Ember Gods

Chapter 43

The group caught up right when Jacob exited the tunnel. After a joyful reunion between Gallus and Aloren, Ebony ordered the teenagers and the Minyas to go to the Fat Lady's cabin while she, Gallus, and Sweet Pea stayed behind to see to Eachan.

Jacob couldn't remember a time when he'd been happier to see the Fat Lady's messy interior. He was exhausted, but couldn't help smile at what had happened. He'd sensed the Minyas' power and had been able to draw from it! Was it a new ability? It had to be—he could now feel the magical skills of those around him. The Fat Lady actually had a gift when it came to potions. That was why they worked so well. Her gift was the final ingredient. He wondered if she knew that.

Matt and Aloren had the same feeling, and Jacob understood why. They were non-magical humans, but had taken the same potion. Matt recently, and Aloren several months ago.

And the Minyas—the poor, sweet Minyas. They'd survived, though they'd been unconscious most of the time while Jacob had carried them back. He watched over them as Matt helped Aloren clean up the cuts she'd sustained during a fall in her escape. When she was ready, Jacob returned her bag. She smiled at him gratefully and pulled out Hazel's container, gently placing the Minya inside.

The Fat Lady dug through her cabin for several minutes, trying to find a box for Early. She finally emerged, her bun coming loose, a metal tin in her hand.

"This should do the trick," she said. "Haven't used it in years, but that doesn't matter." She handed the silver container to Jacob.

Jacob gently slid his fingers under Early's still form, placed her on the cushioned material in the box, and closed the lid.

"Don't touch those for at least half an hour," the Fat Lady said. "Any movement will set the Minyas back, and being so close to death, it'll most likely kill them."

Jacob pulled his hand away from the container. He'd feel awful if Early died because he knocked her box accidentally.

Ebony, Gallus, and Sweet Pea arrived, out of breath, and slammed the cabin door shut, deep yellow swirling around their faces.

"Phew!" Sweet Pea said. "That was close!"

"What happened?" Jacob asked.

"The Lorkon showed up right as we were leaving the tunnel. We barely beat them here."

The Fat Lady looked out the window near the front door. "Yup. They look ticked. Good thing the spells on my cabin are stronger than they are."

Aloren stood. "Eachan?"

"We had to leave him behind," Ebony said. "We couldn't move him. Not even an inch."

Jacob nodded. "The Lorkon barrier," he said. He hesitated, glancing at Aloren, then back to Ebony. "Is he alive?"

"Yes," Ebony said. "He should be fine in a few hours. His injuries were mostly minimal—exhaustion and burns, which we treated with Kaede sap." She sat down, wiping sweat off her forehead. "I just don't know what to do, though. He's stuck there. Can't go forward, can't go back. He'll die unless someone checks on him regularly. Gives him food and so forth."

"Wow. That's gonna be awful for him," Matt said.

Ebony nodded. "We'll make him as comfortable as possible."

Gallus looked around. "How are all of you doing?"

"Matt and I are fine," Jacob said. He nodded to Aloren. "She could use some Kaede sap, though. She's got cuts that don't look good."