He had been too busy conducting repairs and calming the others. Then there had been their confrontation with the Romans...

"Come on, Obelix," Asterix said, with more cheerfulness than he felt. "We must check on Cacafonix and tell Gatafix about the meeting."

Obelix muttered something too low for him to hear. In fact, Asterix took note that his large friend had not spoken for a good while.

"Obelix..." He paused, uncertain. "It's...it's going to be alright." He didn't want his friend to worry. Obelix wasn't meant to worry. He was like a child in that way. Life was a pleasant world of colors, smells and food. Asterix couldn't bare to see his friend like this; brow creased in a serious frown. He needed Obelix to be himself. He needed Obelix to be that pillar of positive energy. He needed Obelix to believe everything would work out fine in the end. I just wish I could believe it.

Obelix lifted his gaze from the ground to look into his small friend's eyes. Asterix was looking up at him with concern. He wasn't quite sure why. He was strong. He was biggest (though not fat!). In all the troubles that were plaguing the village, Obelix couldn't find it in his nature to worry about his own safely.

In truth, he was more worried about Asterix. The little Gaul was tough. He was quick. He was smart. But Asterix wasn't strong. Oh, he was when they had potion, but Obelix had seen his friend without the saving strength of the magic fluid. Without it, Asterix was normal. He was less than normal. Of all the other Gauls, Asterix was the smallest. Without the potion, he'd be the weakest.

Then there was the others to consider. They weren't warriors. Sure, they had beaten the Romans around a bit over the years, but that, again, had been the potions doing. Without it...they didn't stand a chance. And what were they going to do about poor Panacea...?

"Obelix? You alright?"

Shaking the troubling thoughts from his head, Obelix looked back down at his friend. He gave a nod, causing Asterix to sigh. "Let's go, Obelix."

...

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Asterix gave the door of Gatafix's hut a nervous rap. He stood back as he and Obelix waited to be answered. It was very quiet inside. A moment or so later they heard the soft, shuffling step of the village druid approaching the door.

Kreeeee. The wooden frame opened with a noisy protest, breaking into the silence. It seemed so loud. It almost made Obelix want to place a finger to his lips and shush the door angrily. He noticed Asterix flinch at the grating sound of rusty hinges.

Gatafix peeked out and, seeing who it was, opened the door wide enough to let them both through. He had to swing the door open all the way to allow Obelix to pass.

"Oh, Asterix and Obelix," the druid sighed, almost as if he were relieved to see them. "Come in."

"Thank you." The two Gauls stepped through the threshold into the little, straw roofed cottage.

The first thing Asterix noticed was how dimly lit the room was. Most of the windows had been blocked with blankets, and there were no lamps burning. The only source of light was the warm glow of the embers in the fireplace. For a moment, it was hard to see much more than that. He'd have to wait for his eyes to adjust.

"I didn't want Cacafonix to be disturbed by the bright sunshine outdoors," Gatafix said, taking note of the Gaul's questioning expression. "He's asleep, and it was streaming through the window."

"How is he?"

Gatafix sighed again, spreading his arms wide. "I only wish I knew. He's stable at the moment and out of immediate lungs still sound dreadful, but they have cleared up a little." He motioned for them to follow him to the corner where Cacafonix was sleeping.

Asterix's heart sunk at the sight. He hadn't really been able to see the extent of the damage his friend had received that morning when they had rescued him. It had been too dark. Now, he could see the painful looking burns, or, at least, the thick wrappings that covered them. Wounds that required such careful and extensive binding could not be insignificant.

The bard was sound asleep, but his face was still screwed up in pain, causing Obelix to wonder if that expression would ever go away. "He's...he's so still."

Gatafix nodded in agreement. "That he is. Though this is better than earlier. He was kicking and flailing all over the place. Took three of us to hold him down and calm him."

"That's when Unhygenix and Fullautomatix were helping you?" Asterix inquired, eyes still locked on Cacafonix.

Gatafix nodded once more. "Yes."

"Has he woken up at all since then?"

"Yes, a little while ago. He was conscious for about fifteen minutes. He seemed all right...for the most part."

"For the most part?" Asterix caught the muttered words. "What do you mean?"

"He.." The druid struggled for the right word. "He became...unalert."

"Unalert?"

"Yes. He just kind of drifted into his own mind. At least, I assume that is what happened. He became pale and frightened. But he snapped out of it when I called his name, though it did take more than one try."

Asterix shook his head sadly. Can things possibly get any worse.

"What's happening out there?" Gatafix asked, tilting his head toward the door. "I saw you all looking over the wall."

Better tell him. "Our attackers gave us a call," Asterix replied. He saw Obelix stiffen slightly by his side. The few moments that had distracted them from the troubles outside dissipated at once.

Gatafix seemed both concerned and intrigued. "Who were they?"

"Romans," Obelix growled lowly, offering no explanation for his angry attitude. The druid took in his animosity with a look of surprise. Obelix rarely grew enraged, but his expression was unmistakable.

"I see," Gatafix replied, his own temper rising. "And what did they say?"

Asterix fidgeted with the gourd secured to his belt. "They wanted us to surrender."

"Those fiends!" The druid hissed. "They think they have a right to things that don't belong to them! That they can control our lives! Destroy our homes!" Cacafonix shifted in his sleep with a moan, reminding Gatafix to keep his voice down. "...Hurt our friends," he ended sadly.

"Gatafix," Asterix whispered, dread once again filling his soul. "It gets worse."

The druid's eyes snapped to him with an intensity that frightened him. "What do you mean?"

"They...they..."

"They've got Panacea, Gatafix," Obelix said, the pain evident in his low voice. "If we don't surrender..." His voice cracked slightly. "...they'll...they'll kill her."

"By Toutatis..." The druid sunk down into his chair weakly. This day was becoming more complicated and more terrible with each hour.

"That's why we came," Asterix added quickly, remembering their main reason for visiting...well, one reason. "Vitalstitistix wants to have a gathering to talk about what to do." He gave Gatafix an apologetic look. "I'm afraid we will need you there, Gatafix."

"And I'm afraid that I will not be unable to attend."

"But Gatafix-"

"I cannot leave Cacafonix here alone."

True. Asterix hadn't thought of that. No one had. The injured bard would need Gatafix. No one else could care for him properly.

The smallest Gaul mulled the problem around in his mind for a moment, then an idea struck him. "Why don't we have the meeting here?" He saw the hesitation in the druid's eyes. "It's the only way, Gatafix. We need you. This way you can stay with Cacafonix and take part in the meeting."

After a few seconds, the druid nodded his consent. "As long as Vitalstitistix doesn't mind, I find no reason not to proceed in that manner."

"Good," Asterix said hurriedly, already pulling Obelix toward the door. "We'll go get the others."

Gatafix watched them leave, then his face took on a thoughtful expression. His mind shifted back to their situation. The Romans. Panacea. Cacafonix. Things were looking pretty bad...and it wasn't getting any better.

...

There we go, another chapter! Please don't forget to review, it is very helpful to me. :)