In Search of You

Chapter 11

***PLEASE VOTE FOR THE STORY IF YOU LIKED IT!***

CHAPTER 11

“Hop up, Astrid,” Quil told the the woman who still lay in the middle of the furs. Astrid groaned and covered her face with her hands. The light that spilled from the open tent flaps made her head ache. Quil waking her up also contributed to that headache. It went on to become full grown migrained when he knelt before her with his back turned and expected her to hitch a ride with him again. She shook her head and glared at the man before her. Quil raised an eyebrow in inquiry. “I can walk, you know,” she told him.

“Then by all means, get up,” Quil shot back. He folded his tall frame beside Astrid’s furs and waited for her. He knew that she was still weak from her injuries and that every movement would cause her immense pain. But he also knew that she was a stubborn creature. She would not relent until she has tried and gave a task all she could. Even after that, she would not capitulate so easily. It was one of the reasons why he admired her.

Astrid turned on her side and tried to stand. She gasped and her hand went to her injured ribs. Quil watched as she fell on the furs once more. He cursed under his breath as he saw her pale and cursed her stubborness when she panted from exertion. He admired her even more when she closed her eyes, braced herself and tried again.

“Enough, Astrid!” he shouted. Astrid glared at him amidst her pain and struggle to regain her breath. “It’s clear that you cannot walk on your own because you’re injured! Let go of your damned pride, woman!” he hissed. Astrid opened her mouth to protest but her cut her off by raising a hand. “We are going. Now. We aren’t safe here and we only camped last night to allow you to heal. But we are leaving and it’s either I carry you with your dignity intact or I drag you out of the tent by your leg!” Quil retorted. Astrid threw him her most furious glare and if those could kill, he’d be nothing but ash right now.

He sat straighter and raised an eyebrow as he waited for her to simper down and hand him her decision. Finally, she sighed and closed her eyes. “Fine, then. But just like the last time... I’m not going to enjoy this. Not for one second,” she replied. “That’s my girl,” Quil said and then he chuckled. He stood up and retrieved the medicine that the healer gave. It was time for her next dose and it’s a great time for this for it would make her sleep throughout the ride. He knew about her fear of heights and knocking her out was the prudent way.

“Here, drink up,” Quil told Astrid as he gently placed his arm below her shoulder blades and lifted her. He placed the bottle against her lips and tilted it slightly. She opened her mouth and drank. When she was done, she grimaced. “Nasty,” she hissed. Quil shrugged. “But that’s going to speed up your healing and you’re going to drink it like your favourite brew,” Quil pointed out. Astrid rolled her eyes. He helped her up to a sitting position and turned his back on her and knelt.

After a few seconds, he felt her wrap her arms around his neck. He heard her groan of pain and felt her quick breaths against his cheek. “Just a bit more, Astrid. Then you can sleep on the danore. When you wake up we’ll be on my tribe’s lands,” he told her as he placed his hands around the back of her knees and stood up. As gently as he could, he walked outside the tent and onto the busy camp.

The people were already very busy even though dawn just broke. Servants were packing up tents and possessions while warriors prepared the danores. The camp was abuzz with the activity but people stopped and stared at him and at the woman he was carrying. Quil glared at each of them and they bowed respectfully before turning back to their chores.

“You heard me when I said I was riding with you, right?” Astrid whispered. “Yes, I did. You’re not fit to ride your own danore. Besides, the potion you drank will make you fall asleep and we don’t want you falling off the danore now, do we?” Quil asked. Astrid shook her head in denial and he could feel the long strands of her hair brush against his shoulder and arm.