Honey : The Empire's Treasure 50 Only way

"The only way to treat Ivory Smother is to have the Bone Horntail bug burrow into her bone marrow to stuck the toxins out. It's an agonizing experience, but if the poison is left any longer in her body we won't be able to cure her."

Lady Lyra sat up. Her mind going to Lady Jaelah and her daughters. Even though Mano has punished both Kamryn and Lulu for their actions. Lyra knew the real mastermind behind Mika's poisoning was Lady Jaelah.

"Do you blame me for not do more for our daughter?"

Yes..."No..." Lady Lyra looked back at Mano.

"I know both Kamryn and Lulu are your daughter too. I can't ask your heart for more." Lyra laid back down. She shouldn't push Mano too far yet.

"Thank you...I promised you I will do everything I can to cure Mikaela, believe me."

Staring into Lyra's eyes, he wanted to see trust instead she closed her eyes and put her head on his chest. He knew from what she told him of her family, the trust would be the last thing she would give him. But he could wait, right now they needed to help Mika.

"Besides a way to treatment Ivory Smother, the only way to find the Bone Horntail bug is in the Wild Enchanted Steppes. The bug tends to populate most there."

"So how long will it take to have the bugs transported here?" Lyra felt Mano's body go still beneath her. Was she missing something?

"Lyra...no, the bug cannot be transported here..." Stopping her from interrupting him and leaving his side, Mano pushed on. "The bug only lives for two weeks at most. It takes at least a month to get here from there. And like most things from those lands, they have a mystery about them. They can't be frozen in the preserves, nor can be enchanted transported. "

"That only leaves Mika to go to the bugs...Mano."

"Yes, Mika's only chance is to go the bugs. I have a friend over there. He's a clan head himself, he will help Mika in her treatment. He can also help her scar."

Lyra looked at Mano in surprise, she has heard of 'Torment'. She knew it was virtually impossible to heal its wounds.

"How?"

"Lord Tasar grows the Kalea (Aloe dichotoma) honey trees. His Udava clan makes the 'Metamorphosis Mask'. These masks can heal the skin of its wearer..." Placing a finger under Lyra's chin, Mano tilted her face up. "Mikaela will be thirteen soon, the time for her gifts to show will be soon...."

"That's not the only reason. You want her away, you're afraid something else will happen to her here. In her own home!..."

Lyra pulled out of Mano arms, repulsed by the way he's choosing to protect their daughter. Leaving the bed, Lyra grabbed her robe. Walking to leave her room. Mano ran and clutched her arms.

"Lyra!... They are all my children.... all my wives, I cannot abandon one for the other...Lyra, there, she can be cured, treated and let her gifts develop freely there. Once she has recovered she will come back home. "

Hugging Lyra close, Mano kissed the top of her head. "I'm not sending her away to die...you know that. I'm sending her away to survive, Lyra."

_______

The next morning Lord Mano kissed Lyra's head, before leaving her courtyard for assembly.

The assembly was a tiring gathering, but a necessary one. Most clan leaders were busy with their own clan all day long, this was one of the events to make connects and get info from across the lands.

Lord Mano sat in listening to a couple of clan leaders discuss the low quantity of honey recently. This has been an ongoing discussion with no solution for months now. Even though he knows it's an important matter, this was not the reason for his visit day.

It's been two months since the prison incident. Mikaela's face hasn't shown any signs of improvement. Every time he sees it, shame and pain coursed through him. Lady Jaelah has sought his forgiveness but he can't bring himself to forgive Jaelah and his daughters for their schemes. And though she hides it well Lady Lyra anger was unceasing, he has been torn between the two.

The Amara house has been tense.

"This year tribute to the king will be low; let alone the trading with...How are we suppose to get the trees producing again when we don't even know what is wrong with them?"

"The villages are having it worst, most of their people are starving for honey.."

"I heard they are going to let the celestials help this year, maybe it will make a difference."

Seeing Lord Mano not saying anything, one of his associates required.

"Lord Mano, are you listening? You have been distracted for a while now.."

"I'm just tired of discussing without any solutions to give..."

"Mmm..." The surrounding clan heads nodded in agreement.

Getting a glimpse of the person he was looking for Lord Mano, Jumped to his feet giving the group a simple excuse for his hasty retreat.

Catching up to Lord Tasar before he boarded his shuttle, "Lord Tasar, I'm in need of your assistance!".

Sensing his friend's desperation. Lord Tasar signal his steward to wait for his return.

Chapter end