Silver Winds

Chapter 29

Rain beat down on the roof of cabin five as the Dragons gathered in a circle. Astra had allowed Liva into the cabin so she wouldn't get a cold, and the kitten wound between Astra's legs. A purr rumbled from her chest and she rubbed her cheeks on Astra's damp pant leg. Astra bent and picked the kitten up, then stared at her companions. She sighed.

"All right," she started, "what's the injury count?"

Several hands were raised, and Astra turned to Rune. "Get your bag," she directed him, then motioned for Enok to speak.

"It's not a big deal, but I scraped my leg," he mumbled. His ears turned pink. Astra walked to him for just a few moments, swaying gently with her right arm cradling her ribcage. Then she swatted him on the head. He let out a cry of pain, and glared at her. "What was that for?"

"Don't downplay your injuries. Describe them exactly as they are," she commanded. Enok rubbed his head.

"It's still just a scrape," he protested, "but I'd like a bit of painkiller, if that's possible."

"Better," Astra sniffed. She pointed at Drago. "Anything other than what's already been treated?" Drago shook his head, and Astra continued to move methodically through the group.

"I've a massive headache," Jun reported. "I'm not sure where it's coming from."

"Right, we'll get that settled," she said.

"I split the skin on my right hand," Kay murmured, holding up his hand to show. Volos looked at the person with concern showing through his brown eyes. He moved toward Kay with a careful hesitation in his step, but stopped when he was a half meter away. Astra smiled at Kay and moved on.

"My back is ailing me," Nikolaus said quietly, then sat down. "If Rune could find a way to fix it, I'd be extremely grateful."

"I'll see what I can do," the small man replied, opening his bag filled with dried plants. "And I'm just a bit battered, Astor."

"I see," Astra replied evenly. "I am a bit battered myself."

"Jon, could you help me for a bit? Grab that pail there and run to the river for me, would you?" Jon responded to Rune's request with a nod, and Jon grasped the tin bucket before leaving the cabin. Rune sighed and pulled out a cut root.

"Nik, come here. I'll start with you."

Nikolaus treaded over to where Rune was crouched. Rune pulled the man down to the floorboards, and had him lay down with his back to the ceiling. He felt down both sides of the man's spine, frowning every once in a while. The whole cabin was silent, watching as Rune made his analysis. Finally, the tiny man sat back on his heels.

"Volos, help me out. I want you to push exactly where I tell you to, all right?"While Volos helped Rune, Enok ruffled Astra's hair. She batted him away and pulled it back into a ponytail, then returned to attention.

"What?" she grumbled.

"I was just thinking about Fergusen . . . I had no idea that it was murder," he said. "How did you figure it out?"

Astra took a step back, surprise filling her to the brim. She set Liva down onto the ground before she replied. "Well, Fergusen told me what the name started with, and it just snowballed from there."

"So it was those rats," Birgir growled. "I never liked them, not after the harbor incident." The slender blond looked at Enok, and they nodded in unison. Astra decided not to ask about it.

"You should have told us, at least," Kay grumbled. "We could have helped you."

Astra flashed a smile at the dark haired young man, and touched his shoulder. "I suppose, but I figured the fewer people that knew, the less likely that someone would get wind of it."