Exile

Part 30

Italzi awoke in a very plain room with gray walls, much equipment, and bottles of nasty-looking elixirs on long tables. Then the pain started to kick in. Everywhere in her body ached, like she had just been beaten up. She groaned and an older-looking man with thin hair and glasses hurried in.

"Well, Miss Carwell," began the man, "You look horrible. Inside and out I'm afraid. I'm Doctor Wren and I have been treating you for two days while you've been unconscious. Now I'm sure your brother and sister-in-law are dying to see you."

"Um, yeah," said Italzi, trying not to look like she was confused.

Doctor Wren led Alana and Atlas into her room and Alana rushed forward to see her.

"It- Alana! We've been so worried!" cried Alana, and then she smirked, "Right, dear?" She turned to Atlas, who looked like he was in pain.

"Very worried indeed," he said through gritted teeth.

"Where are the others, what happened?" asked Italzi.

"Well the elixir you drank had a bad effect on you," explained Alana. "Doctor Wren thinks you might have been allergic to it."

"Of course I was," sighed Italzi.

"Emma and Cece are outside," said Atlas, looking at her like she knew those people. Or...

"Ohhh, okay," Italzi realized they were Immi and Cindie.

"Shall I let them in?" asked Dr. Wren, who had been standing quietly in the back of the room.

Alana nodded and Dr. Wren let the two girls in. They raced towards Italzi with worried looks on their faces.

"I'm fine," Italzi assured them in a raspy voice.

"I was so worried!" Cindie cried out. Classic Cindie.

"As was I," added Immi. "I'm glad you're alright."

"Thanks, guys, but I think we need to get going soon." Italzi leaned in as the others huddled around her.

 "We've wasted enough time," she whispered.

"You've been sick," argued Alana, an eyebrow shooting up her freckled rosy face.

"I know, but still. We should start moving."

"I agree with Italzi," whispered Atlas so quietly that there was no chance Dr. Wren could have heard him. "We should start moving so we're never somewhere too long. And so that we can see if the elixir worked."

"Pardon the intrusion," said Dr. Wren, clearing his throat from the back of the room. "If you wondered if the elixir worked, it did not. I see no signs of a stirring skill."

Italzi sighed, pinching her forehead with the tips of her fingers. "Great."

She felt completely exhausted.

"But," began the doctor, "There is another doctor of sorts I know who specializes in elixirs and skills. I could give you a map to her abode."

"That would be amazing, thank you," said Italzi. Going to yet another doctor was the last thing she wanted to do, but she was willing to suck it up if it meant that she obtained a skill worthy of taking out the Duke.

"Of course, but I must warn you, the journey is dangerous. She lives deep in the Frogan Forest, which is somewhere I personally would not like to visit."

"What's so bad about it?" asked Immi.

"It's said that whoever goes into the forest either changes or dies."

 Changes? What sort of changes? "Oh," Immi mumbled, embarrased and quite frankly flabbergasted.

"Dr. Wren, I need that elixir," pleaded Italzi. "Can we please have the map?"

"As you wish," said Dr. Wren reluctantly, looking off to the side. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

He rushed into the other room and returned with a dusty old map. "This is the map to Enchantress Yunma's residence," he said as he handed the map to Atlas.

"Enchantress?" marveled Cindie. "I've heard that there are only a few left these days."

"That's precisely why she chooses to stay within her forest," explained Dr. Wren. "Enchantress Yumna is very dangerous. Be prepared to pay a high price for the elixir you wish for."

"I understand," said Italzi.

"Well you best be going," said Dr. Wren. "You've healed nicely and you're prepared to make the journey."

"Thank you," said Italzi as she nodded her head toward him. Italzi was never one for respect but she could never express how valuable the information the doctor had given her was. 

This could be the key. Her powers unlocked and possibly an Enchantress on her side.