Her
hands were cold and ragged and pricked by countless needles, and there
was no one to encourage her or appreciate the effort. Kalus was
oblivious, in sleep or in waking, and Akar was off somewhere alone. The
pup followed her with its eyes and occasionally whimpered for food. That
was all.
But that was not what mattered. The man she cared for, and who had done
the same for her many times, was sick and helpless. She stayed with the
task all through the night, until the work was done. Then at last,
wearily, she made her way to the bed and knelt beside him. His fever
still burned, and the cold drafts that pulsed down through the shaft
still troubled him.
She thought to make up his bed somewhere else, but realized that laying
him on the cold floor might be worse. She looked over through the
shadows at the dais beneath the altar, but could not think how to bring
the fire close enough..... The pup, lonely, hungry and confused, moved
beside her and looked up at her with pleading eyes. She comforted it as
best she could, then gently roused her companion.
'Kalus?'
'Yes.' His voice was flat, though he shivered.
'Later today I have to go to one of the reserves of meat, for the pup
at least. Then maybe move you to the dais, if that will help. Where is
the nearest of the reserves?'
He shook his head without a sound.
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