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Zell couldn't kneel properly, so he subconciously ended up sitting down next to James as his eyes went from the Cleric's wounds to the Cleric's eyes, to the Cleric's wounds to the Cleric's eyes.

The pain pulsing in his left leg couldn't supercede his worry.  Nor could the rain.  Nor could the voice of the randomer who appeared at the top of the steps and promised to go get help from the village.  In fact; not even James' nasty stab wounds could take Zell's full attention.  There was something wrong with his best friend.  James was so far in his own head, he didn't even seem to notice that Zell was sat right there.  The Englishman rubbed his mouth, his eyebrows knitted together in an emotion somewhere between concern and fear, his instincts screaming that this was not normal.

"Bro?" he said quietly.  No answer.

"Is everyone okay?"

Zell turned his head partway toward Adam, but his eyes remained on James.  He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out - he wasn't sure what to say - however, MacKensie spoke up.

[Colour=Pink]"No,"[/colour] That word managed to get Zell out of his trance of worry - [i]Damn.  Who else is hurt?[/i] - and when he saw her coming over, he slowly managed to stand, wobbling as he tried to keep his weight off his left foot. [Colour=Pink]"Clive, Barracker... Please, help Fenna... and Adam..."[/colour]

Zell tried to help with James but MacKensie was handling it perfectly fine without him.  Once James was up, Zell left MacKensie to it, looking around to see that Barracker had Fenna covered and Clive was following them to the shelter.  Zell filled in the gaps and went to give Adam a hand.  As Zell limped over, he could see the the Druid had already been patched up during the battle. [i]James' handiwork,[/i] Zell guessed.  He offered a hand to the younger man and, once it was taken, he put all his weight on his good foot and pulled Adam up to his feet.

"You look rough as a bear's arse, mate;" an old English saying that fit rather well after Adam's previous show of shapeshifting power.  Zell laughed through his fatigue, trying to tease at least a smile out of his comrade as he snuck an arm under Adam's and put a stablizing hand on the Druid's back as they walked, making sure he made it to the shelter without falling to any dizzy spells or anything.  Adam looked like he'd been in a 12-rounder with Mike Tyson.  "Bloody good stuff, out there, mate.  You were a force to be reckoned with."

He gave Adam a pat on the back as they reached the shelter, then went around and gave a show of comradery to everyone, individually.  "Nice fighting out there... good job, mate... you too, Sil... well played... well played... nice one."

He was about to ease himself into a seat, but when MacKensie started on Clive, he paused and looked at the dead man walking.  "Jeez! Yeah, what the hell?" he joined in, rubbing the back of his head with a laugh.  He was so fatigued he'd almost forgot that Clive had just [i]casually[/i] slipped back into the fold.  Clive's explanation was sparse.  It raised quite a few questions too.  Robed figures?  It seemed they were being tracked all over the place.  Zigmund proved they were being chased down from the moment they landed in this world.  The Tin Can had also proved that they [i]could[/i] be tracked.  Easily too.  Within twenty-four hours of leaving Hommas.  Within twenty-four hours of leaving Valhiem.  Not good.  MacKensie and Joji had buried Clive on a random hill, but even his [i]grave[/i] had been gotten to.

[i]Zigmund's dead now.  Who will be next?[/i]

"[color=F1B338]Didn't quite understand how or why them strangers gave me life but I swore I'd do all in my power to protect you all, a right good job I did.[/color]" the southerner looked down shaking his head with a sigh.

Zell looked suspiciously at his Source Crystal, once more remembering the voice of Lucy Bottrill explaining about Source Codes and Source Crystals. [i] What the hell is going on here!?[/i] a thought raged as he closed his fist.  So many questions.  It was hard to even out his temper with all the pain and exhaustion, but he managed it.  [i]One thing at a time, lad.  We patch up. Maybe get some [b]actual[/b] undisturbed rest.  Hopefully James has snapped out of it by then.  Then we hit Valhiem.  Hospital.  Guildhouse.  Source Comm.  At least a few answers, surely.  Maybe have time for a couple of beers.  Calm down, Zell.[/i]

"[color=F1B338]No use moping about it...I'm just glad ya'll are alright.[/color]" a warm smile returned to Clive's face, he laughed loud and Zell used the positive energy to force a jolly demeanour.

"Ha!" He threw an arm over Clive's shoulder and gave the man a little hug.  "Glad to have you back, mate. I ain't ashamed to say I missed you and that accent of yours."

Now he sat down, stretching his neck to one side and then the other.  He snuck a peek at James to see how the man was doing, then looked out into the rain as they waited for aid from the villagers.

"I hope they bring some food, I could eat a horse."

What a fucking morning.