Knowing Blade

Chapter 5

"Goddamnit," Noras muttered when he was once more sure he was still standing. He gave himself a moment to catch his breath again, then tried to haul the limp body by his side a little higher. It was difficult, though, and he let out a few more curses before venturing to take another step.

Daynar was no lightweight, and when he didn't as much as lift a finger to cooperate, he felt heavy as a horse. Whose bloody idea had it been to get the ever aloof youngster properly drunk for once? Noras wasn't quite sure, but he suspected that he might've initially been in favor of it.

It sure didn't seem like such a clever move any more, now that he was just about carrying Daynar towards the sleeping quarters. A good jab in the ribs just might've done something to wake the boy up, but Noras didn't have any arms free to do it. Daynar's head lolled against his shoulder and Noras let out a few more curses.

"C'mon, kid," he hissed, "try to remember how to use your legs!"

Daynar mumbled something unintelligible. Noras groaned.

"Right, that does it!"

He changed direction, dragged the youngster towards the castle well and pushed him to sit on the stone steps surrounding it.

Someone had left a half-full bucket on the brink. For a moment Noras contemplated pouring its contents on his drunken companion, then pressed his lips together and just scooped some water from the bucket. His breath was misting slightly; he didn't want the lad to catch his death.

"Here, drink this."

Daynar's head snapped up. He needed a moment to focus, then looked blearily up at Noras. "What?"

"Drink this," Noras said with emphasis and pushed the scoop into Daynar's shaking hands. "Water. Drink it."

Daynar managed to take several gulps without spilling all of the water over himself, then took a few unsteady breaths. Noras recognized the signs and stepped closer, just in time to support him so that he didn't roll down from the stone seat as he retched out the entire contents of his stomach.

Daynar heaved for a good while, then sat on the bench leaning elbows on knees, head hanging. Noras sat down next to him.

"Feeling better?"

"Dunno."

Noras sighed. "I'll give you a moment, and then you'd better try and remember how to walk again. I'm not going to carry you any further, just so you know."

Daynar slumped even lower, swaying slightly, and didn't reply.

"Hey," Noras poked him. "Don't fall asleep there."

"'Mnotasleep."

"Sure you aren't."

A raucous burst of laughter carried from the Soldiers' Hall, almost completely muffled by the heavy door. Noras could hear the stomp of a hoof and the clank of a bucket from the stables on the other side. The horses were dozing off, clever animals.

He yawned. It really was miraculously quiet out here.

"Let's get going," he decided and stood up. "Daynar, get up now."

This time he didn't have to do all the work alone; even if the kid was still leaning against him, one arm around Noras' neck, at least he was making an effort to move one foot in front of the other. Noras sure appreciated it, and they managed to get all the way to the last corridor outside their sleeping quarters before Daynar mis-stepped badly enough to make Noras trip and stumble.

"Fuck!"

The wall was close enough to catch them before they ended up in a heap on the floor, but not quite close enough. Noras' arm went limp when his shoulder hit against stone, the other one reflexively grabbed Daynar by the waist in an attempt to keep them both upright.

"Fuck..." For a moment Noras saw nothing but bright stars. He tried to shake the youngster still hanging on to him. "Hey, did you hit your head or what?"

"No..." Daynar clawed a hold of his shoulder, mercifully the unhurt one, and ineffectually pulled himself up. He looked up into Noras' face with slightly glassy eyes. "You – are you all right?"

"I suppose," Noras ground out, then swallowed. A bright stab of pain through his shoulder pushed away the momentary numbness, and then he realized something else. He was standing with his back to the wall, Daynar still leaning against him, or rather draped all over him, their bodies were molded together nearly from chest to feet, and what the hell was it that he could feel on his thigh, even through both of their clothes?

Daynar blinked and pressed closer, arms tightening around his neck.

"Daynar," Noras said sharply. "You need to get to bed, now."

"I'm all right."

"Sure, but you still need to sleep." Noras shook some sensation back into his arm, then pushed himself away from the wall. To his horror, the arms just fell around his waist and the kid was all but rubbing against him. He grabbed Daynar's shoulders and forced him to stand on his own feet.

"Walk," he commanded. "Damnit, start walking!"

He had to get Daynar to bed, the sooner the better, and luckily the straightforward command seemed to work. He only needed to make sure that the kid walked in the right direction, and pretty soon they reached the sleeping hall. It was empty, and Noras offered quiet thanks to whatever higher powers might be listening at such a late hour, then pushed Daynar into the correct bunk bed.

Daynar was already more than half asleep before his head even hit the pillow. Jaw tight, Noras removed his doublet and boots, pulled a blanket over him and fumbled his way out of the room as quickly as he could.