The Glen

[Halethala]

She had stood, stepped innocuously back a step as Gerrad entered, to allow him to address Lady Loxley first, expecting it would take some length . . surprised at the brevity. There seemed no avoidance in his statements, perhaps he simply did not know more to tell the worried wife about her beloved. She wished with all her might that Robin would suddenly appear before them as well and confirm the affirmations of his officer . . Surely there must have been something more Gerrad could tell the poor woman! Who was she to question . . he must have his reasons . .

Taking full advantage of his gaze fixed upon Lady Dream, she appraised him critically. Cleaning up had done little to improve the edge of weariness that seemed to weight down every word, his gestures and pace bespeaking pain. Meekly she followed, her bewilderment mounting as he’d wrapped his hand around hers to draw her after, the gentle pressure conveying his affection. The eyes that turned back to hers were more vulnerable and sad than she could ever imagine his could be. Wanting to argue reassurances of the first words he spoke, the next threatened to widen a space coldly inside her lungs . . “no-one in this realm must know what is really happening nor has happened”?! So there were . .

But pondering that thought any further was swallowed up completely in his next starkly stunning admission. He looked as if he were going to collapse, and she impulsively released her hand to circle his arm and brace herself against him to steady him, her free hand resting across the front of his shoulder in a staying gesture, the voice that spoke surprisingly calm and firm, “No, you’re not well, my dear Brother . . and you will not go one step further until you’ve at least told me what it is that troubles you . . “

[Dream Loxley]

The small cooking area that ajoined the larger room was practical and compact, no match for the Castle Kitchens but it served Robin well for many a year. A cooking range, fashioned from dead oak branches, shaped and mellowed with age, housed a small hearth with a chimney fixed in place to take most of the smoke from the room. A large basket of kindling wood and another of charcoal sat in readiness, while a bucket of freshly drawn water from a nearby stream waited patiently.

When Dream entered the room, she looked about and wondered of the last time Robin had been here. Fondly recalling the stew of venison, Robin's favourite dish, with root vegetables freshly picked from the glen's own plot. Her beloved was always hungry, sometimes at the most inopportune moments. Such times they had enjoyed last year, the children frolicking withing the glen, safe and secure, likened to small animals, learning from their parents with each new morn. Robin had taught Ellissia so much of the birds and creatures of the forests, such learning she would pass on to her own children if time allowed. Dream smiled to herself, almost chuckling as she set to cleaning the area around the hearth. Dust had gathered in their absence, clinging desperately to the surfaces. A musty smell lingered where once the aroma of cooking would have wafted through the tree top dwelling, there was work to do, and she was no stranger to hard work.

After a while, with patience and persistence, she got the flames flickering within the fireplace, adding small amounts of dried leaves and kindling wood. Soon the fire was burning well, fierce enough to heat the kettle of water, but safe within the confines of lead lined sides. She wiped her sooty hands down her gown and smiled with a grin of satisfaction. Looking about her now, she was glad of the distraction, and content to see the area cleaner and more welcoming........for when he came home...........

"There now...... hot water Gerrad had said......and bandages." Turning on her heel, she slipped back into the bedroom area and within a few moments had several freshly laundered sheets laid out onto the bed. Moving back and forth between the bedroom and the kitchen to make sure the fire was safe, she finally settled again upon the bed and began to tear thin strips of material, pulling and tugging as bandages were created, neatly rolled up and tucked in at the end to stop them from unrolling. She varied the size and soon had enough to stock even the best of Infirmary's, although she hoped against hope they would not all be needed. The water was hot.....the bandages ready......she sat in the quiet of the room, lifting her legs up and across the bed. Giving in to the weary feelings that seemed to come from nowhere, she laid her head down....just to close her eyes......for a little while.......a moment or two.......

[Ranger Owen]

Owen scratched at the thinning hair upon his head as he thought of the tasks given him by Gerrad. He also wondered at the content of those scrolls, a little frustrated that he may not ever find out. Pondering Gerrad's words, he was unsure how many arrows would be available.......and supplies......enough for how many and how long he should have asked. But no matter, he would do his best.

He was begining to feel the effects of the journey here and the time spent caring for his fellow Rangers, his legs felt heavy, his head ached and his stomach grumbled, he could at least feed his body if nothing else. That would give him some renewed strength, for he did not know when he would next partake of a wholesome meal.

Some of the Rangers were still gathered around the large cooking pot that Henry had filled with a stew of venison and vegetables. He spoke with his friends while he ate his portion of stew, all the while gathering information on what he could find within the glen. He had not spent much time here whilst he looked after the Loxley family in the Castle, but soon enough he felt back at home and knew what was expected from him.

He had glanced over to where Little was still sleeping, the confident look he received back from another Ranger who sat with his big burley friend lifted his spirits, it looked like he was going to be alright, and that was the news Owen needed to spur him on. Before long he was knocking on the door of the glen's own Fletcher, awaiting a reply and glad he had enlisted young Perran to help him. Between them they would finish the task in hand before nightfall, or soon after he was sure.

[Dream Loxley]

Just an ooc note to let you know I have heard that our dear Gerrad has been experiencing computer problems of late but I am sure he will return to us as and when time allows.

[Dream Loxley]

A field of purple Foxgloves stood tall and proud before her, swaying gently in the breeze, slowly the nearest to her, bowed down to form a pathway through the thicket of stems. Nodding heads of cup shaped flowers beckoned her forward while tiny droplets of rain sparkled upon them like gem stones. Fresh moist grass felt soft beneath her bare feet, and Butterflies adorned her fingers as rings then fluttered up and above her head, disappearing into the rain that began to fall more quickly now. She stepped forward, further and further between the Foxgloves until she reached the edge of the cliffs. Waves thundered below, seaspray mingling with the rain, she could not tell the difference as she moved off the edge.

Falling.....falling.....deeper and deeper into nothing, gentle hands reached out to guide her, small hands, then larger ones, strong hands, feeble hands, all breaking her fall, carrying her down to the waves that lifted up to greet her. Tendrils of white foamy surf gathered her into its swelling bosum while the hands that had held her waved farewell. She did not fight them but willed them to carry her further away, sinking deeper into the soft folds of lambswool that had formed from the crashing waves. An Army of fish marched before her, this way and that way, each one the same as the other, identical in size and features, strangely walking upright upon golden sands. They turned away and then back to face her, large dark eyes staring, gaping mouth's wide open....then suddenly they were all gone, gathered up into the waves, swimming in unison like a blanket caught in the wind.

Her body twitched as it lay upon the bed, fingers slowly clenching and unclenching, her eyes moving beneath closed eyelids as she slept on. Visions of marching fish and flowers became a sea of tranquility, calm and still. No more did she fall, but lay peacefully in the place where all who seek rest may find their loved ones waiting in their dreams. She curled up safely within his strong arms, gently he stroked her hair and let his fingers trace the lines of her face, all the while whispering softly to her, words only she would ever hear. Their bodies warming one another, pressed firmly together in a loving embrace.

She stayed there breathing steadily and safe in her slumbers while outside the Rangers gathered together every last arrow they could muster. Owen and the others had made ready two large carts laden with blankets and several straw bales, and another two slightly smaller carts carried the arrows and supplies. He did not know if there were enough supplies for in truth he did not know where they were to travel, nor for how long. Satisfied he had done well enough, he told the men to rest a while and he would check again on the wounded before returning to seek out Gerrad. He glanced up to where he had left his friend and the ladies, shaking his head slightly as he wondered just what the next few days would bring forth and wether or not Gerrad would confide in his Sister and Lady Loxley of all that had come to pass.

[Gerrad]

He leaned on her heavily...her calm and firm voice was comforting for some reason. With his right arm he shrugged out of his untied Rangers armour and let it fall to the floor of the suspended walkway.

Taking her hand in his left ...he drew it towards his side and placed it over his wound...the soft cloth of his tunic between her hand and his skin. He placed his hand over hers and forced it aganst the steel blade that lay under the skin of his left side. Running her fingers down the full length of the blade, he pushed her fingers past the blade so that she felt the void beyond.

The blade had been there far too long and for each movement he made , it destroyed more flesh. To him it felt like he was being eaten by the damned thing.

*He whispered softly into her ear*

"It has to come out my Sister...please help me to my quarters then fetch Lady Loxley with the bandages and hot water"..

When they reached his quarters he eased down onto the mattress then reached down and drew a dagger from his boot and gave it to her.

"This is for sealing the wound..just make sure tis red hot afore ye both come back"

He smiled softly at his Sister.."Thank ye so much fer being here and fer being who ye are"

His voice trailed off as he closed his eyes

[Halethala]

One moment of panic . . that was all she allowed herself. Naught but a flash of it, a recoiling in chilled disbelief, knees wavering weakly . . a temptation to turn and run . . all in the blink of an eye. She’d not be human if it had not affected her so. Yet rapidly quilted under obedience to her will, her hand became steady as she moved from forced lack of resistance to his guiding to earnest exploration. The quavering stretch of her mouth in her tensely squared jaw softened into amazement. How was he even standing?! How long had it lurked under there . . the fevered heat that radiated through the fabric of his shirting hinted of a length long beyond what it should. Each step had to pierce him with fresh pain. She wanted to reach right in and rip the offending steel out right then and there! How dare anything cause hurt to such a man as Gerrad!

Quelling a renewed panic, she nodded mutely at his words, paling especially as the weight of the dagger settled into her hand. It was warm from laying against his leg, and as her fingers closed over it, she felt a welling of inexplicable hope. Warm . . alive . . always so . . He would survive this, he would . . if by nothing more than the force of her will.

She squandered a precious few extra seconds before dancing away by leaning over his prone, weary face and stroking the outside curve of his cheek with great tenderness, aiming her bravest smile into his pain filled eyes. “Rest, Brother . . save your strength for the days to come.”

Her meaning was two-fold, and she sensed he would know. There would be time enough later for explanations . . for anger . . for revenge ‘pon whomever did this. He would need, first, to battle himself . . the infection . . to heal . .

With a nimbleness that ignored the precarious heights, she began her plea even before fully inside the Loxely’s chambers, each word propelled with explicit urgency. “Lady Dream! Gerrard . . he’s . . come quickly, and bring a bundling of bandages, your kit . . He needs . . there is . . still inside . .” She couldn’t bring herself to say it, but Dream was already gathering what was needed, as if she knew already . .

Letha looked down at the blade again, gesturing as she tried again, “Go on ahead, I’ll heat the dagger well . . “

Trailing off even as she turned, she collapsed onto the hearth, grateful that her friend had already kindled the fire to life . . the silvery metal plunged deeply into the licking flames. With her free hand, she dipped a goodly length of muslin into the pot of boiling water that hung near the side of the hearth, and readied another larger mass of dry on the stone flags. They would help keep the heat in the blade once it glowed brightly . .

Bundling it altogether, she tucked it loosely against her hip and scrambled across the span that separated her from the Ranger, trying every device she could think of to keep her mind off what was to come . . . none succeeding very well . .

[Dream Loxley]

Lady Dream! Gerrad . . he’s . . come quickly, and bring a bundling of bandages, your kit . . He needs . . there is . . still inside......

Dream berated herself silently for she should have realised sooner.....it had been obvious something bothered Gerrad, but now, it was confirmed.....he had managed to keep it from them both until now. The bandages, she foolishing assumed were to be taken out with the carts, or simply to increase the supplies. How wrong she had been, and how distraught poor Letha was now. Dream had tried to still her fears with an understanding smile as she gathered up bandages and some herbs from the kitchen area. When Halethala produced the dagger, her stomach churned and she felt nauseous, her mouth became dry as she imagined what they would have to do with it. She had not burned another's flesh before, and truly did not savour the idea now.

To offer both comfort and strength, she placed her hand upon Letha's arm and told her she would do all she could for him. In that simple gesture she shared the strength and courage her friend so often showed without ever realising it. Quickly but with care, she moved across the walkway and ventured into Gerrad's 'room'.

When she saw him, there was no doubt, he looked even worse, his features pale and drawn, from pain she supposed....and perhaps a fever had already set in. Carefully she assesed him, first making sure he was comfortable laying on the small bed. She shook her head and her brow furrowed as she spoke quietly."Oh Gerrad, why did ye nae tell us sooner....such pain ye have endured.....ye have nae a need to be so brave, ye should have told us........."

She continued to cut his shirt away and pulled it aside to see the offending wound, almost reeling backward when her eyes fell upon it. Already it was raw and red, with hues of yellow and brown where the skin was objecting to this intrusion, trying its best to push it out. She could see the outline of what must be spearhead or blade of some kind beneath his skin, not too deep and yet far enough under the layers to cause harm, and with every movement it must have cut into his flesh, a constant reminder of its power over him. She sighed softly, and pitied him then. The body was an incredible tool left to heal itself, but sometimes it needed help and could not complete the procedure alone. She poured some of the boiled water into a bowl and added a tincture of marigold to cleanse the wound.....being as careful as she could, she wiped and pressed away some of the dirt and sweat that had accumulated there.

Doubts came to her, she wondered again of her beloved Robin, if Gerrad had endured such wounding, was Robin truly safe........both were strong and able men.......could it be that he also was wounded, waiting somewhere for her. She shuddered then and tried to concentrate of hte task in hand.

She remembered that wolf, so long ago now ......the one who had helped her when she had been lost and alone. Each had given hope to the other in their own way, sharing knowledge and warmth to survive. The broken arrow that had embedded itself into his shoulder....he could not remove himself and had trusted her enough to allow her to help him, much as Gerrad was doing now. She only hoped this intruder would leave the comfort of its resting place in his side so easily.

[Halethala]

: “I donna understand why he didn’t have it taken from him sooner” she grumbled to herself as she hurried back to Gerrad’s side. Men. She allowed a begrudging admiration of their perplexing ability to ignore such things in the face of greater needs . . and yet, surely he knew it could not remain inside him, knew the damage it was causing. She shuddered to think of all he’d done since it had been lodged there, the motions of the riding, walking . . the deer! The point of the blade, if angled differently, could have worked its way inwards . . the results far more destructive. It was a wonder it hadn’t already worked backwards and out the same place it had entered.

Well, it would come out now. Not doubting Gerrad’s ability to remain as still as possible as the metal was withdrawn, Letha judged that perhaps an extra set of hands would aide in ensuring exactly that, and she called across the walkways to a nearby Ranger to enlist his help. She slipped back into Gerrad’s quarters and settled on his bedding close to him, the heat of the swathed dagger resting on her lap. Taking his hand between hers with far more firmness than she meant to, her emotions goading a strength that seemed to channel a river of love into him, she nodded towards Lady Loxley, and the two gently eased him onto his unhurt side.

“Quickly, my Friend,” She urged Lady Dream, unnecessary as it were. Already the dagger, protected as it were, had cooled and would need to be reheated in order to do a proper job of cauterizing. She drew it from the wrappings and handed it to the Ranger with her free hand, the other loathe to release Gerrad’s. She was uncertain whether it was best for Lady Loxely to reopen the original entrance point, or cut a new path to extract it, point first, trusting her experience to judge what would be easiest. It had been in long enough that the surrounding flesh would not give it up without protest, and therein the pain would be worst. Perhaps that was why he’d left it.

Letha spoke in a level, soothing tone as she gripped his hand even more passionately. “Try not to move, Gerrad . . Lady Dream will be quick about it, she will . . “ Realizing that telling someone not to do something often only made them think about it all the more, she changed tactics, “My dear dear Brother . . think with me to the time when ye asked me to agree to kinship with ye . . remember the sun as it set that day, the cooling as night came, and the million brilliant stars that netted the heavens above us and seemed to set it ablaze with light . . set yer mind on those happy days, immerse your thoughts back t’ tha beautiful hope birthed 'atween us . . “

Bless her . . before she’d even finished her speaking, Lady Dream had done it, hands steady and strong and sure. It was out!

[Gerrad]

Gerrad felt the panic within his sister as his hand guided hers over the intrusive blade beneath his skin. He also felt her warm breath on his face as she leaned over him , and the tender touch of her hand as it stroked his cheek. Her smile betrayed her though, and he saw the fear within her eyes.

“Rest, Brother . . save your strength for the days to come.”

He smiled back at her, his eyes bespeaking his love for her and spoke quietly.

“As is your will my dearest sister…I shall”

He listened as her footsteps faded as she ran down the walkway between the trees and he closed his eyes for a moment. He was startled to find himself suddenly amidst Rangers and the soldiers they had battled with for many days on end. Where was he?

He shook his head and tried to focus , his eyes focused on the room and the sounds of running footsteps reaching his ears. Then suddenly someone spoke.. and he felt the cloth being cut away from his skin

"Oh Gerrad, why did ye nae tell us sooner....such pain ye have endured.....ye have nae a need to be so brave, ye should have told us........."

“Ahh me Lady Loxley, forgive me… as he waved a casual hand about weakly and haplessly, there was nae a need to reveal such til all me men was taken care for first, tis me responsibility yer know.” He paused

“I have news for ye, yet old it is.”

He stopped suddenly as two others stepped into the room.

He felt someone sit beside him.. he knew it to be so as the makeshift mattress squelched and he lurched ever so slightly and someone took his hand in his…..the warmth of the touch coursed though him …“ Halethala? He asked and then all control was gone.. he was rolled over to his good side.
“Try not to move, Gerrad . . Lady Dream will be quick about it, she will” .

there was a pause.

“My dear dear Brother . . think with me to the time when ye asked me to agree to kinship with ye . . remember the sun as it set that day, the cooling as night came, and the million brilliant stars that netted the heavens above us and seemed to set it ablaze with light . . set yer mind on those happy days, immerse your thoughts back t’ tha beautiful hope birthed 'atween us . . “

As he replied “ aye ahh remember that day”… the cold steel bit into his flesh as Lady Loxley made the cut along his side. He flinched slightly. He felt her fingers fumble around the blade as she drew it outwards and a sigh left him as it was removed. He hesitated and … then spoke.

M’Lady Loxley, yer need to cut another inch or so down either side of your cut and pull the flesh aside and cleanse it, look for splinters and the like an remove any soiled flesh and poison”

Then with a deeper sigh, he closed his eyes and let them to it. Not moving nor flinching, just retreating within.

[Dream Loxley]

To cut him further.......she did not wish to, but knew it had to be done. His flesh was warm beneath her fingers, alive....blood freshly oozing from the wound, this was no dead animal killed for food, even that task she never relished, but it was done out of necessity.....she kept telling herself this was the same. To hurt him further would only aid his recovery.....truly she tried to believe her own thoughts as she cleansed around the already exposed flesh. But for a few slivers of metal barely visible to her eye, the spear head had left nothing behind it but an open, raw wound, it had not found its mark with a deadly intention this time......but what of the next, and the next. She blinked back tears that welled within her eyes as she continued her administrations. No healer was she, but the knowledge imparted to her as she had grown came to the fore and the worked diligenty, all the while imagining the scene that Halathala painted with her soft comforting words.....meant only for Gerrad, her Brother, and yet helping Dream continue as her stomach churned yet again from the smell and sight of rotting flesh.

She had spoken gently to him herself when she had first begun to wash his skin of the dirt and blood surrounding the wound. He had news....old but news.....she had smiled to him and shook her head, whispering softly that it could wait. She had gone this long with no word from Robin.....whatever news there was now, could be savoured when Gerrad was well enough to tell her. She knew her beloved Husband would understand her need to concentrate now upon his most trusted freind, she only hoped she had the courage and strength to do right by him in this, his hour of need.

After what had seemed a long and arduous chore, the spear head had given up its hold upon Gerrad, some of the flesh had already begun to knit together around it, whilst some had died and begun to rot. The initial pus had come away whilst she had washed it, but she had to delve deeper, cutting away gently but firmly along the edges. Gerrad had come and gone into unconciousness, muttering words she no longer understood...but that was a good thing, for she knew not what to say to him as she was hurting him. This was something she could never enjoy, and wished again that it would be the last time, knowing in her heart life as a Ranger would never be free from battles and wounds.

She had told him his men were cared for and some would be sent on to the Castle, berating him gently for not telling them sooner of his injuries, but accepting he would always put his men first, much as Robin would do. Brave, honourable......indeed, and yet now he was suffering more because of it.

Halethala had been strong, comforting him and offering encouragement all the while, how glad she was of her friend's company and she was relieved to see Ranger Todd waiting with a newly heated blade wrapped in cloths, knowing neither of them wanted to use it on Gerrad.

It was time now, her task done, she moved from her position on the bed, just enough to allow Todd easy access to Gerrad. Bidding Halethala to do the same, she placed one hand firmly upon Gerrad's shoulder, the other wherever she could reach. Holding him down and still whilst Todd placed the red hot blade to the wound was all she could do for the moment....her own face contorted as she felt his pain, a gasp escaping her lips, she had to turn away as the smell of burning flesh invaded her nostrils, almost making her retch......

[Halethala]

She realized it was, in all likelihood, more herself she was trying to distract than Gerrad with her rambling monologue. She wouldn’t remember half what she spoke, it was more to give voice to something, some sound other than the inevitable little soft noises as Lady Loxley worked her skills on cleaning at the angry flesh. Worse than the sounds were the smells . . Letha steeled herself firmly from allowing her stomach to revolt . . it couldn’t be helped, none of it. She knew that. Her admiration for her friend’s kindly and brave hands as they moved about with only the slightest quaking and hesitating now and then. She knew it couldn’t be easy to inflict such pain . . not on anyone, but more especially on someone she knew and cared of so dearly. And she could only guess at how much she would have liked to hear what she could of her beloved husband . .

As she watched Ranger Todd approach, she fought a twinge of guilt at not having carried through herself as her brother had asked. Rearranging herself in preparation for the cauterizing, Gerrad seeming to be close to slipping back out of consciousness yet again, she wriggled further onto his bed and rested his head on her lap, cradling it with gentle, soothing strokes. How on earth he had been disciplined enough to keep from crying out she would never understand . . but he hadn’t. He’d barely moved, even when it was impossible not to cut into still living tissue. It had to be excruciating.

As they turned him to expose the newly cleaned and waiting wound for Ranger Todd’s grim attentions, Lady Dream held Gerrad’s shoulder and Letha gripped his arm tightly out of the way. Not they needed to worry . . his resolve held and he barely reacted to the searing . .

Her tears, however, were not as well restrained . . and coursed freely down the heightened rose of her cheeks.

“There . . at last, he be free of it . . and ye’ve done wonderful, my friend . . though how ye could bear it” The relief was palpable in her voice as she whispered to Lady Dream. “ I’ll remain with him for a bit to make sure he nae pesters at the wrappings without thinkin’” . . quieter still she added a husky, “Thank ye . . ever so much.”

[Dream Loxley]

“There . . at last, he be free of it . . and ye’ve done wonderful, my friend . . though how ye could bear it”

Letha's words brought Dream back from where she was hiding during the procedure. Her face almost lost against Gerrad's shoulder as she held him tightly, although it had not been needed, he had hardly flinched. But it was done...... Ranger Todd had been the brave one, searing closed the wound of his friend, causing no end of pain which Gerrad had borne with such dignity and honour. It was his turn now to fight..... to allow his body to mend and heal. She had done all she could, and with Halethala's love and care for him, Gerrad would be fine....she was almost certain of such as she gently stroked the hair of her dear friend Halethala.

Her softly spoken words of thanks had not gone unheard, and yet Dream found she simply could not speak. She was fighting back her own tears as Letha shed hers freely. It had been so difficult, so hard a task to tend to Gerrad, all the while she was wondering of her beloved Robin, again thinking if this fate had befallen Gerrad, younger and perhaps fitter..... what chance had her Husband against such foes.

Her smile was tinged with a sadness as she wiped away some of the tears upon Halethala's cheek, giving her a nod of reassurance when she spoke of staying with Gerrad. Of that she was glad for within moments she feared her own courage would leave and she did not wish to let her emotions let her down in front of anyone.

She looked down at Gerrad who was now sleeping, peacefully she hoped...after all he had endured he deserved to rest. Turning towards Todd who still bore the look of anguish and pain himself, assuring him that all would be well now, the Ranger left to return to his men. Finally Dream found the words that had become firmly lodged in her dry throat.

"Aye my friend........ stay with him..... I shall make up some fresh willowbark tea fer when he does next awaken...... rest iffn ye can.... 'tas been a difficult day."

With one last gentle look towards them both, she quickly stepped away and through the door. Making her way back to Robin's quarters where she could be alone with her thoughts and fears. She sat heavily upon his bed and sighed deeply shaking her head to the visions that invaded both her heart and mind. The day had been so difficult, so exhausting, mentally and physically. She felt drained, confused and alone. Nae.....she would nae believe her own fears.....she gathered up his clothing and held it close, clutching it to her as if her life depended upon it. Gently at first her body began to shake, her breathing deep and quick as her eyes shut hard against the tears. Within moments she was sobbing, completely lost in her emotions, holding his clothing, curling up around it, seeking protection, comfort.....love......At that moment he almost seemed lost to her......for the first time ever, she failed to find him deep within her very soul.

[Robin of Loxley]

He drifted in and out of conciousness as Lady Loxley worked on his wound. The pain was becoming more and more intolerable each time he came to, yet he shut it out as best he could.

On one occasion he had come to and discovered that his head was resting on a lap and he opened his eyes and saw that it was Halethala's. He was about to speak when he noticed that Lady Loxley had finished her ministrations. He felt a peculiar warmth near his skin and as he was trying to process what was happenning, the red hot dagger hit his skin.

Within a split second of the dagger hitting his skin, bolts of pain shot though his body to his brain and his head exploded in a blinding white flash of pain, instantly and mercifully rendering him unconcious again.

He was'nt sure how long he had slept for but when he awoke he opened his eyes he looked around as best he could without raising his head from Halethala's lap. There was no-one in the room except for he and his sister and his eyes finally rested on hers. He tried to speak yet no words would come, so he smiled weakly at her, moved a hand to hers and squeezing it softly he closed his eyes again and drifted back to sleep.

((Posted by Robin as Gerrad )

[Dream Loxley]

Storyteller....... to move this along just a tad, hoping the information is correct.

Day had passed into Night within the clearing known as The Glen. A gentle breeze danced around the treetops, rustling the leaves, making some give up their hold as Summer neared its end. There was an eerie quiet about the place, save for the sounds of the woodland animals and the cries of woe from the injured men. One was near to taking his last breath whilst another fought his injuries bravely to stay with his colleagues. The scene playing out before Owen's eyes caused him deep and meaningful pain, to watch his friends suffer so, was beyond his duties, to bury them unthinkable.

Todd had told Owen of Gerrad's plight, and together, armed with the information Gerrad had bestowed upon them earlier, a small party of Rangers moved off into the forest to seek their leader. Todd, Owen, Smith and William left first to scout the area, they would remain ahead to make sure the way was clear for the others. Shortly afterwards, making less headway, the four large carts laiden with supplies, arrows, straw and blankets were accompanied by two score of Rangers, each battling their own fears and worries as they left behind comrades and friends, none too sure they would be able to greet them again.

The full moon was kind to the travellers, and yet it made them good targets for any enemy. The Rangers were stealth like as they moved between the tall Oaks and Ash trees, taking pathways and tracks they knew until they reached areas unknown. What they would find when they arrived at their destination only the fates knew, but they had to be quick, they knew that much at least.

In the glen, above the ground in the shelters made many years previously, Robin's wife slept fitfully, exhausted from the days trials and tribulations. In the next room Gerrad was cared for by his Sister Halethala who administered to his needs and prayed to the Gods to spare him and ease his pain. Rangers were vigilant as they stood on guard in the moonlight, extra men patrolled the outer defences just to be sure, although their numbers were less with many injured, it would take an Army of very clever men to find them.

As an Owl swooped down to claim it's prize, deer moved towards their favoured watering hole, foxes and badgers became more active, and Rangers tended to their own. None knew what the new day would bring, but each spent the time wisely, some wishing for daylight, while others prayed for sleep to take them from their anquish and pain.