This pretty, chestnut haired girl couldn't be more than 18 years old. Her long straight tresses covered the spot on her jacket where the Empathic Emblem was usually worn, causing Cap to doubt she was the one he sought. Not wanting to frighten her any more than he already had, Cap tried to explain. "I'm Commander Caplin Taylor. I’m looking for an Empath that is headed for the Western Hunting Lodge.”
"My name is Kendra; I am the Empath you seek.” She answered cautiously, still holding the blade. A noise from the brush drew her attention as a small rodent pounced out, trying to evade an unseen predator. Cap was just close enough to lurch forward and snatch the dirk from her hand. Her head jerked back in alarm.
"Bosen May has been mauled by a Sraeb, his shoulder is a mass of pulp." Cap spoke quickly not wanting to hesitate any longer.
That was all Kendra needed to hear. She pushed her horse past him and headed quickly down the trail.
"Wait!" Cap called after her, turning his horse around. Reining in the horse, she turned back to face him annoyed by the delay. "Are you a good horseman?" Cap asked, as he stuffed her dirk in his jacket.
"I've been in the saddle since I was a child." She answered, abruptly.
"Okay so just a few years then?" Cap's rebuke angered her. Jerking the horse back toward the trail, she ignored him.
"Wait, I'm sorry!" Cap called after her. "It's just that I know a quicker way, if you can handle some rough terrain."
"Let’s go then." Kendra replied, gruffly, turning back to face him.
Without another word, Cap dove back into the brush and the girl followed.
Realizing he never should have let Hanlin come along on such a long journey, Katar berated himself for his irresponsibility. Leaving the now sleeping Hanlin, he went to check on Bosen.
Eades rose from the small wooden chair beside Bosen’s bed and said, “He hasn’t moved and his breathing is shallow.”
Katar gazed at Bosen, he’d grown pale. As the guilt intensified, Katar decided to take it upon himself to feed and rub down the horses. He could not bear to stand by powerless to help his friend. After the animals had been properly cared for, Katar headed back to the cabin. Cap and a young girl galloped into the small clearing as he reached the steps. Without a word, the girl jumped from her horse and ran into the building.
"Is that the healer?" Katar asked Cap his surprise evident, "She's just a kid.”
"Yeah and she came through the mountains alone with only a wisp of a knife for protection." Cap shrugged, taking the horses in the stable.
Darkness fell as Kendra continued to work on Bosen. The moment she touched the back of his neck, she was frightened that he might not live. He had lost too much blood and was very weak. Forced to move slowly, not wanting to drain the last of his strength, Kendra called upon her healing strength to heal the seeping wounds first and stop his blood loss. The stress of the healing began to show on her young face as the minutes turned to hours. Cap watched from the end of the bed, concerned that the injuries were too much for her to handle. Cap stepped forward to end the session as Kendra rose from Bosen's side. Pale and exhausted she admitted she could do no more until the Blacksmith regained his strength.
Kendra found her saddlebag in the living room. Katar had brought them in after he watered, fed and rubbed down their horses. She pulled out a leather pouch, took several small bottles out and handed them to Cap explaining, “Bosen needs a broth made with a spoonful of each herb and a little meat and vegetables if possible. Cap took the herbs and headed toward the galley to prepare the broth. Eades appeared with a steaming pot of stew, prepared from the frozen Sraeb meat they had left in the freezers. Katar and Kendra sat down at the large wooden dining table opposite Eades.
Katar turned to Kendra and said, "We are all extremely grateful, Kendra. My thanks seem meaningless, compared to what you must have gone through to arrive here so quickly." He smiled as her dark brown eyes met his. "Bosen is a very good friend of mine, we grew up together. He’d be dead by now, if you hadn't come." Katar continued, offering her his hand. "I’m Prince Katar, and I am