"We can discuss that later," Simon said, addressing the woman's previous query about me, and his voice clung to helplessness. "Help me get him somewhere safe. He's bleeding a lot. I-I need to take care of him."
The woman's opposition rumbled low in her throat, but her voice was neutral when it reached my ears. "There isn't anywhere safe in this forest. It's overrun by soldiers. Elves, too. Whatever you need to do has to be done here. We should try not to stay in one area for too long."
I felt Simon bristle, likely prepared to argue that this place was too exposed for him to tend to me, but I only lifted my head and reached for the combat knife the woman had previously offered me. Then I met Simon's anxiety-rimmed gaze with blurry vision of my own.
"Bullets in my shoulder," I managed weakly. "Take them out… Please."
