"What's going to happen?" Rynere whispered, not moving an inch.

"What always happens." Tace took another step closer to the creature, placing himself between it and Rynere.

"What's that?"

"Oh, well, you know, it attacks Danid, you bandage him up and nurse him back to health. By then we'll be back at the palace, and you'll marry and live happily ever after. It happens every time."

"Why isn't it attacking you?" Kyndran muttered. "You're moving, you're talking, and yet it's not looking at you like dinner. I don't think it's as dangerous as you're making it out to be."

"It can see in the dark. It can tell that I don't have as much meat on my bones as you or Danid."

"Aren't you going to kill it?"

"That thing is small and fast. And it's dark out here. There's very little chance I'd actually hit it. And if I tried to attack, it would change it's target and head for me."

"How self-sacrificing," Kyndran said under his breath.

"I'm protecting the lady. Which I noticed you didn't step forward to do -Danid!"

Whatever the creature was, it had attacked.

What Tace did next was decidedly unsafe. In the dark, with no indication of where the kekaila ended and Danid began, he brought his knife down. In a moment, he had shoved the lifeless creature off of Danid and was telling Kyndran to light a torch.

Rynere still hadn't moved when Tace turned to her.

"Are you waiting for something?"

"What am I supposed to do?"

"In the pack Kyndran's carrying, there's a supply of bandages. Take some out and wrap up Danid's neck. He's not able to talk, but I'm sure you'll have his thanks."

By the light of the torch Kyndran held nearby, Rynere could see the creature -just as Tace had described -and what it had done. It was amazing that the kekaila had missed the important veins, nerves, breathing tubes -but it was bloody. A mess. Rynere felt sick. And she had no idea what to do.

"Wrap the bandage around the wound," Tace said. "That's all. He's not going to heal quickly -that rarely happens -but at least he'll stay alive."

"Small comfort," Rynere said through clenched teeth as she followed his instructions.

"At least it's some. We're going to stop at an inn tonight ...a little out-of-the-way place, but it'll do. The prince here needs some actual rest -"

"And we don't?" Kyndran interrupted angrily.

"Sure you do," Tace shrugged, them smirked. "But I'd say Danid needs it a little bit more, don't you?"

"Who would build an inn out here?" Rynere said, rather distracted.

Tace grinned.

"You'll find out."