Chapter 409 - Our Women

When Ileus woke up, the rays of the morning filtered through sun dappled leaves in his room and after a long time he realized that Tibris was experiencing one of those rare sunny days. Last night's dream left him shaken and he opened his eyes with a jolt. He turned to see Anastasia, who was sleeping like a baby. He stroked her hair and tucked her nicely beneath the fur, shoving the dream out of his mind. 

The day's strategy had to be discussed and it all depended on Caleb. He was sure that with his condition, the sorcerer was going to take at least a week to recover. It would be a miracle if he even stood today. And if that happened, then it would be impossible to complete the project. And Ileus wanted to complete it. He got dressed and reached Caleb's room and was too stunned to see that he was up and ready, and the healers were asking him to not exert himself, but the man was growling at them as he strapped a sword behind his back. He limped to reach a dagger that was lying on the trestle table where the healers had placed all the potions and herbs. 

"Caleb, what are you doing?" asked Ileus with wide eyes. "Are you planning on going back?" His voice carried disappointment because he was in no position to stop his cousin after how his powers were misused last day.. But he was absolutely astonished that Caleb was out of the bed and had healed this fast. 

Caleb looked at him over the shoulder, as he supported his hands on the edge of the trestle table and the glass bottles rattled when the table shook as he shuddered. In a low and hoarse voice, he said, "We need to go back to the village to finish the work." A shudder so strong surged through his body that it took all his energy to not fall down. 

Ileus rushed to his side and held him straight. He directed Caleb's arm around his shoulder and helped him to walk back to the fur pelt. "We are not going anywhere, unless you want to die!" Ileus chided him. He made him sit and unstrapped the sword from his back. 

Caleb sucked in a sharp breath of air as he lay back on the pelt. His forehead was covered with sweat. Ileus looked at the healers and then came instantly with wet clothes to wring the sweat away. One of them said, "He is too weak…" 

"I know," said Ileus. "I would like to talk to him in private." 

The healers nodded and after giving Caleb yet another green colored potion, which he almost spluttered, they left. Once they were alone, Ileus said, "You can't over-exert yourself man." 

Caleb closed his eyes and placed his arm over them. "I want to help you complete this mission as soon as possible. It aches to stay away from Elize." It was as if someone had made a large hole in his chest and the hole wasn't healing. "At the same time, I want you all to build those tunnels. So even if I have to stretch my energy, I will." 

Ileus' lips tugged up. The feeling wasn't alien to him. When he was away from Anastasia, it was just the same. "I am sorry brother, but unless you are completely well, I wouldn't let you enter Galahar. I am not sure of Edyrm. He is too powerful. He rules Galahar, has the army under his command and is too dark to be messed with. Iona and Rolfe are mates. After a long time, Iona has found respite in her life. I can see her love and reverence when she looks with her puppy eyes towards Rolfe. And she deserves it, Caleb. You don't know the kind of torture she has gone through as a Dark Witch. Etaya battered her to the level that her skull is permanently fractured from the middle and the girl hasn't revealed it to me…" There was water in his eyes. He gulped the lump that was forming in his throat. "I am not doing this for Rolfe. I am doing this for Iona. All the while when she was away from us, I had this guilty feeling stabbing at my heart that I could never find my little sister." He looked away as if unable to speak further. He took a deep breath. 

"When she faded away in the battle against Etaya, my parents and I thought that we had lost her forever. But I was pleasantly surprised to see her safe and secure with Rolfe. You cannot imagine the happiness that came back to me when I saw her white wolf. Did you know she shifted for the first time?" His voice cracked in laughter. "And do you know that she resisted her first shift in Vilinski only because she didn't want Etaya to have an upper hand?" His gaze turned to Caleb. "I really don't want to jeopardize this project, because this is going to be my gift to her. And for it to flow smoothly, I need you… I hope you understand…" 

Caleb breathed through the jagged emotions that passed through him. He placed his hand on Ileus' forearm. "I am sorry, brother," he replied in a whisper. He couldn't believe that Iona had gone through so much. It pained his heart to know that she had a fractured skull, which he knew would never heal. "I will help you in whatever way possible," he said in a low, warm voice. He had too many questions to ask, but he just asked, "Did Daryn come to help you against Etaya?" His eyes were narrow as if he would scold his younger brother if he hadn't helped Ileus. 

Ileus smiled and placed his hand over Caleb's. "Yes. Even Dawn came." 

"Ah, that girl!" Caleb chuckled softly and then sighed. "Dawn suffered a lot. Why is it that the women we marry have to go through so many problems?" 

Ileus shook his head. "Probably it is a way Lore tests them…"

"Hmm…" Caleb closed his eyes and said, "I need to recover. Ask them to send me food—lots of it!" 

"Yes!" Ileus chuckled and his eyes gleamed. "I will send it as soon as possible. Is there anything you want to eat specifically?" 

"Lasagna." 

Ileus rolled his eyes. "I will ask the cook to send you Tibris special lasagna!" he shook his head and then after patting Caleb's hand, left the room. 

It took two days for Caleb to get well, and in those two days, he ate a lot. He stopped drinking brew because he didn't want to defeat the purpose that was now thrilling. It was the final outcome that was in his mind. He didn't know how the completion of the tunnel project would help Ileus or how they would gain traction against King Edyrm, but he was as ready as him. After all, Iona was his sister too. In the two days he remained at the fortress, he talked a lot to Iona and the two bonded. He realized how sweet and naïve the girl was and, on an occasion, or two he even threatened Rolfe to take care of her properly.