Soran lay unconscious by a large wooden beam, a gash in his forehead where it had struck a stone. He breathed shallowly, sending little puffs of fog skittering along the surface of the oozing mud. His eyes were closed, either in pain or simply in a reaction to the rain.
All was darkness and a feeling of floating. It was vaguely pleasant, certainly more peaceful than the actual situation. A rough voice intruded, worried and almost familiar.
"By Eru, Soran, you worried me! Let's get you back to a warm cot."
A rough and calloused pair of hands slid under his shoulders, turning him over and pulling him up. A low moan escaped as his rescuer draped his arm over his shoulder and began to stagger away from the raided farmhouse as quickly as possible.
They made little progress, as the mud stuck to their boots and Soran was still unconscious for all practical purposes. Both men were well soaked and liberally coated with sticky mud. Fortunately for them, Soran had been only a few yards from the edge of the forest when he fell.
They had just reached the shadows of the trees when Kandel found them. With his assistance, it was easier to carry the wounded man, though not a great deal. Their limping progress was slowed yet more once in the shelter of the trees. Mud and underbrush.
"Ooh, my head . . ." groaned Soran, startling the two men on either side of him. He squinted towards the man on the left, trying to recognize him through rain, dark, and pain-blurred vision. He was fairly certain that it was Lotar, but he couldn't be sure. The one on his right was younger, much younger, and if one was Lotar, the other was probably Kandel. He reached up and fingered the tender place on his head. His hand came away wet, and not from rain either.
"We're almost to camp. Think you can walk?"
Soran nodded and instantly regretted the motion. But the bedraggled trio pressed on, and soon saw the warm light of a fire ahead.
[ 11:30 PM December 03, 2003: Message edited by: Tinuviel of Denton ]
|