"Will!" screamed Halt again. Halt dove to the ground and rolled Will onto his back. Will's wound was still bleeding terribly bad. He wrapped a cloth around it.
Will didn't answer, he just lay there, with a look of shock in his eyes, barely breathing. Halt felt his forehead, it was cold.
"Will! Answer me! Please! What would I do without..."said Halt, trailing off through blinding tears. He made no effort to wipe them away.
All Will could do was just lay there and croak.
"It's gonna be okay, just hang in there. It'll be okay. I'm going to get you some help. I'll take you to Shoulern and get some help for you." The tears down his face were just streaming.
Halt slowly and carefully picked up Will and carried him back to where Tug was. He carefully lifted Will up in the saddle and then climbed up after him.
Halt gently made Will lean back so that his head was gently propped up in Halt's lap.
Halt made sure Will was comfortable and then urged Tug to a fast gallop. Shoulern was just a few kilometers away.
Please don't die. Please don't die..' Halt prayed silently as Will softly groaned.
They arrived in Shoulern within minutes. Most of the time, Rangers arrived quietly, not making any noise or causing attention to fall upon them.
"Help! This boy needs help!" boomed Halt as loud as he could.
"There is a healer in the tavern at the moment. Try talking to him. It's just down the street. On the right. You can't miss it." said a small elderly woman.
"Thanks."
Halt then took off down the street and stopped Tug right in front of the tavern. He slowly propped Will upright, jumped down, and then lifted Will down.
Will was pale and the color was draining from his face. Halt carried Will inside the tavern and again made no effort to remain unnoticed.
"Is there a healer here? This boy needs medical help! NOW!" bellowed Halt at the top of his lungs.
"I'm the healer. My name is Wertalli. Come to my office next door. I'll take a look at him." said Wertalli the healer.
Wertalli was a small gray haired man. He looked to be in about his seventy's.
"Okay please let's hurry." said Halt, following the healer.
Wertalli led the way to his office and led them to a small room with a bed. There were needles and strange machines everywhere.
"Lay him on the bed." instructed Wertalli.
Halt gently lay Will down on the bed.
"Please leave the room now. Just wait outside right out there in that room." said Wertalli, moving over to examine Will.
"No thanks. I think I'll stay." said Halt, gripping Will's hand.
"No you'll be leaving." grouched Wertalli.
"No, I'll be staying." Halt shot right back at Wertalli.
Two bearded tough looking guys came into the room and cracked their knuckles, then they gestured for Halt to exit the room. When Halt didn't move, they started walking towards Halt.
Halt reluctantly let go of Will's hand and glanced at Will one more time. Will halfway nodded. Halt then exited the room.
"I'll be back Will. I promise." said Halt as he glanced at Will one more time.
Of course there was no answer.
The healer looked over Will and shook his head.
"This isn't good."