Through the group's combined efforts, they were able to move Jana to the location Kuiper indicated without injuring her further.
"Gala's fine," Kuiper answer Aloysius' earlier question. "If we go back by my farm, you can see her, if she's willing to see you. She's staying there until after the crop's are in this year," he left off.
The mage's brow furrowed. "'If'?" he asked. "Why would Galaret not wish to see me?"
Kuiper shrugged at Aloysius. "She wasn't too happy with some of you, if you recall. I don't know if she be willing to see any of you. But she probably will. She's had some time to deal with things now, I think."
"Galaret was unhappy with Stargazer?" Aloysius asked mournfully. "I . . . knew not. I have missed her since she left. She is a good . . . friend." The last word tailed off as the mage withdrew to a separate area of the shrine.
The small grove that the ranger led them to was little more than a circle of stones near a side stream of the river, but it did somehow feel safer than the surrounding area. They passed the time, licking their wounds and waiting for Jana to revive. She began to stir around mid-afternoon.
Jana tossed a bit, then her eyes slowly opened. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but no sound emerged. She brought her hand to her still-ravaged throat, her eyes growing wide.
Etienne spent his time watching after Jana and resting by her side.
As Aloysius sat with his book and quill, he periodically sighed and grimmaced, tenderly holding his left shoulder and chest before continuing with his writing.
Etienne quickly moved to her sideas she started to move, "Jana, stay still. You had your throat ripped up pretty good. It's a wonder you're still alive. You should be able to talk again once I can pray for some healing for you. Right now you just need to rest and conserve your strength." He pulled a wineskin with water out and held her head gently, "Drink a little water, ok. Sip it very slowly." He placed a hand on her cheek as he looked at her worriedly.
Aloysius realized that there was little he could offer in terms of aiding the wounded. After briefly looking around the shrine to see if anything appealed to his curiosity, he sat down and withdrew his spellbook and quill and began working on something.
Jana rolled on her side, then tried to lift herself up to her knees so she could attempt to stand. She tried again to speak, but was unable to produce any sounds. She banged a fist on the ground in frustration then mouthed "Let's go" and waved in a "move along" gesture. She hadn't yet managed to get past sitting up and was a little unsteady in that position.
Kuiper stood off to the side as Etienne spoke with the newly awakened Jana. "I've got this," he rummaged through his pack and came out with a potion vial. "There's only one draught left, but it might help out if no one has any healing magic left." He waited to see if anyone would take it before he continued.
Etienne took the vial Kuiper offered him, "Thank you, sir. I'll repay you some how." He unstoppered the vial and brought it Jana's lips. "Drink slowly." He watched her carefully, making she she didn't choke.
"From here, we could probably reach the spot where your glade is supposed to be within a day," Kuiper told them. "But I'm not sure where it is. Garyld told me that he suspected that the glade was called what it is because of glowing moss. I know of several spots that grow that type of moss, but I don't know which is the Gleaming Glade that's talked of. I've never had the guts to look for the place alone. I'm not one for ghost stories, anyway."
"You are badly hurt though, and I don't know how much healing you will have available. Will you be ready to face this priest if we travel directly there?" Kuiper asked. "Gala might be willing to help out with some healing if you think you can get to my farm. But it'll add time to the trip, and I don't think we can get to the farm and then the glade by the dark moon unless you can move now."
Etienne put his hand upon her chest and attempted to push her back down, "Jana, we can't go anywhere right now. We're in no shape to even attempt leaving here right now. I'm all out of healing and the rest of the group is in no better shape than you. If it weren't for Kuiper here we'd probably all be dead along the road. Then what good we be to Echo. Please....." He looked at her.
Jana pounded her fist on the ground again, her dark hair falling over her face. She pounded a couple more times, beating the dirt into submission.
Etienne pulled the hair away from her face, "We'll get there in time."
Jana hit the ground one last time in response to Etienne touching her hair. She rubbed her pounding hand with her other hand and stared off in the general direction of the Glade. Jana allowed Etienne to feed her the potion. She smiled slightly at Kuiper before her expression returned to one of impatience and frustration.
Etienne took his eyes off Jana briefly to look up at Kuiper," I doubt I alone can bring our party back to full strength by myself, sir. If this Gala, can help in the healing it would be a good plan to do so. How far is it to your farm? Jana's still very weak and we have those damn chests to lug everywhere also. I'm not sure how quickly we'll be able to travel."
Aloysius looked up momentarily from his book. "Forget not that the others are supposed to meet us at Kuiper's on the evening of the 28th. Assuming that they make it there in good shape, Rennirolas, Lasiar and Arachne may well be able to contribute their respective healing talents. If they do not make it by the 28th . . . .", the mage hesitated and glanced meekly in Jana's direction, "then we may as well slay one another as to proceed to the Glade with just this small group."
He began to refocus his attention to his writing. "Methinks it would be wise for us to push on as close to Kuiper's as we can today and await the others. Kuiper, dost thou have another steed with thee to assist us in transporting the chests?"
"I don't have a horse with me," Kuiper replied to Aloysius' inquiry. "If we push, we might be able to get to the farm tonight, but with the shape all of you are in, we'll probably have to make camp somewhere."
Etienne gave the potion to Jana. Although it returned a little of her color, she still looked very much like death warmed over.
Jana, feeling just slightly better, stood and walked shakily and slowly to her horse. She patted him then hugged him. Releasing him with a sad look on her face, she gestured at the chests then at the horse. Jana stood, half-leaning against her horse, tapping her fingers impatiently.
Aloysius looked on sympathetically as Jana hugged her horse. "Janathell, although realize do I that it shan't be much, Stargazer shall bear whatever burden he is able to. Thy steed has performed nobly and his hardships should be kept at a minimum."
He looked at the others. "Let us etablish a reasonable pace towards Kuiper's. If we have need of rest afore we arrive there, we shall simply have to take it. We should be able to arrive there by tomorrow night."
Jana tried to heft one of the saddle bags she'd been carrying while her horse toted the chests. She nearly fell over in the attempt. She punched her much-abused fist into her other hand in frustration. She looked over at Aloysius and managed a small smile at his offer. 'Thank you,' she mouthed at him, then winced in pain and brought her hand to her throat.
The mage approached Jana. "Janathell, thou art in no condition to bear such a burden. Let me try to carry yon bag." He looked it over, trying to determine its weight. "If carry it I can not, myhap I can simply drag it."
He looked at the rangers. "Mayhap another carrying construct is in order to aid Dammit's burden?"
