King and Lionheart [Dreamnotfound AU]

Chapter 14: Race Against Time

Dream sat there through the night, ready in case George opened his eyes or sat up just for a moment, but it never happened. Grian worked nonstop, though Dream couldn't divine exactly how his work was progressing.

A few hours before sunrise, Grian made an exclamation. Dream looked up, but his shoulders slumped when Grian sighed heavily and put his head in his hands.

"Oh, no. This is bad, this is really really bad."

The physician walked over to Dream, his expression grave. "I analysed the organic matter in the wine and narrowed it down to one flower. Poison can be made from the petals, but the antidote can only be made from the roots of the same flower, and it's extremely rare."

He showed Dream a picture in a dusty book and the thief's eyes narrowed. He'd seen a picture of it before.

"They grow in cold air with very little light, usually just inside caves or cracks in very high mountainous regions." Grian was staring at him. "But there aren't any landscapes like that anywhere in Cathens."

Dream realised where he was heading.

"No," he signed. "Send someone else. I need to be here. For him." He lowered his eyes to George's strained face.

A hand touched his shoulder and Dream shut his eyes as if that could shut his ears.

"You know Duresh better than anyone else," Grian said. "The mountains there are closest, you probably already know how to find them. I know you can climb them too."

Dream was grateful this time to speak with his hands, since his voice probably wouldn't be able to get the words out. "I. Can't. Leave. Him." His soul withered at the thought of it. What if George died while Dream wasn't there?

Grian sat and forced Dream to meet his eyes. His voice was gentle, but pleading. "You can be there and back faster than anyone else. I know you hate to leave, but he won't be alone. I promise I'll care for him in the meantime, but we don't know how long his magic will hold out. Dream, you're the only person I can trust with this, please."

Dream was silent.

"Please, you're George's best chance," Grian said.

Dream finally nodded and stood up.

"I'll get supplies for you." The physician hurried away.

Dream lingered, memorising how George looked in case....

He sighed and brushed the brunette's hair off his forehead, then lifted his hand and delicately kissed it.

"Keep fighting, George," he whispered even though no one else was in the room. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

The castle still lived and carried attendants through halls like blood in its veins, but the sounds were hushed today. Dream slid out like a shadow, but stopped in his tracks when he saw Technoblade by the door.

The Captain saw him too, and a half dozen emotions crossed his face. He handed the crown—George's crown, it must've fallen off in the chaos—to someone nearby and ordered, "See this gets to His Majesty."

Dream held his ground as Technoblade approached him. Now that he wasn't directly faced with the comatose body of his love lying in front of him, it was easier to think clearly.

"Where are you going?"

The Captain's voice was harsh, but Dream knew him well enough to know he wasn't angry, just asking.

The thief looked back and forth and signed quickly, "The antidote is in Duresh."

Techno stepped aside. "Then get on your bloody horse and go."