Wild Berry Meadow ludus

She looked to him with mingled joy and relief, and gratitude shone in her every look. There was a fragility, now, to her mood. She was not used to being injured, much less being cared for. A desire to be close, to get some physical comfort from proximity, nearly overruled her common sense. Priorities. Shelter would come first, then if she still needed some soothing presence, she could burn that bridge when she came to it. So distracted was she by her pain and mood that she did not even mind the dubiousness of his statement. The shelter looked abandoned.

Starbuck shook her head. Not carried, though if I could lean on you it would be better for my leg, she said. Bravely, she staggered to her peets and looked to him, waiting for him to step closer.