Zachary watched as his two friends rode away in the early morning light. If they succeeded, it would be about four days until he saw them again. If they failed...
He shook himself and went about some chores. He gave Condor some more oats, collected a bucket of water from the stream, and washed in it. He got another, and returned inside to boil it. Then, using the edible plants guide, he gathered a small supply of vegetation for eating. The book also told him to collect nettle leaves for tea, but he recognized that evil plant from his childhood, and boiled some other leaves instead, before finding tea in the cupboard.
He sat on the bed with his hot mug, and checked on Karigan. She had been mumbling in the night, but was fine at the moment.
He looked through the saddlebags, and found food that she must have picked up from the keep in the Lone Forest. Then he suddenly remembered that she had gone to look for the P'ehdrose! He had a rummage through her belongings, and underneath a greatcoat, he found her message satchel.
Opening it, he found documents that he had written, talking of allegiance and treaties, signed by Yannuf of the P'ehdrose. Zachary smiled. Why had he ever doubted her? If anyone could find mystical beings and persuade them to join a war, it would be Karigan.
He heard a murmur from the bed, and some shuffling. He rushed to Karigan's side.
"Zachary..."
He grabbed her flailing hand and pressed it against his cheek. "Kari, Kari love, it's alright, I'm here, you're safe."
At the sounds of his voice she seemed to calm, and sunk down into the sheets, sighing. Her eyes opened blearily, and after a few seconds, her eyes focused. "Zachary?"
He smiled. "Kari."
"I... Wha-"
Zachary interrupted. "You were hit by a poisoned crossbow bolt aimed at me. Connly treated it, but at the moment both he and Willis are trying to prevent Second Empire soldiers from finding us."
Her eyes widened in horror at her friends risking their lives to keep her safe. "I'm going after them." She began to sit up, her eyes watering from the pain, though she tried to hide it. Zachary put a hand on her shoulder, and softly pushed her back onto the bed. "You are going nowhere."
Her expression spoke of rebellion, and he raised an eyebrow, adding "by order of the King." She sighed and grinned. "And Condor?" He smiled and nodded. "He's fine."
She smiled and reached a hand out to his face. Her calused thumb ran a shaky trail along his cheekbone, before dropping back down to her side. Her eyes slowly slid shut, and she slipped once more into unconsciousness.
