NEVER SPLIT THE PARTY: The Adventures of the Creeping Bam (BOOK 1: The Job)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: GAEL

The first thing I notice when I wake up is the sound of vomiting, but it's a few more moments before the smell hits my nose. I can feel pressure on my chest, but it's light, gentle, whoever's touching me is being very respectful about it. After another moment a second hand touches my forehead, gentle again, the lightest press of fingertips to my brow. Probing, but not intrusive. I take a breath then, and that's when the pain hits me. Hard.

Every inch of me aches, it's like I've pulled every muscle in my body and even more where there aren't real muscles to begin with. It's bone deep and all-encompassing, and I groan out loud feeling it. My hand goes to my forehead ... no, it tries to, but I'm barely able to make my shoulder twitch, my hand might flap a bit but I can't even raise my arm. I give up.

"Careful now, just lie still. Don't move. You're too weak." Wenrich's voice, low and close to my ear, I can just about feel his breath tickling me past all the pain. "Can you hear me?"

"Yes ..." I manage to croak it out, amazed my vocal cords even work right now. I groan again, and finally try to open my eyes. I manage a slit and the light pours in, blazing bright and instantly stabbing into my brain. I groan louder as I squeeze them closed again.

"Just relax. You're in a bad way. Try not to do anything just yet."

Someone coughs nearby, then spits with what sounds like quite a bit of violence. "Fuck ..." I recognise Kesla cursing instantly, and in spite of everything it's an incredible relief, even though I have a feeling I know what she's feeling right now may not seem like much of a consolation to her.

She coughs again, then I hear movement, the gentle creaking of leather, the shifting and clinking of metal, footsteps. Slow, unsure of themselves, but they approach. "They gonna be okay?"

"I wish they hadn't needed to use that spell, it's taken a terrible toll on them." Wenrich sighs. "It's a miracle they survived it, they weren't ready to try that much concentrated magic all at once. You should both be dead."

"Well I'm bloody grateful they did, all the same. And they saved your life too, you ungrateful bastard. So give 'em a bit more credit." I hear her move closer, and then the whole world subtly shifts with a subtle creaking that I feel as well as hear. It takes me a moment to realise I must be lying in the cart, that Kesla must be leaning over the side now, watching over me. "How you feelin', kid?"

"Like shit." I croak out. It's a spectacular understatement, if I'm honest.

Kesla laughs, sounding a little bitter if I'm honest, but it makes me happier hearing it all the same. It means she's still in something vaguely resembling decent shape.

Then I feel something tilt on my other side and then another hand touches my forehead ... no, not a hand, it's too soft, and warm, it feels kind of ... fuzzy? Art. Okay, that's weird. "I'm glad you're still with us, too." I'd imagine he's putting a brave face on like he always does, but his voice cracks just a little as he says it. He's as concerned as the rest.

"Thank you ..." I wheeze, and then I try to lift my arm again. I think I get it a little higher, but it thumps down all the same. "Damn it."

Wenrich touches my forehead again, his other hand on my shoulder. Firmer now, like a warning. "Please, you need to keep still. You put a terrible strain on yourself, both mind and body. You need to wait, and let us help you." After a moment he adds: "Are you ready?"

It takes me a moment to work out how to answer that, but then I hear Krakka rasp: "Ready enough." and I realise he wasn't talking to me anymore. I frown, and it feels like my whole forehead catches on fire. I groan again, and sort of flop as I try to fold up on myself, I can't help the reaction. Once again it doesn't work. This time Wenrich actually pushes me back down again.