Warrior Of Light [Complete/Editing]

Chapter Six - Part Two

"I became lost." He thought the simplest answers would be best.

"Yes, I should think so." A small smile brightened her serious features, and Joenek thought he had seldom seen such a lovely elf. "You were well on your way to a most gruesome death."

Joenek gathered his brows questioningly.

"What knowledge have you, of this location?" The rothnak chose not to answer his inquiry, making her own instead.

"I know nothing; only that we were–" Joenek stopped himself before he finished his thought.

You fool. What if she hasn't found Edileth yet?

She considered him for a moment. "Your travelling companion wouldn't happen to be a blonde rothnak, would it?"

He tried – and failed – to hide his surprise. The rothnak nodded thoughtfully to herself.

"What have you done to her?" he demanded.

"Be at peace, young one; she lays there." The rothnak lowered the knife and pointed to her left.

Joenek followed her gaze. His relief was short-lived upon seeing her condition.

"Yet, I know not what ails her," she continued. "I have fed and treated her. A broth with ginger to help with inflammation, herbs for the fever. Various other tinctures, as well, but still she worsens. Pray, what befell dear Edileth?"

Joenek flinched at the use of Edileth's name. "You know her?"

"I do. Now, please, tell me what has happened."

He hesitated for only a moment before telling the rothnak about the bekhron attack.

Her face darkened at the mention of the bekhron and worry filled her eyes."'Tis worse than I feared." She moved away from Joenek and bent over Edileth to lay a hand upon her brow. "My poor, dear girl. Would that you had not endured this. Feridh, guide my hands."

The rothnak rummaged through a bag. Joenek moved closer until he stood, looking down at Edileth.

A lump formed in his throat. Without thinking, he took one of her hands in his own. Her fingers seemed on fire, he could feel the rapid beat of her pulse. Her eyelids fluttered almost without ceasing.

"Help me tend to her," said the stranger. "And while we work, you can tell me about your travels, and how you came to be in Edileth's company."

Joenek sat, following the rothnak's instructions without a word.

"I know you do not trust me," she said while carrying a bowl toward him, "but I mean you no harm. What you need, this moment, is to eat and rest. It was not yesterday you fought those monsters, but near three days ago."

"Three days? Impossible."

The rothnak offered him the bowl. It was a stew filled with an assortment of vegetables. Its smell wafted up to his nose, and Joenek's stomach gave a low growl.

"Judging by your condition when I found you," she said, "I would guess you were in the chamber for a bit over two days."

"What chamber?" Joenek felt he had a vague recollection of some pleasant place with pale blue light and joy and laughter. But he could not recall what had happened.

"I imagine you were exploring the tunnels in search of water, for I found your waterskin. However, one of the smaller passages branching off the main tunnel leads to a chamber filled with burgamsia."

"What is burgamsia?"

"It is a deadly plant." The rothnak returned to her bag and pulled out a handful of dried herbs.