Chapter 51
He moved, but as soon as he did, he wished he had not. The pain searing through his arm and shoulder felt as if it were on fire and the slight movement made him feel as if the little that was in his stomach would reappear. He lay there quietly trying to recall just exactly what had happened to make him fell like this. Then he remembered Robert and Mary Katherine were with him. 'Where are they?' he thought to himself. He heard nothing. The storm was over and the morning sun was shining down on him. He managed to scoot a little and he could see the mangled wreckage. He had been thrown from it as the carriage careened down the embankment. As he peered over it with his limited vision, he could see the coach was smashed. One horse was dead and lying on the ground. He momentarily wondered what had happened to the second horse. His eyes continued to scan for the others. When he was unsuccessful with his eyes, he called out. "Robert? Mary Katherine? Rodney?" No one answered in return.
"I have to get up" he spoke to himself. Out of sheer will, he managed to get into a sitting position. From there, he used his good arm to push himself up. He stood for a moment to make sure he would be able to take a step without falling. Checking himself out, he discovered a broken arm seemed to be the worst of it. There were a few cuts and bruises, but otherwise he was fine. As he began to make his way over to the busted carriage, he hoped that the Locksley's had been fortunate enough to be unharmed and had gone for help. However, when he approached the coach, he could see an arm sticking out from under the door. The small hand sticking out from the dainty, green sleeve was not moving. As he got closer, he could see that the entire wagon had fallen on the lovely woman whom he had called a friend for so many years. The crash surely had broken her neck. He felt for a pulse, but was unable to find one. He prayed that it had been a quick death. On the far side of the wagon, he sighted Robert. He had apparently been thrown as well in the fall. He managed to make his way over to the still man. He breathed a sigh of relief when he felt a faint pulse. Looking to the sky with tears in his eyes, he prayed. He prayed both for the soul of Mary Katherine and that help would show up to be able to help Robert. He continued to look for Rodney, but to no avail.
Edward sat down for a moment to consider his options. There were not many. He was able to find a skin of water. He thought to himself, 'I will rest a few moments, drink some water, and then I will set off for help.' He sat for bit and drank the water. When he thought he had enough energy, he began to push himself up again. Suddenly he heard the sound of horses. When he looked up, there was Rodney and several others on the ridge above him. 'Help was here!' he sighed in relief. He then turned to where his friends lay. His next thought was 'How am I going to tell Robin?'
