Jolene

Chapter 22 Imperial Dragons

Eli and Walter rushed to Jolene and carefully lifted her carrying her into the clinic. Elodia rushed to Jolene's home and notified Edward. He ran to Jolene, others following. Mother Ruth was notified and she and Mathilda joined the group of sisters and family. Edward sat next to Jolene at the head of the bed holding her small hand in both of his waiting in silence while her sisters tried to comfort Gabby and Ana.

"She is breathing," Theodora said, "I have no idea what happened, or what to do."

"We wait and pray," Mother Ruth said softly. The group's spirits sank lower as an hour passed then two more and then three. Elodia, Susan and Maryann made sandwiches and the other sisters made sure everyone ate as the vigil continued. Then Jolene screamed and sat up. Edward held her as she was racked with tremors and screamed again. She was hyperventilating as she regained consciousness, then wept. They finally assisted her to a chair and offered her highly sweetened tea to sip. She took it and ate a sandwich.

"Mother Ruth, I've seen the Imperial Dragons. The Wyvern are their watching now, I felt their horror and pain, the Wyvern and the dragons. I can feel the dragons suffering and fears."

"How are you able to do this," Mother Ruth whispered.

"Through the Wyvern, I don't know how."

"Drink some more tea, go home and sleep. I'll recall the Wyvern. Ed, you can take her home." Ed nodded then wrapped the blanket around her and took Jolene into his arms.

"I'll take you home sweetheart." Jolene nodded and lay her head on his shoulder and wept. While Jolene slept the entire coven came together and stood in a circle holding hands in a vigil of prayer. Edward held her as she slept restlessly in his arms.

*******

The emperor was in an absolute rage. Every time he tried to speak a fit of coughing and wheezing prevented him. He had to lay down to catch his breath. Three physicians attended him. Later his servants removed his stained wet garments and brought him new clothing. "Burn them he said tossing his wet clothes to a servant, his voice barely audible with his wheezing. "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED!" he was finally able to shout.

"Someone dropped water bladders your highness," the officer of his personal guard said.

"How did they manage that, bring them to me. I will deal with them personally."

"It had to be the dragon riders," the high priest said.

"Are you sure, they've never ventured here before?"

"One of them actually signed her water bladder."

"Let me see it." The high priest handed him four of the now broken bags. Written on them in a rather ornate lettering was the message: with my best regards, Tiger. "What does this mean?"

"I will look into it my lord, personally."

"I want a warrant out on this Tiger person."

"I believe one has been issued, apparently she attacked one of our Imperial Magistrates, a Felix Justine, in the colonies."

"She may be Jolene of Lakepointe, my lord," the high priestess said. "The girl with the dragons. It seems to make sense as they flew over and dropped the bladders."

"Destroy the village, kill every last one of them. Impale them all and leave there bodies for the crows. Contact Felix Justine he can arrange for a fitting retribution on this tiger person. We have agents embedded in the republic I want this woman dead." A new fit of wheezing and coughing silenced the Emperor and his physicians asked that the room be cleared.