Ailouros Tails book 3: Rangers Trials

Chapter 17~Parting

I woke up from my dream and saw Halt, Malcolm, and Will looking at me concern written all over their faces, "What?" I asked then tried to remember... Nothing came to me besides my dream. I gave myself a headache with all that thinking.

"We couldn't wake you up..." Will said worriedly.

Suddenly Malcolm asked, "What were you dreaming about?"

I couldn't remember my dream anymore as soon as he asked. I couldn't remember any of it except the two paths and choosing... something. My head hurt so bad that I clenched my teeth and gave a little hiss.

"Ailouros stop thinking about it right now. It doesn't matter. Right now we need you alert." Halt ordered.

"Uh... Why?" I asked.

"You need to appear as though you are all better so we can get out of here. Temprest seems to have changed, but I'm not so sure." Halt replied.

I sat up kinda slowly due to experience but still, I felt so light-headed again. Being me, I did my best to hide it.

Will was the first one to realize how physically exhausted I still was from being so sick. He gently wrapped his arms around me and held me up with the hug. He looked at Halt, "She doesn't have the energy. It's still too much for her even to sit up... Standing wouldn't be very good for her. It would probably do something that would end up with her hurting herself."

I felt Will hold me steady as my strength plummeted rapidly. Soon I was only being supported by Will's grip. I couldn't do anything to help hold myself up.

Will sat next to me and leaned me against him.

I rested my head against his shoulder. Too exhausted to complain.

Halt sat on my other side and helped Will hold me up.

"Halt she's so light... shouldn't she eat something?" Wills concerned voice asked.

The thought of food made me feel sicker. I tried to shake my head but couldn't. I was hardly able to stick out my tongue.

Malcolm noticed those little things and spoke up in my defense. "She wouldn't be able to swallow it. Keeping it down would be hard on her. In my opinion, I think it will be best if we give her a glass of water."

I tried to nod. Water sounded good... really good. I gave an exhausted purr.

Will looked at Halt with a small smile. "Water. Give her water. She's purring. With Ailouros... No, Kitty. Purring is a yes... And I think she tried to nod."

Halt grabbed a glass of water and poured a sip into my mouth.

I swallowed and felt a little better.

"Want a little more?" Will asked.

I gave a nod and Halt went to pour some more but I grabbed the glass from him and sipped at it steadily. It wasn't too long before the glass was empty. I felt better than I had earlier. I could sit up fairly well on my own. I scooted to the edge of the bed and placed my feet on the cold stone floor.

"Careful kitty. Don't overwork yourself." Will said getting ready to catch me if I were to fall.

Slowly I put my own weight on my feet. Standing on my feet. Standing on my own I took a few steps before seeing Hermes with his Caduceus in the corner of the room. Confused I stopped and tilted my head a little.

"I'm assuming you are Ailouros... correct," Hermes asked.

"Yes, Hermes, sir." I managed to whisper.

"Your father, Poseidon. Wants to see you in his realm." Hermes stated cleaning under his fingernails.

"Underwater?" I asked confused as the last time I had tried to breathe underwater I had been unable to.