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Getting up is too difficult. Now that I am standing it is better to stay that
way. It does feel good to be on my feet again, he said.
I too shall get up, Shan said and set his food tray aside.
No need to push yourself. Morale can wait another day, Taischek cautioned.
But Shan insisted because he needed to revitalize his body by moving. Taischek
helped him rise. His stout arms supported the shaky rys as Shan tenderly eased
up to his full height, a head above
Taischek. The King tossed a fleece robe over Shan s bare shoulders.
Shan glanced at his bound chest and then at Dreibrand s bandaged torso. We
have had a rough time of it, he said.
Just like always, Dreibrand quipped.
Shan smiled and took a deeper breath. Apparently satisfied with his condition,
he indicated that he wanted to walk. Keeping a light hand on Taischek s arm,
Shan otherwise moved with his own strength. First, he went to see Redan. For a
long time Shan stood over the archer with a hand laid on the man s clammy
face. Redan moaned slightly, but it was doubtful he knew his rys master
touched him. Shan detected the looseness of Redan s soul as if it only
hesitated to leave the flesh.
Taischek said, His wound was simple. If infection had not set in, he would be
healing.
Watching Redan waste away, Shan thought that maybe it would have been more
merciful to let him bleed to death in the forest. Shan wished he could help
his faithful bodyguard. In the hopes that it might do some good, Shan sent his
healing magic into Redan, but the rys had already used so much of his energy
to heal himself that he had little to offer. His body had not had time to
renew.
Come back to me, Redan. I want to thank you in person, Shan finally
whispered.
Redan s eyes remained closed and sunken and his only response was a faint
shiver.
Shan left with Taischek and Miranda to go downstairs and show off his health.
Dreibrand sullenly returned to bed. He genuinely felt invigorated to stand,
but he could not go downstairs yet. Using the steps would put too much stress
on his half-mended gash.
While lying on his bed, Dreibrand heard the cheers of the Temu warriors as
Shan descended with their King. Dreibrand hoped the fighting spirit of the
Temu would survive the long dreary winter.
Staring at the ceiling, he contemplated the actions he should take in the
spring. As Shan s general he intended to dominate the war strategy, believing
himself to be the most capable of organizing a large campaign. He knew it
would be difficult to cultivate harmony with their mixed forces, but he had
Lord Kwan s example to guide him. In his two years with Kwan, Dreibrand had
watched and helped the Lord General do many things. Conquest involved more
than battles. Kwan was always negotiating or imposing treaties, deciding which
local leaders got to keep some power, and awarding territories and plunder to
Atrophaney officers. Of course, Dreibrand s share had gone to repay his debt
to Kwan.
When the afternoon faded, Shan returned to Dreibrand s room.
Where is Miranda? Dreibrand asked.
Taking the chair by the bed, Shan replied, I told her to get some rest. She
has tired herself caring for us. I will watch over you and Redan tonight.
But you are just as hurt as us, Dreibrand said.
Shan responded, But I need no sleep tonight. I am over the worst of it. Rys
are very hard to kill.
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But I do appreciate your bravery. I never needed help more than at that moment
in the woods, and you were there for me. Looking sadly over to Redan, he
added, Both of you.
And Tytido, Dreibrand reminded. He was clever enough not to get hurt, but
he would not like you forgetting the Hirqua.
Shan said, I thanked Tytido downstairs. And I know I cannot forget the
Hirqua. Now if only Redan would wake up and demand my gratitude.
Redan s condition stagnated for another day, and Xander declared on a positive
note that if a man took so long to die, he might live. Because Redan showed no
signs of doing either, he could not be moved when Taischek decided to return
to Dengar Nor now that Shan s crisis was over. The extra warriors he had
summoned needed provisions and it was best to simply return to the capital.
Dreibrand was not fit to ride a horse yet, but he could ride in the sled with
the King s baggage.
Being carried like luggage was somewhat humiliating for him, but he was sick
of his holiday in the woods that had not turned out so well and he had been
away from the Yentay long enough. But
Dreibrand had not expected Miranda to volunteer to stay behind and tend Redan.
He did not want her to stay behind, but she insisted, explaining that it was
the least she could do considering that she had only been rude to Redan.
The next morning in the relative privacy of his room, Miranda helped Dreibrand
get dressed and put on his armor. He limited his movements as Miranda eased
his gear onto his body.
It is not too late for you to change your mind and come with me, Dreibrand
coaxed.
You should not be going yet yourself, Miranda countered.
I have responsibilities. Please come with me, he said.
Miranda sighed regretfully but did not change her mind. I feel I should stay.
I always thought badly of Redan, but he stood by Shan. He deserves someone to
watch over him.
Dreibrand nodded reluctantly. Redan did deserve caring attention, especially
when he fought death far from his home and people.
He embraced her with a kiss, and she relaxed into his arms, once again
cherishing his closeness.
Having not lain together for some time now, they felt a mutual surge of
desire.
When you return to Dengar Nor, we will both be healthy and strong, Dreibrand
murmured.
I cannot wait, she whispered back, but they had no more time for their
dalliances. Before
Dreibrand left her, he ordered Tytido to stay behind as a guard for Miranda.
Tytido did not look entirely thrilled because he was eager to return to the
city as well, but he took his duty seriously.
The assignment showed how much Dreibrand trusted him at least.
Miranda watched Dreibrand and Shan leave with the Temu. Horses snorted and
accouterments creaked in the cold. Many hooves trampled the fresh snow, but
eventually the commotion of the riders disappeared into the frozen woodland.
With only a few warriors remaining at the large lodge, the timber building was
suddenly quiet and vacant. The structure returned to the repose it enjoyed
when the King was away, and a few mice moved about openly. Here, Miranda kept
her vigil over Redan, and his thin gasps rasped louder in the silence of the
wooded retreat.
For days, Miranda tried to coax life back into his body. She would slowly drip
water and medicinal tea into his mouth. Knowing he had to need nourishment,
she sometimes managed the thinnest of gruel down his throat. She kept his
wound clean, but his body was too stressed for it to heal.
The boredom and hopelessness of her task finally started to foster despair in
Miranda. As another gray day deepened into night and the wind began to howl,
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heralding another storm, Redan became worse. He tossed and started raving.
Miranda did not understand any of his words. She did not know if his speaking
was a good or bad sign. He might be babbling in his last moments or struggling
back to life. His thrashing worsened, and she held him still so he would not
start his leg bleeding again. Restraining him was an easy chore because he was
as weak as a wilted flower.
Late in the night, Redan settled into a faint, and at first, Miranda thought
he had died. Only when she put her ear to his chest and heard the thump of his
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