Warsworn

kept my eyes closed so that I couldn't see Keir's face as he learned of my failure.
    Then we were within a tent, and I was lowered onto a bed. Warm hands moved over me. I opened my eyes to see Keir beside me. Isdra was still talking, repeating the portion of her tale that spoke of the steps I had taken with my patients.
    "Lotus? You are sure it was lotus?"
    I jerked at the sound of Gils's voice. It couldn't be, and yet when I slowly turned my head, he was there, with his red hair and gangly arms, with healing supplies on a table next to him and a very determined look on that freckled face.
    "No…" I whispered, and turned back as Keir removed my boots. "Oh, Keir, why have you done this? Why?"
    Keir looked up, his eyes glittering. "I will not lose you, Lara." His voice was strong and urgent.
    "Fight this, Lara. Fight for me. For us."
    A sound came from Isdra, and I shared her grief at hearing the same words she'd spoken to Epor but hours ago. I looked at her with eyes clouded with tears and sweat. "Isdra, why? Why do this?"
    "My Warlord commands, and I obey."
    Anguished, I dropped my aching head to my chest and let a sob escape me. Keir knelt down beside me, and cut the binding on my wrists. "Oh Keir, you should have listened. You stupid man."
    But Keir simply continued to undress me. "I listened, Lara. Iften has charge of the army, and they are about a mile off. We will remain isolated from them. We will care for you until you are well enough to continue to the Plains. All will be well, fire of my heart."
    "Drink this."
    I looked into Gil's face. He stood there with a cup, trying to look so firm and competent. As I had felt the first time I'd dealt with a patient by myself. I licked my dry lips, looked at the cup, and then back at his youthful face.
    "It's lotus." He gave me the best stern look he had. "Drink." I raised a trembling hand but Keir took the cup, sat next to me and urged me to drink. Not that it took much urging. I welcomed the drowsiness that the lotus would bring. As soon as the cup was empty, Keir finished stripping me, and urged me flat on the bed beneath a rough blanket.
    "She's sweating, Gils."
    "I will see to her." Gils replied, the barest trace of trembling in his voice. "We will need more water."
    "The stream is close. We can get more easily." Marcus answered, gathering a few buckets. He paused to look at me with concern. "If the Sweat is as bad as you say, maybe we should cut her hair. It will be hard to keep clean, and will tangle."
    "No," Keir answered softly. He was beside me, running his fingers through my hair, pulling it off my face. "No need. I'll braid it for her. I'll not see it cut." Marcus snorted, and left the tent. Isdra followed, but not before I caught a glimpse of her face, and saw her naked grief. Gils was busy getting his cloths ready. I stared up at Keir as he worked his fingers through my hair, and cradled my head in his hand. His fingers gently massaged my scalp, easing the headache even further. Or maybe it was the lotus starting to take effect. I seemed to be floating slightly, but I wanted to tell him. Sorrow filled my heart, and my eyes welled with tears. I'd killed him, my strong, handsome lover, killed him with my pride and arrogance. I reached out blindly, and felt his cool hand grasp mine. I concentrated, trying to focus as he lowered his face to mine. "Lara?"
    "It's all my fault." I whispered carefully. "I'm so sorry, so sorry."
    "Lara," his voice was soft and urgent, but the lotus pulled me away.
    "Papa? Papa!" It was so hot, so dark, where was Papa? The garden was withered and the sun seared my skin. I ran along the path, trying to find Papa. Xymund was behind me, so angry, so furious. He was going to kill me. I cried as he caught me, and struck out at my attacker. Papa's voice cut through the fire, but he wasn't talking to me, wouldn't hold me. What had I done,
    that he was angry with me ?
    "Papa? What is'Papa'?"
    "A name they call male theas. She thinks you're her father."
    "Her thea?"
    "Talk to her. Get her to drink something."
    "Hush, Lara." Papa's voice sounded odd somehow, but it was deep and gentle and his cool hands touched my face. "Be easy. I am here, little one." A cup clinked against my teeth.
    "Drink."
    I swallowed as the water flowed into my mouth, easing the dryness within. I let myself relax back into Papa's arms, soothed. I was safe, safe, Xymund couldn't get me here. The flames could still hurt me though, and Papa rocked me in his arms.
    But