"Valery, wake up!" Someone shouted and I grimaced, cracking open an eye to find the ex-commander kneeling beside me. "You fell and I was worried."
"Everything's moving...why?" I asked and he raised an eyebrow when I giggled. "Room's spinning! Whose room is this by the way?"
"What is wrong with you?" Roshani asked and I frowned, lifting my head only to feel a dull ache. "Stay there I will get help." He added, leaving me alone as I stared at his retreating back. Confused I stayed put, wondering why he sounded so worried. He returned soon after with Tensay, who immediately knelt beside me.
"Why are you worried?" I asked as Tensay picked up a bowl, green paste on his fingers as he lifted it towards my head. "What's that for?"
I found out when he lifted my head with one hand, setting down the bowl beside my head. I felt his fingers touch the back of my head and that's all I remember, waking to find Roshani standing over me holding a bowl.
I flinched when he knelt beside me and he blinked, a little curious until he noticed me staring at the bowl. With a chuckle he set it down as I struggled to lift my head, finding it impossible when my head spun.
"It is food and water. You fainted when Tensay healed your head wound." Roshani explained and I sighed. "You need to eat." He added, lifting the bowl and I cringed.
"Not sure if I should. Might not stay down." I replied, sitting up with Roshani's help. "Still...I could use some water." I admitted and he nodded, holding it close to my lips. I took a few sips before I pushed it away and Roshani set the bowl down, lifting the other bowl towards me despite my earlier protest. "Fine but if I get sick it's your fault." I finally sighed, taking a piece of cooked meat.
I wasn't sure if it was deer or maybe elk but it tasted good and that was the main thing. I ate two pieces before I started to feel woozy. Noticing how pale I was, Roshani took the bowl away before gently helping me lie back.
Once he noticed Valery was asleep, Roshani left her hut.
A full day passed before Roshani returned to find me sitting up, my hand on the back of my head. He hurried over, grabbing my hand before I could scratch the leaves keeping my wound clean. "No, leave wound alone." He told me and I snorted, still not sure why he was grinning at me.
"Fine. Itches like crazy though. How long have I been sleeping?" I replied, hands resting in my lap as he sat cross-legged behind me. Instead of answering he gently lifted me into his lap and I blinked, turning my head slightly. "That's not an answer." I added, liking the way he kissed the back of my neck.
"You have been sleeping a day. But you are better and I am glad." Roshani answered, brushing his nose against the left side of my head and I sighed.
"I'm sorry I teased you about Batari and made you leave." I whispered, resting my head against Roshani's chest.
"I needed to think but I am not mad at you." Roshani answered after a pause, not expecting to hear me sob. "Valery, do not cry." He said when I sniffed.
"I can't help it. I just feel so stupid for getting into a fight with you." I sniffed, closing my eyes to try and stop the tears. It didn't work and I started to cry, Roshani's hold on me tightening as I buried my face in his neck. "I could have gotten us both killed and for what? A stupid argument I started. Plus I haven't seen Kion in days and I'm so worried he might be hurt or dead."
"It will be okay." Roshani said, hugging me as I sobbed. I knew he was right but that didn't stop the tears as I held onto him, grateful he wasn't going to leave me.
I felt so warm and safe in his arms that I must have fallen asleep, waking to find him curled up against me. His arms still drapped over me, Roshani's eyes were closed and I sat up. I gently stroked his cheek but he didn't stir and that brought a smile to my face.
With a yawn I curled up beside him again, letting my eyes slowly close to the sounds of his light breathing.
It wasn't until Roshani woke some hours later that he saw me sitting near the hut entrance, my hands in my lap. "Valery, is something wrong?" He asked and I turned around, shaking my head.
"I was just enjoying the peace and quiet." I replied as he sat beside, reaching for my hand. Sitting hand in hand, we sat in silence for a while just enjoying each others company.
"It is good to be here." Roshani commented and I nodded, giving his hand a squeeze. "It is better to be with you."
That brought a blush to my face and a laugh from Roshani, who earned himself an eyeroll.
"Didn't know you could say such sweet things. I have to say I like this new side of you." I replied, climbing to my feet. Roshani joined me, taking my hand again when I made a move towards the entrance. "I just want to find Kion. You're welcome to come with me if you want."
"Just to keep you out of danger." Roshani answered and I grinned as we headed outside the hut. "You are still healing so I will keep my eyes on you."
"Yeah okay." I replied, stepping outside into the bright sunlight. "I just hope he's okay."
We didn't get far when Takkar called out and I sighed, turning around as the Wenja leader headed our way.
"Where are you going?" Takkar asked and I opened my mouth, about to explain when Roshani answered for me. "To find Kion?"
"My friend, a cave lion. He got hurt helping me and I haven't seen him in days...many suns." I added, raising an eyebrow at Roshani who just stared back. "I have to find him."
"I will go with you and Roshani." Takkar said, walking past us before I had time to argue. Shaking my head I quickly followed him with Roshani bringing up the rear. As soon as we walked a short distance into the forest I whistled, hoping Kion would hear.
When he didn't respond I frowned, hurrying further into the forest before either warrior could stop me. Shaking his head in disbelief, Roshani gave chase as did Takkar soon finding me standing near a cave lion. Takkar raised his bow only to lower it when he saw me kneeling beside the lion, my arms wrapped around its neck. "This is Kion?" Takkar asked and I nodded, giving the lion a hug.
Kion purred and I grinned, grateful that he wasn't injured apart from the minor wound on one of his back paws. It wasn't until I heard the snap of a branch that I looked up, past Kion to see a group of Izila heading our way. I climbed to my feet as the nearest warrior spotted us.
"Wenja and the Izila traitor!" A warrior wearing a stone mask shouted and I growled, wishing I'd remembered to bring a weapon. In my haste to find Kion I'd left my bow and club behind which left Takkar and Roshani to defend us.
With a roar, Kion lunged bringing down the warrior who struggled before Kion's jaws ripped into his throat. The last sound he made was a gurgle before his body went limp, blood spraying from his ruined throat.
Snarling, Kion stood in front of me as Takkar and Roshani rushed towards the remaining Izila. I glared as one Izila attacked Roshani, just missing him with an arrow. Another rushed him, his club raised and it connected before I could shout a warning. Dazed, Roshani fell to his knees and I screamed running towards my boyfriend. I ducked the first blow, shielding Roshani from an second attack which just made the Izila laugh.
"No one to help." He growled, Takkar fighting against two Izila warriors unable to help us. Scared, I kicked at the Izila who swept my legs out from under me and I fell landed on Roshani. Dizzy, I could only watch as the Izila raised his club towards us but the blow never came as Kion launched himself into the air with a roar.
The club slammed into his head and Kion let out a pained whimper, hitting the ground. I saw blodd fly as the warrior struck him in the head and chest, bone crunching under his blows. Without realizing it I leapt to my feet, grabbing a rock the size of my fist. His attention focused on the fallen cave lion the warrior didn't see me move to his side but when he heard my footsteps he turned in a half circle just as I raised the rock.
With a growl I struck, slamming the rock into the side of his head, Blood flew and the warrior stared at me as I struck his face this time, crushing his nose. He managed a cry of pain before I started to attack him, not stopping until he stopped moving. It wasn't until Roshani grabbed my shoulder that I stopped, spinning around and he froze at the sight of blood dripping down my face and clothes.
Silently he took the blood-covered rock from me, not even looking at the fallen warrior as he dropped it. Wiping his spear, Takkar walked over to find me panting. It was then Kion let out a whimper and I rushed to his side, one hand on his chest only to stare at the blood pooling beneath him.
"He is dying." Takkar told me and I growled when he knelt beside me. "He will suffer until we finish him."
"No, don't touch him!" I shouted and he sighed, standing. "He'll be fine, just need to bring him back to the village." I insisted as Kion licked my face, tears already running down my cheeks.
"Valery, please. He is suffering." Roshani whispered, kneeling beside me. I ignored him, listening to Kion's weak panting. "You need to do this for him."
"I...can't." I sobbed, unable to believe I was losing a friend. After a few seconds I couldn't bear it any longer. "Takkar..." I motioned to his dagger and he nodded, handing it to me. "I'm sorry, boy." I whispered, stroking Kion's head. "Walk free."
With a quick thrust I buried the dagger in his neck and he let out a weak roar before his head lolled on the ground, death finally catching up with him.
I can't remember how long I stayed beside Kion's body until Takkar and Roshani finally convinced me to leave him behind. We walked back to the village and I felt Roshani try to take my hand but I shook him off, too shocked at Kion's death to allow him to comfort me. So he just walked beside me, glancing at me from time to time.