Chapter Five: The Sick Room
DG watched Jeb Cain. He was as he had been when she'd stormed his sick room to accost his father, unconscious. There was a brandy bottle on his bedside table, it was a third full.
'Or two thirds empty...' whispered the Princess into the clammy air.
Jeb was in the first stage of the Malady, the nightmare stage, otherwise known as the can't sleep stage. Azkadellia had explained to DG that his father had treated this with vast amounts of strong liquor. It seemed to be working. Whilst his fever raged and heated his rooms he was unaware, languishing in hopefully a dreamless and drink fuelled oblivion.
He'd become sick three days after Cain had left to find her. Three weeks ago. Apparently Cain had waited to see if he could help his son and when he couldn't he'd gone looking for her. DG tried to work out how that made her feel. Considering that he hadn't wanted to tell her that Jeb was sick... She couldn't get her mind around Wyatt Cain lying to her.
He wanted her help or at least thought she was necessary to beat this thing, but he wouldn't actually ask for help! She also wondered why it had taken him three weeks to find her... DG new she had been a fair way out in the forest, but surely not that far?
Jeb Cain murmured in his sleep. DG put all other thoughts out of her mind; Cain Senior wasn't exactly an open book anyway. Who knew how his mind worked? His son however was honest, straight forward and spoke his mind. He was her friend and a valued member of the governing process for the O.Z and right now- he was sick and she had to help him.
'How though?' DG whispered again into the clammy fever-filled air. She was alone, the nurse were out attending in the Lower Town and Cain- that is Wyatt Cain, was seeing to some Tin Men recently returned from runs out to the towns on the other side of the crack in the O.Z.
There wasn't a response from the sick bed. A flicker of some emotion passed across Jeb's face for a moment before disappearing into the haze of brandy. If he was moving at all though, thought DG, it must mean he's coming too. She couldn't imagine the Turning Malady and a hang-over would be a good combination. Biting her lip she came to a conclusion.
Before anyone could come in and stop her DG reached out with her magic. White tendrils of light left her and floated lazily towards the stricken Cain. They touched his skin and sank into it.
DG gasped.
She saw blood... it dripped off the corner of a huge table. There was whimpering... a child trying not to cry. A woman screaming. Swords hitting swords.Gunfire...The smell of bloodcamenow- thickandmixing with something else... Smoke! Fire! Panic swept through her. Now she was running... she was lowdown... the noise of the crying child followed her, getting louder. Outside nowandfreedom was near... but! A strong arm round her waist pulling her round... she screamed, struggled,bit and fought and then...
DG opened her eyes. Her magic pulled away and fled back into her. She knew how Jeb's nightmare ended. It was really a beginning; there was a kidnapping, a mother who fought but was beaten and a father who was put into a metal suit. She felt sick.
'He's having nightmares then.' It was Wyatt Cain. Again he'd entered the room without her noticing.
'I...' DG faltered. 'Yes. But I think they've just come- the brandy's wearing off.'
'I can't give him anymore. His body will poison itself. He's had a bottle and more since we got back.' Cain moved past her and wiped his sons head with a cloth.
'Oh...' said DG sadly.
'What... What was his nightmare?' Cain asked, eyes downcast, not looking at DG. This time however she could guess at his expression, and sighed inwardly. We all feel guilty for things we can't change, thought DG as she drew a breath to answer the Tin Man.
'I didn't see much, just blood and screaming. Sorry.' If he can lie to me- she thought. I can lie to him. But her voice had come off thin and reedy.
'Oh.' There was a dark tinge to the man's voice. His hand stayed on his son's forehead for a moment, and then he seemed to collect himself. 'Did you learn anything else?'
'No.'
'Looks like the witch screwed us. No cause, no leads, no cure... nothing.' He stayed by his son's bed side but his eyes met DG's eyes. They shared a look of despair- there wasn't anything they could do to fix it. They had a son, a friend, and further away but just as real, a people dying in front of them.
A thought occurred to DG; she looked up, nose wrinkled and asked Cain:
'How did the witch pass the disease about?'
'As far as I know she just... well gave it to people.' He paused. 'Your sister would know more.'
'I'll ask her. It might give us a little insight into the Malady... hopefully.' Cain nodded.
There was a silence which filled up the room. DG looked at the Tin Man, he seemed old somehow, tired.
'Cain... I-'a knocking at the door interrupted her. It was a runner, one of the men employed by the palace to run notes, questions etc. from person to person.
'Her Majesty wishes to speak to General Cain. She said it was urgent.' Cain sighed and stood up.
'Could you fetch a nurse please? My son is going to turn soon.' He spoke very calmly, only DG noticed the way the muscles in his jaw tightened as he said it.
'Yes Sir.' The runner nodded and left.
'I'll stay with Jeb until the nurse comes.' She slid onto Cain's vacated stool. He nodded gratefully at her and left after the runner.
DG had found someone to fetch her sketch pad from the study. She now sat on the stool and finished sketching Jeb Cain. He looked older... his face was contorted into lines and cracks, worry and stress had tainted his youth. The nightmares were probably not helping, she reasoned. He looked- the Princess thought, like his father. Even without the lines on either face they were so very similar.
Flicking through pages of note book she found a drawing of Wyatt Cain. She'd been shopping in the Lower Town when she'd spotted him; her drawing had captured the focus in him. It was the determination to get his task done and done well. DG had no idea what he'd been shopping for, the things she'd seen were very odd- rope, dried powder of mushroom, some pens and inks... She'd spent a childish few minutes trying to work out what the Tin Man would use all of those things for... Smiling at the memory another thought struck DG.
She'd stolen all of those supplies, except the pens and ink, as part of her escape... no not escape... running away... well that wasn't right either... there wasn't a word for what she'd been doing. What she'd done was leave. Dismissing the train of thought DG flicked on in her sketch pad. After a few pages on unfamiliar people, drawn from the streets of the Lower Town, she saw one she recognised.
It only took her moment to place the pretty brown haired girl in her drawing. The girl had been laughing and the emotion had seemed to light up her face, which is why DG had sketched her... it was Caydie. How strange DG thought but smiled sadly) and continued to leaf through the pages. There were more strangers and palace employees, her sister and Ambrose having a conversation, their eyes locked on one another, her parents and Wyatt and Jeb Cain. The father and son were playing cards. She'd caught their intensity and competitiveness well, even if she thought so herself!
Caught in haze of memories and the smell of charcoal pencil DG didn't notice that Jeb was awake. Not until he asked in a raspy voice-
'DG?' she jumped but then exclaimed joyfully,
'Jeb! I'm so glad you're awake! How are you feeling?' he looked fine. The fever had faded rapidly and his colour was normal.
'Thirsty...' DG passed him some water. 'He found you then?'
'Yeah. I...' Again she was interrupted by someone entering the room. It was Wyatt Cain; he looked at his son and smiled briefly.
'
I'm glad to see you awake.'
'Me too...' They awkwardly embraced as the older Cain perched on his son's bed. Things weren't a 100% with them, DG noted sadly.
'How long?' Jeb asked his father is a quiet voice. The Tin Man shrugged. DG opened her mouth puzzled and then realised.
What was it Cain had said out on the Old Road...
"They turn. The fever stops. The dreams stop. You'd think they'd never been sick 'ceptfor the rash that's spreading across their body..."
A/N: Work is busy so it's been a while since updates! But thank you for reviews- they're always appreciated!