Redsand Canyon When I first saw you, the end was soon

There was so much blood… she looked at us and told us she thought she was dying...

His heart stopped for a few painful seconds. Was the matrona dead? Kallik couldn't even process that; his brain was frozen and foggy and refused to let the thought pass through it. 

But she continued to speak, stating she had stopped the bleeding. The matrona was alive but weak. 

He felt Aquene shift a little, and he lowered his gaze to meet hers. Of course she had been reminded of her mother; the matrona had almost died, or at least it seemed that way to him. He couldn't even imagine what all she must be feeling right now. I am sorry, he told her. He was desperate to do anything to help her, but he had no idea how. The legatus pulled her closer. What can I do? he asked. Anything.