Knowledge is Deadly: Book 1: The Azuran Series

Chapter 11

They laid there for what seemed like days. It was too early to go to sleep but neither wanted to move.
Katelyn jumped when she heard a knock at the door. She sat up quickly, positioned the ice on her ankle, and looked at Jackson. Jackson laid against the pillow sadly for a moment before sitting up meeting her eyes.
'Sorry' She mouthed before calling, "Come in."
The door opened and Kilin stepped in "Hey, Katelyn, can we talk about the-" she cut herself off, locking eyes with Jackson. "Oh." She said.
Katelyn understood. She wanted to talk about the dagger. "The lunch I missed? I went for a walk with him. But I'm starving now." She said, looking at Kilin.
"Oh." Kilin said looking back and forth between the two. "I'll keep Aspen out then.." she said and left closing the door.
Katelyn looked at Jackson with a nervous smile. He smiled and laid back down. She laid down too and stared at the ceiling.
"If you want to talk to her I can go." He said.
She looked at him. "Ok. If you're sure."
"Yeah. I'll go tell her." He said, sat up, and then stood up. He picked something back up from the table and put it in his pocket.
"What was that?" She asked curiously.
"Just a coin." He said taking it out of his pocket and showing her it before putting it in her pocket.
"Ok." She said, sitting back up.
He walked towards the door but turned to her. "I'll see you later." He said with a smile before opening the door.
She smiled back and waited for Kilin.
It only took a few moments before she walked in the room and closed the door. "What was all that about?!" Kilin asked not sure how to react.
Katelyn just bit her lip to hide a smirk. "He just didn't want me to be lonely, I guess." She said.
"Katelyn?!" Kilin said running to the end of her bed.
"What?" She asked, smiling guiltily now.
"Spit it out." Kilin said crossing her arm.
"We just kissed.." Katelyn said, as if it was nothing.
"Katelyn!" Kilin said in a high pitched voice.
"What?" She said, studying Kilin. She couldn't tell if she was upset or excited.
"What the heck." Kilin said. "When did this happen?" She asked.
"Just now..." she said. "And last night.." she added.
Kilin sat at the edge of the bed. "Oh my." She said quietly.
Katelyn bit her lip. "I think he actually likes me, Kilin." She said, her eyes twinkling.
"Really?"
"Really." She said with a nod
"Well I hope you actually asked about the dagger rather than just kissing him." Kilin asked scooting towards her. She sat in the middle of the bed by Katelyn.
Despite rolling her eyes, she still smiled. "Yeah, I did. At first he said he just fights with a sword, but then he remembered having a pair of daggers custom made for his friend, who had lost his other pair. I heard him think Kile, and when I asked him who that was, he said that was the friend he'd given them to. He knows the same Kile that we do." Katelyn explained.
"That can't be right... How.." Kilin mumbled.
Katelyn shrugged. "That's all he told me."
"Hu." Kilin said and pulled out the dagger. She looked at it carefully. "I wonder how they met.." Kilin thought out loud.
"Me too. He just said they were close friends but-" she shrugged.
"He never even mentioned a Jackson before.." she noted
"I don't think we're seeing the whole picture here..." Katelyn said, shaking her head.
"Yeah, because I'm pretty sure they would kill each other." Kilin said.
"What do you mean?" She asked, raising and eyebrow.
"I mean, they would hate each other." Kilin said. "Knowing Kile, All they would do is argue."
"All Kile does with anyone is argue." Katelyn said bluntly.
"No I mean like constant yelling, probably cussing, and swords would definitely be drawn." She said.
"That does sound accurate." Katelyn said with a nod.
"So how are they 'good friends'.." Kilin thought out loud again.
Katelyn shook her head, not having an answer.
Kilin sheathed the dagger again. "I'll ask him later." She said with a sigh.
"Ok." She said. "Kilin, when are we leaving?" She asked cautiously.
"Like is said, soon hopefully. But now with Aspen.." she trailed off.
Katelyn perked up. "What about Aspen?" She asked.
"His arm. Plus he feels horrible." Kilin said.
"Yeah. The arrow he was shot with? It was poison."
"I heard. Like I said he feels terrible. He's asleep now." Kilin said
"Do you know if he got what he needed from the doctor?" She asked, concerned.
"No I don't."
Katelyn sighed. "I need to make sure.." she said to herself.
"Let him sleep." Kilin said
"I will, but later. Tell me if he wakes up?" "I'm not going to watch him sleep!" Kilin said with a smile.
Katelyn sighed and reached up to play with her locket, but it wasn't there. She reached into her pocket and put it on, relieved at feeling normal again. "I'm going to eat something." She said.
"Ok." Kilin said and stood up.
Katelyn fixed her hair and left the room, pausing in the hallway to look at Aspen's door. Katelyn gave in and cracked the door open silently. She looked in and saw Blake pacing at the end of the bed. He didn't even seem to hear her. Aspen was laying in bed, her back turned to her.
"Blake? How is he?" She asked, worry filling her voice.
Blake turned to her his face turning red. "He's.. fine" he said
"I need to know, honestly." She said, scanning his face.
"I don't know.." Blake said. "The doctor said it wasn't bad yet but.."
"But what?" Katelyn stepped into the room.
"He still feels horrible. Didn't get any sleep last night and I had to practically make him rest an hour ago."
Katelyn walked over to Aspen and put a hand on his head. He was pale, sweating, and unnaturally warm. She brought her hand away and crossed her arms, biting her lip.
"I'm worried.." Blake whined Katelyn looked at him.
"You and Aspen are close?" She asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Yeah. He's like a brother." Blake said Katelyn pinched the skin between her eyebrows.
"It's worse than I thought. What did the doctor give him?" She asked.
"It's over there." Blake said pointing to the desk where a glass bottle was sitting.
Katelyn walked over to it and picked it up, studying it. "This is good. How often did he say to take it?" She asked.
"Once a day." Blake said.
"Has he already taken it?" She asked, looking at Blake.
"Today, yes."
"It doesn't look like it's helping does it?" She said, setting the bottle down and going back towards Blake.
"No." He said his voice cracking.
'It may not work. Of course it will work..' he thought.
"Don't worry, it will work. He needs to get through this night. It will be the worst tonight. The antibacteria are making his body work hard to fight off the poison. It's bad now, and it may get worse, but it has to get worse before it gets better." She said, looking at Aspen.
Blake whined something under his breath.
"Calm down. He will be fine." She said. "Make him drink cool liquids and fetch a wet cloth for his head."
Blake looked at him sadly.
Katelyn looked at Blake. "Maybe I should do that instead..." she said with a sigh, seeing that Blake wasn't in a very good state.
She left and returned with a large cup of water, a large bowl of water, and a cloth. She set the bowl and the cup on the beside table and dipped the cloth in the bowl, wringing it out before rubbing Aspen's forehead with it.
Blake watched her and clearly wanted to pace again.
'It's annoying to other people. No it isn't. It really is.'
"Blake, please shut your mind up. It's distracting." She said quietly. She refreshed the cloth with water and wiped Aspen's burning face gently.
"Sorry.." Blake mumbled.
'You even annoy other people.' He thought to himself.
She turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "Sit down and calm your nerves." Blake sighed and sat at the edge of the bed.
"How long has he been asleep?" She asked.
"An hour or two." He said, his foot starting to tap against the wooden floor.
"Would you sit still?" She snapped quietly.
"How am I supposed to sit still?" He asked holding his foot still.
"By sitting down and not moving." She said, looking back at Aspen.
Blake huffed and sat still for a moment before his foot started tapping again.
"Blake! Do I need to make you leave?" She hissed, keeping her voice low so she wouldn't wake Aspen.
"No.." he said quietly, stopping his foot.
Aspen mumbled something in his sleep and his head turned slightly. Blake's attention snapped to him, as did Katelyn's.
"What did he say?" She asked Blake, not turning around. She wet the cloth again and dabbed his forehead with it.
"I didn't hear words." He said.
Aspen mumbled something again although it just sounded like a mix of sounds.
"Shh." She whispered comfortingly as she rubbed the cloth back and forth on his forehead. "Everything is alright."
Aspen tucked his face closer to his shoulder. He mumbled something that sounded like 'no' and then 'sword' with various grumbles mixed in between them.
Katelyn bit her lip and put the cloth back in the bowl. "You're safe." She said and looked at Blake nervously. His eyes where locked on Aspen fearfully.
Katelyn looked back at him but didn't touch him, afraid it would startle him. He tucked his head closer to him shoulder and mumbled something before going quiet.
Katelyn sighed, relieved, and squeezed water out of the cloth before wiping his head tenderly again.
Blake looked away from him and stared at the wall.
'It's just a dream. It could be the poison. Poison doesn't do that. Are you sure?'
"Certain poisons can cause hallucinations and nightmares, yes." Katelyn said, repeating the process of dipping, squeezing, wiping, back and forth, dip, squeeze, wipe, back and forth.
Blake groaned. "That doesn't make me feel better." He said.
Aspen mumbled and attempted to roll over.
Katelyn reached out and put a firm hand on his uninjured shoulder. "No, you're alright." She soothed.
He mumbled something again which partially sounded like 'go' and 'run.'
Katelyn patted his shoulder. "Everyone is fine. We're all safe." She whispered.
His fist clenched for a moment and he mumbled 'sword' again.
"I don't think he can hear you." Blake said.
"Shh." She told Blake. "At least I'm trying instead of having a nervous breakdown."
"Shut up." He said holding his head in his hands. Aspen turned his head to the other side.
Katelyn sighed, distressed. She didn't like not being able to help.
"Screw you.." Aspen said and the rest faded into mumbles.
Katelyn put her hand on his arm. "Sh.." she said and began repeating the process with the cloth. He went quite. He took in a sharp breath and his eyes bolted open.
Katelyn's hand froze, holding the cloth to his forehead. "Hey, Aspen.. how are you feeling?" She asked quietly.
He blinked trying to clear his vision.
Blake turned around watching silently.
Katelyn studied his face carefully and stayed silent. He looked around as if he didn't know where he was.
"You're fine. We're all safe, see? You just had a nightmare." She wiped the fabric across his forehead before putting it back in the bowl again.
"Why are you here?" He asked, his voice scratchy.
"I'm here to help." She said, looking into his blue eyes which were glazed over. He blinked slowly as if he was confused. He nodded and closed his eyes again.
Katelyn picked up the glass of water. "You need to drink some water." She said quietly, restraining herself from asking questions.
He looked up at it and to her still confused. He sat up slightly and drank some before laying back down.
She wiped his forehead again, frowning. "You need rest." She decided.
He shook his head. "I don't want to go back there." He said weakly.
"What happened?" She asked gently.
"You tried to kill me.. but you failed and I killed you." He said and groaned.
Katelyn shook her head. "No, no, no. I'd never do that. It was just a dream."
Aspen nodded and closed his eyes.
She stroked his forehead before putting the rag in the bowl and standing up. She looked at Blake. "Periodically wipe his head with the wet cloth. When he's awake make him drink water. When he's asleep, you should get some rest too. I'm going to go down to eat something." She directed in a low tone.
Blake looked at her and nodded.
"I'll be fine.." Aspen said and buried his face in the pillow.
Katelyn walked to the door before turning back to them. "Do either of you want something to eat? I'll bring it to you."
"Bacon." Aspen mumbled.
     "I'm fine." Blake said.
Katelyn nodded and left, shaken up. She was pale and nervous. She walked down the hall and started down the stairs to the dining hall, though she wasn't very hungry anymore.
Katelyn waited in line, then got herself, Blake, and Aspen each a bowl of hot soup and bread. She asked for a side of bacon. The lady made a weird face, but gave her the extra from breakfast that morning.
She managed to bring it up the stairs without dropping anything. She knocked on the door with her foot and waited for Blake to open it.
After a second Blake opened the door. "Wow." He said looking at the food.
"I figured you'd get hungry at one point or another. She sidestepped him into the room and placed her tray on the table.
"Hu." Blake said.
Aspen had rolled over and pulled the covers up to his face. He picked his head up. When her confirmed the bacon he laid his head back down.
She brought him a bowl of soup and a plate of bacon setting it beside him. "Have you eaten today?" She asked.
"Breakfast." He said grabbing a piece of bacon and started nibbling on it.
She sighed and watched him eat. "I feel bad leaving.. but Jackson is probably looking for me." She looked at Blake seriously. "Get me if anything happens." She said.
"Let Jackson worry for once." Aspen mumbled.
"I will." Blake said.
Katelyn glanced at them before walking out, closing the door behind her. Now she just had to figure out where to look.
     She walked through the inn and outside than she saw him. Jackson was sitting on a bench across the street.
     She smiled and walked across the street, stopping behind him. "Hey."
     He looked up at her. "Oh, hey." He said with a small smile.
     She sat down beside him and looked out into the town silently. He leaned back against the bench.
     She looked at him. "I have good and bad news." A cool breeze swept through the town.
     He turned to her. "What?" He asked.
     "Aspen is really ill. Worse than I would have expected." She said, studying his face for his reaction.
     He just pinched his eyebrows together. "Oh.."
     "The good news is, with this setback we'll be able to stay a little longer... it's selfish to think of his sickness this way but..." she shrugged.
     "I thought you were leaving earlier?" He asked quickly.
     "What? I mean, we were but now I can stay..." she said, confused. She thought he'd be happier about this...
     "Right right.." he said looking away from her.
     She leaned back and looked at him. "What's wrong?"
"I just thought you would be leaving sooner.." he turned and looked at her. "It's great that your staying though." He said.
    "Oh. Ok.." she looked away from him, feeling a little comfort from his words.
He looked back out at the town silently. Katelyn tried to focus on reading his thoughts.
'Aspen is holding them back... maybe I can go visit- no....' he thought.
"Visit who?" She asked, not looking at him.
He sighed. "Nobody." He said. "No point."
She looked at him. "Ok then... I have the rest of the day off, minus check ups on Aspen."
"Oh. I guess you want to stay close then. What about tonight?" He asked looking over at her.
"Tonight? Ok.." she said, smiling.
"I'll come get you after dinner then. I want to show you something." He said with a smile
"Oh? What is it?" She asked, grinning.
"A surprise." He said with a smirk.
"Ah, yes. Of course." She said. "Surprises are my favorite."
"Good. Because I like them to." She smiled and sighed.
"See you tonight, then." She stood up and practically skipped back to the inn.
Katelyn walked up the stairs and glanced at Aspen's door. 'Blake should have everything handled... No I'll just check on them.' She thought, heading for the door. She stopped to listen and heard a repeating pattern of footsteps. She knocked before entering. Blake stopped pacing and looked at her.
"How's it going?" She asked quietly.
"He's been grumbling." Blake said glancing over at Aspen, who was asleep again.
Katelyn looked at Aspen, frowning. "Why aren't you sleeping then?"
"How do you think I'm supposed to sleep?" He asked.
"You look exhausted." She said, walking over to the bed.
"Yeah.." he said.
"Pacing all day will do that to you." Katelyn said glancing at him
He scoffed. "It's either that or I go crazy."
Katelyn sat down and looked at Aspen. "Have you been doing what I asked?"
"Ah.. yes.. what did you ask?" He said looking at her.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, Blake! Keep his forehead cool and make him drink water."
"He hasn't been awake to drink water." He said.
"I... don't want... cookie.." Aspen mumbled shifting in bed.
"Cookie?" Katelyn asked.
"No..." he grumbled.
Katelyn smiled. "At least he's not having nightmares anymore. Unless the cookies are demons or something."
"But.. the cat." He said.
"There is no cat, Aspen."
"The cat jumped.. sky.."
Katelyn raised an eyebrow and looked at Blake.
"Just.. no cookie.. give it to the cat."
Blake sighed. "We will give it to the cat, Aspen." He said.
"Ok.." Aspen said.
Katelyn raised her eyebrows but pulled the cloth out of the bowl and wiped his forehead.
Aspen was quiet, content with his cat-cookie thing..
Katelyn sighed. "I guess I'll stay here until dinner." She decided.
"You don't have to." Blake said walking up beside her.
"Yes I do." She said, looking at him. "I can't leave him alone with you. If something happens you won't know how to deal with it."
"I would to." He argued crossing his arms.
"Yeah, no. You wouldn't. Besides, you need rest too. Why don't you go to your room and sleep? I'll come get you before dinner."
"You know I won't sleep." He said.
"At least try. I've got things handled here."
"But-"
"No buts. Go." She ordered calmly. "I'll come get you if anything drastic changes."
"Katelyn.." he complained quietly.
"I've got it handled." She said firmly.
Blake sighed and glanced at Aspen before walking to the door. He mumbled something before leaving.
Katelyn watched him go, then turned back to Aspen who was peacefully asleep. She pulled up a chair right next to his bed and pulled a book off of the shelf in the corner. She read, wiping his forehead after each chapter.
About an hour and a half later Aspen groaned and shifted in his sleep.
Katelyn sighed and reluctantly looked up from her book at him. She was at a good part.
He mumbled something and tried to roll over.
Katelyn leaned over the edge of the bed and held him steady. "Shh."
"Go... just.." he grumbled.
Katelyn tried to help by uttering soft words as she picked up the cloth again.
He groaned and tried to turn uncomfortably.
"Everything is fine, Aspen."
He sat still for a moment. "Don't... leave..." he mumbled his shoulders tight.
"No one is leaving."
"No..."
Katelyn rested her hand on his forehead. He was still burning up and he was sweating.
He groaned again mumbling 'no.'
Katelyn watched sadly, not being able to comfort him. She wondered if she should wake him up to end his dream.
"No!" He yelled and bolted upright. "No.." he whispered pressing his eyes closed.
Katelyn sat on the edge of the bed and put her hand in his arm. "It's ok." She said quietly. "It wasn't real."
He flinched away from her, startled by her touch and voice. He didn't look at her. "Your still here?" He asked, his voice weak and shaky.
"Yes. Where would I have gone?" She placed the pillows behind his back to he could lean back on them while sitting up.
He shook his head and leaned back pressing his eyes closed. He rubbed his face, his hands shaky.
Katelyn brought her hand away from him and sat in her chair, pulling it closer to the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling now?" She asked, leaning forward and putting her arms on the bed.
"I'm...fine..." he still not looking at her.
"Why don't you drink some water?" She said, handing him the cup.
He looked at his hands and then took the cup trying not to shake the cup. He took a few sips and then handed it back, hiding his hands under the covers.
"Are you hungry?" She asked, studying him. He looked terrible.
"No.. I'm fine." He said trying to steady his voice.
Katelyn was still looking at him. "I know you're not fine."
"Where did Blake go?" He asked looking around the room.
"I made him go to his room to rest."
"Oh." Aspen said simply. He leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes.
Katelyn sighed and looked down at the comforter. "You kept mumbling things about people leaving in your sleep. Want to talk about it?" She asked softly.
"No.. its fine." He said opening his eyes to look at her.
"You were really distressed.." she said glancing at him. He clenched his teeth.
"I don't want to talk about it.." he said and looked away from her.
"Ok.. but I'm mostly concerned about you giving that cat a cookie." She said with a smile, trying to lighten his mood.
He laughed quietly. "I'm not even going to try and explain that one.." he said.
"No need. I'm not sure I want to know." She said, picking up her book.
"Did I mention the dog?" He asked curiously. "Because there was a small little dog who tried to be the cat. It was weird." He said staring at the ceiling.
"No. Please don't explain that one." She said, flipping through the book to find her page. After a moment he turned his head to look at her. "You don't have to stay, you know."
She nodded. "Yes I do."
"This isn't fair." He grumbled and looked away from her.
She looked up. "What's not fair?"
"You never let me help you yet here you are sitting with me." He stated
"That's because I don't need your help, yet right now you seriously need mine." She said.
"Yeah because I'm dying."
Katelyn set her book on her lap. "You're not dying.."
"Feels like I'm dying." He complained.
She bit her lip. "It probably does."
He sighed. "It burns and I feels hot and cold all at the same time." He said quietly.
Katelyn put the back of her hand on his forehead, then his neck. "You're still feverish." She observed, bringing her hand away.
He glanced at his shoulder. "Why where they poison tipped anyway?" He wondered out loud.
Katelyn shrugged. "It wasn't very strong, but it could be worse."
"How long do I have to stay in bed?" He asked looking over at her.
"Until you feel well enough to get up." She responded.
"How long will that be?"
"Like I said, it wasn't very strong. But no, I wasn't familiar with it. It is causing normal symptoms of poisoning such as your high fever... except the dreams, that's new." She noted.
"Oh." He said looking away from her.
She picked up her book and continued to read. He moved the pillows and laid back down on his back. She glanced up. "Going back to sleep?" She asked.
      "Maybe." He said. "Maybe not."
      "Which means?" "I
      "don't know. I'm tired but I don't want to sleep." He said looking over at her.
      "I know the feeling." She mumbled. He nodded and closed his eyes
      "Do you want me to read you this story?" She asked.
     He laughed. "No, no I'm fine."
"Why laugh? Stories always help me go to sleep." Katelyn said, stroking the spine of her book.
     "They don't normally help me." He said. "Plus I'm not a child."
      "Hasn't anyone ever read you a bedtime story before when you were young? And books aren't only for children."
     "No.. they didn't." he said quietly
     "Oh... my mom did every night before-" she looked down.
      "Oh." He said. "Mine never did."
      She looked up. "Why not? Unless you'd rather not explain.."
      "They didn't have the time.." he said dryly
     "My dad never did either. He was so obsessed with his work."
     "Hm."
     "You should try to rest. I'll be quiet now." She said with a sigh. She buried her nose back in her book, but she felt too distracted to focus on reading.
      He sighed. "Fine." He said and rolled over onto his side so his back was turned to her. He pulled the covers up to his face. After a while Aspen mumbled something.
     "Hm?" She asked, looking up. He didn't reply. Katelyn shook her head and stood up. She walked over to the window and looked at the city below.
She saw less people in town than normal. The people varied, some with blonde hair, some brown, as well a dark hair person who disappeared behind a building that was at the edge of town near the woods. She looked away from the people and looked at the sky. It was clear and turning pink as the sun was setting.
She sighed and turned away from the window. She settled down in her chair with her book and read until she was finished. Exhausted, she laid her head on the edge of the bed and dozed off.