[Arry]

Lady’s eyes were wide as she watched the man and woman leverage Brand onto her back. Could she talk, she would have shouted ‘Hurry, hurry!’ to them. There were still a number of the foe on the hilltop, and she was nervous lest they set upon Brand again.

Brand could hear people talking, but found he had no strength to join in, nor could he help himself up from the ground. Two sets of hands strong-armed him up to the horse’s back. Pain shot through him as his shoulder was jounced in the effort. He found himself set in tightly between two bodies; the one in back lending him the support to stay on the horse.

Lady raced down the hill and away from danger as fast as her legs would carry her. The woman had the reins and guided her toward the group of companions with whom Brand had been traveling. Lady resigned herself to obey, though were it solely up to her she would have run with Brand all the way back to the safety of their lands. She stood still enough as the woman held her by the bridle and talked softly to her. She could see arms reaching up to help Brand down from her back. And she nickered softly to him some assurance that she was there. Then some one came and led her away to where the other horses were gathered.

Brand was barely aware as he was laid on the ground. His shoulder wound had opened up once again and was bleeding. He could hear some one giving directions and someone asking him questions. But the voice was so faint and he could not make out the words.