The Dagger-Key and The Lost Treasures of Kebadon

by Daniel Ferguson

CHAPTER 11:

  “No—No—it can’t be …!” Washburrn pressed his hands against his face. “They’re not supposed to attack while it’s raining. Hang on, Kyhawn—I got you. Let these sea creatures have the chest! Hurry—give me your hand! No—it can’t be! Captain Joenf, Alil and Tailk. Their life boat is being attacked from all sides. We most rescue them. The ship’s passing. We’re not going to make it!”

  “Wake up, Washburrn. You’re here with us.” Shellean stood at his bedside, shaking him. “It was only a dream. That’s all … a bad dream.”

  Washburrn opened his eyes and tried to sit up. “My head,” he complained using his blanket to rub sweat from his face. “Bandages … what am I doing here?”

  “You’ve been shot.” Shellean went for medicine and quickly returned with a cup of water mixed with herbs. “Don’t you remember?”

  Washburrn slowly nodded. “Well, yes. Yes, I do remember, partly. Kyhawn—where’s Kyhawn?”

  Kyhawn, who had just awakened in the bed next to him; fully dressed, he quickly went to Washburrn’s bedside and placed his hand in Washburrn’s. “I’m here,” he said with a smile, a gleam of hope in his eyes. “And so are you.”

  “If my head keeps pounding,” Washburrn moaned, “I won’t be around much longer.” He gripped Kyhawn’s hand. “Good to see you’re safe.” He forced a thin smile. “But you don’t look too well.”

  “I’m fine. Just a few bruises.”

  Shellean handed Washburrn his medicine. “Will you please drink this before it needs stirred again?”

  Before she had a chance to get another word in, Washburrn gulped it down. “What is this stuff?” he said as a bitter taste clung to his tongue.

  “A mixture of plants and herbs,” Shellean answered as she glanced at Kyhawn and gave him a nod, pleased Washburrn had awakened. “It’s good for you. It will help you rest so your wound has a chance to heal.”

  Washburrn leaned back, closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep.

  “That was quick.” Kyhawn turned to her. “Do you think he’s doing better?”

  “It’s too early to tell, but the medicine will help. I’m doing everything I can. But it didn’t improve matters,” she gave him a harsh stare, “that you two were out in the cold rain all night.”

  The kind female passenger Dellyna pushed the blanket in the doorway aside and entered. Her arms were full of clean but damp towels, which she had just taken off the line they had rigged up between two trees behind the cabin. “We should hang these up in here somewhere so they can finish drying,” she said looking at Washburrn. “How’s he doing?”

  “As to be expected.” Shellean looked at her gratefully. “You’re such a help. I mean it—you are.”

  Dellyna bowed modestly. “If you need to take a rest, I’d be glad to take over.”

  Shellean glanced at Kyhawn, then looked at her. “I don’t know what we’d do without you. Your husband Selton has been wonderful as well.”

  “It’s the least we can do. We might have all died from the flu if not for you. Go on and join the others. Get a bite to eat.”

  Shellean gave the elderly lady a friendly gesture, and looked at Kyhawn, “You hungry?”

  Kyhawn rubbed his belly, looked at Washburrn with concern, and then at Dellyna. “Thank you,” he said as he bowed. “You’ve certainly been helpful to me too.” He grabbed his dark orange cloak hanging next to the fireplace.

  “You two run along.” Dellyna bowed as they pulled the blanket aside.

  “Where is everyone?” Kyhawn shook his cloak a few times to make sure he had gotten the rest of the mud off it. He glanced at the sun almost directly above them. “Where’d you say everyone was?”

  “I didn’t, but their either out gathering firewood and food or working on Tailk’s lifeboat idea.”

  Kyhawn nodded toward the tree between the two cabins. “Where is he—Luxton?”

  “They’ve taken him to the clearing to keep an eye on him.”

  Kyhawn seemed lost in another world. Still feeling the pains from the night before, he looked at Shellean with worried eyes.

  Shellean gave him a concerned look. “Are you sure you’re doing well?”

  “I’ll be fine.” He looked at his boots, then slowly back up at her. “Do you realize I killed a Zac last night? I’ve never done that to anyone … ever. But I didn’t have any choice.” Kyhawn looked very bothered. “It was either him … or me.”

  “I’m sure any of us would have done the same,” she said as they drew near the kitchen cabin.

  Kyhawn pondered the thought. A moment later his expression changed as his cheeks flushed with anger. “One death after another—Washburrn was right—that chest has been nothing but bad luck.” Kyhawn shoved the ragged kitchen door open. “We should keep it here on the island, where no one will ever find it, ever again. Or even better, take it out to the middle of the ocean and sink it.”

  “That’s not a bad idea.” She paused, then spoke sharp. “How do you think I feel about all that has happened?” Shellean wanted to make him realize he wasn’t the only one in pain. “I’m the one in charge of patching everyone’s wounds. And now Malnur … is dead.” She became quiet.

  Kyhawn gave her a compassionate look, not sure what to say at first. “I’m sorry.” He paused. “Would you like to join me? I told Tailk I’d help with the lifeboats.” He sat on a stump to slip off his boots. “Though, I’d like to take a shower first,” he said as he reached for the water spout off to one side of the kitchen. He turned the rod downward to make sure it was working. He quickly turned it off with a satisfying look, and went to the bucket of drinking water setting on the edge of the fireplace, then with an empty cup he scooped up a cup full of water. “Would you like a drink?”

  “Sure,” she said taking a drink then handing it to him. Kyhawn gulped the rest down. “Anyway,” he gave her a thin smile, “I feel like I need a shower, so if you don’t mind.”

  “No, I don’t mind,” she stood next to the fireplace, “but what about this fruit and dragonfly soup?”

  Kyhawn grabbed a piece of the fruit. “I’ll eat this while I shower,” he said as he showed her to the door.

  With a bowl of soup in hand and a piece of fruit in her pocket, she returned the smile. “I’ll be outside waiting.”

  While showering, Kyhawn gazed at his bracelet. He let the water run over it and down his wrist. I wonder what this key goes to? Emaya said I’d need it some day.…