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Just as Sihr and the rest of the men came towards the cave they heard a large cracking sound followed by a body hitting the ground. A sinking feeling came over Sihr as he pictured the blonde haired woman, there was no way she would have been able to survive that blow. When the cave entrance finally came into view more than one man sucked in his breath. Ban’Fajir was lying on the ground unconcious but so was the woman, lying face down.
Looking up from the two forms lying in the dirt Sihr saw the man who had run back to aid their leader holding a broken and bloody fighting staff. When he saw the blood on the staff Sihr looked quickly to Ban’Fajir, disappointed the blood was not his. Then turning his eyes more slowly towards the woman he noticed that the dirt underneath her was darker and wet looking. “What have you done Dronan?” Sihr demanded of the man holding the staff. “You know we weren’t supposed to kill her.” As he said this last Sihr rushed forward towards the fallen woman checking for a pulse. When he found it faintly in her neck Sihr quickly went to work on stopping her bleeding.
The man holding the staff fidgeted and stuttered as he tried to explain himself. After a few moments of watching Sihr help the fallen woman he finally found the confidence he needed. Practically shouting Dronan said, “What did you want me to do Sihr? She had already killed Ban’Fajir, she would have gotten away and we would have been blamed for his death.” To show his disgust with the woman at his feet he threw the remaining pieces of the staff at her, barely missing the kneeling Sihr.
Surging to his feet in a rage Sihr jumped at the man who had thrown the staff. Grabbing him by the front of his tunic Sihr growled “You snow-blinded fool! Can’t you see that Ban’Fajir is still breathing?” Utterly disgusted with the man Sihr shoved Dronan in the direction of Ban’Fajir. Dronan, not anticipating Sihr’s actions, stumbled and landed hard in the dirt near their leader. A large cloud of dust flew up around him causing him to choke and cough.
Apparently Ban’Fajir hadn’t been injured nearly as badly as he looked for the dust caused him to choke and cough as well. Suddenly he was sitting up holding his sides while he coughed. When his smoldering grey eyes finally opened Ban’Fajir could see Sihr kneeling once again over the woman trying to tend her wounds and his men standing in a half cirlc surrounding him. An uneasy silence hung over the group as their gazes flitted from Sihr to their leader.
Not knowing or really caring what had happened when he had been unconcious Ban’Fajir slowly raised himself off the ground, brushing dust and twigs off of his tunic and leggings. Once he was up and steady on his feet Ban’Fajir stomped over to where Sihr was tending the woman, “Will she live?” he asked gruffly as he nudged her leg with his foot.
Sihr, fearing his voice would betray his hatered for the man, just nodded at Ban’Fajir’s question and shrugged. The woman’s survival looked probable but he couldn’t be entirely sure her wounds were pretty severe. When a low moan of pain escaped the woman’s lips Sihr noticed Ban’Fajir nudging her leg with his foot. Unable to hold back all of his temper Sihr glared up at Ban’Fajir and in a gruff whispered said, “Unless you want her to die don’t touch her.” Seeing Ban’Fajir’s gaze darken Sihr calmed himself slightly and in a more civil tone explained, “Dronan there smacked that stonewood staff across her back and broke some of her ribs, maybe even her spine. If you move her without her being properly braced her ribs could puncture her organs and kill her.”
Seeing as how Sihr was an assistant to their Healer at home Ban’Fajir took his word on the diagnosis of the woman, but only grudgingly. If the man had spoken to him in that way at any other time he would have had him killed. “Fine, brace her and move her,” Ban’Fajir directed Sihr. Then to the rest of his men he ordered, “Get camp set up, we stay here tonight and head home tomorrow morning.” Before anybody could answer him Ban’Fajir strode over to a nearby log, sat down and continued to watch as the men made camp.
Before Dai’Larri could cry out in pain a gentle hand closed over her mouth. Stiffening at the strange touch she waited to see what the owner of the hand would do. What happened next was deffinately not what she had expected. “I won’t hurt you Dai’ so please do not move or make any noise,” came a man’s soft voice. Before she could respond in any way the voice continued, “I’m a healer’s assistant and have been tending your wounds. You have broken ribs and a bruised spine.” The man’s gentle tone comforted Dai’Larri but his words worried her. How could she save her daughter from these evil men if she couldn’t even move without possibly killing herself?
As if sensing her distress the man removed his hand from her mouth and asked her in a whisper, “What is it Dai’?” Sihr hoped that despite his company the woman would trust him. He was still furiuos at Dronan for injuring her so severely and couldn’t help but feel compassionate towards her.
Sihr nearly jumped back from her in surprise when an image found its way into his mind. It showed him a small girl child hiding in the cave behind him, alone in the dark and probably crying. It showed Dai’Larri placing the child in a small nook at the very back of the cave and telling her to be quiet and stay still. Suddenly understanding came to Sihr along with the images. He had forgotten that the woman had a child with her when she escaped them.
Before Sihr had been able to tell her that he understood a shadow fell across the woman’s body. When he looked up at the person causing the shadow he nearly yelped in surprise; it was Ban’Fajir. “What is wrong with her Sihr?” Ban’Fajir demanded. “Why did you jump away from her?”
With his mind scrambling to find an answer Sihr was just as startled as Ban’Fajir when more images played through his mind. This time the images weren’t of the small girl child though, they were of the woman’s mate falling to the ground as Ban’Fajir knocked him unconcious. This image played in each man’s mind over and over accompanied by feelings of hate, fear and grief. Understanding came to Sihr slowly, and he was finally able to answer the man who was still standing over them glaring at them. “She is a telepath Ban’. I was checking her breathing when her nightmares startled me thats all.”
Grunting once in acknowledgement Ban’Fajir turned on his heals and stalked back over to the group around the fire, returning to his place on the log. Once he was once again seated Ban’Fajir only watched them for a moment before his attention returned to his men.
Not daring to lean in close to the woman again to speak to her Sihr didn’t know what to do, didn’t know how to let her know he would help her child. Finally, hoping that some of his parent’s Talents had passed to him, Sihr tried to focus on an image of him holding the girl and taking her away from Ban’Fajir. Not knowing the girl personally though he was unable to make the image clear enough to share. Finally not knowing what else to do Sihr just concentrated on what he would say to the woman if he were able to speak. He was surprised to find an image of himself kneeling and speaking to to the woman. Sihr could hear himself whispering to the woman, “I will find her Dai’ and take her away. We leave in the morning but I will say I have forgotten something and I will leave the party to return here. I don’t know what I will do once I am away from the men and have your daughter but somehow I will save her.”
The woman’s eyes opened and looked directly into Sihr’s own. Eyes that normally would have looked upon the enemy with hatred glowed with grattitude. Dai’Larri was so amazed at this man’s willingness to help her, she couldn’t figure out why he would but since he was sincerely willing to help her daughter it didn’t matter to her one bit. Truly overjoyed at the man’s willingness to help Dai’Larri sent to him an image of what she had planned to do herself, what she had been so close to accomplishing.
Sihr could see feel himself running downhill through the last remnants of the forest and foothills, glimpses of the grassy plains coming into view from between the thinning trees. Feeling a weight in his arms Sihr looked down and saw the small girl child smiling up at him. With a small smile for the little girl, he quickly returned his focus on where he was running. Just as he emerged into the sunny world of the southern plains Sihr felt his burden lighten. When he looked down the little girl was no longer there. A panic suddenly came over him, how had he lost her? Quickly he began to search for her, looking in every direction. Just as he was about to call out to her Sihr saw the little girl standing next to a dark haired man and woman, each of them holding one of her chubby little hands. The little girl took her hand from the man and waved goodbye to Sihr and then the trio turned and headed out onto the plains, their tribe only a short distance away.
A single tear fell from Sihr’s eyes as the images faded and finally stopped. This woman wanted him to give her daughter into the hands of people she didn’t even know, people who may in all reality not even be there when he exited the forest. All Sihr could do was nod once to show her he finally understood, he didn’t have the heart to try and put into words the sacrifice she was making.
Seeing the understanding and tears in the man’s eyes Dai’Larri smiled at him her warmest smile. He would be doing for her daughter what she was no longer capable of, giving her a future. With one final image sent to the man of her kissing him on the cheek in gratitude Dai’Larri’s eyes closed once more. This time she did not sink into the darkness of unconciousness but the warm happy images of dreams, both of her daughter and her mate.
Before long Sharra woke once again, this time the cave was a wasn’t as dark. Had morning come yet she couldn’t tell? Sharra also couldn’t tell if the bad men were still outside, there were no voices. Thinking they might be hiding themselves so they could catch her when she came out Sharra just closed her eyes, ignored her now very demanding tummy, and fell asleep once more.
Turning to the man walking next to him Sihr asked quietly, “Hey, can you carry her for a few. I need to ask the Ban’ something.” Grumbling a bit, the man grudgingly took Sihr’s end of the woman’s litter. Up until then, the man hadn’t gotten a look at the woman. Once he was holding the litter though his grumbling changed to soft whistles of appreciation. Even under the blanket the Sihr had placed on the unconcious woman her graceful figure was very evident. Shaking his head in disgust at the man Sihr quickly left the woman’s side and ran to catch up with Ban’Fajir.
Sihr had spent most of the past night trying to figure out what an acceptable excuse would be to Ban’Fajir for him to return to the cave. He had finally decided on saying that he had left some of his medical supplies behind, that the woman wouldn’t survive without them. As he approached Ban’Fajir, Sihr’s determination wavered for only a moment. Although their leader was of Ban’ ability he was not a telepath like the woman, he would not be able to read Sihr’s intentions from his mind. This alone is what finally convinced Sihr that he would be able to pull off his ruse.
Ban’Fajir had set the pace at a brisk, ground covering walk. He would have liked to go faster but at the advice of Sihr he decided he didn’t want to risk the woman. Suddenly Ban’Fajir heard one of his men shouting at him to stop for a moment. When Ban’Fajir stopped and turned to see who was shouting at him he saw Sihr quickly approaching him. Worried that the woman had died Ban’Fajir quickly closed the distance between himself and the want-to-be Healer and then demanded, “You didn’t let my trophy die did you Sihr?”
Nearly smiling at the opening Ban’Fajir had given him for his story Sihr shook his head, “No Ban’ she’s fine for now.” When Sihr saw his leader’s eyes open in worry he knew that the man had taken his bait.
“What do you mean 'for now' Sihr? She’s either fine or she isn’t so which is it?” Ban’Fajir, now openly worried, was nearly screaming.
Taking his leader’s emotional dramatics all in stride Sihr looked meekly at his own feet and answered, “Well Ban’ I meant what I said, she is fine for now anyway.” Then looking up into his leaders face, he plastered as foolish a grin on his face as he good and then admitted guiltily, “Problem is I somehow forgot some of the medicines I made up for her last night back at camp I need to go get them.”
Trying his hardest not to kill the ignorant excuse for a healer he had been given, Ban’Fajir instructed in a very controlled voice, “So make some more Sihr. It can’t be that hard.”
Looking once again at his feet, this time to hide his smile of satisfaction, Sihr answered, “Ban’, I would except I used the last of my supplies to make them. Those medicines are the only ones we have for her.” Then, finally having his nearly giddy emotions under control, Sihr looked up into his leaders face once more and added, “If I can get them and have them back to her before tonight though you won’t have to worry.”
Ban’Fajir didn’t have to think about it for more than a moment, “Go then. If she dies though in your absence expect to be killed once you return.” With that, Ban’Fajir turned and quickly resumed their march north. This time however he didn’t choose as fast a pace, he wanted to guarantee that Sihr was able to catch up with them in time to save his new woman.
Sihr stood watching Ban’Fajir’s back for only a moment before he returned to the men carrying the woman’s litter. “I need to go back to last nights camp to get something but I need to check her first, set her down,” he instructed the pair of warriors turned litter bearers. Not pleased with their being relegated to what would be considered servant duty the men followed Sihr’s instructions but set her down a little too roughly. Resisting his urge to reprimand them Sihr just set to work checking her wounds. Most of it was internal though and so he couldn’t actually see the problems. Leaning in close to her nose and mouth to check her breathing he whispered to her so softly that none but she would be able to hear, “I leave now my lady. Fear not for your child she will be safe.” That said, Sihr quickly replaced the blanket atop her and gave the men the signal to pick her back up.
As they raised her into the air the woman’s head fell to one side, facing Sihr. Sihr, watching for some sign she had heard him, thought he saw a smile flicker breifly on her lips. It may not have even happened it was so quick but the image that found his mind at the same instant proved he hadn’t been mistaken. The last image Sihr received from the woman was of her, healthy, presenting him to her clan elders. The image of her turned to question him, “What is your name?”
Before a smile could give him away Sihr turned away from the woman and the men carrying her before he sent an image back to her. “I am Sihr my lady, who are you?” asked his image. As the men walked away with the woman Sihr ability to receive her images was weakened and all that came to him was a singly word, “Larri…” and then echoing silence. Giving a small sigh he turned to look one last time at the retreating backs of the men carrying the woman away from him, “Get well my lady,” he whispered into the wind. Sihr had never once met a woman so brave and he wouldn’t let her bravery stand for nothing. Determinedly he turnd his back on her and broke into a slow jog back towards the woman’s…no, Dai’Larri’s daughter.
