Plans were quickly made for a journey to the Vencoshi valley. Because time was short, Inri agreed to carry the delegates on his back over mesa and plain to the next valley. Hedegar, Scaltard and Merkel were selected to go for their historical connection to the breaknuts and (this only in Merkel’s case) their size. Preparations were made throughout the afternoon, and once everything was ready, they shared a light meal. Inri told them then that they could go and speak to Susan for a little, if she was up to it.
Inri woke her gently, accompanied by Hedegar and
Vixel. They brought her some of the broth Vixel and David had made for dinner.
At Inri’s instruction, only a couple creatures were to see her at a time so she
would not be overwhelmed by the attention.
“Susan, you have some visitors,” announced Inri,
tapping her forehead with a wing tip. She slowly opened her eyes and Inri
stepped back, letting the others greet her.
“Hedegar, Vixel,” she managed weakly. Vixel propped up
her head with a pile of soft foliage lying nearby for such a purpose. She
smiled, grateful to see her friends, then frowned, remembering the last
conversation with Inri.
“You must plant the seed!” she said with firmness,
though she was unable to raise her voice.
“There, there, dear,” soothed Vixel. “Don’t you worry
about that. Inri has sorted things out. We shall be able to plant the seed and
grow the tree and save you too. Never you mind. You will be getting better very
soon. And to start with, you need to drink some of this. It will give you a
little strength.”
She pushed a container full of broth before Susan’s
lips, and helped her drink. She couldn’t manage very much, but it was a start,
and Vixel left the bowl next to her so she could have more when she was ready.
“How do you feel?” asked Hedegar then, stepping
forward, and hugging her arm with his small paws.
“A little better since Asl–Inri came. The pain is
duller and I don’t feel so ill. But my head aches and my throat is rather
parched. The sleep and Vixel’s soup have helped though.”
“Good,” he replied. “I was so worried about you.
Seeing you lying there so hopeless and not being able to do anything about it
this time…”
“You’ve shown your loyalty more than enough, my dear
hedgehog,” Susan responded. “I still say you were more than brave taking on
that adder.” She sighed then, and her friends realised just how tired and weak
she looked.
“Well, we best be going. Inri promised us each only a
moment with you.”
The two animals left her then, and Scaltard, Ratel and
Merkel took their place. After a brief greeting, they too left and it was
David’s turn.
David was not at all happy about being left till last,
but he could not resist the will of Inri, who assured him it would be best that
way; it would mean he could have more time with her since no one else would be
waiting for their turn.
David slowly, almost shyly sat down on the ground
beside her. He carried the guinea pig who sat now in his lap.
“Hello little fella,” said Susan, stroking the
creature’s fur and therefore able to avoid addressing David directly for a
little longer. It was only a moment, though and then she had to look at him.
“Susan…,” he began, unable to voice any of the things
he wanted so desperately to say to her. Impulsively, he reached out for her
hand that lay loosely at her side, and clasped it with in both of his. He
stared at her hand and didn’t make eye contact.
They stayed like that for a few moments, both of them
realising that now was not the time to talk about the past or future. The
conversation needed to be had, but it could wait till Susan was better. David’s
small gesture and her acceptance of did far more good than any words would
have. At last, he dared to look at her face, and she smiled weakly. She then
motioned in the direction of the bowl of soup, and David picked it up, and
helped her to drink. She finished it this time and ventured a grateful thank
you.
The food finished, she settled down into her bed again
and closed her eyes. David took hold of her hand again and she did not recoil.
He stayed there even as her breathing became deeper and she fell asleep again.
He might have stayed there all night if Inri had not called him away.
“Thank you,” he said to the Eagle, realising he had
been right to let him go last.
****
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