Chasing Blue- The Final Saga (Book 4)

Chapter 37: Dreamscape

My eyelids flew open only to find several pairs of eyes staring back at me. All I could pick out from their moving lips was 'fever.' Jason crouched down beside the cot so his eyes could level with mines. His cool fingers pressed over my damp forehead seemed to absorb the heat emanating from my skin. He pulled his fingers away as if I was a boiling hot kettle. I did not blame him. I felt like I was on fire.

"Drink up," he said motioning the clay cup Crispus handed him. I managed to lift my head enough, ready to quench the flames that burned inside. He positioned the cup to my lips as I cocked my head back and let the cold rainwater rush through my mouth like a torrent. It was too fast. I began choking.

"I'm sorry," Jason mumbled jerking the cup away, just missing the waterfall that came spewing out my mouth. He jolted to his feet tiptoeing away from the small puddle I created on the floor. Crispus pushed past Jason and helped adjust my head upright. His hands pounded my back in a rhythmic pattern, as I sputtered the remaining water on my tunic. Now sitting upright on the cot, I could now clearly see Crispus, Jason, Theseus and a few curious stragglers hovering over me. Their faces filled with concern.

"It will be all right," Crispus said, waving him off. That is what he told Hyros and looked what happened to him! Although he tried to be the calm one, his words did anything but calm me. "You just drank the water a little too fast. This time, drink it a little slower," he instructed. I nodded as I picked up the cup and finished the remaining water.

"What happened to me?" I rasped.

"You fainted for a moment. Maximus and another crew member alerted me and we moved you onto a cot while you were in a daze so I could tend to you," he said. "You are burning up, my friend," he added, wringing the damp cool cloth, before placing it onto my forehead. The sudden coolness of the cloth seemed to quench my fever.

"Thanks," I uttered softly. I was feeling relief but I still wondered why I developed a fever and how long it would last. Before I could open my mouth to ask another question, Crispus offered another cup of water to my lips.

"How long do you think the fever will last, Crispus?" Theseus asked.

"It depends. It can last for a few hours or a few days. I am not certain how he got it but it could be from a number of different factors ..." his voice trailed. Once I put the cup down, I noticed what he was glancing at. My hand where the scab was forming. It was still a blistery pink around the outer edge of the scab.

"What happened to your hand?" he asked.

"I tripped and fell when a nail pierced it," I replied.

"I see. I am surprised you did not come to me sooner. I could have gotten it bandaged for you. It looks inflamed," he said staring at me with stern eyes. I did not like the look he was giving me. Like I did something wrong. After all I did bandage it.

"That explains some things," Theseus said shaking his head. The map was clutched in his right hand. Although I tried to wipe the blood off the map before it was handed back to him, I could not get rid of the red smudges that stained the outer fringes of the yellowed parchment. He knew it was my blood.

Crispus dismissed the other two as he checked my vitals. In between checking my pulse, I was forced to come to terms that he was the only physician available until we reached land. Whatever doubts I had, I had to trust him.

"So how did you feel before you fainted?" he asked, attempting to start a conversation as he carried over a small vase to my side.

"I felt very warm. I remember being thirsty and the room appeared as if it was moving," I said softly.

"Well the boat is moving, so that could account for some of the movement. It sounds like thirst and the fever did you under," he replied in a measured tone. He was so calm, so calculated. I sometimes wondered whether I was just another patient in his book. Then again in his practice he saw this and much worse. No doubt it took a lot to worry him. His next words were to keep my hand still as he brought the damp cloth to my wound.