It’s a New Dawn

Glad you could join us for the next daybreak episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

While dawn raked its way through depleted clouds, Trevor returned to the Bower to find the Princess on the floor beside the Prince, his head cradled in her lap, her tears falling onto his face. The Knight’s heart dropped to his stomach.

He jumped when a hushed voice at his elbow said, “Sir?”

It was Miranda, pale and shivery, but on her feet and ready to work.

“Miss Miranda,” Trevor breathed. “Am I glad to see you. Are you really well enough to be up?”

“Yes, Sir,” she nodded, “I’m a mother. Now, if I might have those herbs? I’d like to start on the medicine and tea.”

Clark called out from across the room where he was playing with his sisters and brothers, “Knight Trevor! Did you see? My mama’s awake!”

“Yes, I did. That’s great news for all of us, Clark.”

Barry, carrying both babies in a sling he’d contrived for himself, took his brother Knight by the elbow and led him away from the Prince. Lowering his voice, Trevor asked, “Am I too late?”

“It doesn’t look good.” Barry stole a glance at the Princess. “His heart is barely flutterin’, an’ it’s gittin’ harder an’ harder ta tell if he’s even breathin’.”

With one bowl of oil from the mashed herbs and another of mud plaster, Miranda dropped to her knees at Prince Elliot’s side. Arturo placed a thin plaster cast of the back of Miranda’s claw next to the bowls.

“What’s that for?” Cassandra asked looking at the casting.

“It’s the base for the patch. The curve is similar to his own shell and it’s bigger than the hole, so if I grind the hole’s edges smooth and cement it to the inside, I can add layers of mud plaster on the outside to build a strong patch that can’t come off.”

“Can you save him?”

“I’ll do everything I can, your Elegance.” With a sure yet delicate touch, she cleaned the wound one last time, and spread the herb oil in and around the gash. She applied the first layer of plaster to the patch base, feathering the edges to blend it into the Prince’s own shell. “I’ll add at least two more layers, but each has to dry thoroughly before adding the next.”

“You’re an artist,” the Princess declared.

“Thank you, but it isn’t his shell’s beauty that will save his life,” Miranda admitted. Giving the Princess a gentle hug, she added, “If love can heal him, he will live forever.”

Cassandra’s blush brought dawn into the Bower. “Thank you, Miranda. I don’t believe any of us would have made it this far without you.” She tipped a few drops of tea into Elliot’s mouth. He swallowed it, but his eyes remained closed.

Taking his pulse again, Miranda sat back and exhaled. “It’s still weak, but it’s steadier. The tea will help him sleep without pain; all we can do now is wait.”

Somewhere deeper into the woods, a screeching alarm erupted.

To be continued. . .

Previously, on Elliot’s Adventures ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Next time . . .