Lucian slowly draws in several deep breaths. He looks away from the spot where he had been looking and toward the small group. “I just may have. Come, let us get to the castle and see what news Jarrod has found. Then, I will explain.” Lucian ushers the two women and Nicholas into the carriage. The driver nods and clucks lightly to the horses to get them moving. The trip to the castle is mercifully short. Jarrod is coming down the steps as they arrive. Lucian leaps from the carriage, moving toward Jarrod.
“Lucian! Great, you are here. Your father still lives.” Jarrod looks toward Solstice, then back to Lucian.
“He does? Thank the Goddess. How is he?” Lucian frowns.
“Not good. Seems someone poisoned him. However, the young maid, Nara, found him shortly after, and the vial which contained the poison. They were able to administer an anti-toxin, but it has only held off the inevitable. Your father was too weak to truly fight against the poison.” Jarrod rests a hand on Lucian’s shoulder. Lucian exhales slowly. “Take everyone inside. Find a room where we can convene. Take Libby back to her room. Come and find me within my father’s chamber when all is prepared.” Lucian looks to the worried faces of the group in the carriage. He offers a faint smile, then bounds up the stairs and into the castle as Jarrod moves down the stairs.
Lucian’s journey through the hallways toward his father’s chamber is punctuated only by the loud sound of his boots upon the stone floor. He throws open the door to his father’s chamber. “Father?” Lucian frowns.
“My son, you return.” The king opens his eyes, looking toward his son. He looks much worse than he had before Lucian had left. Lucian frowns, crossing to his father’s bedside.
“Aye, father. I have returned from Tyradih. How are you?” Lucian sits in the chair beside the king’s bed.
“I am not long for this world, my son.” The king shakes his head at the look on Lucian’s face. “Do not look so. I know Jarrod told you of my condition. Do not act as if you might prevent it. You know you cannot. The healers did their best, but I am too old, too weak.” He hauls himself to an upright position, a fire in his eyes. “Did you find her, Lucian? Did you find the seer?”
“Aye, father. I found her. Her name is Solstice. She is here, in our kingdom, but I – ” He is cut off by his father’s voice.
“I knew you would be triumphant over our enemy! You must bring her to see me, while there is still time! I must know the fate of our kingdom! She must tell me how to save it!” The king grasps Lucian’s hand.
“No, father. I will not take advantage of her gifts like Ryall did. He caged her, kept her as a plaything, forced her to use her visions to aid him. I will not stoop to his level. She is here only because the way to her homeland was blocked by a ship from Ryall’s lands.” Lucian looks at his father seriously, a fire in his gaze as well, a deep determination.
“You will not bring her to me? You will not fulfill a dying man’s request? Your own FATHER’S dying request?!” The king looks at Lucian, a dark intensity in his green eyes.