It was a bit after 11 as he crossed the bridge and turned up the road that would take him to the Red Dragon Inn. It had been a slow walk back to town. S'jira had dozed off to a fitful sleep as he carried her.
He entered the Dragon from a back door, pausing only briefly to speak with one of the stable hands. Making the arrangements for the other half of the promised gold to be sent southward. A description of Gracus and his men was given, along with a message of thanks and some extra gold for the tavern keep there.
Then up the rear staircase he went, taking her to his room. Somehow, with her still in his arms, he managed to pull back the covers and lay her in the bed without waking her.
As he stood there for a few moments, just looking down at her, he could only imagine the pain Gracus had inflicted on her in the short time she had been taken. He knew there were wounds that would need attention, but for now, if she was able to sleep he figured it best to let her.
He could use some himself, he though, as he moved to the large arm-chair near the foot of the bed. He turned it from it's usual position facing the window so it faced the bed and slumped down in to it. After a moment of trying to get comfortable, he reached behind his back and pulled the large knife from it's sheath and dropped it to the floor beside the chair before settling back again.
He sat there, watching her. Watching the slight rise and fall of her chest with each breath. It was not sounding as bad as it had last night. Hopefully the ribs, if any were broke, would heal ok.
He was relieved that he was able to return without anyone getting hurt. Not that he had not wanted to tear into everyone in that camp....but the risk of S'jira getting hurt, or worse, was too great. He knew Gracus, or at least his type. He doubted this was the last he would hear of him. It may be a while, but he was sure he would get an opportunity to turn the tables on him at some point.
His gaze stayed on her, watching her, until they finally drifted closed and he too got some much needed rest.
He entered the Dragon from a back door, pausing only briefly to speak with one of the stable hands. Making the arrangements for the other half of the promised gold to be sent southward. A description of Gracus and his men was given, along with a message of thanks and some extra gold for the tavern keep there.
Then up the rear staircase he went, taking her to his room. Somehow, with her still in his arms, he managed to pull back the covers and lay her in the bed without waking her.
As he stood there for a few moments, just looking down at her, he could only imagine the pain Gracus had inflicted on her in the short time she had been taken. He knew there were wounds that would need attention, but for now, if she was able to sleep he figured it best to let her.
He could use some himself, he though, as he moved to the large arm-chair near the foot of the bed. He turned it from it's usual position facing the window so it faced the bed and slumped down in to it. After a moment of trying to get comfortable, he reached behind his back and pulled the large knife from it's sheath and dropped it to the floor beside the chair before settling back again.
He sat there, watching her. Watching the slight rise and fall of her chest with each breath. It was not sounding as bad as it had last night. Hopefully the ribs, if any were broke, would heal ok.
He was relieved that he was able to return without anyone getting hurt. Not that he had not wanted to tear into everyone in that camp....but the risk of S'jira getting hurt, or worse, was too great. He knew Gracus, or at least his type. He doubted this was the last he would hear of him. It may be a while, but he was sure he would get an opportunity to turn the tables on him at some point.
His gaze stayed on her, watching her, until they finally drifted closed and he too got some much needed rest.