McDowell Family/Kaylan McDowell/losing

Roleplay from Kaylan McDowell

After the battle in Dulbin, Kaylan rallied her men and left. Sitting atop Kennocha, she tried not to think of the men who had died on the field and silently prayed the injured would soon heal.

There seemed to be some commotion behind her, and she could hear some frantic talking and stopped her horse. Sliding off she approached and frowned. The healer was shaking his head and when he noticed her approach he averted his gaze.

“Is there a problem?”she asked with an air of command and he bowed. “My lady, he has lost too much blood. He will not survive the day. She looked at the soldier and her eyes saddened. It was Keiran and he was holding his chest where the bandage had been applied. An arrow had found its mark, impaling him through the upper chest. The healer had already told her it was much too close to his heart.

“I will be fine my Lady,” he said with a hoarse voice and a weak smile. His face had a pallid hue and she could see he was fading and fast. She couldn’t hide the pain in her eyes and tried to give him a comforting smile. He simply wouldn’t give up and she kneeled beside him, resting a reassuring hand on his chest. “I know Keiran, you were and still are very strong and brave.” His eyes filled with tears at her words and he moaned at the sting of his injury taking in a labored breath. “I just… want… to see her… one…more time,” he managed to say and coughed. The young love he had eventually managed to bring closer to his heart.

Swallowing at his words, she tried to add warmth to her smile. “You will, and she will rush at you with open arms...” she tried to hide the anguish from her voice and he smiled weakly. Before she knew it, he stopped breathing. Her face changed and she looked up at the healer who shook his head. Her eyes filled with tears and she brought her hand to her lips and brought it to his eyes, closing them. “May you see your beauty again and find peace on your way home,” she whispered and closed her eyes, bowing her head.

At that moment, the healer noticed her injured hand and kneeled beside her. “My Lady you’re hurt,” he said quickly and took her hand in his. “I’ll be fine, see to the rest of the men,” she snapped, pulling her arm away and rose. “Make sure you do everything in your power so I don’t lose another, understood? They need you more than I do.” The tone of her voice left no room for argument and he bowed in acquiescence.

Walking away, she closed her hand and shook the numbness from it. Already the bruise was a vivid purple running up her entire arm. She had no idea how she had gotten such an awful bruise and tried to pay it no mind. This type of injury had occurred before, where she simply couldn’t remember due to the rage making her see nothing but red. Like the rest of her bruises it would eventually heal, but her chest kept tightening to the point of suffocation. It was moments like these where she just wanted to go home...and forget.