| Chapter 59 Cameron looked up at the full moon, wondering just what he'd gotten himself into. Here he was, traveling through the mountains in the middle of the night, just because of a promise he'd made to a man he barely knew. He looked over, seeing Brian hunched over his unicorns neck, asleep. He'd been sleeping for most of the trip so far, and Cameron wondered how he stayed in the saddle. Cameron reached over and felt Brian's forehead, frowning when the heat met his hand. Brian was wheezing again, and even in the moonlight, he could tell his color wasn't good. Cameron sighed, debating on what to do. He'd taken a lesser traveled trail, still afraid that whoever took Brian in the first place would be watching the main road. They were hours from any village, and just as far from Cystaleia. He looked over when Brian coughed, the sound making him cringe. He had to stop and get some more medicine in Brian, or he wouldn't make it to Cystaleia. Cameron halted his unicorn, jumping down and pulling his blanket from his saddle. He lay it in the middle of the trail, then walked over and carefully pulled Brian from his saddle. Brian moaned, but didn't wake up as Cameron drug him to the blanket, laying him down. He then pulled his medical supplies from his saddle bag and grabbed Brian's blanket. Covering him, Cameron set up a makeshift IV, inserting the needle into Brian's arm. The doctor then pulled a fresh syringe out and filled it with some of the Krystal he was carrying. He injected it into the IV tube, watching as Brian seemed to instantly react to it. His muscles relaxed, letting him fall into a deeper sleep. Cameron sighed, rubbing his face. He was tired, but he needed to stay awake. He was the only thing standing between Brian and death right now ....sleep could definitely wait. Brian moaned, shifting in his sleep. Cameron saw how badly he was trembling and pulled his blanket up further. He was afraid to light a fire, for fear it would attract unwanted guests. He got up, searching his and Brian's saddle bags for something else to keep Brian warm with. When he found nothing, he pulled his own poncho off and lay it over him. He sat down next to Brian, leaning against a rock. The suns would be up in a few hours, they could leave then ... that is if Brian made it through the night. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick sat on his balcony, staring at the stars. He couldn't sleep, and decided to come out and get some fresh air. He was worried about the ceremony. Worried that even though he was doing what the kidnapers wanted, that he may not get Brian back. Maybe they were waiting to see the ceremony to its end, wanting to make sure that no one could back out at the last minute. Whatever it was that was causing the kidnapers not to call, it was eating at Nick. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes and leaning back on the lounge he was on. His mind took him back to the afternoon he'd spent with Ana. He smiled, still able to feel her body against his, the smell of her hair, the taste of her lips, the warmth and tenderness that flowed around them as they made love. He didn't know how he was going to hide his feelings now. He knew that every time he laid eyes on her now, the image of that afternoon would fill his mind. He loved her with all his heart ... it was going to be hell having to hide it. He opened his eyes and looked to the heavens. Millions of stars greeted him, in patterns he was beginning to recognize. He bit his lip, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had to pull off the acting job of the century to keep his and Ana's relationship a secret. The costs were to high if they got caught, and he would die before he subjected Ana to that punishment. He settled back into the lounge, his body finally giving in to the stress and worry. He fought to keep his eyes open, but quickly lost the battle. He slipped into a dream filled sleep, full of his stars and Ana. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cameron jerked and looked up. The suns rays shining into his face. He suddenly realized he'd fallen asleep and quickly looked over at Brian. To his relief he was still sleeping. He gently touched his cheek, noting his fever was still high. He rummaged through his medical supplies, finding the medicine he wanted. He injected it into the IV, then got up and stretched. He looked over the mountains, the suns just peeking over the tops. They needed to leave if they had any hope of making it to Cystaleia on time. Reluctantly Cameron knelt down and shook Brian, "Hey, wake up." Brian moaned, turning away from him. Cameron shook him harder, "Wake up Brian, we need to get going." Brian opened his eyes and looked over at the young doctor, "We stopped?" "I had to. I thought I was gonna lose you last night," Cameron replied. Slowly Brian sat up, looking around. Cameron went about packing up their supplies, then came over with a small bundle in his hands. He sat down next to Brian and opened it up, revealing the food that Aubrey had packed for them. He tore apart a piece of bread and handed it to Brian, "Try and eat. We still have a long way to go, so we won't have time to stop." Brian took it and ate as much as he could. He was feeling nauseous, and already needing a hit of Krystal. It was all he could taste as he ate. The two ate in silence, then Cameron got up and packed the rest of their things. He waited until the last minute to take the IV out of Brian's arm. He debated on leaving it in, but decided it wouldn't be good if it got snagged while they were riding. "Ok, you ready?" he asked, holding his hand out for Brian to take. Brian nodded, taking his hand and standing up. His legs shook underneath him, and he swayed. Cameron was right there, helping to guide him to the white unicorn. Just as they reached him, Brian's legs gave out and he sank to the ground. Cameron knelt down next to him, a worried expression on his face, "Are you alright?" Brian nodded, trying to will his strength back, "Y-yeah I'm just ... weak." Cameron gave him a moment to recuperate, then helped him back up and into his saddle. Brian immediately lay across the unicorns neck, letting his feet hang lose from the stirrups. As he had done during his escape, he wrapped the creatures mane around his wrists, insuring he wouldn't fall off. Cameron mounted his unicorn and looked over, seeing Brian already drifting back to sleep. "Brian?" he said, gently shaking him. Brian blinked a few times, then looked up at him, "Just ..go. He'll follow ... you." Cameron nodded as Brian closed his eyes, moving ahead of the white unicorn, he looked back, "You can feel his breathing?" The unicorn nodded. "If it changes, I want you to stop. Otherwise, stay with me. We've got to get there as fast as we can," he said, kicking his unicorn and galloping down the trail, the white unicorn right behind him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Marie, please just let us bring you something," Howie pleaded. She smiled at his concern, "I'm tired of this room. Please just let me do this," she said. "But honey, you should stay here and rest some more. They just let you out of the hospital last night," A.J. said. Marie sighed, walking over to the door and stepping into the hall, "Yes they did. And I need to get things back to normal. That means going down for breakfast." A.J. and Howie glanced at each other as they caught up with her in the hall. They walked in silence for a moment, both men thinking Brian had found his match in the stubborn department. There was no telling this woman no if she had her mind made up. A.J. smiled, thinking how perfect the two were together. Marie glanced over, catching his grin. "And what's so funny?" she asked. "Nothing, just that .... well I never thought I'd met anyone as stubborn as Rok," he answered. She smiled for a moment, then the smile left her face. "Oh honey, I'm sorry," A.J. said, not wanting to upset her. She shook her head, "It's alright Alex." Just then Nick stepped out of his room, meeting them in the hall. He looked down at the floor, not knowing what to say to Marie. He turned to go ahead of them, but she stopped him, "Your highness, can we talk?" Nick cringed, knowing he deserved every bad thing she said to him and more. He swallowed hard and nodded, turning back around, "Guys, go on. I'll bring her down." A.J. and Howie looked from Marie to Nick, knowing this talk needed to happen for the both of them. The two went on ahead, leaving them in the hall. Nick stared at the carpeted floor, not able to meet her stare. All the guilt he'd felt over Brian's disappearance and the loss of his child swept over him. "I-I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry. Everything that's happened is my fault, and I can never make it up to you. If you hated me for the rest of your life, I'd understand," he muttered. Marie stared at him for a moment in shock. She had been so consumed with her own emotions, that she had no idea Nick blamed himself for this. "Please look at me," she said softly, afraid her voice would break. Nick bit his lip and slowly looked up at her. Tears brimmed both their eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you blamed yourself for this. Nick, this isn't your fault, no more than it's mine or Kevin's. This happened, and yes it's sad, and it'll take a long time to get over .... but none of this is your fault. You can't bare the burden of this by yourself. Brian's coming back, I have to believe that, and he would hate it if he knew you felt this way, and you know it," she said. Nick smiled through his tears, "Yeah he would. He'd get mad at me for taking everything on myself." "Then don't. I don't blame you for any of this," Marie said. Nick reached out and pulled her into a heartfelt hug, surprising her. "Thank you Marie," he said, letting her go. She smiled, wiping away her tears. Nick cleared his throat, swiping at his own face. The two headed towards the dining room, not speaking for a few moments. Nick gently put his hand on her back as they walked, "Are you ... um .. are you sure you're alright?" Marie nodded, "I am. My heart hurts, but I'm sure it'll get better with time. At least that's what everyone tells me." Nick nodded, "I've heard that too. It gets easier with time. I'm sorry you had to go through that though." "So am I. When Brian comes back, I uh I don't know how I'm going to tell him," she said, blinking the tears from her eyes. Nick rubbed her back as they walked, "Yeah..." he said, his thoughts trailing off to the ceremony that night. Wondering if he would get Brian back at all. Marie glanced up at him, "Has there been any word?" Nick looked down at her, sorrow in his face, "No honey, there hasn't." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cameron looked ahead, seeing the capital city in the valley below. The suns were setting, and he had pushed to get here. The unicorns were visibly tired, but wouldn't stop until he ordered them to. All day they had traveled as fast as they dared through the mountains, only stopping once so Cameron could inject some more medicine into Brian. Cameron kicked his unicorn, "Lets go," he said as they started their decent. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick fidgeted with his crown. The suns had just set and soon it would be time for the ceremony. He dreaded it with a passion. The last thing he wanted to do was sign that treaty, but he had to. There was no getting around it. If he was ever going to see Brian again, he had to do this. He sighed, turning and making his way to the throne room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Brian, Brian wake up," Cameron urged, shaking him. Brian coughed, his whole body shaking. Cameron quickly glanced down both sides of the alley they were in, making sure the sound didn't get someone's attention. They had made it into the city just after sun down, and now stood in an alley near the palace gates. "Brian please. You need to wake up," he begged. Brian slowly looked up at him, barely able to lift his head. "We're here," Cameron said. Brian blinked a few times, looking around the best he could, "T-the ... palace?" "Yes, we're just beyond the gates," Cameron answered, "I was afraid to go ahead. The guards don't know me, and there's a possibility that whoever took you is watching for you to show up too." Brian nodded, untangling his hands and pushing himself up to a sitting position. He grimaced with pain as a strong craving hit him. Cameron reached around and pulled two syringes from his bag. "Give me your arm," he instructed. Brian held out his arm, letting the doctor inject the blue liquid into his body. "Now, I'm gonna give you a shot of adrenaline. It'll give you a bit of energy," he said. Brian nodded, enduring that shot as well. As soon as the needle was out of his arm, Brian kicked his unicorn, and headed towards the gates. He got about halfway there, then turned into another alley. "What is it?" Cameron asked. Brian looked at him with fear on his face, "One of the men guarding the gate. He's one of the men that took me." "You're sure?" Cameron asked. Brian nodded, heading down the alley, "I know a ... back way in." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick sat on his throne, bored and antsy at the same time. He didn't understand why they had to go through all these formalities. The ceremony started thirty minutes ago, and no one had signed anything yet. First there was a presentation from Kholath, then from Jeptim. Then to top it off, school children were brought in to sing, as Celeste's presentation. Nick looked over at the choir and smiled. The children looked so happy to be there, so unlike him. He sighed as the song went on, hoping for it to be over with soon. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian and Cameron snuck down the halls, hiding behind columns as they went. The adrenaline had given Brian a burst of energy, and he was able to walk on his own. He hurried down the hall towards the throne room. Suddenly he stopped, ducking into a room. Cameron followed him, shutting the door. Brian held it as long as he could, when he heard the door shut, he let go, coughing. The doctor glanced around nervously. Someone was going to hear them. Brian leaned against the wall, trying to get air into his lungs. He glanced at his hand, chills running down his back. "Cam ..eron," he panted. Cameron looked over, seeing the blood in Brian's hand, "We've got to get you to the hospital." Brian shook his head, wiping the blood on his poncho, "Not yet," he said, opening the door and glancing out at the hall. He steadied himself, and set out again, the doctor following behind him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick watched as Tunk took the pen and signed his name. A servant took the treaty and carried it to Kelah's table, and he too signed it. Nick glared at the man, wanting nothing more than to stick his sword in the man's gut. If anything happened to Brian, he just might. The servant picked up the papers and made his way to Nick. He stopped and knelt before him, then handed him the papers. Nick looked down at the signatures and sighed. This was it. He licked his lips and picked up his pen. Nick situated the papers on the table before him and sighed again. He pressed the pen to the paper ..... "Stop!" someone yelled from the back of the room. Nick looked up, seeing a commotion in the crowd as several of his guards moved to see what was going on. "Stop the ceremony!" a man yelled. Nick watched as two men stood out in the crowd. One was a young, tall Celestian he'd never seen before. The other was shorter, and wore a hood concealing his identity. The shorter man seemed to have trouble walking as the guards pushed through the crowd to get to them. Nick stood up, "Guards," he said sternly, stopping them in their tracks. Nick stared at the tall young man, since he seemed to be the spokesman of the two, "Why do you interrupt this ceremony?" "Because you're doing it for the wrong reasons," Brian said as loudly as he could, pulling the hood off. "Brian!" Nick said, watching as Kevin, A.J. and Howie ran to their friend, engulfing him in one large hug. Kelah glanced at Mason, anger written all over his face. This wasn't suppose to happen. The half breed was suppose to be dead by now. Mason turned away from the ambassador's stare, watching as the guys walked Brian through the crowd. Nick grabbed the papers and tore them in half to the surprise of everyone, "This treaty is now null and void. Guards arrest ambassador Hatch for kidnaping, and blackmail." "You can't do this!" Kelah screamed as the guards seized him. Nick glared at him as he was lead out of the room. The crowd looked around, stunned at the events. "By my order the mines are to be given to Kholath. Jeptim is hereby banned from entering the Kholathian system or any of its colonies. Celeste now holds guardianship of such system and to disobey these orders will result in Jeptim baring the brunt of my anger. That is all, you are dismissed," Nick said, quickly leaving the throne and going over to Brian. He hugged his friend, "I thought I'd never see you again." Brian smiled weakly, the adrenaline wearing off, "Me ...too." "Please, we need to get him to a hospital," Cameron said. Brian started to protest, but flew into a coughing fit instead. Kevin looked at Nick, extreme worry on his face as Brian shook with each retching sound. Nick was about to order some of the guards to take Brian down to medical when Brian's legs gave out and he collapsed to the floor. Cameron was there instantly, turning Brian over as he gasped for air, spattered blood on his hands. "Jesus," A.J. said. Cameron looked up at the men standing around him, "Quick, we don't have much time........" Chapter 60 |