Nothing? Oh, no. This had proven all too well that plenty of things could tear them apart--not emotionally, bit physically, vitally. He didn't say it, though. There was no point. He had her back, and for now that could be enough. He nodded when she asked for help, and sat up to retrieve the bandages. After a moment he went into his belt and pulled out a few leaves, dry and half-crumbling, which he held in one hand as he reached for his knife with the other. "Luke!"<br/><br/>Carson began to carefully cut away the old bandage as Luke came to answer. "Get me a bowl, put some water in it--not much, maybe a quarter full, a bit less. Quicklike." He peeled the bloody bandage off and grimaced at the sight of her torso, still flushed red and purple. She had begun to heal, but slowly, and clearly hadn't been patient with it. Time to turn that around. When Luke returned with the bowl Carson thanked him, then took it and dumped the leaves into it. First he used a little dab of water on a bit of bandage and carefully wiped the blood away from her wound, then used the round butt of his knife to mash the leaves down, grinding them to dust. The leaves mixed with the water, and before long he had a thick green paste in the bowl. Once he was satisfied he set the knife down and leaned over her to carefully smear the paste over the injury, using two fingers and a feather touch. "This will help keep it closed," he told her as he worked, "and should numb some of the lesser aches and pains. Normally I'd stitch something like this shut, but I don't have the tools on me."<br/><br/>Once he'd got the poultice set he had her sit upright, helping her with a touch to her back, and slowly wrapped the bandages around her middle. He wound them good and careful, not too tight but firm around her skin, and a small piece of tape served to secure the end once he was done. He lay her back down and put everything away, then handed Luke the bowl. "Bring us water, please. A pitcher and cups if you have them." As the Strider left, Carson lay back next to her, taking her hand in his, entwining their fingers. "I have to get you back to Central as soon as I can," he murmured.