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And fast.
Somehow, we manage to make the journey in just over half of the time it usually takes. My wings hurt when I land and my body is sore from pushing myself so hard and so long, but we make it. We land near the veterinarian’s office and then I shift quickly.
“Are you ready?” She asks me, taking my hand.
Natalie has quickly become my sun and my moon, my rock and my stars. She has become everything to me. If someone had told me weeks ago that I’d be the one to come prepare a cure for the illness that has rocked Fablestone, I would have thought they were crazy.
Now, though, it feels right.
It feels good.
And I am right where I’m supposed to be.
“I’m ready,” I tell her, and we go inside. Henrietta is busy rushing around and there are several patients in beds who are coughing and groaning in pain. The lobby area of the office has been completely filled with beds and patients, but I hurry through the room to the back of the clinic, where I know there’s a small laboratory I can use to get the first batch of medication ready.
Henrietta spots us just as we’re nearing the lab.
“Donald?” She asks, whipping her head around. “Donald?”
This is where I expect her to yell at me for abandoning my responsibilities and leaving the clan without a reliable doctor, but she doesn’t. Instead, she hurries over to me and wraps her arms around me in a tight hug.
“Thank dragons you’re here,” is all she says, and then she follows us into the lab. Henrietta is silent as I get to work. Occasionally, she leaves to check on a patient, but she keeps coming back to see my progress as I prepare the medication that’s going to save my people.
I’m filled with a protective instinct that’s also rather wonderful.
This, I remember, this feeling is why I became a doctor.
Saving people.
Taking care of them.
Giving them hope.
Natalie helps as we prepare the plants, boil the ingredients, and cool everything.
We measure each item exactly and precisely. There is no room for mistakes.
“That’s it,” I finally say, reaching for an empty bottle. “It’s done.”
I pour some of the medication from what’s basically a cauldron, and cap the top of the bottle.
“That’s it?” She whispers.
“Here,” I thrust the bottle to Natalie. “The first one goes to your father.”
“You’re sure?” She whispers, looking up at me.
“I couldn’t save your brother, love, but I’m going to save your dad.”
Without another word, she kisses me, and then she runs off. I know she’s heading straight for her parents and as much as I’d love to see her parents’ faces when they get the medication, I know I’m needed here right now.
Henrietta chooses that moment to walk back into the room, and when she sees the cauldron and the empty bottles on the counter, her eyes go big.
“Is it ready?” She asks.
“It’s ready,” I tell her.
I pour another bottle and I hand it to her.
