The sun broke over the horizon, its watery light pouring over the world, pooling in the valley below, and streaming in through the cave’s mouth. The fire had burnt out in the night, only a few embers remained, glowing sullenly in a bed of gray ash. Everything was silent, no chirping birds or whispering of the wind. It was like the whole world was holding its breath.
Esslyn awoke slowly, stretching to work the kinks out of her back. She slowly pushed her herself up and walked over to Reath’s still form, her paws scuffing on the cave floor.
Please, let him have made it through the night.
Nervously she knelt down next to him.
“Reath?”
He didn’t respond, and her heart caught in her throat.
No. No, no, no…
“Reath!”
His eyes fluttered open as coughs wracked his body. Once they’d subsided his eyes focused on her and he gave her a weak smile.
“Hey – oof!”
He winced as she wrapped him in a tight hug, tears leaking from her eyes.
“Thank god you’re alive.”
“You shouldn’t have worried, it’d take a lot more then that to kill me. Besides, I couldn’t just leave you here by yourself now could I?”
Esslyn let go and walked over to the remains of the fire, scooping up a bundle of clothes and throwing it at him.
“Here. I don’t have anything for you to eat, Vash had most of our supplies, but we’re not far away from the town. We can get you a real healer there.”
“I don’t know,” Reath winced, pulling on his torn and bloody tunic. “You seemed to do a pretty good job, all things considered.”
“Just for that, food’s on me.”
Completely dressed Reath eased himself to his feet and helped Esslyn finish packing up. As they left the cave, she paused just inside the cave mouth.
“Hey… Reath?”
“Yeah?”
“I just… thanks.”
“For what?” He asked, frowning.
“For not leaving.”
Reath walked over and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
“Hey now, I didn’t have much choice in the matter. That was all you. If anyone should be saying thanks here, it’s me.”
“Still… thanks.”
