R & R

The ogre roared in fury and pain, trying to raise its mammoth club once more to strike- but too late. The muscles controlling the hand that held the weapon relaxed, and as the club slid from the ogre's hands it made a guttural murmur, finally collapsing before its opponents, lying amidst dozens of similar creatures who had failed in their attempted ambush. The ground almost shook with the impact of the ogre hitting the ground; something many would take pride in, knowing they were able to slay such a mighty beast. For such as these, it was not an uncommon occurrence, but they were not immune to feelings of pride and self-congratulation every now and then. This, however, was not one of those times.

Jaheira was hunched over the ogre's body, one hand clutching her stomach with the other barely holding onto the spear that had felled the ogre; her hair was a mess, her face and body wracked with sweat, blood, and pain. She stumbled back for a moment, letting her trembling arm lay the spear shaft on the ground to support herself. Minsc steadied her for a moment, Jaheira nodding appreciatively despite the barely contained pain in Minsc's face as well. He had not fared well in the onslaught; several gashes and tears in the armor spoke of numerous wounds; he would need support soon enough to stand. All that was disregarding the bloodstained cloth that wrapped up his wrist where his left hand used to be; they had fared mighty poor indeed.

Khan had not said a word since the attack. Perhaps it was a bit of guilt that haunted his conscience for their many injuries; he had not sustained many himself, but the rest had suffered greatly. Aerie could not walk on her own at the moment, forced to lean on Haer'Dalis' shoulder to make any sort of progress in following Khan as he silently lead them out of the canyon pass they had been attacked in. There was no use in going back now; they had been heading for Trademeet, still another dozen miles away, while the De'Arnise Keep was at another three days' march at least. That and the possibility of another ambush in the canyon was unacceptable, they had nowhere to go but forward.

A grunt of pain sounded as Jaheira stumbled, cursing as she picked herself up. Her leg almost gave way again as she put weight on it, but it managed to support her for a few more feet as she hobbled onward. Khan shook his head as he looked back at the party, sighing deeply. He raised one hand, signaling for a halt. The group trudged to a stop, Khan flexing one arm with discomfort as he looked them over. "All right... maybe we should take inventory before we keep moving; get some healing. How many healing potions do we have left?"

"I used all but one in the ambush." Aerie said with a hint of pain as she displayed the small vial with trembling hands.

"Good raven, if I am not mistaken, we have no more to spare; our dove's potion might be the last source of relief for us." Haer'Dalis warned.

Khan nodded, frowning as he turned to Aerie and Jaheira. "How many healing spells do you have left? Enough to get us all to Trademeet, maybe?"

"I had to use all the spells at my disposal just to survive back there." Jaheira half snapped, glaring heavily. "Aerie has little better, I imagine."

"She's right; I don't have anything memorized either." Aerie shook her head. "I think we're stuck with this potion and that's all."

Khan chuckled humorlessly. "Right. One potion for eight half-dead adventurers. We're kind of screwed on this one, huh?"

"Thank you for pointing out the obvious." Jaheira rolled her eyes. "Do you have anything you intend to do about it, or should we all just lie down and die?"

Khan thought for a moment... then nodded. "An excellent idea, actually. Here's a good a place as any."

The party stood in a bit of stunned silence as they watched Khan unroll his pack and begin to set out his sleeping mat. "Um... Khan, I think Jaheira was kidding... I really do need some healing." Imoen said nervously, biting back a yelp as a tingle of pain went down her arm.

"No, I think it's a good idea." Khan shook his head. "We should make camp here tonight. We'll be able to make Trademeet with no problem in the morning."

"You do realize that we're all barely standing right now?" Imoen said helplessly.

"Yes."

"And that most if not all of us are suffering from severe blood loss?" Aerie chimed in, a worried expression on her face.

"Um... yes. Why do you think we're resting?"

"And you also realize that without some healing potions or spells, the chances of us surviving another eight hours are almost impossible?"

"That's why we're not walking, we're sleeping."

"Minsc is missing his left hand! How is sleeping for eight hours going to help that?!" Jaheira protested.

"Fine, fine!" Khan threw his arms up in defeat... then lay down on his cot. "We'll sleep for sixteen hours."

A chorus of groans and cries, protests and the like all echoed back to Khan, but the Bhaalspawn paladin had already covered his head with a pillow, unwilling to listen to any more. The seven remaining adventurers had few choices left; either continue on without their leader, trying to make it to Trademeet without him, or to follow him in his Xan-like choice to simply lie down and die. One by one, each of them finally made their bed, retiring despite their grievous wounds and injuries, each one sure that this was their final night on Faerun.

X X X X X X X

Khan yawned as he blinked twice, pushing himself out of his bed. He flexed his arm again, noting how much better it felt. He grinned widely as he surveyed the seven other people still asleep; glancing over at Minsc, he nodded in satisfaction as the ranger clutched Boo in his left hand, snoring loudly. Looking up at the position of the sun from where it had been at first slumber, he tsked quietly. "Sixteen hours... right. Pfeh, I told her we'd only need eight hours..."