[The X Phial]

Bregand had taken out his maps by the fire at Enien's request the night before and shown her their position.

"If we make good time we can reach Rohan in eight days or so, assuming we run into no more serious attacks," he had said, and he knew his voice didn't sound hopeful. "I'm sorry I am not better company," he added before trying to smile and wincing instead.

He had patted Carmalita's hand then and staggered to his feet, with a little help from the elf. Making it to his blankets with a concerned look toward Rangar, the boy fell asleep and did not wake until the sounds of stirring from the camp invaded his dreamless slumber.

In the faint morning glow he could see that Rangar was already on his feet despite his wounds. Wren was also awake, perhaps haunted by the memories of her capture. Unsurprisingly the elves were also both alert, though Enien looked a bit worse for wear.

Bregand sat up gingerly, surprised at how much better he felt after a good long sleep. The medicine he had gotten from Carmalita had also been helpful, banishing the worst of the dizziness and allowing him to think a little more clearly. He ran his hand carefully over the large welt on the back of his head. It was very tender, and oozing a bit of blood. Carmalita has assured him that this was a good sign. Still, he felt rather filthy.

Bregand stood up slowly and took a tentative step. His head ached, but he was no where near as weak. This was wonderful news as it meant they could move on without him being a burden. Well, maybe they could move on if Rangar and Carmalita rode. Bregand could feel the weight of the long journey ahead of them. He still had a message to give to the King's Army. He recited it slowly to himself. Good, nothing had been forgotten. A head injury for a messenger and scholar could be worse than anything else.

Bregand made his way to the stream, happy for a moment or two of privacy. He washed himself and his shirt in the icy stream and had to bite his lip to keep from shouting out. Cold water on top of a headache. He drank a bit as well, suddenly very thirsty. Carmalita had told him that this, too, was normal after an injury. He thought about the young nurse and how caring she had been with him. She had aslo shocked him with her news that she was a mother. She was so young and vibrant. In his mind mothers were staid and quiet. He supposed one as caring as she was, though, would make a good parent. He resolved to ask her more about her daughter if a time presented itself. He was curious as to why she would leave a child behind with its father and at the same time very grateful that she had come along. A child meant a husband, in Bregand's mind, and that thought dismayed him when he thought of Carmalita for reasons he couldn't quite articulate.

Bregand made his way back to camp and saw that the others were starting to really awaken. He made his way to Rangar's side.

"Rangar, I know you are wounded, but can you ride? Rohan is still a long way off and I feel that it is unsafe to stay near the Downs."

Rangar opened his mouth to speak, and then Bregand finally noticed that Turthol was gone.

"Where is Turthol?" he interrupted.

[ May 22, 2003: Message edited by: The X Phial ]

[ May 22, 2003: Message edited by: The X Phial ]