A/N: Thank you for reading and thank you for your patience in my slow updates. I promise more hasty updates in the future. If you have a moment I would appreciate any comments you might have. And, again, thank you to Fan Boy 101 for the awesome reviews!

Broken Wings

Chapter 4

They set to the sky immediately, following the small webbed female. She was quick and agile. Lexington had no trouble however it was more difficult for Brooklyn to keep up burdened with Kerry's dead weight. He wasn't sure how long they had flown, it seemed like hours, though it was likely that mere minutes had passed.

She took an updraft over a patch of trees, and finally above the thicket Brooklyn and Lexington could see a small camp comprised of several tents and a low burning fire. She hit the ground on all fours and didn't stop as she shrieked loudly when she darted toward a nearby tent. "DOYLE! DOYLE! DOYLE!"

Brooklyn moved in the direction she went with Lexington at his side. Both seemed relieved to hear the name she hollered. Behind the leathery folds of the tent they heard a voice they recognized.

"I haven't the time for you games now Tara, lives lie in my hands and your intrigues will serve us no good. I have my time full with wounds, broken bones, fever -" Doyle continued to list ailments as he smacked the fabric door open with both hands as he stalked toward the howls. His voice trailed off immediately at seeing the limp Kerry in Brooklyn's arms.

"Doyle, boy am I glad to see you." Brooklyn stepped forward helplessly. "Can you help her?"

"What have you done?" Doyle looked confused at Brooklyn then down to Lexington. He lacked the hard edge that Lexington had been intimidated by, there was something different about him as he raised an eyebrow at the shake of Lexington's head.

"No!" The small female grabbed Doyle's forearm and jerked him down to her level. "They are friends, they saved her. Now it's your turn to do the same."

Doyle's eyes turned back to Kerry lying across his arms. "How?" He questioned.

"Donovan." She whispered.

Doyle's lip curled in annoyance and Lexington instantly recognized the sneer that Doyle always wore. In haste two larger male gargoyles approached both spouting questions and threatening Brooklyn and Lexington before they had any responses. Cautiously Brooklyn moved back with Lexington stepping cautiously along with him.

"Stop." Doyle demanded. "They are friend not foe. Save the questions for later, as will I. Quickly, bring her here." He instructed clutching Brooklyn's shoulder. There was tension as Brooklyn and Lexington moved past the three unfamiliar gargoyles, two of which were more massive than either of them. A few whispers went softly between them as they entered the tent.

Inside the tent several makeshift gurneys were holding wounded men just off the ground; some unconscious, some moaning in agony, and some near death. It smelled strongly of iron, Brooklyn assumed from the excess of blood. Doyle didn't hesitate as he pushed all the objects off from a nearby table, that seemed to hold medieval medical supplies, onto the dusty dirt floor.

"Lay her here." Doyle said.

Brooklyn did as he was told, gently placing Kerry on the table. He had to lay her awkwardly on her side as the stake was protruding from the backside of her shoulder. Lexington was finally able to get a good look at the wound and for a moment he felt a bit weak in his knees. He usually had no trouble holding his own around battles, but out of the heat involved in an altercation he had not really witnessed the after effects. He had never seen one of his clan ripped open like Kerry, combined with the fresh meaty smell of the tent he thought he might pass out.

"Hold her shoulder." Doyle mumbled as he moved a small cloth roll behind Kerry.

"What?" Brooklyn's horror showed in his tone and his expression.

"Hold her shoulder." Doyle paused and looked directly at Brooklyn.

"I can't." Brooklyn shook his head and stepped back apologetically.

"Friend." Doyle caught Brooklyn's wrist tightly as his gaze bore into Brooklyn's soul. "I need you to help, I can't do it alone. Hold – her – shoulder."

In that moment it was clear that Doyle did not know him, as Brooklyn had expected him to and thought he did. His normally coarse voice was crisp and demanding yet pleading as he stared at Brooklyn. Taking a deep breath he nodded. "Where do I hold?"

"Here." Doyle's breaths were ragged and nervous as he kept his eyes on Kerry. Sweat was beginning to bead on his forehead. He placed Brooklyn's hand on Kerry's arm. "And here." He took Brooklyn's other hand and placed I on her shoulder near her neck. "Hold tight."

Brooklyn nodded and watched his talons dig slightly into her paling skin. Lexington turned just in time to see Doyle nod and give the wooden peg a hard jerk. It released and for a moment the wound gushed.

"Hand me that linen next to you." Doyle hissed at Lexington. Stabling himself he weakly moved his hand to his head. Distantly he heard Doyle shout. "FRIEND! NOW!"

Lexington turned his attention to the small table at his side. There were several stacks of cloth. He snatched one up and pointed it at Doyle who had both of his taloned hands pressed to either side of Kerry's shoulder. "Please…take that for me." He asked Brooklyn.

As the linen changed hands Doyle continued with his instructions. "I'm going to move my hands in a moment and I want you to place those cloths where my hands are now. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Brooklyn answered.

"If we can keep her alive until dawn, all will suffice…" Doyle gave a weak smile. "Now."

Brooklyn pressed the cloth against Kerry as he was told.

"Thank you." Doyle said slipping his hands in where Brooklyn's were. Kerry gave a mild moan and blinked.

"Mmmmm…Doyle…" she whispered.

"I hope he was worth it." Doyle growled lowly.

"Is…he…alive?" She mumbled weakly.

A brief feral growl escaped Doyle as he began to secure the bandaging. "I hope not, but I haven't a proper answer for you."

Her head rolled to the side and she lost consciousness again. Doyle whipped around toward Brooklyn. "Thank you for help. I appreciate it. You may go now." He jerked toward the tent's door. "And you three as well!"

Brooklyn and Lexington noticed three faces peeking in.

"Is she going to live?" The small female questioned warily. "Doyle? Is she?"

"Let me worry about this Tara, you take to minding our new friends."