There would be time to rest soon enough. Jayme was hanging on by a thread—her friend was counting on her. Vi swallowed down panic and focused on moving with the animal beneath her so she wasn’t unseated. She couldn’t let her emotions get the better of her; there would be time for that later as well.
Dawn was breaking when Vi saw a rustling in the jungle in the distance. She sat straighter, a cry for help stuck in her throat. She didn’t know if she had the strength to fight off another diseased noru.
The beast came into view—normal fur and eyes. On its back were two of Sehra’s warriors. Vi didn’t recognize their faces, but she recognized the special tabbards they wore. Then, another noru emerged… and a third behind it, bearing Jax.
“Here!” Vi shouted. Clearing the thickness of her throat and adjusting her grip on Gormon, she raised a hand and waved, shouting again. “Over here!”
The ears of the noru swiveled toward her and they were bounding over a second before even their riders had fully registered her presence. Vi slowed Gormon to a stop, allowing herself to be circled. Jax was the last to arrive, his face was a twisted mess of anger and unshed tears of relief.
“I—”
“What in the Mother’s name were you thinking?”
“Uncle—”
“Running off like that. I thought you knew better than—”
“Jayme is dying!” Vi shouted, fearing he would go off on one of his usual tirades where she couldn’t get a word in. Jax was startled into silence. “Jayme is dying, please, help her.” Her hands were shaking, clutching Gormon’s fur for support. Had she ever been so tired?
“Where?” The anger melted to serious concern.
“I’ll show you the way. Is there a cleric among you?” Vi asked the warriors.
“I know some basic salves and procedures for the field.”
Vi gave a small nod to the man who spoke. “You, come ahead with me.” She turned to the other noru with two mounted warriors. “You two head back to the fortress and get Ginger. Tell her to bring her box. We’ll meet you here or closer to the fortress, if Jayme can be moved.” Vi finished giving her order, but then added at the end, hastily. “Also, Ellene is fine. She’s mostly unscathed and is keeping Jayme stable.”
“Yargen bless.” The warriors gave a small bow of their heads before turning the noru and bounding back into the jungle.
“This way.” Vi shifted in her seat, guiding Gormon with her knees and thighs. She spurred him into motion, leaving the rest to catch up with her.
“As soon as we arrive you should go back to the fortress as well!” Jax shouted, riding up next to her.
“No, I’m seeing this through, uncle. It’s my fault she got hurt.” Vi shot him a glare. “If not for me, she wouldn’t have come—she didn’t want to come.”
“She was always the one who had the most sense! You should try listening to her some time,” Jax grumbled.
“I know. I’m sorry. But don’t send me back, yet.” Vi knew the decision had been made, given that she was riding in the opposite direction of the fortress. “Let me see Jayme well. And then I’ll take responsibility for my actions and whatever punishment comes with it.”
The wind rushed in her ears, and Vi strained her tired eyes to make out the initial outlines of the ruins. She had thought the matter closed. But Jax was apparently not yet finished. When Vi saw him open his mouth again, she braced for whatever tirade he was about to unleash.
“There will be punishment.” It was a promise that prickled up Vi’s spine like a threat. “But seeing you take charge and responsibility just now… Perhaps it may not be as bad of a punishment as you think.”
“All I care about right now, uncle, is making sure my friend is all right.”
* * *
Vi could tell by the movements of Ginger’s hands alone that the cleric was tired. Not that she could blame her. The woman had been woken up at an ungodly hour, dragged out across the jungle, saved a life, and then came back to attend Ellene, Andru, and now Vi.
“Sorry for the trouble,” Vi murmured as she finished her tally of what she’d put Ginger through.
“Princess, you really are always trouble.” Ginger sighed. Then paused, glancing up from her work on Vi’s legs. “Sorry for my loose and tired tongue.”
Vi gave a soft laugh. “I think I deserved that.”
Her eyes drifted away from Ginger to the window of her room. The sun streamed though it as normal, as though it were any other day. It felt like anything but.
“I’m sorry for your father,” Ginger said softly. “I don’t think any of us really blames you for running off. Grief can take up residence where our better judgment resides.”
