Twenty two
1095 Words
ALARIC’S POV
After Deni’s outburst in front of the pack, Alaric was furious.
She had outright humiliated him.
No woman, none, not even his mother had yelled at him in such a manner.
In front of the men of his pack he was Alpha over.
He had wanted to slap her. It would have been the right thing for him to do.
After all he was the Alpha, after all it was expected of him.
But he had shocked himself by ignoring her. He had had to take in deep breaths and ignore her.
His men would begin to think he was becoming soft.
He had eventually given into her demands of making camp and he hated the fact that she had actually been right.
The rogue packs would calculate that they would go ahead if there were any more do them and plan an attack ahead.
Surprise them by staying where they had been attacked.
He hated to admit it, but she was right.
And after all she was trying to save Bard.
She barely knew the man but yet she was trying her best to save him.
In their culture, Bard was already gone and was on his journey to be with Dagda.
His soul was already leaving and he needed to be honored.
Alaric didn’t want Bard to go, he was not just his friend, but a man he had known since childhood, a high ranking member of their pack.
He had had an unfortunate encounter with their enemies, but if it was the will of Dagda and the gods that he would go, then so be it.
The men set up camp and Alaric pretended to be busy doing anything.
He just didn’t want to face Deni.
“My Lord.”
He turned and saw Angus.
“We have never had someone try to bring an almost dead man back to life. Do you think Bard is going to make it?” Angus asked him.
Alaric folded his arms as he watched Deni.
She was well bent down over Bard’s body.
She had not moved an inch away from him.
“I do not know what to say Angus.” Alaric said. “Let today just get done and over with. We would say Bard’s burial rites tonight and then leave first thing at dawn. The longer we stay here the more vulnerable we are to our enemies.”
And with that he turned away.
But he stopped short when he saw Richard bending down over her and asking her some questions, before handing her a cup of water.
She smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear and accepted the drink.
Alaric was furious
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DENI’S POV
Deni didn’t move.
She remained hovered over Bard, she had been taught that just being around a dying person, could help them survive.
Emotionally enough.
She looked down at Bard.
She had no idea who he was.
He had red long hair and a full beard just like a number of the members of his pack.
She wondered if he had a family.
Wouldn’t they want him to survive? Fight and be alive?
What was this strange Scottish custom that believed that if you were already dying you were good as gone.
“My lady.”
She looked up and saw Richard.
She smiled. “Hello.”
“You seem tired. You should rest.” He offered.
She shook her head. “No, there is no need for that. I am fine. If I rest, then who would watch over Bard?”
“I can help.” He said.
She smiled. “You have been most wonderful Richard. But I assure you I am fine.”
“Well have this.” He said offering her water.
She collected it with a smile. “Thank you so much.”
And she drank the water down in a straight gulp before handing back to Richard.
“You know Alaric is not what you seem. Things are just done differently with us.” He said.
“You understand me.” She said. “Not because of culture or anything. But because you chose to.
“How long would it take for him to respond? When would he be awake or at least when will be able to tell if he will survive it?” Richard asked changing the topic.
She shrugged. “Hopefully by tomorrow.”
“You should rest in.” He prompted.
She shook her head. “No, I have to stay here. I will sleep out here tonight instead Of in the tent. Moreover he needs the cool breeze.”
Richard sighed and got up and then returned a while after with a blanket for her.
Bard already had a blanket sprayed under him.
“At least collect these.” Richard said.
She thanked him and then she covered herself up with the blanket, before lying down.
The men were quiet, as if worried about the fact that Bard was already gone.
Deni shook her head.
He was not going to die.
She lay down beside him and looked at the fire that was crackling.
Alaric was looking at her, his eyes shooting daggers and she turned away.
Refusing to acknowledge him.
He could go to hell for all she cared.
A short while after, Deni fell asleep.
She woke up to some chanting and she very slowly got up to a sitting position.
Alaric and the other men were kneeling down and speaking in Scottish.
She understood them clearly as day.
They were chanting the burial ceremonial rites for someone who had died.
She couldn’t yell at them to stop because if she did, then he would know that she understood Scottish.
“What are you doing?” She asked aloud.
But they ignored her.
There was a stir and she turned to her side.
It was Bard.
She quickly got up.
“Bard? Bard?” She said kneeling before him and checking his temperature.
This got the men hushed up and soon they were all around her.
He opened his eyes. “Where am I? Who are you?”
She smiled. “A friend. You made it. Just rest, everything will be fine by tomorrow.”
And with that as if obeying her, he went back to sleep.
She looked up at the men who had their eyes wide open in shock.
- Writer
