Alora: The Wander-Jewel (Alora 1)

*****

Graely felt a tug on his arm.

“There’s nothing else you can do right now.” Laethan pulled him away from his son’s bedside. “Nordamen has warded him, so he can’t be transported. I’m certain he’ll recover with enough rest, as long as Alora can’t move him. Tell me again how the symptoms started.”

“Two nights ago, he complained of a headache. By last night, his head hurt so badly he refused to eat dinner; he went to sleep early. And this morning, he didn’t have the strength to get up. I thought it was simply a lack of energy because he hadn’t eaten. So I forced him to sit up and drink a bit of broth. He slept most of the day, and whenever he woke up he’d swear he was feeling better.”

Graely glanced toward Kaevin and lowered his voice. “But I don’t believe it was true—I think he said it so I wouldn’t worry. By this evening, I couldn’t rouse him. He keeps muttering about Alora in his sleep.”

“Well, the last thing he needs now is another visit with Alora. In his debilitated state, that might be enough to kill him.”

“But what’s wrong with him? Do you believe it’s the plague?”

Laethan shook his head slowly as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I simply don’t know. He doesn’t have the rash as of yet. But he has the headache and fever, and he’s weakening steadily. Still, he’s young and strong—he should recover.”

“I fear I shouldn’t accompany the expedition. We leave in two days. If he’s not improving by then, I cannot take the risk.”

“We’ll do everything we can. Surely he’ll show some signs of recovery.”

“His friend, Jireo, is begging to see him. Do you believe Kaevin is contagious?”

“I truly can’t be certain. I shouldn’t even allow you to be with him, but I cannot deny his own father. However, I recommend you bathe in the sulfur springs when you leave here. I’ll allow Jireo to visit as soon as we’re confident it isn’t the plague.”

“I wonder if Alora has attempted to transport him again.”

“We’ll never know. Nordamen’s wards will prevent the transport. He’s spoken her name several times, but I believe that’s delirium.”

“Please. You must save him. He’s all I have, since Denalae died giving birth to him.” He blinked at his threatening tears. “If I were to lose him, I don’t believe I’d have the will to carry on.”

“I’m doing everything I know to do. But the clan needs you.” Laethan gripped his shoulder. “Especially knowing we must prevent Vindrake from obtaining Alora as a weapon. Little good will result from saving Kaevin from this illness should Vindrake find Alora before we do. If that happens, his life will surely be forfeit, along with the rest of the clan.”

*****

Wednesday morning, Alora woke with her head pounding so hard her eyes refused to focus.

“It started maybe Monday night. It wasn’t too bad until last night,” she told her uncle. “I’ve been taking ibuprofen like crazy. That usually works for me, but this morning it’s even worse. I can’t see straight, and I feel kind of dizzy.”

“Maybe it’s a migraine,” said Charles. “I’ll go to town this afternoon and get something from the pharmacy. You stay in bed today and try to rest. Are you missing anything crucial at school? Maybe a test?”

“I’m okay as long as I don’t miss on Friday. I’ve got a big Chemistry test. Actually, the review is on Thursday, so I really need to go tomorrow.”

“I already called the school. Did you call Beth?”

“Yes. She’s coming by after school with my assignments so I won’t get behind. I think I’m going to try taking Tylenol with the ibuprofen and drinking something with caffeine. That’s what Beth said she does when she gets a migraine.”

“Beth can’t drive yet, can she?”

“No. I guess she’ll just ride over on Petra.”

“Can I get you something else to eat or drink?”

“No. I drank a cup of tea already. I’m going to try Beth’s formula and drink a Coke. But I’ll get it myself. Maybe I’ll feel better if I sit by the fire.”

An hour after swallowing four ibuprofen tablets and two Tylenol along with a coke, Alora’s head was no better. She retreated to her bedroom and closed the shades to darken the room. Sleeping fitfully, off and on, images of Kaevin dominated her dreams. A sense of dread settled in her stomach. He’d seemed so ill in her last vision. Was her compulsive worrying causing this awful headache? Maybe she needed to try some meditation or relaxation exercises. She grabbed her laptop with the intention of searching for methods of meditation, but the letters swam on the screen before her face. Admitting defeat, she put the computer aside, struggling to ignore her throbbing head before slipping back into welcome unconsciousness.

“Alora? Hey, Sweetie. Beth is on her way here, so I’m heading into town. I’ll be back in an hour and a half or so, and I’ll bring something for your migraine.”

“Uhmm, okay,” she mumbled, gazing at him through sleep-glazed eyes. “Thanks, Uncle Charles.”