"You will not leave me alone in this world." She pressed the words tight through clenched teeth.

Boots sinking into the wet, muddy earth as she shouldered the bulk of his weight. Half-dragging him towards the nag of well-ridden courser tied to a fat oak on the borders of their camp. The chance it would fall dead before either of them was evident in the low bend to its back and how it hung its head, but damned if Briar wouldn't will it to make at least half the journey necessary to keep Alistair breathing.

"We never let ourselves sacrifice so much that I should let it end here." Her voice was hoarse, desperate as she all but muscled Alistair foot-first into the well worn iron stirrup with her legs bowing under his weight. All of even her impressive strength going into the slim chance of his salvation.

"Not like this."