Twilight Crossing. Susan Krinard
the leader of a band. Have you ever wanted to be more?”
“I wouldn’t want the responsibility.”
Jamie realized that he was being completely honest. He liked his life simple, uncomplicated by binding relationships or the desire to control others.
“Tell me more about your people,” she urged. “I already know you serve whoever hires you, regardless of their politics or race. What happens if—”
Moving as quickly and effortlessly as always, Timon got to his feet. “If you’re all right,” he said, “I have another thing to take care of. It might require a little more time, if you think you can stay alone for a while.”
“What is it?” she asked, sucking in her breath as she pushed herself a little more upright against the tree trunk.
“Horses. Lazarus can’t carry us both for long stretches of time, so we’ll need another mount.”
“You plan to go back to the tribesmen?” she asked in alarm.
“No. I saw a small herd of horses not far from here. I’ll bring one of them in.”
“A wild horse?”
“I suspect they escaped from captivity not too long ago.”
“And you think you can tame one well enough for me to ride it?”
“You’ll be on Lazarus—when you’re ready to ride.” He went to saddle the horse and returned to her. “If I can’t get one by sunset, I’ll return.”
Jamie gave no sign that she wished he would stay. Timon knew what had to be done, and she wouldn’t be any more of a burden on him than she had to be. If she didn’t want him to “heal” her with his bite, she had to do everything else possible to make sure they could move on a soon as possible.
She only wished her leg wasn’t hurting quite so much.
“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” he said, peering into her face.
“I’ll just sleep,” she said with a smile. “Good luck.”
He accepted her reassurance with a brief nod. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Soon” proved to be much longer than Jamie had hoped. As the minutes passed, she began to feel warmer, and her leg continued to grow more painful. When she touched the bandage, it felt warm, as well.
An infection, she thought. That was no surprise, even with the antibiotics. The drugs hadn’t really had enough time to work. Undoubtedly the fever and pain would pass in good time.
She closed her eyes and tried to sleep. Sometime later, she woke herself with shivering and pulled the blanket higher up to her chin. She drank from the canteen Timon had left for her and tried to go back to sleep.
The next time, she found herself in darkness. The steady clop of hooves approached from the north.
Timon, she thought, lost in a fog. The rider dismounted, and she heard him kneel beside her. A cool hand touched her forehead and then her bandages.
Jamie screamed.
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