Aasem heard a deep moan from the man in the travois. The device was rickety; so poorly made that it wanted to twist with every uneven spot in the road. Aasem would pause to straighten it, shifting the supplies to counterbalance the weight of the unconscious Gan Chono. But now, when had been gasps that the man tried to bite back, had become, simply, sounds of pain, Aasem was getting worried. Once he stopped and found Gan Chono unresponsive to his voice,  he felt the forehead, beaded with sweat. It was burning up. 

They had traveled most of the night, with only one lantern to illuminate the road and he knew they would have to stop soon. It was too dangerous to continue in daylight and he, as well as the animals, were exhausted. A cave he knew of was ahead, perhaps another mile, so he whispered words of encouragement to Gon Chono, even though he did not know if he heard them or not.

 He kept on until dawn was just breaking, becoming more anxious by the moment. Where was the small trail that curved around to the large entrance that would allow the animals access? There was only a tiny little opening visible at the front of the small mountain, about 12 inches high, which marked access for a stream that traveled through the cave. It allowed the water to cross the road they had been on all night.  However, if one had the patience to make their way around to the rear of the mountain, It had a large opening that would easily allow the horse, donkey and travois to enter..

 Finally, he spotted his landmarks.  He turned right on to the hidden path.He tethered the horse and donkey,then used his knife to cut down several fat bushes and placed them across the path entry, sitting them there between two trees, as if they belonged. Riders would not notice the path, and, as far as he was aware, he was the only one who knew of this little lair of his. He had been using it for years, with no sign of any visitors. Gingerly, he picked his way around to the back and slowly looked in. No sign of animals and more importantly, humans.

Aasem led the pack animals to the back of the cave and hobbled them near the tiny opening where they could drink. He immediately moved Gan Chono from the travois onto two blankets and covered him with another. The sick man never felt it. He grabbed a towel, wet it in the stream, and laid it on his forehead. Building a fire from wood he had left at the end of his last visit, was next, and once it blazed up, he left the cavern and ripped up arms full of grass for the animals; then made another trip to gather more wood and more grass. He knelt next to his old friend and began to wipe his face, rolled up his sleeves and did the same to his arms and hands. Finally, he bathed his chest down. It was an excruciating job for the young man, as the bruises that covered the chest and his back and around the left kidney and the spleen, had turned purple and black overnight. It was hurtful, just tending to them. The breathing was labored and his worries increased as each breath drawn brought soft groans from Gan Chono. Suddenly, there was a rumble and a flash of light the the sound of rain.

Damn it, he thought. Could you just give us a small break?

He was fading quickly himself, so he ran outside and gathered as much wood and grass as possible. Then he took grasses and stuffed them into the slings that had carried the blankets, slipped one under Gan Chono's head, and made one for himself. He changed into his spare tunic and leggings. He knelt beside his Chieftain and whispered, "Sorry for this, but I need a nap, and I am freezing." Slowly, shyly, his face burning with embarrassment, he slipped under the blanket, trying not to touch the injured man, but getting close enough to share body warmth.

Oh well, he grumbled, to himself. He'll either thank me for keeping him from freezing or strangle me ...IF he can catch me.

He was asleep before his head hit the makeshift pillow.

When Aasem woke around noon, the rain was still pouring. He had his arm draped over Gon Chono's shoulders, holding him loosely in his arms. A pair of carnelian eyes, dazed and confused, were staring right at him.  He sat up, startled.

A low, slurred whisper..."Isss...alright. I feel warm ...sss...safe...next to my Rock...I hear the river...You brought me to the river. Are we going to swim? "

" You are in a little cave I found years ago. We traveled all night. Afraid we are stuck here. It's raining like mad. Let me tuck the blankets up around you; I need to heat water and give you more medicine before we go swimming. Alright? "

"Umhmm..."

As the water heated, Aasem weighed their options. Gan Chono was worsening. and travel in this weather, with tiring animals and a travois that could fall apart in any way was no longer a factor, not with flooded and muddy roads. He looked reluctantly at the doves in their crate. He had no other choice. He was condemning one to death. It would either die in the weather or from an archer's bolt, but they needed help as soon as possible. 

After he had helped Gan Chono drink the pain powders, he laid him down. He had tried to encourage the man to urinate, but none emerged. He was desperate at this time. A build of toxins was going to be likely if Gan Chono could not eliminate. Going to his saddlebags he removed some parchment, a brush.and a vial of vanishing ink. 

He wrote, Escaped with Gan Chono. He is badly injured. He added directions to the cave. We will try again after rain stops if possible. Hurry .Without help, he has little time...Tazy.

He rolled it into a vial and as he reached for the crate he heard a strange buzzing, He grabbed his dagger and leaped to his feet, He crept closer to the sound,  and was shocked that it was emerging from the pouch Gon Chono had been zealously guarding, even in his delirium. He opened it and saw six tiny pyramids. He saw Gon Chono stir.

"Give them... to me."

Aasem placed them in Gan Chono's hand.

"Wrap your hands...around mine... Need your core as well... Mine is too weak... It will be Davaajav...Tell him what he needs to know...Concentrate..."

"He...Hello. This is Tazy. Aasem...remember?"

A pause, and suddenly there came a voice, calm and cool  'Tazy, we are here."

Gan Chono rasped out. "Davi? MyDavi? Listen to him closely Tazy rescued me. We need help..." He fell back, expended. Their hands were still encasing the stones. "Tell them what you need to." His eyes flutter shut.

"Chono?Chono? Our Wolf?"

A calm tenor voice called  out  and Aaesem responded. " Davaajav? He has passed out. We combined our core strength because his is too weak. Only way to talk to you... Don't know if connection will last. In a cave down the road from the hamlet called Raven's Rest. A mile out from the village, you will see a small stream crossing the road, It emerges from a mountain. Trail to the right. Opens up around back. Please come. He has been beaten badly. Several times. Shuurga lives. He is among you. He seeks revenge. Tell none of the nomads, no matter who they are, he has been a traitor all along. I do not know what name he is traveling under with you."

"Shuurga? Are you positive?"

"Yes. Trust only Anshi's  people."

A voice interrupted, full of command and reassurance. "Tazy...we are glad he has you. Do what you can. We will be in the air in one incense stick."

"Anshi?" His voice cracked. "Anshi, take care. When I get there, I can point him out. He has changed a great deal since he and his mother left the caravan."

"We are on our way."

A low whisper from Gan Chono "The river... we will go fishing on the river...It is flowing.  right next to me...I dreamed about our river a lot, Baby Emerald."

"Yes, Third Brother. We will be sure to do that after you have rested. Let Aasem care for you until we arrive."

The connection broke and so did Gan Chono. Deep sobs wracked his body. Aasem gathered him up under the blankets. "Chono. Close your eyes and let the medicine do its work. Please? Don't struggle anymore. Go to sleep and dream until they get here."

"The river..."

"Yes, the river...Dream of the river, sweet man."