He moaned as she grabbed for them and started dragging them sideways across the river, towards the nearest bank, with sure strong kicks of her unimpeded long legs. It still felt like it took forever, and concentrating on not passing out every time either Levi or Alia jostled his arm became Brandth’s main focus.
Finally they got close enough to the riverbank for Alia to stand up, though Brandth and Levi struggled to do so.
“Boot. Knife.” He managed to advise her. Laying in the muck as she cut away Levi, dragging the boy up the muddy bank and then came back to do the same for Brandth.
He must have lost consciousness for a few minutes. Next Brandth knew he was flat on his back, grass beneath him. Someone was crying… a boy? Levi.
“No. He can’t die. He just can’t!”
Someone was dying? Him? No, not from a broken arm. Brandth found the strength to move his head. Oh. Talac had just finished cutting off the ropes and gag from Deacon, but the lad remained stubbornly pale and still.
“Move aside!”
Wow, he didn’t know Perri could bellow like that. Or run for that matter, her heavy boots making a loud thudding sound as she all but flew across the grass, collapsing beside the limp remains of Deacon.
“Perri… he’s-”
“I’ve got this, Alia.” Pushing Deacon’s head back, pinching his nose, and huffing three quick puffs of air into his mouth. Then Perri fisted her hands together and pressed down upon the lad’s chest numerous times, before pinching his nose again and gifting him more breath. She was on her third round of breathing in to his mouth when Deacon abruptly coughed. Like lightning, Perri rolled the boy to his side, as he began to heave up water.
Thank heavens, pride surged through Brandth, Perri was miracle worker… and she was his. Though he had yet to formally seal the deal. And if things went badly with Levi, he had a horrible suspicion that his intention to wed Perri Gloomenthrall would be shredded to pieces. Cruddy hell, it was galling to realise that his future happiness rested entirely upon the shoulders of a twelve year old boy.
* * *
Perri leaned back on her heels, trying to catch her breath and calm her racing heart. Her run along the riverbank chasing those in the water had been nothing but frantic. She’d stumbled twice along the way, but she’d made it. Made it in time to bring Deacon back from the cusp of death.
Watching as Alia dropped to her knees, rubbing Deacon’s back reassuringly, until he stopped dry heaving. Gently helping him to sit upright.
Slowly, Perri stood up, absently brushing away dirt and grass from her dress. She was wasting time, she knew it, but she couldn’t bring herself to stop procrastinating. Saving Deacon, that all came down to her skills and his will to live. What she had to do next, face her long lost son… encompassing fear threatened to engulf her.
“Is that lady really my… mother?” Levi’s voice behind her… was it tinged with panic? Terror? Hope? She didn’t know him well enough to tell.
“Yes.” Brandth’s one word response sounded loud for some reason.
Yes. Yes, she was Levi’s mother. For good, for bad, she was his mother. And it didn’t matter if he turned his face away from her in horror. She would find a way to live with that. The important thing was making sure he was safe, and that he continued to be safe. That he find a place where he was treated with kindness. Where he would be loved. Fed. Educated. And guided in to manhood.
For him to understand there were choices open to him now.
Alia could take Levi to the Lair. Her father, Gods bless his grumpy hide, was a big old softy, and Levi was heir to Gloomenthrall. It wouldn’t be unheard of for Levi to billet with his grandfather. All her female kin would spoil him rotten. Or… or he could stay with his mother… if that was what he chose to do.
Squaring her shoulders, Perri plastered her best serene healer expression on her face and turned around, addressing those behind her. “Do either of you need medical attention?”
“Him, the gentleman.” Levi’s voice came out high and rushed as he pointed at Brandth. “His arm is broke.”
Brandth was hurt? Being serene went out the window as Perri rushed forward, dropping to the ground beside him. “Why didn’t you speak up, you ninny?” Brushing Brandth’s drying hair off his forehead as she searched his expression for how much pain he was in. Thankful that though it was an overcast day it was still a warm one and no one would be getting a chill.
Brandth’s smile sent Perri’s heart fluttering as he leaned up to plant a swift soft kiss on her lips. “Oh, the lengths I must go to capture the attention of my sweet harridan.”
He was in pain and he was flirting? It reassured her mightily. “Your arm?” Leaning back a little to get a look. “Oh, your poor arm.” Carefully, gently, feeling down the limb to gauge the extent of the damage. “The cudgel?” Stopping at his wrist. “Wriggle your fingers for me.” Watching him attempt to do so. “Good. Enough.” Swiftly Perri unbuckled the belt around her waist, pulling off all the pouches before securing the belt carefully around Brandth, making a sling. “Here.” She dug into one of the pouches and handed over a small round green ball. “Chew on this… slowly.”
“It looks like grass.” Brandth peered at the ball suspiciously.
“It’s a painkiller…” She saw the stubborn look enter his eyes. “Don’t make me pinch your nose and force feed you.” Her breath almost catching in her throat as she heard Levi laugh at her words.
“Fine.” Brandth agreed, stuffing the ball into his mouth and chewing. “It even tastes like grass… I look like a cow, don’t I? Are you sure this… you’re really pretty. Oh, the world is spinning. I’m not sure I like it.”
“Lie back down and close your eyes. That’ll help.” Carefully lowering Brandth back down, a dreamy smile tugging up the corners of his mouth as he continued to chew.
“Hey.” He grabbed Perri’s hand as she began to turn away from him. “Don’t leave without speaking to me, promise?”