Chapter 60

"The battle is in two months. Bring your warriors to the village the survivors have set up. It's four hours south of the castle," Deacon told him.

"It's by the ingression that connects our worlds?" Rajtan asked.

"Yes," Ronan said.

"I'll be able to find it. So, what brings you to my neck of the woods?" Rajtan asked, scratching his claws on a nearby tree.

"Bamboo and any other life-giving trees, fruits or plants," Deacon told Rajtan.

"Why do you need them?" he asked, perking his ears.

"Two days ago Barwick was abducted by Lucas. His daughter and a new boy were stabbed by his guards. Caleb Monagelic used his healing abilities to keep them from dying. It took too much of his energy and life so now he's dying. Arriana is trying to make a potion that can help to extend his life so he stays with us,"Deacon said, tearing up.

"Barwick? Is he okay? Is Victoria alright?"

"You know Barwick and Victoria?" Deacon asked, looking at the tiger curiously.

"Yes, of course I do. They visit my family and I a few times every year," he said.

"Yes, they're both fine. Barwick is a bit beat up but we were able to get there in time."

Sighing heavily, Rajtan sat down, getting lost in his thoughts for a moment. "At least they are okay. Go further into the forest. At the center is a large fig tree, take a few figs. The surrounding trees are the bamboo you are looking for."

"Thank you Rajtan." Ronan said.

"We will be expecting you next month. Stay safe Rajtan," Deacon said as he mounted Ronan.

The pair headed deeper into the forest, looking for the fig tree.

Arriana, Henry and Arion reached the mountains a short time after parting from their cap site. Arriana dismounted Arion, not giving Henry time to help her, and began to walk beside him.

"Will we be able to find apples and junipers here?" she asked him.

"Yes. They have some of the most delicious apples at the base of the mountain," Arion said.

"That's good."

"Are you ok Arriana?" Arion asked her, looking concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just worried about Caleb," she said, looking distant.

"He means a lot to you?" Henry asked.

"Yeah. He's a really a great guy and a good friend. I would hate for him to die because I asked him to heal Victoria and James," Arriana said, sighing.

"He knew the dangers. He would not have done it if he feared for his own life. He did the noble thing and saved two young lives. You are doing your best. You are travelling to all ends of Coresova to make a potion you don't even know will work instead of training for the battle." Henry comforted Arriana.

"Yeah, I guess but I still feel guilty ya know."

"Yes, I do."

"Are you ready to get this done?" he asked her.

Arriana nodded and mounted Arion behind Henry. They were off again toward the base of the mountain to get the apple. As they approached the orchard, they heard a loud screeching. Arriana looked up to see a strange creature flying toward the ground. Whenever it landed she could not believe what she saw. It looked like a gryphon only it was a horse instead of a lion. She stared in bewilderment.

"And who might you be? Why do you disturb my woods?" the odd creature asked.

"Lemantius? Is that you?" Arion asked, looking at the creature that stood before him.

"Yes, who are you?" he asked.

"Well, my word, you certainly have grown into a fine hippogryph haven't you!" Arion exclaimed.

"Explain yourself, stranger," the hippogryph hissed.

"I am no stranger. I am Arion, leader of the horses."

"Arion? The puny little colt from my own foal days?" Lemantius laughed.

"Yes, Lemantius, it's me."

"Who are the humans?" Lemantius asked.

"Arriana, King Charles and Queen Anne's daughter and this is Henry; he comes from the Icy Dales."

"She's back?" He looked at her surprised.

"Yes and we are going to war with Lucas," Arion explained.

"Battle? When? Do you need more help?"

"Seven weeks and all the help we can get is appreciated," Arion said.

"My family and I will be honored to aid in the destruction of Lucas."

"He has affected the northern regions as well, hasn't he?" Arriana asked, stepping forward.

"Yes."

She nodded her head, furrowing her brow and pursing her lips.

"Please be at the settlement in three weeks. That will give us a month to train with your herd. It's beginning to get dark, we should be going," Arriana said, mounting Arion, reaching her hand out for Henry.

"Why are you here?" Lementius questioned.

"We need an apple. Then we're traveling to the east for juniper. A friend is dying and I am attempting to make a potion that will hopefully help him," Arriana told Lementius.

"Lucas' doing?" he asked.

"Yes," Henry replied.

"Please take what you need. We will be at the settlement in three weeks," Lemantius said as he turned and took off into the air, heading back towards the mountain.

Arion, Henry and Arriana were on their way again, towards the eastern meadows to gather the juniper for Caleb. Arriana wrapped her arms tightly around Henry, burying her head into his back. Her cloak slipped from her grasp and billowed out behind them. The snow fell softly onto her hair as they ran over the cold, frozen ground of the northern territory.

Once Deacon and Ronan had finished gathering their ingredients they had headed back to the village as did Arriana, Henry and Arion. Once they had all returned Arriana ran to the stables and found Callenterion.

"Callenterion!" Arriana yelled, breathlessly as she ran to the unicorn.

"Yes majesty?" he asked, looking at her confused.

"I need scrapings from your horn. Please," she begged.

"For what?" he asked, baffled by the request.

"Caleb. He's dying. I'm trying to make a potion that I hope will help and unicorn's have given life, right?"

"Yes, we do," he replied.

"I don't need much. Just a few flakes really," she begged again.

"Okay. Please heal him. He has been very kind to us," he said, bending his head down so Arriana could gather what she needed.

She thanked the unicorn once again and ran off towards the house, getting frustrated with the cloak she unhooked it and let it fall into the snow. Deacon reached down and picked up the garment. He smelled it lightly and followed her. Whenever Arriana entered the house she grabbed a pot and stuck it over the fire. She poured water into it and let it boil. As soon as it did she slowly added all of the ingredients; first the bamboo shoots, sliced up fig, and followed by apples and juniper. She mixed it together and let it simmer.

Once the broth was made she added the unicorn flakes, which caused the brew to puff into smoke and turn a beautiful silver color. Arriana stirred for a while longer, took a needle and pricked the end of her finger. She let two drops of her blood fall into the silver concoction which then turned a deep, burgundy red. As she stirred it thickened and bubbled. It was finished. She poured the potion into a mug and took it up to Caleb. The man who lay in the bed was on the verge of death. His face was sunken, his eyes hollow and purple.

His skin was the ashen color of death while his eyes were slowly turning a sickly grey color. Arriana sat next to him, picking up his hand and stroking the back of it. He looked up at her wearily and forced the closest thing to a smile. She held his head up and put the mug to his lips.

"Here, drink this. It should help you."

"What is it?" Caleb mumbled.

"It's my own twist on a potion," she told him.

As he began to drink, the color rushed back into his face. His now dull, lifeless eyes started to sparkle and gleam. Half way through with the potion he was able to hold his head up on his own. Arriana stared in amazement at the transformation that had just taken place in front of her eyes. Death was no longer knocking on his door. They had done it. They made a potion to extend life. Caleb sat up and looked around the room at everybody smiling at them all.

"How do you feel, dear?" Mary asked, putting a hand to his forehead.

"Fine Mrs. James. How did you guys do this?" Caleb asked them.

"It was Arriana," Zoe told him.

Caleb looked at her bewildered. "How?"

"It wasn't just me. I just found a spell that helped to extend plants lives, Barwick and Marc helped me to figure out substitutions for some of the ingredients that a human could eat without dying and we went from there." She smiled at him.

"You look great, Caleb," Zoe said, sitting on the other side of him.

"Thanks. I feel really great. That potion really worked. How are Victoria and James? Is Barwick alright?" he began to ask a million questions.

Scott chuckled. "They're all fine. You saved Victoria and James. You really did."

Caleb smiled and settled back into his pillow.

"I think he has had enough excitement for today. He needs his rest, so everyone shoo. Go on. Get out of here. I'll bring you up some soup later," Mary said as she hurried the rest of the group out of the little room.