The sky had only just darkened when the rest of the cowboys came to camp. Already the fire was going with dinner roasting wonderfully over it. As Daríus tended the food, he lifted his head to greet the men as they wandered over, sniffing hard at the delicious aroma that they were greeted with.
"My my that is a mighty fine smell!" remarked Dave as he took out his meal tray. He was flanked by Bill and Tommy, who eagerly clammored for a better position, nearly tripping over Árin as he slept underneath his blanket on his bedroll.
"What the devil… how’s he asleep?" asked Bill, gazing back at Árin who hadn’t at all been disturbed by the events.
"Oh you know, he’s had a long day," replied Daríus without looking away from the food.
"The day aint exactly over and he’s already asleep? You expecting him to actually make a good ranch hand?"
"Give him a break, he’s had a rough time of it today."
"Yeah, Bill," Tommy agreed, patting the man on the back as he sat down next to him. "He’s only a kid."
"Kid? He’s seventeen. He’s practically a man."
Daríus lifted his gaze and peered at the rough-beared man with hard eyes and long, tawny hair. In a calm, drawn out voice, Daríus said, “He was bit by a water moccasin, remember? Not everyone can withstand getting bitten by one of those things and hobble on like everything’s okay.”
"Yeah well when I was thirteen I got my foot stood on by a cow an’ that didn’t slow me down or anything."
"Sure it did!" Tommy laughed and shook his head. "I remember you hollerin’ real good for about a week or two, foot all in bandages and making us get things for you. Yeah you sure were an inspiration to us all."
As Daríus and Dave snickered in amusement at this revelation, Bill shot his friend a loathing scowl and hissed, “All right you pack of coyotes jus’ ‘cause that happened doesn’t mean that the kid has to have it easy. This isn’t some city, this is the open territory. One false step could mean your death and what a grisly, foul-fated, bloody and—”
"He gets it," Daríus interjected with a gentle raise of his voice and a warning glare from his vivid blue eyes. "And you’ll see, he’s tough all right. I know it."
Daríus got up, leaving the food in Tommy’s care as he went over to Árin, who had rolled onto his side so his back was facing everyone. As he put his hand on Árin’s shoulder, Bill was heard to say, “He better be. It gets mighty interesting from here on out.”
"I know," Árin whispered fiercely, opening his eyes and gazing angrily at the horizon. "I’m not an idiot."
"Don’t let ol’ Bill get to you. He means well, at least I think he does. You got bit by a poisonous snake and yeah, it’ll affect you more than the others. Hell if it had been me I’d be right where you are."
"No you wouldn’t. You’re way tougher than me."
Daríus grinned at his young friend and let his head fall back some as he laughed, “N’aw I wouldn’t go so far to say that. I might be twice your age but I’m nowhere near strong yet as far as my water talent is concerned. Now, your leg is healing just fine and tomorrow you’ll be fit to ride. The only reason you’re tired is that your body was working real hard to get rid of that poison.”
The glare remained as Árin’s determination set in. “I hate being weak.”
Daríus bent down and wrapped an arm around Árin’s chest, holding him for a brief moment as he lay his head against his arm. “You’re anything but weak, Árin. We are all flesh and blood though, and each of us has things that can hinder us, but we don’t let it slow us down. Please, don’t beat yourself up over this. You’ll be far more rested than any of them and it’ll show.”
Árin clasped Daríus’ hand and held tight to him, finally relinquishing his melancholic thoughts. “I just don’t want to let you down.”
"You won’t." Daríus smiled and nudged Árin’s shoulder with his head, remarking playfully, "It was that damn snake that let me down!"
Árin laughed and rolled onto his back, pushing Daríus away and grinning brightly. He was back now in spirit and soon his health.
dailybridgerton
andulkaphoto
snowghoul
germansingergirl
prguitarman
baratheonpilled
