Dragons of the Watch - Donita K. Paul [52]
He untied the first bandage, placed a square on the seeping blood and applied pressure. When that cloth soaked through, he added another on top and held it firmly, hoping to stop the flow.
He shifted his position, wondering how to sit amid the debris. What should he be doing to ensure Ellie’s recovery? No medic roamed the streets of Rumbard City. King Yellat had provided many medics in the last war. He’d done that one thing right. The old ruler had not been a competent leader in time of war. But one shouldn’t speak ill of the dead.
Bealomondore closed his eyes tightly. “Oh, Wulder, I could use some help right about now. Laddin would be the best dragon to send, but of course, You know that.”
Tak sprang to his feet and ran for the back entrance.
“Did that goat just leave to get the dragons?” he asked. “Impossible.”
Ellie groaned. A bloody stain spread beneath his hand. He added another piece of pretty linen and reapplied pressure.
Tak had not been gone a minute before Bealomondore heard him coming back in. The goat crunched through the broken glass. Behind and above him flew Airon.
Bealomondore breathed deeply. “Airon, do you know where Laddin is? Can you get him here quickly?”
The tumanhofer heard no reassurance in his mind, but Airon took off on the mission. Help would come. It was just a matter of time.
Tak sat down on the shards of broken glass again.
“You’re going to get cut.” Bealomondore also sat down, carefully. He put Ellie’s injured wrist on his leg. “We have to keep this elevated. Wound higher than the heart.” He glanced at the goat and caught the animal’s intense gaze. “You’re listening to me, aren’t you? I wonder how much you understand.”
“Maa!”
“That much, huh?” Bealomondore used the back of his free hand to itch his nose. “I think it’s the smell of blood. My nose gave me lots of trouble on the battlefield. Of course, I only noticed it in the brief moments of respite.”
He looked down at Ellie’s face. “She looks too pale. With that dark tan it’s hard to tell, but she looks pasty.”
“Maa.”
“You think so too? Well, don’t worry. As soon as Laddin gets here, she’ll start healing so fast, you won’t believe it.”
She stirred. He stroked wisps of fine black hair away from her face. “Ellie, can you hear me? You’re going to be all right.”
Her eyes didn’t open, but her lips curved just a tad. “You’re talking to Tak.”
Bealomondore jerked a little but not enough to let go of the hand he held while applying pressure to the wound. He added another square.
Ellie breathed a little deeper. “Don’t feel silly. I talk to him all the time.”
“He’s kept up the conversation better than you. You’ve offered no opinions for almost half an hour. You’re going to be all right. Airon has been here, and she’s gone to get the healing dragon, Laddin.”
She licked her lips. Her eyes remained closed, and she grimaced.
“Are you in a lot of pain?” he asked.
“There’s a piece of glass sticking into my shoulder, right side.”
Bealomondore tried to see from his position but immediately knew he would have to move. “I’m going to put a tourniquet on this wound so I can clear some of the glass and see what other wounds we should be tending. I don’t think there are any other big cuts. I looked you over as soon as I got to you.”
She barely nodded her head.
He used a longer towel, tore a strip off of it, and bound yet another clean square to the top of the stack protecting her wound. He rolled up his jacket and propped her arm up. Standing cautiously so he wouldn’t shower the broken shards clinging to his clothes on his patient, Bealomondore kept an eye on Ellie. Her color still bothered him.
“Wulder, send help. Quickly.”
He got out the broom and dustpan he’d spotted in the pantry earlier. Ellie remained still. Heat from