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I awoke, my nose pressed hard into the loam of the forest floor. I could feel my lifeforce ebbing from me with every moment, but I could still see the lights of the Inn, warm and inviting in the distance. I got to my feet, sobbing from pain, my side a searing tear of agony. I leaned against a tree, sagging against it as fevered perspiration trickled down from my temples.Something called to me from the distance, and I looked up. I knew, though I could not see, what was calling me. I panted against pain as I began sliding down the tree, the rough bark scraping my back.
"Krol," I whispered, "I'm sorry."
Then, all I knew was darkness.
* * * Kat.
I groaned.
Kat. . . !
I moved my hand, the pain slowly slipping away from me.
Katja!
My eyes opened slowly, and I was instantly looking at the grief-stricken, worried face of the elf.
"Krol?" I said inaudibly.
He pushed back my hair, "It's all right, Kat. I'm here."
Memory flashed and I could remember my killing rage. Shard's blood ran wet and warm upon my hands. I groaned again, putting a hand to my forehead.
"What were you thinking? Running off like that??" he demanded abruptly.
"I couldn't let you--"
He shook his head stubbornly, "It doesn't matter."
"Krol?" I said feebly.
"Yes?"
"Let's go home."
He nodded, helping me to my feet. The wound was not completely healed, but Krol's magic had made it non-lifethreatening. As we slowly made our way back to the Inn, I glanced back to the spot where I had killed Sharidia.
A feeling of absolute surety filled me then and I turned away.
This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
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© 1999 E. Angeli Mansfield