The Early Chronicles Book Six: Dragon Wing

Chapter 6

Swanwhite bit her lip to keep from grimacing from the pain in her ankle as she and Goran hurried through the western woods, praying the dragon had not followed them.  It grew darker around them and their pace began to slow as they stumbled their way through the dense brush. When Swanwhite's ankle suddenly gave out, she grunted from the pain and had to clutch onto Goran so she wouldn't fall to the ground.  Goran pulled her to her feet and turned her to face him.  

"You must stop and rest."  She couldn't see his face very well but she could imagine the worried creases.  "Perhaps I should look at your ankle."

Swanwhite gave in and allowed him to gently lower her to the ground and cradle her ankle in his strong hands.  Swanwhite pressed her back against a tree and gripped the roots beside her as he pulled off her riding boot and pressed her foot and ankle in several places.  She sucked in a breath as it continued to throb.  

"I don't think it's broken," Goran decided, "but you can't go much farther on it or you'll damage it worse."

"If I just rest a bit I think I'll be fine."  Swanwhite argued as he slipped her boot back on.  He looked at her with his knowing eyes and shook his head.

"No, we will stop here for the night.  We are far enough away and I don't think that monster will find us through the trees."  Goran took off his sword-belt and Swanwhite suddenly realized he had thought to bring weapons with him, something she had not done.  Luckily, he had brought his sword and hers, along with two daggers.

"I see you are far more prepared than I am."  She joked.  He laid the swords out on the ground where they were easily reachable.

"Got lucky, I guess."  He shrugged then sat down next to her with his back against the tree.  Moving slowly to not aggravate her ankle, she shifted closer to him until she sat back with her head against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her.  "Try to get some sleep."  He whispered.  She nodded and closed her eyes.  Even though their situation was quite dangerous and everything seemed awful, she always felt safe in his arms.

When they awoke, the sun was shining through the trees, but the air smelled foul and a haze of smoke seemed to fill the atmosphere.  Swanwhite's first thought was where she was, then the horrible events of the night prior filled her mind with a heaviness and ache that she immediately tried to push away.  Goran seemed to still be asleep, so she gently wriggled out of his embrace and stared at her still ankle.  Bracing herself, she slowly stood up to see if she could walk, but was greeted by screaming from her ankle that caused her to sit back down in disappointment. 

"Mmph."  Goran mumbled beside her and rubbed his face to try to wake up.  "How long did I sleep?"

"It's only just after dawn, love."  She answered and started rubbing her ankle in hopes her muscles would strengthen.  

"Can you walk?"

"I think so."  She tried to sound optimistic even though in her mind she wasn't sure how far she could go at a quickened pace.  "You didn't happen to pack any food with you, did you?" 

Goran grinned and pulled a small parcel from his doublet.  "Some biscuits I snatched from the kitchens."

Swanwhite's face lit up and she felt a small ounce of relief.  "How would I survive without you?"  They finished their small but filling breakfast and Goran helped Swanwhite to stand.  After several moments of walking, the sharp pain subsided into a dull ache that bothered her less than it had the night before.  To take her mind off of it, she tried to mentally make a map of where they had traveled.

"My plan is to make for Sir Kauffman's."  Goran said, "Then we can work out a plan and gather supplies."

"Goran, Chateau Kent is gone."  Swanwhite swallowed the lump in her throat and saw horrible pictures in her mind of her beloved castle burned to the ground.  "There's nothing to be done."