He reached the embankment andstarted up the steep incline, his boots sinking ankle-deep in the mud.
He dragged Ian five yards.Slipped back two.
Went another three yards.Slipped back five.
He cursed and started up theslope again.
"We'll take him. Take offthe harness."
It was Kartauk speaking, onthe embankment in front of him, Ruel realized hazily. Kartauk and Jane.
Kartauk swiftly unfastened thecords from Ruel's back. "Lord, you're cut to pieces."
"Ian… "
"We'll get him."Jane was replacing the cords around Ian's body with the rope she carried."Li Sung tied the other end of the rope to a tree at the top of theembankment. As soon as we reach the top, we'll pull him up." She testedthe knot. "It's secure. Let's go."
Ruel staggered behind Kartaukand Jane up the embankment. The going was difficult but not impossible withoutIan's weight burdening him. It took them ten minutes to reach the top, where LiSung waited. Together, they pulled Ian up the rest of the slope.
"Is he alive?" LiSung asked.
"Yes," Ruel said."Let's get him under Kartauk's lean-to and out of this rain."
A few minutes later theymanaged to drag Ian underneath the crude tarpaulin-covered shelter. "Takecare of him." Ruel turned and staggered away from them toward the bridge.
"Where are yougoing?" Jane called.
"Kasanpore. Doctor… "
"You can barely walk. Howcan you make it to Kasanpore?"
"No one else. Kartaukcan't go," he said jerkily. "Neither can Li Sung... crippled."
"What about me?"
"Stop arguing withme." He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes blazing at her. "Justkeep Ian alive until I get back."
Jane held her breath as shewatched him start across the gorge. The bridge appeared to be still intact, butshe couldn't be sure after the punishment it had taken.
Her breath expelled in a rushof relief as Ruel finally reached the bank on the other side. A moment later hewas lost to sight around the bend.
Keep Ian alive until I getback.
And how was she going to dothat? Jane wondered in despair as she turned to stare down at Ian. He looked asif he was barely clinging to life right now, and it would be hours before Ruelcould get back with help. The blanket they had draped over him was already dampand she had no way to keep him dry, no way to build a fire.
And when Ruel returned withhelp, they would find Kartauk.
She might not be able to keepIan alive, but there was a chance she could still save Kartauk from Abdar. Sheturned to Li Sung. "I want you to take Kartauk to Narinth."
"I won't leave youhere," Kartauk said.
"Do what I tellyou!" She had to pause to steady her voice. "I've lost everythingelse. Iwon'tlose you to Abdar. I'll tell everyone Li Sung was killedin the train wreck. Perhaps Abdar will think you were on the train and killedtoo. When you get to Narinth, put up at an inn near the waterfront and contactme when you've arrived."
Kartauk frowned. "I don'tthink—"
"Stop thinking and dowhat I tell you. I'll be safer here than you will. It may take you days to getto Narinth on foot."
Li Sung grasped Kartauk's arm."She's right. There's nothing we can do to help her, and your discoverywill only endanger her. I will make sure he is kept safe, Jane."
