Kilenya Series Books One, Two, and Three (55 page)

He realized he’d have to make a decision eventually. He couldn’t wait for it to be made for him.

Another bang at the front door—much stronger this time. Eachan looked up at the ceiling, offering a prayer to keep his family safe.

Chapter 12. Operation

Jacob opened his eyes and groaned, trying to clear his mind. Figures bustled around him, and he blinked several times.

“Be careful. Pull him over here,” Ebony ordered.

There was a shuffling sound, then Matt screamed in pain. Jacob jerked to a sitting position, and gasped when a searing heat forked across his back and legs. He fell, trying to catch his breath.

“Jacob!” Ebony said from somewhere. “Do not move!”

Jacob didn’t want to disobey—he couldn’t. The pain was too great. He hated not seeing where Matt was, though. Unfortunately, when he’d passed out he’d been facing the door, and he was unable to fix his position.

Ebony barked out more orders.

“Grab his arm. Don’t let his head sag. All right, everyone—one, two, three—lift.”

Grunting, then a thump. Matt cried out again.

“This leg is in very bad shape.”

Akeno’s voice. “Will it heal?”

No one responded.

Liquid sloshing into something, more shuffling. Someone started talking, but was shushed. The sound of a heavy bowl dragging across the wooden table. More sloshing. Jacob tried not to concentrate on the pain in his back. He wished he could pass out again. Finally, after five or so minutes, Ebony sighed with relief.

“That should do it,” she said.

Approaching footsteps. “Jacob, I’m sorry,” Ebony said. “We had to fix Matt’s leg first. The bone had splintered through the skin on the back of his leg.” Jacob felt her touch his hair. “We’re going to roll you onto your stomach, then pull you away from the door.”

Hands took Jacob’s arms and legs. He groaned when they dragged him, laid him on his stomach, and turned his head toward the room. His back felt like it was on fire again and he moaned, tears springing to his eyes.

Ebony told Jacob what she was doing as she did it. Cutting away the remaining clothes and cleaning his back and legs, putting Kaede Sap directly on him, no strips of cloth. He would have blushed as she did this if it weren’t for the huge amount of pain she was causing.

“We don’t want to cover it—Kaede Sap heats up when wrapped, and that isn’t good for burns.” She clicked her tongue. “This is one of the worst I’ve ever seen.”

Finally, after ten agonizing minutes, Ebony declared Jacob finished, then put a loose sheet over him and ordered him to sleep, which he gratefully did.

Bitter—that was Jacob’s first thought. He rolled away from the smell, then stiffened when pain hit him. It wasn’t as strong as earlier, though, so he relaxed a fraction. He heard movement in the room, but waited a while before opening his eyes. They didn’t seem to want to cooperate. Finally, he peeked between his lids, taking time to adjust to the lighting. He was still in Kenji’s house.

“He’s awake now,” Akeno called, then smiled at Jacob, who sat up.”How’re you feeling?”

“A little sore,” Jacob said. “Where’s Matt?”

Akeno motioned to one of the wooden chairs on the side of the room. Matt was asleep there, and didn’t look very comfortable. Jacob pointed this out.

“He didn’t want to leave without you.”

Great. “How long was I asleep this time?”

“Only a couple of hours. It’s still nighttime, probably around ten. My mother woke you before you finished healing.”

Ebony walked into the room. “Jacob, we’ve got to get you both home,” she said. “The sap is still working on you—it won’t finish until you’ve slept the whole night through, and a good night’s rest won’t happen here. Make sure Matt stays off his leg. You’ll have to help him get to his room. And don’t let him use his leg for a while, just in case.”

Jacob crawled to Matt, too tired to stand. His brother’s pant leg had been cut, and a huge bandage was wrapped around his thigh. Jacob sat on the floor near Matt’s chair, facing the Makalos.

Kenji sighed. “I suppose I don’t have to ask what happened, do I? You got restless and decided you needed to get Aloren.”

Jacob hung his head. “I’m sorry—Matt and I thought we’d be able to get in and out quickly. There are Ember Gods guarding the city, though, and the people were much more aggressive this time.”

“Ember Gods?” Kenji asked. “I’ve never heard of them.”

“They’re really Fire Turners—he said to call them Ember Gods.”

“I’m still not familiar with this race.”

“They’re not nice people.”

“I know I should be angrier with you,” Kenji said. “Brojan will be pretty upset when he finds out what you’ve done, and I’m sure your mother will have plenty to say when she sees you.” He rubbed his shoulder, watching Jacob closely. “We’ve had too many close calls with you, young man. You are too valuable to lose. You need to regard your own life as highly as you do that of Aloren’s, and especially your brother’s. You are old enough to recognize the difference between foolish and wise behavior.” He sat in the chair next to Jacob. “Wisdom is being able to see the consequences of your actions, and tonight’s exploit showed very little wisdom on your part.”

Jacob avoided making eye contact with Kenji. His face flushed in shame.

After a long silence, Kenji sighed. “Maybe this experience taught you something important.” He stood and motioned to Matt. “Wake him and get yourselves home.”

Jacob woke Matt and Keyed them home to a frantic mother, who needed some calming down before she’d let them go to bed.

Jacob had no idea just how much trouble he was in until he arrived at the village the next day for his fighting lessons with Sweet Pea. Kenji waited near the tree.

“Brojan canceled your lessons and called a meeting. Go get the Fat Lady and Gallus. We’ll meet at Brojan’s place.” Kenji put his hand on Jacob’s arm. “He’s pretty upset. Things will be all right, though, if you cooperate.”

Twenty-pound butterflies hit Jacob in the stomach. He wished now more than ever that he had listened to his initial feelings. He picked up the others, then took them to Brojan’s house, where he sat at his usual spot at the table. Sinking low in his chair, he was aware of the stares of those in the room. Now would be the perfect time to disappear.

Brojan began the meeting by giving a rundown of what Jacob and Matt had done the night before. He turned to Jacob. “We must deal with your impatience. We have no idea if you and Matt ruined things, but we will be acting as if you did.” He paused. “Do you understand why we asked you to wait until the Fat Lady finished the potion?”

Jacob nodded, finding his mouth too dry to speak.

“And did you understand when we told you it would take time, and that you
had
to be patient?”

Jacob again nodded, not meeting the patriarch’s eyes. He knew last night really wasn’t his idea, but had no desire to rat on his brother. He should’ve chosen not to go through with the plan, regardless of how badly he wanted to get Aloren out of the city.

Brojan stared at Jacob until Jacob looked up. Instead of the bright red of anger he expected to see, there was only a light orange—concern. Tenderness was on the patriarch’s face as well. He remembered learning from Akeno that Makalos weren’t accustomed to negative emotions. This made Jacob feel even worse.

“Please understand me when I say we empathize with your situation,” Brojan said. “We want to help, Jacob, else we would not be willing to work with you. The Fat Lady wouldn’t be making more potions—instead, she’d be concentrating on getting Aldo out of his current predicament.” He paused. “We will do everything in our power to get Aloren out of that city. But, Jacob, you
cannot
do it alone. Whatever the Ember Gods may be, they are obviously dangerous.”

Brojan rested his head against the back of his chair and stared at the ceiling for several moments. Then he motioned to Ebony. “Please give us a report on the people brought out of the everlasting potion.”

Ebony nodded. “Those who have spoken are from Ridgewood, Macaria, and other neighboring cities. One is even from Fornchall.” She turned to Kenji and Brojan. “I assume you want to interview her as soon as possible.”

“Yes, of course,” Kenji said.

Ebony continued. “None of the people so far are from Maivoryl City.”

Jacob ran a hand through his hair. He felt timid bringing anything up, especially when he was in such big trouble, but he felt his point was worth making. “We’re pulling them from the part of the scented air closest to Ridgewood. It would make sense that none of them are from Maivoryl. They’ll be on the other side.”

“Yes, we’ve considered this,” Brojan said.

“Nothing we can do,” the Fat Lady said. “Not until my potions are complete. Unless, of course, you plan to drag people two miles before getting them to Sweet Pea.”

Jacob shook his head. They wouldn’t be doing that any time soon. He sighed in frustration, still irritated. “It seems a waste of time to pull these people out when we could be working on something or someone else.”

“It’s not a waste,” Kenji said. “Every life is worth saving. They’ll be a blessing to us, you’ll see. And these are actual people we’re pulling out, not just empty bodies. When they come around, they’ll be as grateful to be alive as those who’ve exited Maivoryl City.”

“Now, then,” Brojan said, turning to the Fat Lady. “How much longer until the potion is ready? And how many doses will it make?”

“Another week, no more. And probably five doses.” She suddenly squealed, the color around her face rapidly changing to a very bright green—excitement. She bounced up and down in her chair. “And I almost forgot! I’ve found a way to permanently fix Lorkon wounds!”

Everyone around the table sat up straighter in their chairs and became animated. If she had found a cure, that would be really incredible! Akeno wouldn’t have a limp for the rest of his life, and Kenji’s shoulder wouldn’t bother him anymore!

Kenji cleared his throat. It looked to Jacob like he was trying not to get too eager about the possibilities. “What have you found?”

“An old recipe I used several years ago on a person who’d sustained Lorkon injuries after you’d sealed off the entrance. It’s one I’d lost and didn’t want to mention unless I found it again. It’s the Muteki Potion—the one I used on your shoulder injury, Kenji—times four. I made up some more this morning, and brought it with me.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a purple vial. “Either you or Akeno can try it.”

“How does one
try
it?” Kenji asked.

“That’s the tricky part.” She put the vial in the center of the table. “I’d need Ebony’s help. And anyone else experienced with medical things. We’d have to cut to the center of the wound and pour the potion in directly. Some by mouth, as well.” She turned to Jacob. “Also, your world has needles that will actually put liquid in a person’s blood.”

“You mean, a syringe?” Jacob asked.

She nodded eagerly. “Yes. I’ll need a few of those.” She addressed the entire group again. “The majority of the potion works directly at the site of the wound, but a little needs to be swallowed and a few drops have to be put into the bloodstream to cleanse the entire body.”

“What are the possible side effects?” Kenji asked.

The Fat Lady squirmed before answering. “Intense pain. For several hours.” She hesitated. Obviously, she had more to say and wasn’t comfortable saying it. “Also, the person can’t be on any medications and has to be fully awake during the entire process—including the healing. For some reason, sleep negates the effects, and medicines dim the potion.”

Kenji’s eyebrows were about to the ceiling by then.

Jacob was really glad he hadn’t been negatively affected by the Lorkon touch—aside from the awakening of his abilities. He didn’t think the pain was worth the healing.

Ebony shook her head. “No—we won’t do it. Several hours of intense pain? Without a numbing agent?”

Kenji sighed. “Ebony’s right. My shoulder hurts, and I can’t use it much, but other than that, I’m fine. It’s manageable.”

The Fat Lady looked crushed, and Jacob felt bad for her. She’d been so excited.