Beyond this World - Dragon warrior (Book 1/?)

Chapter 11 (Part 2)

Walking through town the place looked gloomy, isolation does that to most people. He was now more aware of his surroundings and could feel their gaze on him and could presume what they talked about, about his return; though they didn't recognise him at first but the wolf trotting next to him.

For a brief moment, he himself couldn't recognise the people or Arkbowel itself as it stood now. A weird sense of unfamiliarity overcame him with each step. He went up the stairs that lead to the training grounds, through the squire sleeping quarters up to Elias's room. He opened up the door; on the floor layed a withered, pale figure breathing heavily.

Aaron's soul quivered at the site, his long known friend reduced to a breathing husk. He mumbled, seeing Aaron walk in turned hysterical. "You! You can't use him against me! Have you no dignity?!" He shouted and squirmed, Aaron rushed up to him and held him down to prevent him from injuring himself.

"Elias, stop! I don't know what you're seeing right now but it's me, Aaron, your friend." Aaron held his weakened hands as he struggled to leave from his grasp. He coughed and gasped for air and Aaron clenched his jaw tightly; at first a single tear strolled down Aaron's cheek that caused an avalanche of more tears. "I promise I'll do what I can to find a cure for you..."

Elias seemed to calm down a bit; he remained to stare blankly at the ceiling and did not respond to Aaron's presence. Not long after the physician entered the room.

"No one should be in here!" The physician raised the tone of his voice while he looked at the boy kneeling next to his patient. A low growl came from the wolf in the corner; she almost completely blended with the wall which led the physician to only one conclusion. "You are Sir Cameron's boy, aren't you?"

Aaron politely nodded. "What does it take to make a cure for him?"

The physician was in thought; Aaron stern stare made him slightly more intrigued about the boy. The boy's character was noble and he could see why Sir Cameron favours him; he's like the spit image of young Cameron.

The man cleared his throat. "There are several ingredients the medicine requires; some are easier to come by than others, they are mainly herbs. Even if the medicine is made, I cannot guarantee it will help cure him."

"Which are the difficult ingredients?" Aaron asked, the physician let out a thoughtful hum.

"Blue orchids; I'd need three stems of those. They are guarded by living trees and I'd need..." The physician hesitated and sighed. Aaron listened carefully, this was probably the 'impossible item' Lloyd mentioned. "Fresh hellhound blood, it cannot be more than two days old and I'd need 2 small bottles."

Aaron flinched at both what the physician asked for and for Tundra's sudden restlessness. Every nerve in her body was on edge; Aaron glanced at her from the side shooting an apologetic glance. She didn't like where this is going.

"Private talk..." She stated before standing up. Aaron followed right after her. He thanked the physician for telling him. Tundra and Aaron holed up in Aaron's room. As soon as the door closed shut Tundra said: "I'm against this endeavour."

"Elias is my friend!" Aaron stated how hurt he is to see him like that. "It's just two bottles, if this can help him then-..."

"Just two bottles? I know he's your friend and I understand you wanting to help him but this could jeopardize our position in Arkbowel, Sir Cameron's too." They looked at each other uncomfortably silent.

"So I should just let him suffer?" Aaron spoke while choked up. It was painful to look at him like that. Tundra transformed into her human form.

"No... Aaron, the reason I'm hesitant for going along with this because hellhound blood is not something that should be used in abundance. If not handled properly it could become a poison that kills him; I don't want to know my blood killed him." Tundra held his hand and he looked at her with narrowed eyes there was something she wasn't telling him regarding this.