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The battle was over. As far as Edhener could see, they had reached their goal, and that without as much sacrifice as he had first thought would be necessarry. At least most of his companions he could see alive and standing, he himself being among them. Even if he was hurt, he was still able to think clearly and to recognise the things around him. But he did not care much for his situation. There would be no dark oblivion for him, no sleep which would take him, at least only for a litttle while, away from the pain and sorrow of his world.
Edhener moved away from the wall on which he had been leaning, desperate to hear a human voice talking to him again, and wanting to be rid of the dreadful weight that had descended upon him due to the slaying of two of his kin. He tried to tell himself that he had had no choice, yet how could he know that for certain. He knew the madness that had possesed him during the battle. What if his opponents had actually asked for mercy, and he, instead of offering it to them, had killed them?
Suddenly, Edhener stumbled over something. Bending to see what it was, he caught sight of Leoflic, lying on the ground with his eyes closed. At first Edhener felt a shudder pass through him, thinking that, after all, there had been a great price to pay for their quest, but, when he bent closer, he saw that his companion was alive and did not seem much hurt.
Edhener's first thought was to call Elfride to help him, but he saw that she was more needed in other places. Therefore, he had no chioce but to try and revive his companion himself. He still had some water with him, not much, and not as cool as he wanted it to be, but he had to make do with it. He poured his water over Leoflic's face, and gave a sigh of relief when he saw his companion's eyelids flicker open. He smiled to him.
"The battle is over,"he said,"and soon we will be returning to our homes. Are you much hurt? Can you walk?"
And saying this, he extended his healthy hand to Leoflic in order to help him up.
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