Chapter 5

“Lay still,” Gordon ordered, speaking with a growl in his tone. “I’ll help ya in a minute.” He mixed the soup, stirred it a few times, and turned to Bard. With one arm, he raised Bard’s shoulders from the pallet and held him, while bringing the cup to his mouth with the other. “Just sip until we make sure you can keep it down.”

Bard nodded his acquiescence before he took one cautious sip and then another. The warm broth felt good, soothing, and heating as it slid down his throat. He felt the warmth spread as he took more, as it began to puddle in his stomach and warm him from the inside out. Another warmth spread from the solid support of Gordon’s arm behind his back. Too soon the cup was empty and both comforts were withdrawn at the same time. He felt abandoned and bereft, as if the cold were overtaking him again. “Don’t go…”

Gordon flashed him a look, half exasperation and half something else, something Bard didn’t dare try to decipher.