Page 36 of Quest

I drew a breath, looking down to ensure that my satchel still hung at my side, firmly latched to keep my herbal treasures secure. Lumis was still securely attached and seemingly without a scratch, although the lantern was now adorned with a leafy stem that had caught the handle during our rapid descent.

Frantic footsteps sounded from above, and the next instant Sir Jiang and Kael peered over the ledge we’d tumbled down. Relief filled their ashen expressions at seeing us unharmed. “Are you alright, Your Highness?” Sir Jiang called, his typically even voice tight with concern.

Prince Darcel tipped his head back to offer a strained but reassuring smile. “I’m fine, Jiang.”

“And Ren?”

I was grateful to have been remembered, evidence that despite his lack of outward approval, Sir Jiang was gradually softening towards me.

Prince Darcel’s hold instinctively tightened around me. “He’s fine too. I’ve got him.”

Both released heavy exhales of relief. “Thank goodness,” Sir Jiang said. “Stay put, I’m coming after you.”

Prince Darcel shook his head. “It’s too dangerous. We’ll find a way back up to you.”

By Sir Jiang’s fierce expression, he looked ready to defy Prince Darcel’s orders and leap off the ledge to rescue us, but sense worked on his perception enough to understand the gravity of such a situation. He eyed the narrow ledge where we balanced—far too narrow to support his weight—and sighed before digging through his pack and pulling out the rope that we’d used previously to tie ourselves together. I wasn’t sure whether to wish we’d been bound together again to prevent this fall…or to be grateful we hadn’t in case the momentum would have sent all four of us over the cliff.

Kael shook his head, motioning for Jiang to put the rope away. “That’s not necessary. We’ll meet you over there.” He pointed to where the ledge wound around the mountainside and eventually met back up with the trail.

Reluctantly Jiang nodded. “Be careful, Your Highness.” Genuine worry filled his voice towards his master.

He and Kael lingered long enough to ensure we didn’t fall as we began to inch our way along the cliffside. Prince Darcel kept me pinned to him, oblivious to how this practical safety measure affected me. I was grateful for the security his hold offered, certain the dizziness rendered by his proximity would cause me to lose my footing all over again. Yet though he protected me from another fall, he put my heart in grave danger of falling even harder for him, one from which at this point I feared there was no recovery.

We’d only gone a few paces when I noticed something warm and wet against my thigh. I glanced down and startled at the dark, crimson blood seeping through a tear in his trousers. “You’re injured!” My stomach churched, and I might have succumbed to my sudden wave of lightheadedness if not for his firm grip around my body, his touch heat upon my waist.

A grimace tightened his expression, as if the fading adrenaline was finally allowing him to experience the full extent of our near fall. “I’m fine.” But the words came out strained, filled with underlying pain. He gave my own body a quick perusal. “Areyouhurt?”

I felt bruised from the tumble, but otherwise I was unscathed—at least physically. The fact I remained injury free while he’d been so badly hurt due to my clumsiness only deepened my guilt. My breathlessness made it nearly impossible to speak, but I had to know what had motivated him to do something so foolish. “Why did you?—”

He sighed. “I wouldn’t just allow you to die. Give me some credit.”

Shame burned my cheeks. “I’m sorry, that’s not what I?—”

He cut me off again. “In situations like this, gratitude is more appreciated than unnecessary apologies.”

I mumbled my thanks, feeling a flush of warmth despite the cool air that wasn’t entirely due to the near fall. He offered a simple nod in response and focused his attention on the task at hand, studying the narrow ledge carefully for the best way to circumnavigate it.

We leaned heavily on each other as we carefully limped along the mountain’s edge until the narrow, rocky path opened up into a wider, grassy area. However, our relief was short-lived as we encountered a dense thicket of vibrant green plants blocking our path, adorned with innocuous-looking white flowers belying a deadly secret.

I extended a cautious hand to halt Prince Darcel, warily eying the flower’s deceptive beauty. “Careful. These are frosthelm blossoms. Their pollen is highly toxic.”

Prince Darcel adjusted his hold on me and attempted to navigate around the perilous plants, but his injury and the extra weight of supporting me compromised his balance. As he stumbled, our combined momentum threatened to send us crashing into the thicket. In a desperate move to protect me, he twisted his body at the last second, positioning himself to take the brunt of the fall and shield me from the poisonous blooms.

I clapped a hand over my nose and mouth as a cloud of pollen filled the air, frantically motioning with the other for the prince to follow my example. Dazed from the fall, he inhaled deeply before he could cover his face. Pain instantly twisted his expression and he coughed up blood, confirming my worst fears.

“Darcel!”

Pulling my tunic up as a makeshift mask, I rushed to his side, steadying him as he struggled to stay upright, his body already weakening from the poison. It was my turn to support him, guiding him to a safer spot a short distance away, where I gently eased him down against an old pine before snatching a soft cloth from my satchel and brushing the remnants of the pollen from his face.

He collapsed against the rough bark, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. His face was pale and blood dripped from his lips, tinged blue as the effects of the poison quickly took hold. Panic surged, but I forced it down. I needed to be calm and methodical. His life depended on it.

I first mixed a paste of groundsnap root, known for its properties to stave off effects, buying precious time to create the antidote. I mixed it with a few drops of water and applied it to his temples and neck, where the skin would absorb the remedy most effectively.

I then rummaged through my pack for antidotis—which could counteract this type of quick-acting poison—but my fingers closed around empty air; with my focus so consumed on the herbs I’d need for my disguise I hadn’t thought to bring any. My heart sank. Without the full complement of herbs, I couldn’t concoct the powerful antidote needed to save him.

Anxiety threatened to rise and cripple me, but determination set in, firm and unyielding. Such a setback wouldn’t stop me—nature often provided, even in the direst of circumstances.

I recalled the diverse flora I’d noticed during our ascent as I scanned the forest edges and undergrowth with a critical eye. The lush greenery transformed, morphing from mere scenery to potential ingredients to craft a detoxifying agent powerful enough to counteract poison.

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