I hang back, knowing it is not good for too many to enter the cave, as the Mog-Ur Goov hurries in, with Uba following him, but going straight to Broud.
'Brac, are you all right?' the Mog-Ur motions.
Brac doesn't answer him.
'Brac.'
The Mog-Ur bends down in front of Brac.
'Brac.'
Slowly Brac looks at him, but seems confused. Which isn't surprising. But then he sees Uba examining Broud.
'Uba,' he calls.
Uba glances over to him, but then looks back at Broud.
'Uba,' he says again, louder this time. 'I am hurt,' he motions with one arm. 'Help me. My arm is hurt.'
'She needs to help Broud first,' the Mog-Ur says.
Brac shakes his head, and then groans. 'My arm.'
'Can you get up?' the Mog-Ur gestures to where I am standing. 'It would be best if you were to leave this cave.'
'Not until Uba has seen to me,' Brac motions back.
The Mog-Ur nods. 'But it might be best to leave here before then. We do not know if the ground will start to shake again. You could be killed if…'
'Help me stand,' Brac gesticulates, holding out his good arm.
I rush forward them, to help the Mog-Ur, but stop when I see the look on Brac's face.
'Just the Mog-Ur,' he motions.
I frown, but back away. Watch as the Mog-Ur pulls Brac up from the cave floor, and supports him as they walk outside.
Brac's mate Oba runs up to him.
'Brac. Are you all right?'
Brac glances at her, frowns and then nods. 'I am fine Oba… my mate. But you should not talk to me so. You are a woman, and I am a male. You should treat me with respect, and wait for me to ask you to speak.'
Oba blushes, and looks at the ground.
With his good arm, he taps her on the shoulder. 'Help me woman.'
The Mog-Ur helps Brac to sit down, placing him near the fire, and then walks over to me.
'He's in shock,' he motions. 'That's why he's acting as he is.'
'Yes,' I respond, nodding my head. 'I am sure that he is.'
I watch as Oba runs around Brac, giving him a hot drink, cleaning the wound on his head.
But he keeps glancing back to the cave. 'What can Uba be doing in there with Broud? It is obvious that he is dead. She should leave him, and come out and help me. After all, I am the leader now.'
He's right. If Broud is really dead, as he says he is, then Brac has automatically become the leader, with no need of the ceremony that was going to happen today.
'She will be out soon,' the Mog-Ur says, heading back into the cave.
I follow him.
Uba is leaning over Broud, her ear near to his mouth.
Listening for his breathe I suppose.
She looks up as we enter.
'Is he dead Uba?' the Mog-Ur motions.
She shakes her head. 'He is still alive, but only just. I do not know if I can save him. But I do know that I cannot save him if he remains here. We need to get him back to the cave so that I can treat him properly.'
'Durc,' the Mog-Ur Goov turns to look at me. 'Get some of the hunters in here. They can carry Broud.'
I nod my head, and hurry out. Call a couple of the hunters to help.
And then I go to Brac. 'Broud is still alive,' I tell him.
He shakes his head. 'No, he can't be,' he motions.
I put my hand on his good arm to comfort him. Sure that what has happened is making him speak so. 'He is alive Brac,' I say.
He pulls his arm away, and his mouth twists into a frown. And then his shoulders slump. 'He is really alive?'
I nod. 'But he is very hurt. Uba says that she might not be able to save him.'
He swallows hard.
'Some of the hunters are going to carry him back to the cave, where Uba will be able to look after him better.'
'All right,' he motions with his good arm. 'But I need to be looked after too. I think my arm is broken.'
'I will tell her.'
