Don't Be Curious- A criminal who did the impossible

Chapter Twelve

Zander made his way over to the plant gingerly, Jaksa following his footsteps carefully.  When he did reach the plant, he picked off a few petals and leaves, shoving them into a pouch, then he lifted it to examine the pouch. The two stared at it, but nothing happened. "Huh, that was anticlimactic." Zander tilted his head, then shoved the pouch into his pocket. Jaksa huffs, his muscles relaxing. However, as he stepped back, he managed to crush one of the mushrooms under his heel. Suddenly the spores started administering a thick smoke, starting around their heels and wafting upwards. Zander coughed, waving the smoke away. "What the-" jaksa tried to speak but his words were cut off with a cough that developed into choking. His knees buckled, and he fell to the floor. "Jaksa!?" Zander gasped, crouching down to him. No response. Zander tried shaking him but he was out cold. Why wasn't the smoke stuff effecting him? Zander looked around the valley In a panic. All the mushrooms were spouting out the smoke, and it began covering the whole valley. "Oh stars..." he breathed. 

Zander had made sure that Jaksa was secure back on the horse before making a rushed journey back home. The smoke had left a bad taste on the back of his throat, but for some reason it hadn't affected him the same way it had to Jaksa. The curiosity fogged his mind. Jaksa was on his horse in front that the prince led by its reigns, his arm around Jaksas torso to keep him up. The knight had a cloth covering his face in hopes to stop more smoke from entering his lungs even though they were already away from the valley. "Hang in there, you idiot" mumbled, unsure if you could even hear him. 

Once the field was far behind them, the Sun had started to set Zander slowed the horses to a halt and stopped. he helped Jaksa off the horse and leaned him against a tree. He slowly took the cloth away from his face to see his eye still closed, and his mouth slightly open. Zander looked around for something to help. He saw the horse drinking a puddle, and he had an idea.

Jaksa Woke up with a jolt as freezing cold water splashed on his face . "you're awake!" Zander cried. "what in the name of stars happened..." he asked with an annoyed and raspy tone, rubbing the back of his head. Zander explained what happened with the mushroom smoke and how for some reason it didn't affect him. Jaksa was going to ask if it was because his mother was a witch, but he decided against it, not wanted to distress the prince further. 

 Normally they would make a makeshift camp for the night, but Thomases life was at stake they had to get to him as soon as possible. They spent the whole night riding back towards the castle, occasionally talking about random things. When they did get back to the castle, it was still pitch black outside, but the town was awake, still fretting over the young princes life. 

As soon as they entered the castle grounds, through people shouting at their arrival, a path was cleared for them, leading straight to the physicians chambers. People whispered around them, some excited, some scared, and some pointed out how very pale Jaksa looked. Zander glanced at the knight from the corner of his eye. He did look awfully pale, and both of them were incredibly tired. He would get the physician to have a look at them later. 

Once they reached the chambers, Thomas looked even worse. His face was the colour of the dirty sheets, and his eyes were glazed. His lips were dry and looked awfully white. It barely looked like he was breathing. As soon the physician saw them, he rushed over and held his hand out for the leaves. Zander Gently put the bag in his empty palm and walked over to the prince. The king sat by his bed head down. He glanced up slightly, but said nothing. The physician started mixing the herbs with some sort of liquid and poured it down the throat of the young prince. Nothing happened. The group sat in painful silence as they watched Thomas, unmoving. The king eyes started to water once more, and Zander put his head in Jaksas shoulder. 

To his surprise, Jaksa put an arm on his back, seeming slightly distraught at the sight. Kass sobbed silently. Thomas was his best friend. Of course, he would be there to watch. Thomas choked out a sob suddenly. His body jolted forward. Kass shot forward to pack his back, while everyone else watched with wide eyes, the physician gently pours something down his throat, and the coughing stops. A moment of silent passes before the king speaks up. "Thomas, Are you alright my son?" he asks quietly, his voice laced with concern.  Thomas lets out a shaky sigh. "I think so, I feel awful, but I'm alive." His voice is horse but he looks slightly less pale as the colour began to return to his skin. His eyes brightened as he looked around. "Are you all here for me?" he giggled. Kass shot forward to hug him quickly, and the king joined in. Jaksa patted his back while Zander ruffled his hair. The physician nodded, then was about to walk out before the older prince stopped him. 

"Sorry I just have one more request..." Zander started, gesturing to Jaksa. "The mushrooms, they let out strange smoke and Jaksa passed out. He looks a little pale. Could you check him out?" He pleaded. The physician place is the back of his hand on forehead. "I'm fine, it was nothing." he grumbled. 

"I recommend you keep him in his room for the next couple days. The smoke could've gone into his lungs, and it might make him weak. Keep his window open  and give him fresh air. No fights, no training, and he should be fine in a few days. Any problems,  bring him to me." Jaksas gaze hardened as he was about to protest, but Zander shut him up. "Thank you, I will keep eye on him."  Jaksa glared at the physician as he walked out, the king following behind. Thomas had fallen back asleep, and Kass was reading something about herbs while sitting in the back of the room. Jaksa saw this is an opportunity. He advanced on Xander. "What was that? I am perfectly fine! I don't need you to babysit me. I can't even do training!? This is dumb!" He snapped, glaring down at Zander while getting close to him, trying his best to intimidate him. Zander shoved him away by the shoulders. Then the prince folded his arms, staring back up at him challengingly. 

"Don't start on me, it was for your own good!" 

 "I feel fine!" 

"Well, you don't look it!" 

"Shut up, you're bickering  like an old married couple, it's annoying. Jaksa, suck it up and stop whining." Kass snapped, not looking up from his book. 

"Thank you, Kass!" Zander flashed Jaksa a sarcastic smile. The knight groaned dramatically, then stormed out of the room. 

Later that day, Zander went up to check on the night, only to find that his condition had worsened. His face was paler and he was panting. His legs rested up on the bed, while half his body was laying on the floor. "Oh my stars!" Jaksa didn't seem to hear him, if he did,  he made no indication that he was aware that Zander was even there. "I'll get the physician!" 

The physician placed the back of his hand on Jaksas forehead. It was cold. "He's freezing. This is no flu." He mumbled Zander paced anxiously behind them. " is This is what Thomas had?" He asked, now biting his nails. 

"no, strangely enough, it's worse. Jaksa, can you hear me?" he asked. No response. However, Jaksas breathing quickened. The physician lifted his eyelid only to find nothing. His eyes were rolled back, and the white his eyes were blood red. The prince gasped and covered his eyes. "I've never seen anything like this, sire,  help me get him warm!" 

Zander gasped and rushed over to lift him on the bed. Jaksas breathing seem to slow for a moment, but quickened again once the covers were put on. "Please, help him!" Zander was now in full panic mode. The physician thought for a moment, then started rummaging through his badly organised bag. As he did so, Jaksas breathing had fully stopped. 

"Hurry!" The prince cried, his hands trembling as he knelt down beside him. The physician pulled out a wooden box labeled "emergency." 

He placed leaves and the same plant he used for Thomas into a bowl, adding some sort of paste and mixing it together. He poured it into the knights mouth, the stepped away. Zander looked between the two expectingly. He held his breath as he gazed down at the knight. Nothing. No movement. No breath. Zanders heart dropped to his stomach. He didn't want to believe it. He almost lost his brother, was his best friend next? The physician stood back, then with a frown he shook his head. Zander broke. He crumpled over the bed, tears soaking the thin sheets. The last thing they did was argue. He should have stayed with him, he could have helped him sooner. Now he was gone. The physician grabbed his bag, exiting the room in silence.