One Of Our Best

Axel held tightly to Jonas in his arms. The burning sensation he felt against his skin told him that the arrow that had plunged through Jonas's back and into his chest was made of silver.

“Help!” Axel shouted, looking up the northern path. It hadn’t been that long since the group had gone to meet the Valkyrie. Someone had to hear him. “Help, damn it!”

“Hush, boy…”

“Jonas…” Axel whispered, focusing back on the man he held tightly.

Jonas took in a weak breath.

“I’m… here, pup,” he whispered. “Just a little short… of breath.”

He took in a wheezing breath and hissed at the pain.

“Would you… be so kind... as to remove that from... my back….”

“I don’t know if I should,” Axel said. Looking at the wound, the dark pooling of blood around it.

“We both… know… this is it,” Jonas said, patting Axel’s arm. “In or… out… I aint got much left….”