of any of her friends.
"Where are you?" She moved back into the shadow
of the trees. Closing her eyes, she tried to calm the panic and fear swirling
within her. Sucking in a very slow breathe, she clenched her fists so tightly
it hurt. She hadn’t lost everyone again. They were alive. They had to be. They
likely hid from the horsemen, probably waiting until dark to move. She let out
a deep breath. Yes, certainly they would find her later.
She turned to look at Garen. "Where is this
spring?"
He regarded her for a moment before turning and
heading further into the trees. This way.
She followed, relieved to see he moved slowly, always
staying within sight. They did not walk far before he stopped beside a thicket. In here.
Moving carefully to avoid a few thorny bushes, she
found a small depression filled with water. The plants had been trampled around
it; apparently the wildlife used it often. Sitting at the edge she removed her
boot and sock, wincing at the swelling already visible.
Sticking her foot in the water she gasped at the
sudden cold. Immediately the throbbing dulled. Closing her eyes she tried to
empty her mind. She had to calm down and think more clearly. She needed to
figure out what to do now.
All she could see was Cain with an arrow through his
chest. With a gasp her eyes snapped open again.
Are you well?
She nodded and blinked back tears. "One of my
friends died," she told him quietly.
Are you hurt? I smell so much blood on you, is any
yours?
She looked down at herself. Blood spattered her
clothes and stained her arms and hands. Some of it belonged to Cain. Clenching
her teeth, she fought the choking despair building in her chest. She had to
stop thinking about it. Now was not the time to break.
Looking up she saw the wolf staring at her, head
cocked slightly to the side.
"No. None of it is mine . "
She didn't want to talk any more.
Her foot had begun to tingle from the cold water and she
pulled it out. She crawled forward to the head of the pool where the water
flowed quickly and refilled her water skin. More tears threatened as she washed
her face and watered down blood dripped from her hands. She’d washed away
Cain’s bloody kiss.
Fighting rising hysteria she pushed herself forward
and dunked her whole head in the freezing water a few times. It shocked her
enough the numbness returned. Numb she could deal with.
Garen circled before lying down and resting his head
on his paws to watch her. You are a strange girl.
She raised her eyebrows and dug out some food and
forced herself to eat a little.
"Have you met many humans?"
Some. Are you human?
Choking on a bite of food she stared at him
incredulously. "Of course I am!"
You smell strange. For a human.
Just what she wanted to hear. She scowled at him. "I
assure you, I am." She wondered suddenly what he looked like in human
form. Had he not changed because it wasn't safe? Or perhaps he didn't want to
be naked in front of her. Or did they change with clothes? She had no idea. "I'm
sorry we don't have any extra clothes. If you wanted to change I mean." She
grimaced at her floundering.
It doesn't matter. He stood suddenly and circled the pool. We should go. Animals will
want to drink and they will not come with me here.
"I’m almost done." Drawing her daggers she
cleaned them quickly, but well. After drying them on a mostly clean edge of her
shirt, she sheathed them again.
Biting her lip, her swollen ankle captured her
attention. It should be wrapped but she had nothing to wrap it with. Prince had
all the bandages in his pack. She packed up her sock and forced her foot back
into her boot. It hurt, but she didn't have any other options.
She rose and donned her pack. Limping along carefully,
she followed Garen out of the thicket and through the trees. He moved very
slowly. Darkness had fallen. The branches overhead hid the stars and moon, severely
limiting her sight. She cursed under her breath at the pain in her ankle. She
could hardly put