Page 52 of On a Barbarian World

She searched ahead, and her pulse beat hard at her temples. Thank the stars. She could see the lights of Kavon’s home not far away.

As Colm’s beast passed through the gates, Aurina heard a horn sound. A long, mournful sound that echoed out over Kavon’s land.

By the time Darroch pulled the hargon to a stop, she saw Colm and another warrior carrying a very still Kavon into the house. A crowd of people milled around, their faces filled with shock and horror. Some women were weeping.

Aurina’s stomach went hard as rock. He couldn’t be dead. No! She slid off the beast, ignoring Darroch’s shout. She shoved through the crowd.

“Badly mauled⁠—”

“Won’t survive the night⁠—”

“What will we do?” A wail.

Aurina swallowed. He was still alive. She broke free of the crowd and headed up the stairs, two at a time.

There were two burly warriors at the door to Kavon’s rooms, and a trio of people in flowing white robes about to head inside.

“I need to see him,” she said.

The warriors straightened, blocking the door. Their faces were blank.

One of the robed figures turned. It was a middle-aged man with dark hair and dark brown eyes. “I’m sorry. The healing has begun and there can be no interruptions.”

“Please…please, I need to see him.”

The man radiated a calm that Aurina would never find, especially not now. “It is not possible.” The man turned, and with the two other healers, strode into Kavon’s room.

The door shut with a final-sounding clunk, and Aurina just stared at it. Chanting started up inside, and she closed her eyes. They were going to chant? He’d be lucky to live through the night.

Unable to leave, she started pacing in the corridor. The warriors watched her but didn’t say anything.

Some time later, the door opened, and an exhausted-looking Colm exited.

Aurina rushed up. “How is he?”

Colm shook his head. A healer exited behind Colm. The man’s robes were streaked with blood.

“Please?” She gripped Colm’s arm. “Is he okay?”

“It is in the Great Warrior’s hands.”

A muscle ticked in her jaw. “You’re doing more than just chanting, right?”

The healer’s face remained calm. “The chanting can help direct the nanami.”

She swallowed. Maybe the chanting could help, after all.

“We have done what we can for his wound,” the man continued. “The warlord is a strong man in his prime.”

She looked at Colm. “I need to see him.”

Colm sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “He’s unconscious, Aurina.”

“And it is not our custom,” the healer added. “A warlord does not want anyone to see him…like this.”

“Listen. I’ve been nice up until now.” Aurina’s patience was running out. “I want to see him. Dammit, it’s my fault he’s injured! He was protecting me. I can help him. Please, let me in.” She strode toward the door, ignoring the looming warriors.

Arms wrapped around her and lifted her off her feet. She kicked out, suddenly so tired and heartsick she could barely think straight. “Let me go! Let me see him.”