Chapter 564
That night, everyone except Everett stayed awake.
They were exhausted, but Sebastian had emphasized the importance of the night. If Lawrence could make it through until morning, there would be at least a ten percent chance of survival.
A ten percent chance–it was so minuscule and so heart–wrenching.
Sebastian slept on the floor, his exhaustion evident from the grueling journey.
Mira and Vanda took turns keeping watch, each taking a two–hour shift.
Throughout the night, they administered medicine five times. Initially, Lawrence could only endure a couple of spoonfuls. But by the fifth dose, they could feed Lawrence nearly half a cup.
The night was a painful ordeal, each moment dragging on unbearably. Everyone awake repeatedly looked outside, hoping for the sun to rise.
In the early hours before dawn, Sebastian woke up. He checked Lawrence’s pulse and blew some powder into the man’s nose, claiming it was to reduce his fever.
Sebastian’s dark circles were pronounced, his exhaustion evident. Julian mentioned that they had been traveling non–stop, catching only two hours or so of sleep during brief stops for changing horses. The younger ones fared better, but Sebastian was in his late fifties to sixties, and he struggled to cope. After examining Lawrence’s pulse and temperature, Sebastian informed everyone, “He has made it through the night, but don’t be too optimistic. His fever has lowered, which indicates the treatment is working, but its overall effectiveness still needs to be confirmed. We won’t be able to leave immediately. If anyone wants to return to the capital, you may do so now. If not, help out with some chores at the relay station to avoid crowding around here. You’re making even me nervous.”
Hearing this, everyone collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
They had passed one hurdle!
When morning came, Everett prepared to leave for Meadow Ridge. It was time to collect rent–a task that could not be delayed.
Rafael helped him with his horse, and Everett clapped him
on the ch
“Don’t worry, I’ve done a little calculation. He’ll be fine.”
Rafael’s eyes lit up. “Really? You can predict that? When did you learn how to do it?”
Everett took the reins, mounted his horse with a neutral expression, and replied coolly, “I picked it up in a dream after a short nap last night. But I’m sure of it.”
Rafael smiled wryly, and called out to his departing figure, “Thank you, sir!”
After the rain, the main road was free of dust. All that could be heard was the sound of booves gradually fading away, and Everett’s silhouette soon vanished from sight.
Rafael stood at the entrance of the relay station for a while before sitting down.
He thought about Carissa, and wondered how many more days she would take to arrive.
Chapter 564
+25 CONUS
Everyone had moments of vulnerability. While Rafael had hoped Carissa would not see him like this, he desperately wished she were by his side now. Even just seeing her and holding her hand would have been enough to bring him some comfort.
He leaned against the door and fell asleep.
Inside, the others were scattered around, exhausted from the ordeal. The collective relief was palpable, and the fatigue was finally setting in.
Julian was finally allowed to sit by his brother’s bed. He looked at the wounds and swelling on Lawrence’s face and gently touched the latter’s thin arm, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face.
But Sebastian forbade anyone from crying, so Julian could only keep wiping his tears away.
Lawrence was asleep, but no one could be sure whether he was in a coma or just sleeping. Since Sebastian said Lawrence was merely asleep, they chose to believe him.
Sebastian observed the disheveled state of the room and its occupants, and shook his head with a wry smile. Despite the many rooms in the relay station that were complete with beds and blankets, everyone insisted on staying in this room to be close to Lawrence.
On the third day, Sebastian announced that Lawrence had made it through another hurdle. He had not had a high fever for three consecutive days, and though there was still a low–grade fever, at least he had passed a critical point.
The news brought some cheer, but Sebastian quickly dampened the mood.
“Low–grade fever can still be dangerous.
His words effectively froze the smiles of those around him.
And Sebastian’s concerns were not unfounded. The low–grade fever persisted for several more days. Lawrence remained in a semi–conscious state, rarely waking up.
It wasn’t until the seventh day after Sebastian’s arrival at the relay station that Carissa and her companions finally arrived.
The journey from the capital to Westglade usually took twelve days, which was considered fast, especially given that they had encountered several rainy days that made travel difficult.
Adding to the complications, Violet, who typically had a robust constitution, fell ill after getting soaked in the rain. She was too afraid to board the carriage, worried that she might pass her illness to Kayla.
Kayla had been battling motion sickness throughout the trip, struggling through it with sheer willpower.
