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Warsworn

Warsworn

Titel: Warsworn Kostenlos Bücher Online Lesen
Autoren: Elizabeth Vaughan
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Take no chances with this enemy. Remove your own weapons, Isdra. For I am a dangerous and clever opponent."
    Isdra nodded, unable to answer. My own throat closed as we tied his wrists to the bed frame, down at his sides. He insisted that we secure his feet as well. Only after testing the strength of the bonds did he relax onto the bed, his eyes closed. We covered him with a blanket. Isdra moved off, removing her own weapons as instructed. I gathered the necessary vials, and pulled two buckets of water closer to the bed. I wrung out a cloth and started wiping his face and chest. Isdra did the same. We were silent for a few moments, when Epor's eyes fluttered open. They were vague and unfocused, telling me that the lotus was starting to work. He focused on Isdra and smiled. "You are my bonded, my heart's fire, and I am yours, to the snows and beyond."
    "Do not speak of the snows." Isdra whispered as she wiped his chest.
    "You must promise me…" Epor cleared his throat. "You must promise me to remain at the Warprize's side for as long as she needs you."
    Isdra looked off, caught my eye and looked at the floor.
    "No." Epor tugged slightly at his bonds and Isdra reached out to cover his hand with hers.
    "Promise me."
    She leaned down, her lips close to his ear. "You must fight this, Epor."
    "I will." He gave her a smile, a far shadow from his normal grin. "But you must promise." Isdra closed her eyes. For a long moment, the only sound was Epor's breathing. Then her grey eyes opened, and she nodded slowly. "I promise."
    I should have listened to the old healer, should have heeded her warning. She was right. It was too fast. Too fast for the medicines to take effect. Too fast to break the fever. Too fast for us to be able to balance his humors, replace his fluids.
    It started well. The lotus seemed to calm him. But the Sweat was a vicious enemy, and as fast as we eased his fever the heat would rebuild in his skin. We labored hard, changing bedding, and using fresh water and rose oil to wipe him down. At first he'd respond to both of us, obeying our commands to swallow. But as the fever built, his eyes would only open at Isdra's call, and they held no awareness. Even that reaction failed in time and Isdra could no longer rouse him. But worse was to come.
    "Where is Isdra?" Epor mumbled, testing the restraints.
    Isdra leaned closer. "I'm here, Epor."
    Epor's eyes opened a crack, but his gaze slid right past her to me. "Where is my bonded? Why isn't she here?"
    Isdra sucked in a breath, but I moved forward to answer. "She's right here, Epor."
    "No, no, she's gone, my bonded has left me," Epor started to fight the restraints with a passion, shaking the bed. "Where has she gone?"
    Isdra was speechless, white and shivering. I touched her arm. "It's the fever, Isdra. He's raving."
    "His eyes are open…" She looked at me in doubt.
    "But he does not see." I reached for the water and cloths. "Keep talking to him, Isdra." She jerked her head in agreement, but the pain never left her eyes. We kept talking, both of us, trying to convince Epor that Isdra was there, that she would never leave him. But he couldn't be comforted or reassured. He became very agitated, demanding that we release him so that he could find her. It broke our hearts to hear the pain in his voice. Worse still, he fell into the stupor without realizing that she was there. Isdra's tears did not start until Epor lapsed into the lethargy and would not wake. Still, we tried to force liquids into him, with no success. In the end we sat in silence, each holding a hand. Every breath was a painful rasp, each inhale a victory, every exhale a fear.
    At the last, Epor opened his eyes as he drew in a final rasping breath. Isdra leaned over, stroking his head. He focused on her face, and gave her a weak smile, closed his eyes, and exhaled. The beat of his heart under my fingers stopped even as his breath faded. Isdra stared at me, the knowledge building within her until her face crumbled and her eyes closed.
    I sagged back on my heels, sweat beading on my forehead, weak with anger and fear and a headache pounding between my eyes. What killed a healthy man in so few hours? What had I done wrong?
    "Epor." Isdra's voice cracked. I looked over as she took his right hand in hers and waited for a response. When none came, she reached over for his left hand. "Epor of the Badger."
    "Isdra, he's—"
    I cut myself off as she nodded, and moved so that she could grasp his left foot. She

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