Cynebur was never bold enough to embrace normal life, as that life held its perils her courage couldn't challenge. It started in early age, as she chose chores of her father then chores given by mother, running away from house to the open fields and horses.
Horses were always her great love, free and good friends, righteous in their being, just as she strived to be. With father she rode trough fields, caring for cattle and horses, sharing just few words with him, as others would not be needed. They understood each other.
Now snow was falling upon her as she was numbed from the pain, feeling life seeping out of her with every moment. Snowflakes touched her face, melted on the blood on her skin, black and red.
She saw faces, huntress and young rider over her, but soon all was dark, and no snow was falling upon her.
- - -
She screamed trough tears as healer was over her broken right arm, where meat was tore off the bone with maws of a Warg. Elderly healer said something and she could hear it only as echo.
- Hold her down! -
And woman pushed broken bone on its place, and for another time Cynebur was pulled in darkness.
- - -
Someone opened her eye, then another, yet she couldnt see the one, though she felt and heard words.
- If she lives this night, she will live, but i don't have hopes with her arm. -
Cynebur's throat was dry and even so many questions would ask she let out gargling sounds. Someone, an older woman, raised her head and leaned wooden cup on her lips, Sour and bitter was the content but she was pushed to drink all.
And restless sleep took her.
- - -
Night was when she woke up, elderly woman was sitting in chair by her side, sleeping with bowl in her lap. Cynebur moved her head up and her body was so full of pain she could just groan loudly unable to sustain at every move.
Warg..she remembered. Orc- riders.. Ambush..
Cynebur tried to get up a little and push herself up on the pillow. Groaning while pushing herself with left arm while right one was in layers of bandages that were though clean already red from blood.
Old woman woke up and stood up, smiling.
- Child, rest, don't move. - Old woman helped her settle better on the pillow and pulled covers neatly over her. Her kind eyes watched her with joy.
- What happened..- Cynebur asked painfully trough dry throat.
- You survived, child, though you you gave a blotgelt to Foldewyn for life she gave you back. - Old woman spoke and motioned toward her arm. Old woman turned her back as speaking further,
- Your family gave me four steeds for your life. And thus you are here, child. But you must rest, as sleep will cure broken bones well, just as your heart.-
- My heart..? - Cynebur asked weakly.
- Your arm will not get better, half dead and weak. I know you are woman of spear and shield. - Old woman said cautiously, as bringing cup to her, offering to drink.
Cynebur slurped the contents, again sour and bitter kind of tea, and sighed loudly.
Old woman gently passed with her hand over her hair with open pitty in her eyes.
- Your spear arm is ruined, child. - Old woman said simple.
And that words broke Cynebur's heart.
