Journey Into the Knight

Chapter Forty-One

*A/N: This is an isn't the same chapter, after some talks with some awesome people who gave me some feedback I decided it needed to be rewritten. This chapter went from one chapter to two and almost thripled in word count, it is the chapters the story deserved, so even if you have read it and liked it, I think you will like this version much better! SO thank you Memes and my editor for all your hard work in helping me improve it.* 

Her whole body shook with the fever. Curled up on her side, trying to ease the nausea in her stomach. She hated being sick, it was not fun, but it happened every single year for as long as she could remember. There was a creak on the wood floors outside her room, a whine rose in her throat, she wanted comfort, she wanted her mother.

Byul slid from her bed with shaky legs. She knew her mother would be out in the kitchen, fixing her a tonic for her fever. She opened the door slowly, almost painfully, it was a shock that she was even able to stand, she hadn't been able to keep any food down in the last few days. Through the crack in the door, she saw the familiar blonde hair of her mother standing at the hearth, cooking a pot over it. She almost threw the door open and ran to her mother, wanting to feel her arms wrap around her and make her feel better. However, another person was with her. "Are you sure about this JiHye?" TaeOh's mom was sitting across from her, looking concerned. "You told me this is something you never wanted to do."

Byul's mother's brow creased. "I felt it SoMin, I feel it, they are coming, this is all I can do." Byul hid behind her door, listening intently to the words her mother was saying, she seemed sad and angry, she would be angrier if she saw Byul out of bed.

A sound from the other room. "What will happen, it won't return next year?"

"No, not until it is undone with this." There was scraping of the pot, liquid being poured out. "I need to do this tonight, you know how to fix it..."

"You will fix it JiHye." TaeOh's mother made a sound.

"I need to get this to Byul." Upon hearing that, Byul scurried back to bed.

She sat as straight as she could, trying to pretend like she wasn't just listening to what they were saying, heart racing in her chest. Her mother smiled as she entered, in her hand was the tonic, only it wasn't. The one her mother usually made looked like the cherries that grew in their garden, this one was darker, deeper, purple like the vegetable in the garden that tastes bad. Byul felt her stomach curl at the site of it. It usually tastes really bad, this one could only taste worse, she must be more sick than usual.

Her mother sat on the edge of her bed, her long arm reached out, and tucked a chunk of Byul's hair behind her ear, one that was stuck to the side of her face with sweat. "How are you feeling sweetheart?"

Byul tried to smile, she felt horrible but her mother was here now so she felt a lot better. "I'm okay."

Her mother smiled at her, but it seemed different. "You will feel much better once you drink this." Byul must have made a face because her mother laughed. "I know it doesn't taste good but it will make you better, stronger, and when you're better you can go out and play, your aunt SoMin tells me TaeOh misses you terribly." Byul perked up at the mention of her best friend. "Now be a good girl and drink up." Byul's mother held the cup to her lips, tipping the drink in her mouth. It tasted like rotting food, she almost threw it back up. It burned her throat on the way down, making tears come to her eyes. But once she finished her mother gave her a warm smile. "There is my good girl." She shifted so she was laying beside Byul. Byul curled up on her side and put her head in her mother's lap, her mother automatically smoothing her hair, lulling her to sleep. "I love you Byul, remember that." She whispered. "You are my strong girl, more strong than you know." The last words were heard from far away, sleep had already taken her by the hand.