The Raven's Reflection

Chapter 34 - Push

Samuel pulled ahead of the lead transport towards the early evening to pull them over to a stop. Samuel and Caleb both got out of the car, and Zakkari and Kurt exited the lead coach while only Jordan got off the second. It was clear that Zakkari and Jordan had both just been woken up.

"What's going on?" Kurt asked. "Everything okay?"

"Let's get dinner going early for everyone," Samuel said. "Zakk, if you're golden to drive, I want you to take over as soon as possible so we can do an extremely early morning swap."

"What's bringing this on?" Zakkari asked as he stretched.

"Kinsley," Caleb answered. "We're going to try wake her up here soon because Lord Cerno is fading again. Problem is, I'm certain this is going to be the last time she can help."

"Why?" Jordan asked. "What happened?"

"She just can't maintain that ability she has," Caleb answered his brother. "We're going to need someone to give her a little of their source as it is for this last attempt."

"Why the early swaps though?" Zakkari asked, returning to the original question.

"At the rate we're traveling now by staying with the transports, it's going to be late afternoon to early evening before we get to Saorsa," Samuel replied. "Counting the one he's about to get, Cer is going to need at least two more source infusions from Kinsley before then."

"You want to make a solo push because there is too much time left and not enough Kinsley," Zakkari stated, realizing the exact urgency.

"Exactly," Samuel said. "By Caleb's calculations, he'll probably start fading somewhere around eight tomorrow morning. If we can take that last stretch as fast as I'm hoping, we should be able to hit Saorsa around ten. Everyone else will arrive several hours later."

"That still gets you into Saorsa too late," Jordan replied, running his hands through his hair.

"Maybe," Caleb started. He suddenly looked troubled as he continued, "but maybe not if we let Kinsley push herself on this next go."

"Wait, what?" Samuel looked at Caleb with concern. "We can't let her harm herself."

"She's never experienced a nearly full drain before, Sam," he started, folding his arms across his chest and lowering his head. "I never like the idea of allowing it, but if we allow her to push as far as she'll let herself tonight, she should black out just after the migraine hits." Caleb let out a groan, rubbing his face. "And if she doesn't...then I'll black her out myself."

"You'd what?" Zakkari asked. "How do you expect to do that?"

"Caleb has a dual source," Jordan quickly explained. "He can cause people to black out at will."

"I hate doing it though. For a brief moment, I get rushed with all of the person's source and it's like a wallop to mine. Think of it like getting the wind knocked out of you for a moment, but to your soul."

Samuel stood and stared at Caleb for a moment. "You can promise she'll be safe?"

Caleb nodded. "She's going to be out cold for the longest nap she's ever experienced and will probably feel sick as she finishes recovering awake, but she'll live."

"Then let's do it," Samuel said. "If you promise she'll be safe, it may be our only option to save Cerno."

"And I'm going to stay up for a little while tonight to keep making a list of possible poisons. I want to start on remedies as soon as I can in Saorsa," Caleb admitted. "Hey Jor, we need two people who can help spare some source for Kinsley's push."