Stolen Lives: A LitRPG/GameLit Novel (The Underhill Chronicles Book 1) Keith Ahrens (best e reader for epub txt) 📖

“So, we can't even really be sure of who killed Sylvia,” Olivia states. “We only know someone in one of those wagons did it, with help, of course.”

“Okay, this doesn't change much yet. Let’s get our wagons off the road. I want you guys to lay low until Jesse and I get back. We're going ahead to do some recon. It’s just a quick look, so if you hear gunshots, then shit has gone sideways. If we don't return by sundown, fall back deeper into the woods, cold camp only, no fires. If we're not here by morning, then assume we're dead, and you're on your own.” Haynes stays silent for a few moments, looking at each of us. Then he nods to Jesse, and they turn to their horses and ride off back toward the lake.

“Good luck! And be careful!” Grayson calls after them.

We get the wagons off the road into a convenient grove of willow trees. This might fool a casual passerby, but certainly not someone looking for us. Better than nothing, I guess. The others set to work gathering branches and leaves, anything to help camouflage the wagons.

I climb back into the wagon and wait a moment for my eyes to adjust to the gloom. Jimmy's still asleep; thank you, morphine, but Thorn is up and waiting for me.

“Caleb, Nian is worse. Every bounce and jostle of the accursed wagon digs that arrowhead deeper in, slicing more vital organs. We have to act soon, lest we lose him completely,” Thorn says without preamble. Not one for small talk, but at least she didn't call me 'Stupid One' again.

“I don't know, Thorn. I've seen things like this done, but I've never done anything like this before. Maybe if we wait—”

“Wait for what? Until we pass the gate? Maybe take him to one of your human physickers? What do you think they'll do with a half-man, half-dog creature?”

“Physicians,” I correct her absently. “Shit. I guess you're right. Let’s get some help to move him outside where there's at least some light.”

I call Grayson and Thirax over and try to explain what we are planning on doing. The Berserker looks uneasy about our plan.

“Um, not to be a jerk, but are you sure you two can do this? I'm not a doctor or nothing, but neither are you. This sure sounds like major surgery to me,” he says.

I don't reply for a minute, attempting to gather my thoughts before they suddenly pour out undeservedly in a flood of fear and frustration on Grayson, “Nope, not sure at all. But what we do know is, he'll die if we don't do anything. If we just heal him, that arrowhead will just tear his insides up all over again, and he dies anyway. If we try to remove the arrow... I can't tell you the outcome at all. And the possibility of him not surviving is staggeringly high no matter what we do or don't do. So, no, I'm not sure. Hell, I sure as fuck don't want to do this… to be responsible for this, but we're not exactly spoiled for choices now, are we?” My voice is harsh as I draw in a ragged breath and run a hand through my matted hair.

“Whoa, calm down, Caleb. I was just asking.”

“Shit. I'm sorry, man. That wasn't meant for you.”

He claps a large hand on my shoulder. “Don't worry, Doc, it’s already forgotten.” Grayson smiles at me, and I notice for the first time that some of his teeth are broken off and missing.

“He will die, or he won't. The pack will be stronger, or it will mourn his howl. You must make the attempt, Human. Do this for the pack, Elf.” Thirax nods to both of us. Then he and Grayson move Nian onto a blanket and carry him outside and lay him down in a small patch of muted sunshine.

“I wish we had more time to prepare. I am near exhaustion. Do you still have any healing stones left?” Thorn asks in a low voice so the others can’t hear.

I shake my head no. She sighs and gives me a look of disappointment. Then she squares her shoulders, takes a deep breath, and nods to me.

I look around. “Miles, go to other wagon and start tearing any thick cloth you can find into small bandages. Try to get white or light-colored cloth. Des, I need you to hold this penlight and point it where I direct you in case we need more light.”

I open my small trauma kit and take out what little gauze pads and bandages I have and set them next to Nian. Next, I pull out a small scalpel and two hemostats. Usually, we use these things for cutting and clamping umbilical cords during an emergency childbirth, but I guess they'll work just fine for this.

“Thorn, I need you to keep him unconscious and stop any bleeding as we go. Can you do both at the same time?”

“I… I think so, but not for long. We must be quick.”

I look at her skeptically. “I'll try, but the faster I go, the more bleeding there will be…”

Without further discussion, Thorn begins a light, rhythmic chant as she puts her hand on Nian's forehead. I remove his armor and the padding underneath. It's saturated with blood and sticks to the wound. I see the nub of wood from the arrow's shaft just about even with his skin. I have to assume the arrow continued to spin as it entered his body, so I'm going to have to open up the area around the wound a bit to make room for the arrowhead to get pulled out.

“Des, keep an eye on his Hit Points." I make sure Nian's arm is turned up so he can easily see his stats. "Let me know if they start to get low.”

I take a deep breath and tighten