In the Absence of Light

Chapter 9: Burial

Sorry it took so long to write this chapter. I love everyone who is reading my story. I hope you enjoy this next little part of our dear Dyrana.

Chapter 9: Burial

The next morning I awoke to a pounding headache and a crick in my back. I was on hard packed dirt, in a bedroll, and there was a rock under my left shoulder, and another poking into my lower back, and... let it suffice to say that I was not comfortable. That sounds weak. I was in pain and grouchy.

I pulled myself up into a sitting position and looked around groggily. I rubbed my eyes trying to see the camp better in the early morning mist. There... I could just make out the bodies moved and piled up off to the side. And, there... was that... I think those lumps were horses.

My head felt like a hammer was pounding behind my eyes, and I allowed it to collapse into my waiting hands. "Lady save me." Did I say that out loud? A groan, my groan of pain. I heard footsteps, and lifted my head up slightly to see who was coming. My eyes strained and I could just make out the shape, and then they were closer, and then it was Darin.

"Oh good, you are awake. I thought I heard something over here. It's your turn to take watch. I'll bring you some food. I'm not much for sleep after I've woken up. Are you there?" He suddenly stopped noticing my blank look.

"I hate the ground. What was that you were saying?" So, maybe I wasn't all there...  Maybe mentally my head hurt. Since when did the head of a Lady's host hurt. Head. Hurt. Lady.

The Light Lady! Would Kyra be able to help? Would she have enough strength?

"You look miserable. I guess you're not a morning person, or you aren't used to sleeping on the dirt. We used to train sleeping on the dirt." He squatted down next to me, and starred into my eyes. His eyes were a beautiful warm brown color. They were so soft. His face wasn't as sharp as some of the warriors I'd met. It was softer, the angles wider, gentler, easier on the eyes. DEAD DARK LADY, what was I thinking! I had to focus. Focus... Focus on what?

He smiled quite suddenly and jumped up, my head slowly followed. "Come on, get up. Once you're up and ready for your watch, come and see me at the camp fire. I might have something that will help you wake up."

Then he walked away, back to the campfire. I was tempted to just lie back down and fall back asleep, but the ground was so sarg hard. I rolled myself out of my bed spread, made a couple attempts at standing, and finally managed to stand. I made my way over toward my bags slowly, and slightly weaving, but I made it.

I slowly and laboriously changed into the tunic and leggings for under my armor, and then into the black tinted armor. I fumbled with the straps, and eventually just used some magic to finish buckling everything which made me even more tired.

"I hate camping," I grumbled upon making it to the fire pit where Darin was waiting. Darin didn't reply, and instead he pushed a cup into my hands. I stared at the murky brown liquid in the cup, and cautiously took a sip of the scalding liquid. I kept myself from yelping. The stuff was violently bitter! The heat didn't bother me, but my tastes buds did not appreciate the bitter flavor.

"What is this stuff?" I turned an accusatory glance at Darin before staring back down into the cup.

"It's a foreign drink called coffee. A lot of the men I used to know bought it to help them wake up in the morning. It might be bitter, but is works. Come on, I'll sit you watch with you." I looked up in surprise, and saw Darin looking me over. "Don't look so surprised, it's for everyone's safety. You aren't in any shape to take a watch right now, but you wouldn't admit that."

I didn't reply to such a comment, and instead stood up and stumbled over to a log that I could watch the camp from. I would have to use my senses other than sight. I took another sip of the nasty brown liquid. Darin was right. It did seem to wake me up.