Crowned In Enmity

Chapter 6

I leap from my horse before it has even fully stopped, my heart pounding as I sprint toward the tent where Kaladin has been dragged off to be treated. His pale, unconscious face haunts my thoughts, and I can't shake the fear that he might be dying.

"Please don't let him die. Gods, don't let him die."

The bond we share is my only solace; I can still sense his presence, though it feels faint and weak. The sharp pang of anxiety tightens in my chest.

"Let me through! Kaladin! Is he alright?" I shout, but the guard blocking the entrance to the tent remains steadfast.

From within the tent, I hear Kaladin's agonized cries, his voice punctuated by incoherent shouts. A guard grabs my arm, yanking me away from the entrance.

"Who do you think you are?" he hisses, his glare piercing.

I try to wrench my arm free. "Unhand me, now!"

"No, you have no right—" he begins.

"Kaladin! Tell your guard to get his hands off of me!" I scream, glaring at the guard who is still restraining me.

"Release her! Now!" Kaladin's voice, though weak and cracking, commands authority.

The guard lets go, and I rush into the tent. Kaladin is lying on a cot, the healer working feverishly to address the arrow lodged in his side,  disinfecting the area around the wound, and preparing to remove the arrow.

"Are you okay?" I ask urgently, my eyes scanning Kaladin's face for any sign of severe injury.

"I'm fine. It'll take more than this to kill me." Kaladin winces as the healer pulls the arrow out with a sickening snap, blood flowing freely until pressure and gauze are applied to staunch the bleeding.

The healer glances between us, puzzled. "You two friendly with each other?"

"You overstep," Kaladin snaps, his gaze fierce even through the pain. He exhales sharply as the healer applies more gauze.

"Did the arrow tip shatter?" I ask the healer, my voice trembling with concern.

The healer nods, retrieving a pair of tweezers from his kit. Kaladin's eyes widen in panic.

"Wait—" he starts, realizing what's about to happen.

Guards rush in, grabbing Kaladin's arms and pinning him to the cot. It takes three guards on each arm to hold him down against his formidable strength.

"Damn it! Get off me! I'm fine!" Kaladin struggles fiercely, groaning in pain as the healer continues to remove the shattered arrowhead from his wound.

"Kaladin, settle down!" I shout over his cries.

He doesn't seem to hear me. "Kaladin! Kaladin!" I try to break through to him. "Kal!" I shout, placing my hand in his. His attention snaps to me.

He freezes, his eyes meeting mine as he takes a shaky breath. My thumb brushes over his knuckles, his body relaxes slightly, and his eyes close as he exhales with a shudder.

"Breathe, Kal," I whisper.

He follows my instructions, his breathing gradually evening out, though it remains labored. His eyes open, and his hand tightens around mine as another piece of arrowhead is extracted.

I grit my teeth against the intensity of his grip. Gods, I had forgotten how strong he is. His other hand clutches the edge of the cot, bending the metal frame with a loud squeak.

"Let go of the cot," I whisper, watching as the healer continues his meticulous work. Kaladin eases his grip slightly, taking deep breaths as the healer finishes removing the debris and starts packing the wound with fresh gauze.