642 Vows & Promises

RETH

Aymora looked at Elia on the furs and her face dragged for the floor. "If we try to save her, it will take longer to get the cub out. I'm not even sure I have the skill-"

"Aymora, why would you fight me on this? Why won't you TRY?!"

Aymora's face went hard. "Reth, I promised her I would save Elreth. That if it came to this, I wouldn't risk the cub trying to save her. You ask me to risk breaking my vow to my dying daughter!"

"No, I'm asking you to help me save Elia. If we save her, we save Elreth! She was cut before, and we saved her. She healed—"

"That was different! She wasn't so weak—and she wasn't already bleeding. And we didn't have a cub to save as well!" Aymora's face was grim, but she dropped her voice, softening. "Reth, if this goes wrong it could kill you too. We need you—especially if we lose Elia… She knew this moment would come, Reth. She chose Elreth's life over her own. She made me promise—"