Guild Of Zeroes

Chapter 19

Time lost all meaning. When I next woke, it was light outside but I had no idea if it was the start of the day or the end. What I did know was that I would surely die if I didn't get something to eat and drink right now.

I pushed my way out of the tent and tried to stand. Tried and failed. A white hot lightning bolt of pain shot through my left leg and I pitched forward, landing flat on my face. I barked a curse and lay there in the cool dew, fuming. Thankfully, one of my companions came to my aid and lifted me to my feet.

"Thanks," I said, looking over to find that it was Quin who had picked me up. Of course it was. Quin was always there when I needed them.

They escorted me to a stump next to a flickering campfire and Mouse slipped a plate of food into my hands. These two were too good to me. A bubbling wave of affection and adoration welled up inside me, sparking another round of tears. Quin sat next to me on the stump while Mouse fetched me a cup of water. Quin didn't say anything, they merely held me while I tearfully wolfed down my food.

Mouse took my empty plate. "How was it?"

I hadn't really tasted it, truth be told, but I'd been so hard on Mouse yesterday, I didn't have it in me to tell him the truth. "It was great, Mouse. Thanks, I really appreciate it."

His face lit up with a smile that burned some of the bleakness out of the world. "There's lots more if you want seconds."

I took a shaking breath feeling like the emotional version of a deer taking its first steps, trembling, fragile, liable to stumble and fall at any moment.

"Maybe later," I said, inspecting the sorry state I was in. I'd fallen asleep in my padded armour and travel trousers. Every inch of me was stained in blood, guts, and mud, and even I could smell the foul reek coming off my clothes. One of Hawk's many words of wisdom was if you can smell yourself a little, the rest of us can smell you a lot. I heard that one often when I was younger, and spent most of my days covered in mud and tree sap. "I wouldn't say no to some time in the water. But I suppose there isn't a change of clothes for me anywhere."

"You're in luck," said Mouse. "Hawk made sure we were well stocked. There's fresh clothes for all of us, thank the gods. I don't think I could have put up with one more second in that stinking robe."

My brows furrowed. Mouse had been wearing the Drake skin robe I had made him.

He saw his mistake and recovered. "Not that I don't like the robe. It's my new favourite thing. I'm just not wearing it until it's been thoroughly cleaned."

I nodded. "Quin, can you help me up?"

They lifted me into their arms and carried me to the river.

"This isn't quite what I meant." I wasn't complaining though. Quin was dressed in a wool tunic and deerskin leggings. They were soft and warm and I never wanted to leave their arms again.

"Are you kidding?" They said with a hollow smile. "After that battle I'm never letting you go again."

"Okay," I said, leaning my head on their chest.

Quin set me down on a stone at the edge of river and eased my boots off.

"Are you doing okay?" I asked.

They shrugged. "I'm okay."

They moved to unlace the front of my armour but I caught their arm, my heart racing and stomach fluttering. "Hey, my arms still work."

Quin blushed and they backed off, standing and shifting their weight from foot to foot while they stared at the ground. "Sorry. I'll give you some privacy."