“How does your leg feel, Tully?” you ask gently.
"I...I... can't walk on it," she responds, her pain-laced voice barely above a whisper.
"Rest tonight. Tomorrow, we can build a sled, pull you." Halpra says, her voice tight.
“It will slow everyone down. Pulling takes strength none of you can spare,” her sister replies.
“We’ll take turns…” Halpra responds, her voice cracking.
“I’ll stay here.” Tully says quietly, but firmly.
“No…. Tully.“
“Halpra. Send a rescue party back for me. I have to stay.”
Roth exchanges an uneasy look with you. All of you know that if you don't make it to Mossden, no one will find Tully in this cave.
You get to work applying a poultice to her injury, then wrap it tightly again with the bandage. You instruct her to chew some herbs, explaining they will help with pain. You tell her what sort of healing to expect, how to keep her wound from getting infected, the dosage of the herbs you are leaving with her. You are talking, talking, talking. To try to bring some soothing to both Tully and Halpra.
You finish and move to where Roth is settling for the night, his cloak wrapped tightly around him. He gives you a respectful nod. The sisters stay close to each other. The lanterns are blown out, and you sleep. It is a cold and uneasy night. You fitfully dream of snow streaming over the edge of a cliff, as long as the horizon, hissing like a snake.
The morning light is thin, cruel and sharp. Halpra rations the remaining food and water to her sister. You check Tully's leg, applying fresh herbs and bandages. Her eyes are red-rimmed and exhausted.
"See you soon," Roth gives Tully's arm a squeeze. She looks so small against the hulking gray stone of the cave wall. It's clear she's in pain. But she is calm, and when she speaks, her voice is steady.
"Thank you Tolo," she says simply. "And if it helps...I know I'm hurt...I know my chances. But I'm not afraid."
There is an enormous strength in Tully's gaze as she looks at you. And you marvel how, in many ways, shy Tully is just as tough as Halpra.
You and Roth wait outside the cave while Halpra says a private goodbye. After a few minutes, she emerges, wipes her eyes, and then roughly shoulders her pack.
“Let’s go,” she says shortly.