Emily wiped his brow again, wondering if he was even aware anyone was with him. He'd drifted in and out of wakefulness at first, but it wasn't long until the fever started to get the better of him. Contrary to the warnings, he had said nothing that anyone might find shocking. In fact, he'd said very little at all. The fact that the handsome southerner was in pain was evident by the tight set of his mouth and creases on his forehead. Beyond that, he gave nothing away. But as the ride weakened him, and the exhaustion become too much to handle, the resolve slipped away. He mumbled, mostly incoherently, with the occasional clear reference.
Jeremy shifted on his seat, his foot lightly brushing Ezra's back. It was enough to trigger a reaction, but one totally unexpected by the young couple.
"No, please no. I shall behave. Please don't." There was a choked sob.
"Shhh. It's all right Ezra. You're going to be alright." She'd forgone any formality, hoping the more personalized comments would be of greater comfort. Emily was fully aware of the debt she owed this man and would do whatever was possible to repay it.
"Mother?"
She looked to Jeremy for guidance on how to answer that. He nodded, speaking quietly. "Might take some comfort in thinking his ma is close by."
"Yes – son." She had no idea how to address him now.
"I am sorry to have gotten sick mother. I can still do what is needed. Please don't be angry." His voice was dry and the speech slurring again.
"No, Ezra. No. I'm not angry. This isn't your fault."
He went on as if she hadn't spoken. "I won't let you down. I can do this. I'm just – so tired."
"That's alright. You get some rest. Don't worry about anything. I can take care of it."
"Your going to send me away again, aren't you?" He was fighting for each breath but pressed on, needing to speak.
Dear God! What kind of monster raised this man? Emily was having trouble controlling her reactions. "No Ezra. Never."
He turned his head away, gasping at the pain and dizziness the action caused. "I understand mother. I am sorry. This is my fault." He closed his eyes, drifting off. Emily gently brushed the cloth to his face again, swiping at her own tears with her free hand.
"No Ezra. Not your fault. I am sure you are a good son. A good man."
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JD could feel every bump and jostle the road threw at them as the throbbing in his arm refused to lessen. The groans and occasional weak shouts that had been coming from the inside of the coach made him feel guilty about focusing on his own wound. As much as he wanted to be in there to help, he was selfishly grateful that he didn't have to watch Ezra going through that. He kept telling himself he was needed more up here, since Henry didn't look to be in any shape to be controlling the team. In fact, the older man wasn't looking too good at all by this point.
"How you holding up Henry?"
"Don't waste your thoughts on me. Been hurt worse that this more often than I care to admit. I'll be just fine."
"Figure we're about halfway there by now – wouldn't you say?"
Henry had been watching for landmarks along the way. "Bit more than that. We're making good time, all things considered. You handle the team well. If you ever want to give up the law work you could get yourself hired on here in a tick."
"Thanks, but I'll stick to what I'm doing." He pulled at the reins, slowing the coach to a stop. "Since we're good on time, I'm gonna see if he needs anything." Henry knew there was really nothing the young man could provide. He also knew that wasn't the real reason he needed to check in on things.
Jeremy had his head out the window before JD could open the door. "Why did we stop? Is anything wrong?"
"Just giving the horses a couple of minutes is all. How's he doing? He seems quieter." JD wasn't at all certain that was a good thing.
Emily's words confirmed that. "I think he is unconscious, not just sleeping any more. He hasn't been reacting the same. Breathing is shallower too, but still looks to be pretty regular. He definitely has a high fever."
JD had opened the door and was leaning in by the time she finished speaking. "Ezra, can you hear me?" There was no reaction to JD's question.
"Tell me Mr. Dunne. Have you met his mother?"
"Shi – shoot. He been dreaming about her?"
"More like a nightmare. Is she as horrid as it sounds?"
JD wasn't sure how to answer her concerned question. "She's nothing like any other mother I've met. Like any other woman I've met. But, despite it all, I believe, as much as she can, she cares about him. I know he loves her."
Emily huffed. "I would guess it is more than she deserves."
Feeling a bit uncomfortable discussing that relationship with a stranger, however well intentioned she may be, JD turned his focus back to his friend instead. "Ezra, you gotta keep fighting. We're getting close to home now. You aren't gonna let some slimly old snake get the better of you, are you? Come on Ez. Wake up." He stood watching for a moment, desperately hoping for any sign of life. What he wouldn't give to hear a few of those fancy words he never understood right now, but there was no response at all. "OK, you probably need the rest. Nathan will be trying to feed you some of those potions of his soon enough for you to be complaining about."
There was still no reaction. Not a sign that anything was getting through to him. JD reached over, hand resting on his friend's good arm. "Don't you dare run out on us now." He knew the newlyweds wouldn't understand the reference, but he hoped in might get through to Ezra, and give him the motivation to strive a little harder. He might have imagined it, but he thought he saw a hint of movement, almost as if Ezra was resetting himself to start fighting back.
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Buck rode hard into town. Lady was going to need some serious pampering and a decent reward for the effort she'd put in today. But that would have to keep a little longer. He dismounted while before she was at a full stop, shouting up to Nathan as he did so.
"Settle down Buck. He ain't here." Vin came running from the saloon in response to the bellow. "He's out on patrol for at least a couple more hours."
"Shit. Where?"
"North east was the schedule. What's wrong. Where's the stage?"
Buck looked around, feeling somewhat lost. "Coming behind, maybe an hour or so back. Ezra's been snake-bit. Rattler. Think it's pretty bad."
Vin cursed softly. "Chris is at the jail. Go fetch him, I'll get some stuff from Nathan's and my wagon before we head out to meet them."
"You know what to do?"
"Seen my share of these. I know where Nathan keeps his teas, and I've got a few tricks of my own I've learned over the years. We can sure as hell give things a try."
The two parted ways, only to meet up again in the livery a few minutes later. Vin was fixing the saddle on his horse, while Tiny was preparing one of the stable horses.
"Fresh horse will do you more good than Lady can Mr. Buck. I'll take care of her for you."
Chris started preparing Pony as well. "You two meet the stage. I'm going to find Nathan and make sure he's here for when you all ride in."
They each felt there was something more that should be said, but none of them seemed to know just what, so wordlessly, all mounted up and determinedly set on their way.
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JD knew enough to the landmarks to know they were getting close. Any doubt on that vanished as he saw two riders in the distance. He recognized the silhouettes instantly, and while glad to see Buck and Vin, cursed out loud over Nathan's absence. Henry gave him a strange look but said nothing. When they were close enough, JD reined the horses to a stop and jumped down. He had the door open and was letting Ezra know help was here by the time the other two ran up behind. Vin unceremoniously shoved the younger man aside.
"Ezra buddy, we're here. Got some of your favorite potions for you."
There was no response. Emily looked up with tears glistening.
"He hasn't moved for quite some time now. He's breathing, but only just."
"Buck, get that mix ready. Gonna fix the poultices on him."
Jeremy and Emily had climbed down to allow the others room to work. Vin moved in carefully, feeling the heat from Ezra's fever rising from his still form. "Shit Pard. You really did it to yourself this time." He pulled the wrap covering from the bite wound and flinched at the bright red colouring and leaking pus. The skin around the bite felt hot enough to fry an egg. Vin slathered the wound with a fowl smelling paste of herbs and sap, tying a fresh bandage over. He quickly rolled up the other sleeve, then unsheathed his knife. "Sorry, but we have to try to pull the venom out of you and this is the fastest way to do it." He cut a clean, deep slice into Ezra's forearm, and quickly coated it with more of the salve. The same actions followed on each leg. The wounded man hadn't reacted to any of it.
He turned back to ask for the tea and saw the look of horror on everyone's face. "It will fight against the venom, but it has to get into his blood. Cutting him is the fastest way."
"We know Vin. Just kinda hard to watch." Buck reached out to hand the lukewarm beverage. They had been brewing it in the sun on the ride out. Hotter would have been better, but time was too much of a factor to worry about that now.
"If you think it was hard to watch, imagine how it felt to be doing it to him."
"He didn't seem to feel any pain." Emily voiced, hoping that sounded comforting. Vin just nodded as the tried to lift Ezra into a position he could force the tea into him. The effort was wasted as swallowing seemed to be beyond his automatic reflex at this point.
"Come on Ezra. Just drink a bit of this for now. You can do that." Vin repeated the action, with the same failed result, although he stirred a bit as he coughed on the liquid. JD stepped up to help push Ezra further upright, and while it helped a little, the gag reflex kept him from getting much down.
Emily stepped forward. "Please, may I try?" She took the canteen from Vin and held it to Ezra's lip. "Mr. Standish," she put on her sweetest voice and affecting a southern belle accent, "I am serving tea and would very much enjoy your company." Ezra shifted slightly but made no further movement. "Please Mr. Standish. I have prepared a proper southern tea time, and your presence is requested." He moaned softly and this time, when she pressed the canteen to his lips, he parted them slightly. She tipped the container back and gently rubbed a hand over his throat to help him swallow. Some was coughed up again, but Vin figured about half of it went down this time. The action was repeated three more times before Ezra seemed to drift off again, unable to maintain the energy to keep going.
Emily smiled at the others. "Once a southern gentleman, always a southern gentleman."
Vin shook his head in wonder as he settled Ezra back to the floor. He quickly checked at the newly inflicted cuts and when he was satisfied none were bleeding too much, the slid out of the coach.
"Fever is high, but the breathing is steady. A bit shallow, but that could be 'cause of the hurtin'. The fact that he's made it this long is a good sign. Rattler bites will usually have killed by now if they're gonna be fatal, but that's not a sure thing. How's your arm JD?"
"It'll keep." Vin had no doubt it was hurting more that the kid was saying and steering the wagon this whole time couldn't have helped.
"Why don't you ride Buck's horse back and let him take over up there? It'll be easier for you."
JD would have liked to argue but the truth was it hurt like hellfire, and he was too tired to pretend otherwise. "If it'll make this go faster, then fine. Let's just get him home."
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TBC