A/N - Thank you everyone for being patient with me. I will be having surgery soon and will be needing bed rest so that should give me more time to work on the story! Reviews are always welcomes and encouraged! I want to make sure I'm on the right track. :)
Korin scrambled up out of her bedroll. She looked at her clothes. She had fallen asleep with pretty much everything on except her boots. She kept her pants leg rolled up because the bandages made it hard to roll them back down. She was able to lace up one of the boots. She left the other leg exposed. Her leg was a little sore, but she could walk. She hurried out of her tent and saw her comrades dissemble tents, had started to cook breakfast and others readied the horses.
She looked around and saw Tyler sitting down on the ground near the fire watching Marcus stir two pots. She walked over to them.
"Morning fellas! Tyler, are you ok? You didn't come to the tent last night." She asked in a worried tone.
Tyler turned towards her and waved, "Oh yeah, I'm sorry. I got a little sick last night and Marcus wanted me to stay in his tent to make sure I recovered. He's making some sort of potion to help bring my fever down and settle my stomach. I'm fine really." Tyler gave her a reassured smile and looked over at Marcus. He had bags under his eyes, but looked wide wake.
Marcus stirred a little pot that had a red liquid in it and in the other, left over beans from the fallowing night. Korin walked over to Marcus and squatted over at Marcus. "Good morning Marcus. Need help?"
Marcus laughed and shook his head. "Good morning Korin. Nah I've got this. I'm used to making two things at once. I am worried a little about Tyler though. He suddenly had a fever and had a hard time keeping anything down. So I'm brewing up a combination of potions to hopefully help him out."
"How is Kevin?" Korin asked as she stood up and stretched.
Marcus smiled at her, "Much better. He is pretty much back to normal. As long as we don't run into anything along the way, I think he will be back to normal tomorrow. I know if we run into trouble before tomorrow morning, he will not be able to stay out of it, therefore reopening the wound."
"Oi, Korin, can you give me a hand with the horses? Eric called out from the group of horses.
"Sure thing Eric." Korin answered and patted on Tyler's shoulder in reassurance. She walked over to Eric and rubbed one of the horse's noses. "Whatcha need me to help out with?"
"Well, I can handle the saddles, but they are getting restless because they are hungry. Can you give him their food bags? Then we will lead them to the creek over there to give them some water." Eric explained as he threw on a saddle pad then hoisted up a saddle on top of that.
Korin walked over to the crate of feeding bags. She began to fill up the bags and hook them to the horses when someone called out her name.
"Oi, Korin. Can I get a hand?" She saw Thomas attempting to lug a chest to the small cart that held some of the larger items.
She nodded and jogged over to him. "I'll get this Thomas, why don't you get the food crates near Marcus."
As Thomas stood up he rubbed his back. It seemed to Korin that Thomas was the gopher of the group. He would get this and that. "Are you sure you can carry that Korin? It's pretty heavy."
Korin nodded. When she bent down to pick it up she said, "I carried a lot of heavy things in my family's business." He shrugged and headed towards Marcus to gather the food crates.
She hoisted the crate and headed to the cart. It was heavy but it was nothing she couldn't handle. She placed the chest on the floor of the cart and hopped on. She dragged it to the back and made sure it was secure. When she hopped down she headed back towards the horses.
The horses neighed and she shook her head. "There there, I'm coming back. I promise you'll all get food. No need to get your tails in bunch." She huffed when she began to fill the rest of the bags with feed. She hooked the bags around the neck of the horses and placed them over their mouths so they could eat.
As the horses chomped on their feed she looked behind her to look at the campsite. She looked and saw Tyler take down their tent. She thought he looked a little paler than usual. Maybe he could use a hand. It looks like he needs to rest. I wonder what's going on.
She walked over to Tyler and he was indeed paler, but he still worked as if nothing was wrong. "Hey Tyler, could you use a hand?"
His head popped up smiled, "I think I've got this. My head maybe a little foggy, but I can still tare down a tent. Putting together a tent would be a totally different conversation." They both chuckled. Korin began to help a little. She saw he was struggling.
Once they tied the tent together, they tied it down to Tyler's horse. He smiled at Korin, "Thanks Korin. Marcus said the potion might make me a bit tired, but my stomach feels better. "
"Look, I'm done with my part of the campsite, why don't you lay down until it's time to go." Korin patted his shoulder and lightly shoved him towards a large tree.
All Tyler did was nod and laid down under the tree. Before she could blink Tyler fall asleep. Man, I wonder what's going on with Tyler. I hope he gets better soon.
About an hour later the group was loaded up and ready to head out. Korin looked around and saw that Tyler was on his horse but looked very sleepy. Sergeant turned his horse towards the group and began to talk in a deep commanding voice.
"All right maggots. We are going to push hard today to get closer to the training center. I don't expect us to get there tonight, but the closer we get the less likely of an attack during the night. Marcus is Kevin in fighting condition if we are attacked?"
"I'm afraid not sir. Neither is Tyler. Korin can fight, she just has to be careful. So we are basically two men down as of this point." Marcus spoke clearly as he shook his head.
"Shit. Ok here is the formation then. Harold and I will lead the front a little ways ahead. Fredrick and Eric I want you in the rear watching our backs falling behind us. Thomas will immediately lead the group behind Harold and me forming a triangle between the three of us. Rico will be right behind the formation. Korin you and Marcus will be in the middle on either side of the carts. You will also be in charge of protecting Tyler and Kevin along with the cargo during the trip. Everyone got that?" Sergeant commanded.
"Sir, yes sir!" everyone spoke in unison.
Everyone fell into formation and did as they were told. Kevin laid on a cart that also held some tents and other softer things. Kevin's horse pulled the cart he was on. Tyler continued to ride his horse in silence beside Kevin and the cart. Marcus rode on the right side and I rode on the left.
Hours passed as they rode the dusty cool path surrounded by tall oak trees. Not much had happened along the road. Eric and Fredrick were able to catch a few rabbits along the path for dinner that evening.
About mid day sergeant called for a halt. "Thomas, Korin, there is a creek about half a mile away. Take the horses there for a drink and the others will get the rations out. Everyone else, you should know the drill by now, if not, do pushups until you remember."
Thomas and Korin gathered the horses up and began to head to the creek.
"How you holdin up Korin?" Thomas asked but continued to look forward.
"I'm fine, why you ask?" Korin asked as she cocked her eyebrow.
"Your leg girl. How's your leg?" Thomas chuckled.
Korin laughed and looked down at her leg that was straddling the horse. It still had the bandage wrapped around it. Her pants leg was still rolled up and her foot was exposed at the bottom, but it wasn't very cold so no worries about frost bite.
"It's fine Thomas. Thank you. I hope that Marcus will let me take off the bandage today."
He nodded and they continued to ride towards the creek. After they gave the horses a long time to drink, they headed back to the camp site. The rest of the group had settled down around the ground.
Marcus dug through his chest that was still in the cart. He looked as if he struggled to find whatever he looked for. Kevin stood up and slightly stretched up winced in pain when he reached too far upwards. He honestly looked better than even this morning. She looked back at Marcus who looked a little frantic.
I wonder what is wrong. Kevin and I are fine. Wait. Where is Tyler?
She hmmed to herself and Thomas heard her. "What's wrong Korin?"
"I don't see Tyler do you?" Korin said in a frustrated tone. Thomas began to look around as well. "Neither do I. Oh wait, there he is." He pointed at a shadow right over the hill. The man was doubled over and wretched several times.
"Thomas, I'm going to help out Tyler." She said in a hurried tone.
He nodded and took the reigns of the horses to lead them to the feed crates. Then Thomas walked towards Fredrick to help him get the food rations.
"Tyler?" Korin spoke quietly and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. His body burned from heat. It was not doubt that he had a fever. He slowly stood up and wiped a handkerchief over his mouth to wipe away some vomit. His skin gleamed with sweat and she could have sworn his skin looked on the yellow side.
"Tyler, what's going on?" Korin wore a shocked expression and her voice shook from worry. Tyler opened his mouth to answer, but Marcus came to a hurried halt beside Korin.
"Tyler, this will help. Let me mix it together. Right now, I need you to lay down as flat as possible." Tyler nodded in understanding. He took a shaky step towards the cart Kevin had laid on the trip. He began to stumble. Korin reacted and caught him under his arm. She hoisted him upright. Marcus grabbed the other arm and placed them around his neck. With the help of Korin and Marcus, Tyler walked slowly to the cart. He laid down on the cart and groaned from pain.
Marcus knelt down and began to mix a cocktail of liquids together to make a blue, clear liquid. "Marcus, let me help. What can I do?"
"Go get a bucket of water and a couple of cloths. Tyler, we need to take off your armor and shirt. It'll help to bring down your fever." Marcus sat down the cup of liquid and began to unhook Tyler's armor. His body was calm as usual, but he had a frustrated tone underneath.
She grabbed a bucket from the cart Tyler occupied and hurried to the creek. She briskly walked down to the creek. Korin walked straight into the creek and the cold water came up to her mid calf. Korin dunked the bucket under water to fill it up quickly. Once it was filled she hurried back to the campsite.
Move feet! Move faster! Tyler, hang in there. What's going? Why isn't he healing?
When she returned to Marcus and Tyler, Tyler only wore his britches. His ripped abs exposed, but she noticed that the claw marks that were barley there the day before were bright red. She placed the bucket near Marcus and tossed the rags beside him as well. Tyler shook from chills.
Korin knelt down and dunk a rag in the cold water, then rang it out. She dabbed the cloth on Tyler's forehead. He was burning up. He squinted his eyes shut and groaned.
"Come on Tyler stay with me. Stay awake. Keep your eyes open. The potion will kick in soon, but you will take a bit.
As she rubbed the cloth around his face, his body seem to relax a bit.
"Tyler? Oi, Tyler?" Marcus cried out and Korin looked at Tyler's face. He was out cold. Korin's stomach turned as Marcus gently slapped Tyler's cheek. Tyler's body went limp. The both gasped. Marcus leaned his ear to Tyler's chest to find a heartbeat.
"He's still with us, but his heartbeat is faint." Marcus looked at Korin and actually sounded flustered for once. "Korin, you begin pump his chest to keep his heart going, Im going to get some medicine."
She nodded firmly once and began to pump his chest to keep him alive.
Tyler, don't you die on me. You can't leave me before we even get to train together! Tyler please don't die.
Marcus came back with a handful of flasks. Right behind him Sergeant Sebastian jogged behind him.
"Oi, what's going on here?" He asked in an actual worried tone.
"Sir, Tyler is unconscious and I am trying to keep him alive. If we don't do something quick, were… we will lose him."
Marcus placed a flask cork between his teeth and yanked hard to remove it. It made a pop sound and then she could hear a faint fizzy sound. She continued to pump Tyler's chest, but looked over at Marcus. He had a large bowl in front of him to combine the liquids together.
"Sergeant, I need you to make some cuts for me while I prepare this medicine. Please we don't have much time. Korin I want you to continue what you are doing, unless Sergeant cuts Tyler, and then temporally stop."
The sergeant yanked out a pocket knife and knelt down beside Tyler. "Ok, Sir, make five semi-deep cuts. A single cut on each forearm, one on each calf and one on his forehead."
Sergeant nodded and wiped his brow with the back of his hand, then leaned close to Tyler's right arm. "Korin, stop for a sec."
Korin reluctantly stopped so he could cut Tyler. Dark red blood slowly seeped out of the cuts. Once she quickly began to pump again the blood would seep out only when Korin pressed on his chest. They both worked together to get Tyler ready.
Marcus in the mean time grabbed the bucket of water and poured almost all of it into the bowl. Then he poured the fizzy liquid into it as well. It popped and sputtered. This triangle shaped jar had some black powder in it. It poured a handful into the palm of his hand. He turned over his hand to drop the powder into the bowl. It hissed some more and now had dark red tent to the fizzy that hovered on top of the liquid. The last jar contained what looked like thick dark red blood. Marcus poured that in a circle inside the bowl. The fizz stopped along with the other sounds that it once made.
"There, I'm ready. How's it coming over there?" Sergeant just finished the forehead cut as Marcus finished the brew.
"Looks good. Korin continue to do that. Sergeant, please lift Tyler's head. I've got to force this liquid down his throat to help raise the heartbeat."
The sergeant lifted his head and Marcus lifted the cap off the spout of the vial. He poured it slowly and rubbed his neck to help him swallow and so it wouldn't choke him. He leaned in and listened for a beat. His heart began to pump harder, but it was still a slow beat.
"Good. Korin, you don't need to push anymore. His body can manage. Ok, now the tricky part. Right now his is unconscious so that is kind of good…" Macus sighed as he placed 5 rags into the bowl.
Both Korin and Sergeant looked at each other, and then back at Marcus.
"Because this treatment requires time and is very painful. Put a rag on each cut. Once we do that we need to wrap them tightly, so the medicine will slowly set into his blood stream. Hopefully that will help with the infection." Marcus wiped his hands on his leggings and stood upright. Sergeant and Korin stood up as well, but Korin never looked away.
"We will need to re-soak the rags every couple of hours then rewrap them. If he starts to stir, I can help him go back to sleep so it'll be easier on his body. The less tense he is, the faster the medicine will set in. Sir, I will need someone to ride with him to keep an eye on him the rest of the journey." Sergeant looked down and Tyler for a moment and heavy sighed.
"Great, another man down. That's just what I need. Let's pray to the God's we don't get attacked. Korin, Tyler, Kevin and now a babysitter." Sebastian ran his fingers' through his hair.
"Sir, I'm fine. Really, I was actually going to ask to remove my bandage at noon anyways." Korin spoke in a rough tone.
"Let me see Kroin." Marcus sat down and put his arms out to reach for Korin's leg. He began to untie it gently. She rolled her eyes and with a single swipe of her pocket dagger she cut the wraps off. Marcus huffed loudly.
"That's one way to do it, but not ever again dumbass. You could have done a number of idiotic things with that swipe. Anyways, I agree. You look fine! I clear ya." Marcus eyed her leg closely and felt her forehead.
"Great. Ok Kevin come over here would ya?" Sergeant Sebastian stood up and looked over towards Harold who had been munching on a piece of bread.
Kevin stood up and strode over to Sergeant and spoke up, "Sir?"
"Tyler is very sick and we need someone to ride in the cart with him to keep an eye on him. Korin is healed so I need her to flank one of the sides of the carts. Since you are still healing, I say you need to help out with Tyler. Marcus will explain everything you need to do. Understand?" Sebastian's tone sounded as if he was playing a game of chess and tried to figure out the next best move to win the game.
"Sir, yes sir." Kevin saluted with a wince.
Sergeant walked back towards where his bag was and pulled out what looked like a map. He laid it on the ground and rummaged for something when he pulled out an ink kit. He began to mumble to himself as he looked at the map and made hasty marks with his quill. His eyes looked tired and had bags under them. With a heavy sighed, his shoulders slumped a little. He ran his fingers thru his hair and looked up. They looked around the camp site and then landed on her eyes. As they met, his brows furrowed. For some reason she couldn't look away. He let out a soft grunt and hastily rolled up the map and began to walk towards Rico.
She shook her head to snap out of the gaze and looked back at Marcus and Kevin who talked about what he needed to do during the trip. Kevin mostly nodded and only asked a few detail questions.
Korin decided to check on the horses and get them ready to ride again.
What is going on with Tyler? I can't lose him too. I hope we can at least make it to the training center. Marcus said he only brought what he thought he would need for this trip, so I imagine he can help him more when we get home. Home. I guess that is my home now. I have nowhere else. Father, can you hear me? It's your daughter. I pray that you forgive me. I didn't know this was going to happen. I should have stayed. Maybe I could have done something. Saved more lives. Anything.
Mother, I hope you can forgive me as well. I saved my nephew. I pray that you watch over him as he grows up wondering where his real family is. Wondering why I left him there. Why I gave up.
A tear fell to the ground. Korin, come on. Not here. Not now. Conceal, don't feel.
She gripped the strap hard to control the anger inside her. Without warning she felt something grab her shoulder. Still in her anger state, she whirled around, yelled at the top of her lungs, "I said I'm sorry! I can't fix it!" then let loose a side kicked the person who grabbed her.
The kick held quite a force behind it. The receiver groaned in pain and coughed for breath.
She regained focus on reality and realized she had kicked none other than Sergeant Sebastian. Oh shit.
Sebastian gasped for breath and coughed. He grabbed his stomach and looked up to Korin. "What the… gasp…. bloody hell did you do that for?"
"I'm sorry sir. I was lost in thought and I didn't hear you come up behind me. I guess my instincts kicked in." Korin ran his hand over her hair.
"Just get the God damn horses ready and stay out of the brain of yours. Odiously there's tons of space for you to get lost in." Sebastian spat and turned on her heel.
She noticed that her comrades where now in shock as they stared at her. She rolled her eyes and turned back to her horse. She adjusted the last saddle strap.
Korin decided to check on Tyler once more before they headed out. She saw Marcus and Kevin cover up Tyler. She saw a white bandage wrapped around his forehead with the red medicine seep through a little.
"Hows he doing Marcus?" Korin asked and knelt down to lend a hand.
Marcus continued to get Tyler comfortable as he spoke. "Stable. Not better, nor worse. Kevin has a good feeling he'll pull through."
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Do you have a feeling he'll pull through?"
Marcus finally looked up at Korin's eyes. He quickly averted and didn't speak. Korin's stomach fell from upset.
"Is Kevin going to be ok with watching him and recovering?" Korin sighed and tucked Tyler's blanket under his legs.
"Not my decision. It's Sergeant's. Do I think they both need to rest, yes but he's right. He needs man power. He needs you to keep another set of eyes on the area around us." He went to place an empty container into his chest and it barely missed. It shattered to the ground. Marcus cursed under his breath and rubbed his eyes.
She saw the tiredness and the stress shine like a beam from his face and eyes. "Marcus you need a brea.." She placed a hand on his shoulder.
As she did, Marcus snapped and slapped her hand away. "I'm fine women! I can't take a break. I can't take a rest. This is nothing compared to what we are going to face eventually. I won't be able to take a break when there are dying men around us. When someone comes into my tent with an arrow to the heart I won't be able to say 'sorry can't help ya, I'm on my break.' I need to get used to this bull shit and guess what little lady. You will too! Dying is real. Dying is life. Do I think Tyler is going to die, yes I do. I don't think his going to make it. Hell of all people you should understand death the most. It's life. Get over it! You aren't playing war games anymore. We are at war! If you can't handle death, go back home. Oh wait your home is gone!"
He kicked the cart hard and flipped an empty crate over. He stormed off and his comrades just stood and once again stared at her.
She held back the tears of anger. She stood up and saw that Kevin was next to her.
In a hushed tone, Kevin spoke softly. "Now lass, that wasn't exactly Marcus and I think you know that. Marcus is just upset he might lose his childhood friend."
"His childhood friend?" she asked in a low but shocked tone.
Kevin nodded slowly and sighed. "Yeah, they came from a small city from the north. They grew up together, neighbors actually and decided to join the military together. They are pretty much like brothers. They both lost their mothers at a very young age so their dads both worked a lot to support them and their siblings. So their dads where gone a lot. So, just understand he's lost a lot and he doesn't want to lose his friend. We all don't want to lose him, but… anyways. We are heading out soon. I've got it from here, go on and get ready to head off."
Wow, I never knew they were that close. Man I wish I could do something. I guess I'll think on the way to the next camp site.
"Everyone saddled up?" Sergeant cried out to the group.
"Sir, yes sir!" The group called out in response.
Korin looked around and saw that everyone one sat in their saddles and adjusted things in their bags. She saw that Kevin and Tyler sat in the cart pulled by Kevin's horse. She saw that Thomas hitched Tyler's horse to the back of his horse.
"Resume previous formation from before. Let's go." He motion forward and kicked her horse and led the formation.
Hours passed and Korin saw Kevin wave Marcus to the cart. Marcus rode closer to the cart. Kevin spoke something to him and waved his hand to Tyler. Marcus continued to ride and dug around in his satchel. He handed Kevin a glass container with some yellow liquid inside.
Kevin grabbed it and lifted Tyler's head. He tilted Tyler's head so he could give him some of the drink. Korin noticed Tyler's eyes were a little opened, but looked unfocused. Kevin fumbled to get the liquid down his throat. Eventually he got him to drink some. Less than a minute Tyler's eyes lulled a little and he eventually gave into the drink and closed his eyes. Kevin laid him back down than began to change the bandages.
Marcus continued to ride alongside the cart and guided Harold on the changing. With only a couple issues with bumps along the way, they had Tyler fixed up.
Korin continued to look around on her side of the trail. Nothing for miles, just openness. No trees, no bushes, no plant life except for the lush green grass they rode on.
Wait a minute, the path I took to originally took to the center and back home had tons of trees and animals. I don't even recognize this path. Actually, if I look down, there is no path. The grass is lightly flattened by the hooves and wheels
She slowed down a bit and rode beside Rico. "Where are we going? This isn't a path I've taken before."
"Probably not. This is the way we have to take in order to get the cart over the creek. There's a bridge that goes across. It takes longer, but it's less risky when it comes to carts and water. You crossed a creek right?" Rico spoke while continued to look around his surroundings.
"Yeah, it's not very wide, but I can see how it would be an issue with the cart." Korin replied and nodded.
"Isn't that bridge been known to have bandits around it?" Korin asked as she looked on her side of the area.
"Yeah, that's the rumor, but we didn't get attacked on the way here, so I think it'll be ok. Don't worry, I think we'll be fine." He looked at her and winked.
She smiled and kicked her horse to return to her post beside the cart.
Hell dad. Your stories were about knights in shining armor fighting in war and defending their country. I don't remember the stories about family dying, friends dying, a sergeant being a dick and waking up at 3 am to be attacked by a pack of dire wolves. Damn it. But what doesn't kill ya makes you stronger. Prove to everyone that a woman can be just as strong as a man. Suck it up.
Fredrick suddenly rode past her and halted beside Sergeant's horse. Sergeant held his hand up for a halt. Fredrick spoke to him and then Sabastion hung his head and snapped up in aggravation then spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. "Listen up, there's a significant storm heading our way. We need to get as close to the bridge as possible. There is a cave not far from it that we can take shelter."
Korin looked up and realized suddenly there were a lot more clouds than that morning.
"Let's move…" Before he could finish his sentence rain began to fall and a roll of thunder echoed the area. "…Out. Fuck it. If anyone spots shelter sooner, cry out. Marcus switch with Kevin. Kevin, I know your hurt, but you can still look around. Right now Marcus needs to keep an eye on Tyler. Got it?"
"Sir, yes sir!" Everyone chanted.
A crack of thunder echoed once more as they began to move on. It didn't take long for Korin to get soaked.
Also rain. Rain was not in any of the tales. Aren't I luck?
Korin heavy sighed and continued with the group.