Isolde's breath caught in her throat as the woman in the coffin shoved the knife in her face with one hand and pulled her closer with the  other. What incredible strength she exhibited.<br/><br/>Rolling her eyes and straining away as best as she could, Isolde  hissed.<br/>"I am a healer and wish you no harm. Let me help you. If I die you will to for your flesh has started to putrify."<br/><br/>A knock sounded at the door.<br/><br/>"Let me answer it," she said, trying to sound calm and in control. "I have the only apothecary in the city and must be available to treat the wounds of all herein."<br/><br/>The knocked sounded again, only louder and more urgent.<br/><br/>"If I had wished you harm,I would have slaughtered you where you lay and not gone to the trouble of bringing you back with me." she explained. The pain in her scalp was nearly blinding.<br/><br/>The knocked sounded a third time, commanding with the resounding thuds racketing from the stone wall.<br/><br/>The hold on her loosened. Isolde didn't know if the woman had passed out again or if she was listening to reason, or that she was in such a weakened state that sustaining the pose was impossible. What she did know was that she was able to pull free and go to the door. Jerking it open, she found herself staring at an imposing shoulder, poised as if to crash through the door.<br/><br/>"Kind sir, you have come for healing?" she asked simply.<br/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br/>"Can you walk, kid?" the voice rumbled and Little Jimmy stared into the face he had dreamed of in the long dark nights. His hero, his rescuer, his hope. Some day, Jimmy dreamed, he would be just like Kell.