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“He’s in great care, my lady.” The guard gestured to Lamen. “What would you like to do with him?”
I exhaled through my nose. “His body needs to be returned to his family in Geva. Is that something I can arrange?”
“Of course. Follow me.”
So, I went to the commander’s office and made arrangements for a carriage to bring Lamen home. I paid the driver, and he respectfully loaded Lamen up and promised to get him at first light.
One thing down.
I would grieve later when I knew Ativan would be okay. Iro twirled overhead to let me know he wasn’t far away as I returned to the healer’s building. I gestured to him to express my gratitude and went inside.
“Three broken ribs, blood loss, and we had to stitch that gash, but he’ll live.”
I exhaled a long breath, and exhaustion wrenched through me. “How long before my uncle can travel?”
“If he’s good at bedrest, then one week. If he’s not….” The elder healer’s eyes twinkled as if she’d already discovered what kind of man was under her care.
I suppressed a smile. “Two weeks, then.”
She chuckled. “Likely.”
“Is he asleep?”
“I gave him a sleeping draught and a healing concoction. I wouldn’t think he’d wake until well past morning.”
I resisted the urge to groan. What in the Underworld was I going to do now?
The guard that had helped me, Deven, allowed us to stable our horses with their patrol horses, and the healer was generous enough to get me a cot next to Ativan. I was bruised and exhausted but lucky not to have injuries. Once the building fell into the silence of the night, I allowed tears to stream down my face, and it was a long while until I fell into a deep sleep.
The healer was bustling around an already grumpy Ativan when I awoke the following day. I slowly lifted my aching body from the bed with a smile.
“Autumn, tell this woman that we need to get going.”
I gave her a panicked look, and she grinned.Shit. Iwas going to have to break the news to Ativan. I’d rather sleep in a pit of vipers.
“Ah… You can’t go anywhere until you’re healed, Ativan.”
“We’re going, Autumn.”
“I can—”
“I’m not asking you; I’m telling you. I’m going.”
To the healer’s dismay, Ativan lifted himself from the bed gracefully, despite the pull on his face and how he sucked in his breath in pain. I raised a brow.
“Ready?” He breathed through clenched teeth.
I chuckled, despite the anxiousness I felt at this predicament. “You’re not going anywhere, Ativan. Lay back down. I need you healed for the ride home.”
“Ride home? We need to deliver those weapons.”
“We will… Well, Iwill. Demora is only a few days from here. You better be healed enough to ride by the time I return.”
“Oh, I don’t think so, Autumn. You’re not going alone.”
“I have no choice, Ativan.”
“We will pay for a guide.”
