'Sleep,' he told her. 'In comfort and in peace. I
feel a little stronger, but I will do nothing foolish. I must tend the
tiger's wounds, and if Akar returns with meat, feed us both. Then
you and I will sleep together. I love you. Be well in your heart.'
He shook off all emotions of weakness and sorrow, and set out to do what
must be done.
Akar returned a short time later. After studying the tiger uncertainly,
and looking hard at Kalus, he set down his burden, part of a kill stolen
from a badger. It was not much to look at, but from it Kalus was able
to carve and cook a pound or two of meat. He divided portions for all
the company, then placed the remainder in a bowl, along with the cooked
blood, beside the big cat, still unconscious. He then cleaned, repaired
and wrapped its wounds as best he could, laying it more comfortably on
the floor. He knew that in taking it among them, and especially in
binding one of its limbs, he risked confusing and provoking a creature
capable of doing them great harm. But he had an unspoken faith that it
was not yet old and hard enough to hate without reason, or to see as
enemies all those unlike itself.
Not wishing to squander the unexpected turn of his fortunes, or the
quiet courage that had risen inside him, he lay down without further
exposure beside the girl, wrapping the furs thickly around them both.
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