Interphase by Kira Wilson, Jonathan Wilson Page A

dark hair away from his forehead. "You really are a stranger here, aren't you?"
    He opened his eyes and looked at her with a trusting gaze.
    "Why did you come back?"
    "To thank you for saving my life." David peered at his bandaged chest and smiled wanly. "Again."
    Analara blushed. He seemed to be making a habit of doing that to her. "You are welcome. Though I must admit that I would be happier to see you uninjured. Will you promise not to vanish and reappear again with fresh wounds?"
    David managed to laugh. "I hadn't meant to disappear, at least not without offering my thanks. It just… wasn't something I had control over."
    "But you do now?"
    "This time I wanted to come here."
    Something inside Analara's chest twisted. Guilt, perhaps, and worry. Rupu's warning echoed faintly in the back of her mind, but she put it aside. Glancing at the sky, she realized with surprise that it was getting very late. She had done what she could for David, but he needed better care to fully recover.
    "Do you think you can walk?"
    David shook himself from a light doze and blinked at her. "Pardon?"
    "I want to take you back to Ilinar. The night will be upon us soon, and that is when the eldranals begin their hunt. Besides, I can't tend these wounds properly out here."
    "Won't I just be more trouble for you?"
    "Far less trouble than you'll have if you dare the plains at night."
    Her tone must have made an impression, because David winced. "I don't think I have the strength to argue."
    Analara looped one of his arms over her shoulders and braced him around the back. "Come then. Lean against me."
    Slowly David rose to his feet. He assured Analara that he could walk on his own and picked up a fallen branch to steady himself. She struck the smoothest path she knew toward Ilinar, leading them out of the grove and into the grasslands beyond. The wind sighed around them, but Analara kept her ears tuned for any other predators that might take interest in the scent of David's blood.
    The grasslands gave way to scattered trees and the beginnings of cultivated fields. Returning to more civilized areas, Analara began to chat idly, but David only listened. She worriedly watched the lines of pain deepen in his face, the sweat beading his brow, and wondered how much strength it took him to keep to their brisk pace.
    The bandages soaked through, and blood started to leak down David's chest in thin rivulets. His face became a mask of grim determination, and Analara took his hand to steady him, making the occasional assurance that they were getting near.
    Analara turned them aside to avoid a steep hill, and as they circled around the side, the walls of the city came into view. David's hand quivered; she returned a squeeze. "We're almost there."
    The western gate drew near, but they didn't reach it. With a harsh moan David fell to his knees, clutching his chest. His breathing was fast and ragged. Analara wrapped her arms about him, but he was too tall for her to carry alone. He leaned against her, head resting on her shoulder.
    Analara heard footsteps running from the gate and looked up to see Sesh and Konnal. "We saw you coming up the path," Sesh explained. "What happened?"
    "Feranal attack," Analara said. "He is a friend."
    "I've never seen him before," Konnal said suspiciously. "Is he from Len?"
    "By the Sages, he's bleeding all over!" Sesh took David gently in his strong arms, lifting him off the ground. "Should I send for Nathalion?"
    "No, take him to Varlath. I can treat him at the house." Analara took one of David's hands. "David? Can you hear me? It will be all right now, you're safe."
    David managed to squeeze her hand once before his eyes rolled back, and he sank into darkness.
    ***
    David awoke surrounded by walls of stone. Slivers of light snuck in through a woven window-covering. The air inside the chamber was warm, and several fluffy cushions supported him. He was half tempted to drift back to sleep, when the sound of children's laughter made him open