The ride back was rough. There was no need for formation.
Branches hit against them as they pushed through the forest at full speed.
Kaelen was barely holding on.
Rowan kept a firm grip on him, making sure he didn't fall.
"Stay with me," Rowan said.
Kaelen was to weak to respond.
Dunc rode closer, his voice tense. "He's getting worse."
Rowan didn't look at him. "I can see that."
Kaelen's breathing had changed. It was faint and short.
Bren glanced back. "The poison is spreading faster than it should."
Arin shook his head. "It's already in his system. The longer we take..." he didn't need to continue, they all knew what will happen.
"Ride faster," Rowan ordered.
They pushed and increased their pace.
Kaelen shifted slightly, like he was trying to speak but nothing cameout.
"Don't talk," Rowan said.
His skin was getting cold and pale.
Dunc clenched his jaw. "He saved me…"
"No one is dying today," Rowan said sharply.
The kept riding and it felt like the distance kept stretching like it was taking forever to reach the palace. And then finally the city gates finally came into view.
"Open the gates!" Rowan shouted.
The guards reacted immediately rushing to open the gate.
"Faster!" Dunc yelled.
The moment there was enough space, they quickly rode through.
"Inform the king!" Rowan ordered as they entered the palace grounds. The guard rushed to the throne room.
Kaelen was becoming more paler, his head dropped slightly. His body going still.
Rowan tightened his grip. "Stay with me."
Kaelen couldn't respond.
"Kaelen."
Still nothing.
They reached the palace steps. Servants and guards rushed forward.
"Clear the way!" Rowan snapped.
They carefully brought Kaelen down, laying him flat.
"Where are the healers?" Bren demanded.
"They're coming!" one of the palace attendants replied.
Rowan looked at Kaelen again.
His face had gone completely pale now, his breathing was barely there.
Rowan stood abruptly, turning to one of the guards.
"Send for Alaric. Now."
The guard didn't hesitate. "Yes, sir!"
Wasting no time he rushed out to Alaric's house.
The palace guard moved quickly through the streets.
Straight toward the healer's district.
He reached the Thorne home and knocked urgently.
No answer. He knocked again but harder.
Elara heard the knock and rushed to open the door.
"Yes.. ?"
"The prince has been injured," the messenger said quickly. "Captain Rowan has requested Healer Alaric immediately."
Elara's expression changed instantly. "What?"
"He's been poisoned. They need your father at the palace now."
Her heart dropped. "He's not here," she said quickly. "He's at the market."
The messenger nodded. "Then get him. Quickly."
Elara didn't wait, she turned and ran to her father's tent in the market.
Reaching there the tent was busy as always.
People moved in and out. Voices filled the space.
"Elara?" Darin called as he saw her rushing in. "What's wrong?"
She didn't stop. "Where's Father?"
"Inside."
She pushed past him.
Alaric turned at the sudden movement. "Elara."
"The prince," she said, breathless. "He's been poisoned."
Everyone that heard her went still.
"They need you at the palace. Now."
Alaric didn't waste a second. He turned immediately, already moving toward his work table.
"Darin, clear the space."
Darin reacted instantly, pushing aside tools and stepping back.
Alaric began gathering what he needed fast, precise.
Small vials, wrapped herbs, clean cloth, a narrow case of instruments.
"Elara," he said, holding out a bundle. "Take this."
She stepped forward quickly and took it.
"And this," he added, handing her another set of supplies. Her grip tightened around them.
Alaric slung the rest over his shoulder and headed straight for the exit. "Let's hurry."
Elara followed immediately.
Behind them, Darin grabbed his cloak and hurried after them.
"Where are you going?" Alaric turned to him.
Darin didn't slow down.
"We still have training at the palace!" he replied quickly.
No one stopped him.
They stepped out into the street and didn't hesitate.
Because now every second mattered.
At the palace, King Aldric rushed towards Kealen, his composure composure already slipping.
"What happened?" he demanded, his voice tight and barely steady.
Rowan stepped forward. "Prince Kealen risked his life so we could take down the beast.
"and is the beast dead?" King Aldric asked looking at Rowan straight in the eye.
"Yes sire"
A brief relief washed his face, but the next moment his expression hardened.
"And what is taking the Healer so long"? The king asked trying so hard to keep his composure steady.
"They will be right here your majesty." Jorik said calmly.
King Aldric didn't respond. He looked back at Kaelen, his jaw tightening.
"Take him to his chambers." The king ordered.
At the palace gates Dr Alaric, Darin and Elara rushed in without slowing down. "Make way!" one of the guards called. They were quickly escorted through the halls, the urgency clear in every step the took.
By the time they reached the prince's chambers, the atmosphere had shifted completely. The room was tensed and heavy.
Inside Kaelen's chambers was Lyra, General Lysender, Rowan, and King Aldric. The moment Alaric entered, the king stepped forward.
"Alaric I'm glad you are here" the king said trying so
hard too control himself.
"you need to do everything in your knowledge and power to safe him."
Lyra stepped forward, her composure breaking.
"You need to do something now," she said, with shaking voice. "It's like he's dying."
"I will try everything I can, Your Majesty," Alaric said with a bow. "I need to examine him now."
"Do whatever you must," King Aldric replied immediately, stepping aside.
Alaric moved to Kaelen's side without wasting a second. Kaelen lay still on the bed, his skin pale, his breathing shallow and uneven. It was too weak and slow.
Alaric placed two fingers against his neck, checking his pulse. His expression tightened slightly.
"His pulse is weak," he said. "And irregular."
Lyra covered her mouth, her eyes filling with tears.
"No…"
Rowan stood nearby, his arms crossed tightly. "The tail struck him across the chest."
Alaric nodded once. "Every part of that beast is covered with poison."
He carefully pulled aside part of Kaelen's shirt to examine the area.
The skin where the tail had hit was already discolored dark veins spreading outward slowly.
General Lysender stepped forward slightly. "Can you stop it?"
Alaric didn't answer immediately.
"Elara," he said instead, without looking away. "The bag."
Elara stepped forward quickly, kneeling beside him and opening the bundle with slightly shaking hands.
"Cloth," Alaric said.
She handed it to him with no delay.
"Now the small vial, the green one."
Elara searched quickly and passed it over.
Alaric poured a small amount onto the cloth and began cleaning the wound carefully.
But Kealen was still getting weak.
Lyra's voice trembled. "Why isn't he waking up?"
"The poison is already affecting him," Alaric replied, focused. "We need to slow it down."
He worked quickly, cleaning the area thoroughly.
"Bandage," he said.
Elara handed it to him immediately.
Alaric wrapped the cloth tightly around Kaelen's chest, securing it firmly.
"This will slow the spread," he said. "But it won't stop it."
The room went quiet.
King Aldric's voice cut through it. "Then what will?"