Chapter 18. Bacon and Pancakes
Jacob took in a deep breath, a familiar musty-wood smell entering his nose, then turned around. He was in the big tree in Taga Village, and none of the Lorkon had followed him. Letting out the air, he stood still, allowing his mind to relax from the stress it had just experienced. He shifted Akeno’s position, put the Key in its box, then made himself go outside.
The sun had almost set, casting long shadows all over the canyon. He was grateful it was almost night. His eyes ached from a headache that had built up behind them, and he looked forward to having as little light around him as possible.
Forcing his legs to continue to hold him up, he limped toward the side of the village. “Help! Is anyone there?”
“Jacob?” a voice called from the ledge. It was Ebony. “Oh, Jacob, you’re back, you’re back!” She began crying, calling out for Brojan and Kenji who rushed to her side, then saw Jacob.
“Help him,” Brojan said to a few Makalo men who had gathered.
Jacob raised Akeno as high as his arms would let him, and one of the men climbed down and lifted him the rest of the way.
Climbing as carefully as he could, Jacob pulled himself over the top. One of the men supported him as he rushed with Kenji, Ebony, and Brojan to Akeno’s house.
Kenji laid Akeno on the table and he and Ebony went to work, acting as a team to cleanse Akeno’s leg. Ebony soaked strips of cloth, then handed them to Kenji, who wiped the ooze from Akeno’s leg. Pretty soon the leg was as clean as they could get it. Kenji poured the rest of the liquid into the main part of the wound, which had expanded to cover Akeno’s entire lower leg.
Kenji glanced at Ebony with a worried expression on his face. “If the fever doesn’t break—”
“Wait!” Ebony gasped. “I think we might have—” She ran out of the room, still talking, her voice muffled by the wall. “Potion . . . you . . . last time . . .” She came back, carrying a very familiar vial. “I saved this.”
Kenji relaxed. “Oh, thank goodness . . . here, let me.” Using an extra cloth, he wiped up the liquid he’d poured in Akeno’s sore, then put a couple of drops from the vial into the wound. He then forced Akeno’s jaw open and poured the rest of the liquid in his mouth.
Ebony wrapped the sore with strips of cloth, then hurried out of the room, returning with her arms full of sheets. Kenji took a couple and handed them to Jacob. “Wrap him as tightly as you can from head to foot.”
Jacob started at Akeno’s head, leaving a space around his nose to breath. Ebony started at his midsection, and Kenji at his feet. Brojan held the sheets in place until they were secured.
“The sheets hold in his body heat—heat the potion needs in order to be activated.” Kenji turned to Ebony. “How long did it take for me to heal?”
“Two minutes, maybe more. His situation is fairly similar to yours.” She put her arm around her husband. “He’ll be fine.” She smiled at Jacob. “Last time, I was the one stressing over whether Kenji would live, but I didn’t need to stress. The Fat Lady really knows her stuff.”
After a few moments, Kenji pulled the sheet off Akeno’s head. His face was pink again, the dark circles gone. “It’s working!”
Ebony gave Kenji another hug. “Wonderful.” She glanced at Jacob. “Oh, Jacob, I’ll love you forever for what you’ve done for my son.” Her eyes welled up with tears, and Jacob stared at his feet. He was grateful Akeno would be all right, but felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment at the praise.
“You look exhausted.” She sniffed, and her nose wrinkled. “And you definitely need to bathe.”
A weary smile crossed Jacob’s face. “Sorry.” He pulled out the box with the Key of Kilenya inside and handed it to Ebony. “Here, take the Key.”
Ebony held the container in her hands, her expression one of gratitude. “We knew you’d be able to do it.”
“There was no doubt,” Kenji said. He took the box and opened it. The familiar tune filled the room, and peaceful colors danced across the walls.
“Wow,” Kenji said. The Makalos all looked at Jacob.
“What?” Jacob asked.
“You know it’s only doing this because you’re near it, right?” Kenji asked.
Jacob shrugged. “That’s what the Lorkon king said.”
Kenji raised an eyebrow. He didn’t speak for a moment. “He would know.”
Ebony took the box from Kenji and handed it to Brojan, then picked up the baby from a small bed in the corner. She looked over Jacob. “Oh, poor Jacob, you’re exhausted. Do you want some dinner before sleeping?”
Jacob rubbed his eyes. “No, I’m too tired for food.”
“Okay. Well, you can sleep in the tree. It's very safe, and we haven’t had any problems with the wolves since you and Akeno left. We’ve fastened a temporary covering over the entrance that should last for a couple of days. It’ll keep out any unwanted visitors, including the Lorkon and their dogs. Or, if you’d rather not take chances, I can make up a bed here on the floor. We’ll talk tomorrow morning before you head home.”
Jacob considered the options—safety versus comfort. “I think I’ll give the tree a shot.”
“I’ll take him now.” Brojan stood.
“Now? But—”
“There will be plenty of time for conversation tomorrow,” Brojan said.
Kenji looked up from checking on Akeno. “We really need to talk about everything that happened, but you’re in no shape at this time. Don’t worry—we’ll have a good conversation as soon as you’re awake.”
“Will the Fat Lady be okay?”
“She’ll be completely fine. The spells on her cabin are strong and won’t let anyone in who shouldn’t be there.”
Ebony hugged Jacob, thanking him over and over again for returning her son. Kenji also gave Jacob a big hug, telling him goodnight.
Brojan led the way out of the house. He looked at Jacob for a minute, then nodded. “It is you, Jacob. Yes, you are exactly what we need.”
Brojan was silent the rest of the way, and Jacob was fine with that. His mind wasn’t clear enough to form coherent thoughts, and he wasn’t sure what he would say, anyway.
He felt like he was sleepwalking, and they reached the tree quickly. Brojan left after making sure Jacob didn’t need anything. Deciding he was too tired to bother with a shower, Jacob climbed to the third floor, sank into one of the beds, and fell into a deep sleep.