[Tevildo]

Dorran

"My sister?" A wide grin slipped over Dorran's face. "Her name is Creide, and she's twelve years old, but you'd think she was the same age as I am, the way she acts and carries on. She won't take no for an answer. I used to try and be a father to her, after our Aunt Raven died. But as Creide grew older, that wasn't going to work. I don't try to order her around now, but we still talk a lot. Anyways, I can't tell you how much I miss her."

"Don't mistake my words. Creide is a good girl. She works hard. She has to. She's a scullery maid in Lord Aldwulf's household, and has learned to do all manner of cleaning and cooking and sewing and can even read a little."

"My sister was furious, when I first told her I was going on this trip. She kept saying she was afraid for me, especially with all the Orcs about. That was the truth, but part of her wanted to come along too. She was fuming because she was only twelve, and the master refused to let her journey out from our village. When I get home......" Dorran sighed and then corrected himself. "If I get home safe, whether home is in Edoras or back in the old village, the first thing I'll do is take Creide out to celebrate and present her with a little gift. I even brought some money," Dorran pulled out a small wad of coins and showed them to Athwen. "I thought Creide might like a fine bolt of cloth from Edoras or maybe a piece of jewery."

Shyly, he looked over at Athwen. "You know I really know nothing about what girls want. Maybe when we get to Edoras, you can come with me and go shopping in the market and help me pick out something for Creide. That is, if it's not too much trouble." Dorran took a deep breath and then plunged ahead. "I don't know where you'll be going after all this ends. I don't expect any of us really know. But Lord Aldwulf has a heart of gold. If you've any skill at all, sewing or reading or just helping in the house, I'm sure he'd find a job for you.....someplace where you could stay a while and get your bearings before you decide how to go on with your life. Of course, first we have to get to Edoras."

With that, Dorran kicked his horse with his heels and picked up the pace as they continued down the trail.

____________________________

Leod

From the back of the line, Leod had seen Sythric falter and, even before Meghan called out for help, the healer was cantering forward, drawing up his horse so that he was even with them. Reaching over, Leod put a soft hand on the horse's harness and guided the animal to a halt, all the while helping to steady his rider.

"Let's get him down, Meghan, Brand!" Leod exclaimed. "He can't sit up on his own." Leod took most of the weight of the man over his shoulder, while Brand and Meghan held the horse still. Gently, Leod positioned Sythric in a sitting position on the ground, leaning his body against a large log. Although Sythric's eyes were open, his eyes were glazed over and his face registered considerable pain. He said nothing as the others moved him.

"We've got to do something," Leod growled. "Curses that we must ride today! This man can no more sit a horse than I can fly through the skies to Edoras." He gazed over at the side of the trail. For once, luck was with them. Two saplings had fallen to the forest floor in one of the many recent storms. Their long slender trunks would be perfect as poles to construct a sledge.

"Sit here, both of you!" Leod commanded Meghan and Brand as if they were his servants. There's reeds and small twigs that can be strapped together to make up the base of the sledge along with a large blanket that I have that we can tie on and wrap Sythric in. It won't be the most comfortable thing in the world, but anything is better than having him ride."

Leod ran off and came back with several armloads of materials that they would need. He showed Meghan and Brand and a few of the others how to twist and bind the twigs, although from the look they gave him, it was possible that some of them already knew how to do that. In a short time, the companions had managed to put together a makeshift sledge, and Sythric was resting comfortably on top of a blanket sling between the two poles.

As everyone remounted their horses to start up again, Leod confided to Brand, "The ride will be none too easy for him, and the sledge will slow us down. We should both try to keep an eye on the trail and make sure the ground isn't full of boulders or large tree roots. If necessary, I'll dismount and keep a hand on the sledge to steady it. Let's just hope that the weather holds and the path stays reasonably straight." It was some time later and several miles down the trail before Leod remembered that, with all the excitement, he had totally forgotten to check Brand's dressing.