Savoirs

Joseph

Morning seemed to take forever to creep along the horizon. Jason faded in and out of consciousness and when he was awake it was hell for him and the rest of us. When he was passed out it was hell for the rest of us. We all got small amounts of sleep and myself and Adam would not leave Jason's side. The old man and his son understood why we had to make sure he was fine but I'm not sure that they liked the idea of the best hunter, and therefore a good scout, wasn't sleeping. They knew that I wasn't anything more than a blacksmith that was good with a sword but they knew that there was power in numbers and if two men didn't rest then it could mean death for one or all of us. Jason was shaking and I looked over at Adam who was staring at a wall with a dangerous look on his face and I reached out and put a heavy hand on his shoulder.

"What if they need help?" He asks quietly and I look away. The thought had crossed my mind that the bear was lurking outside the house walls but I had pushed them away so I could think better.

"They are capable women." I reply and he nods.

"I know but I can't help but think, maybe when we arrive back there, they won't be there." He wrings his hands and I hang my head.

"Serena knows what end of a weapon is the dangerous one. Lia grew up on the streets and knows how to hide. Jaclyn, well she knows when its stupid to run." I tell him and Jason moans. Adam looks over at him and Todd stood.

"My son is asleep but I couldn't help but over hear your conversation. If it gives you any peace of mind, my sons wife knows how to shoot an arrow and hit her target." He says quietly and we nod. Jason wakes and I listen as he mutters under his breath. He shakes and a fire sparks in the fireplace. Slowly it grows and casts shadows over the walls and slowly the sun turns the sky and slowly Jason falls into unconsciousness. When it becomes light enough to see outside I pick up Jason and we walk out of the cabin and into the still morning. 

 We walk in silence and a rabbit bounds into our path. An arrow strikes its head and Todd bends to pick up the kill. Its mid-day when we come across the bears dead body again. For a moment we stand and stare at the animal and then as a moment of rage passes over me we start to walk again. 

The cold air turns our breath into white puffs of smoke as we walk and Jason moans as his wounds are agitated. The sun is setting when we finally reach the house and smoke curls up from the chimney and we hear laughter of the children as we approach the door. I can see the happiness in the old man and his son's eyes and for a moment I think of letting them enter first and being greeted by their family before we enter with Jason but the moment passes as Nickolas pushes me forwards and opens the door. All sound stops as I walk in and then everything falls apart.