The Prince and the pirate (Now puplished on dreame in extended version)

The dying prince and the witch doctor

3 days later
*Naria*
I am crying as I sit next to his bed clutching his hand in mine. Zac is dying, no doubt about it. He has been throwing up blood for two days and he is pale as a ghost. The priest says it is the plague and that there is nothing more to do. The country is already in mourning over their lost prince and yesterday when I came back after doing some work, I found the king on his knees next to the bed crying for his son.
My world is slowly crumbling. I mean I always knew I could never have him for real, but I much rather see him happy and alive with someone else, than having him dead.
I am not convinced it is the plague, but I don't know what is wrong with him and neither seem anyone else to do. He have barely been conscious today, and I fear that he won't live through the night. I am loosing him and I don't know what to do.
"Baby ? Are you here ?" His voice is so weak and I softly squeeze his hand. "I am right here Zac. Do you need anything ?"
"I just wanted to tell you thank you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for showing me what real love is and for giving me at least a short time of happiness. I love you beyond anything and I am sorry to leave you like this". He whispers softly with a raw sick voice.
I feel panic wash over me. "I love you to Zac, so much, with all my heart and soul. But it isn't time for goodbyes. I have an idea, do I have your permission to do anything I can to save you ?" He don't answer but he nods, his eyes telling me he is close to giving up.
"I'll be back soon love. I'll have Joel come sit with you". I tell him and hurry out. Telling Joel to go watch him. Telling him to keep up his spirits.
I run to the village, finding the hut right on the edge, near the forest. I knock on the door, taking a deep breath as I wait nervously. The door opens slowly and a big darkskinned man with markings on his face looks at me. "I am sorry sir. I need your help. My ... very good friend, he is dying".
"And what makes you think I can help him ?" He says with his deep voice, he has some foreign accent and he looks a me like he reads my soul.
I do my best to look him in the eyes and not stutter. "I saw you help a little boy with a fever that everybody said was already death. I have nowhere else to go. Without help he will be death before the morning".
"And what is wrong with your.. friend ?" He asks and I rample it of. "He started getting headaches and being dizzy, then he fainted and now he is throwing up blood. The priest says that it is the plague, but I don't believe it, I have seen people with the plague".
"Well I need to see him if I am to say if I can help him". He says and turn to pick up some kind og Satchell. "Show me to him".
"We need to get to the castle, it is..". He stops and hold up his hand. "Sorry, is your friend the prince ? Sorry but I can't help you then".
"But you have to, please. I can get some money, my father is the baker and I get a small salary". I am begging desperately, I have no were else to turn.
He shakes his head. "It is not about the money my dear. If I touch the prince I risk getting executed. If I touch him and he still dies I am sure of getting executed. I would like to stay alive".
"I am begging you". I fall to my knees, feeling like I can't breathe. "I love him, you need to help him, please. I promise that no one will hurt you".
He extend his hand to me, helping me up. "Oh little one you can't guarantee that. But I am a sucker for true love and I can tell that you do love him. So is he the father of the baby ?"
"The baby ?" I am blinking, feeling confused. What baby ? The man raises an eyebrow and points to my stomach. I look down. "Me ? No I am not pregnant".
"Oh yes you are my girl". He sends me a soft smile. "So now take me to your prince and let's hope I can save him".
I hurriedly lead him to the castle and Zac's room. All the way trying to digest the news. Because I suddenly know without a doubt that he is right. Oh God I am pregnant with Zac's baby.
Joel looks at me like I am crazy when the big dark skinned man starts looking Zac over. "I know what you are thinking Joel, but we have no choice. If we don't do something he will be dead before before tomorrow".
He looks thoughtful for a moment, then he nods. "You are right, we need to do something, anything to try and safe him".
We both watch in silence as the man look over Zac. Looking into his eyes, feeling his forehead and he seems to smell him. I look at Joel and he shrug, none of us knows anything about thing like this.
"Definately not the plague, you were right". The man turns to look at us. "He has been poisoned, through a longer period I am guessing".
"Poisoned ? Like on purpose, like someone has wanted to kill him ?" Joel looks shocked, like he can't believe that anyone would do that.
The big man nods. "No doubt it is done on purpose and with intend to kill him. It is a very powerful poison and it is not one he could have accidentally congested".
"God that is what Phipp meant. He poisoned him, but why ?" I can't believe he could have hated Zac that much. I can't believe anyone would hate Zac that much.
Joel is shaking his head. "Phipp might have been the one sneaking the poison into his food or drink. He can easily have done that. But it wasn't his idea, he wasn't smart enough. I smell a rat. An uncle rat pining for the throne".
"Can you save him ? Can you remove the poison in some way ?" I look at the big man, praying that he can still help him.
He slowly shakes his head, looking at Zac's lifeless form. "UnfortunatelyI think it is to late, he is very weak and it looks like he has been bleed, making the poison more concentrated in his blood. You were right, he is dying".
"Please sir, try something. Anything to save him. Not only for him and us, but for the country". I beg him, tears streaming down my cheeks. I can't bear to let evil win.
He looks thoughtful for a moment. "Well there is one thing I can do, but he will need new blood or he is to weak, a lot of blood".
"You can take my blood, anything if you just help him". I don't care if it will hurt, all I care about is saving Zac.
He shakes his head again. "Not in you condition, you need all your blood yourself and well blood need to be compatible with the body, if he gets the wrong blood he will die. Family is the best chance".
"So we need the king to cooperate on this ?" I say and look at the others. "Okay then, I'll go talk to him. Wish me luck".