Alexi prayed. For Katherine's safety, for her skill to outshine that of her infernal opponent, for grace and mercy and everything else he dared hold the audacity to ask for. He begged favor from the Lord of all, groveled against the tree that was his only support and pleaded for what could have been moments or hours. Time faded away, lost amidst the flashes, crashes and cries of Katherine's fight, amidst the darkness and terror and hope it all might sometime end. He didn't care that it faded away, or perhaps he welcomed it. What did time matter, how long had passed or how much was left to pass? As long as they got out okay, time didn't matter.

Alexi's prayer never stopped. Not until the demon finally collapsed, and Katherine rose, laughing victory in the air.

Finally, at last, that the ever-merciful Lord abo-

"Katherine!"

Fear moved his legs then, though he might never find the strength to admit it. That what hope he had might vanish so soon after finally kindling to life was too much for the scribe to bear, sending him scrabbling to his escort's side. Where there more dents in her armor? It was dark, but little spots glowed... wrong, all over her form. Had the demon managed to injure her? He couldn't see any blood or- Her cheek! Where she had been cut before, had it been injured more? It seemed to glow as well, with some... liquid?

"Are you al- No, no why am I asking?" He wanted to smack himself, but instead bunched up the sleeve of his tunic in one hand. He used it to try and brush whatever he thought he saw from her cheek. Her eyes where closed, why were they closed? Breathing, she was breathing, though, that was good. He still couldn't tell what was wrong. Exhaustion? More? It was too [i]dark[/i]! The glowing spots seemed wrong, but how could he tell what he was doing- wait, what [i]was[/i] he doing? What practice did he have, treating injury? None. None!

[i]You've had practice carrying people home, though.[/i]

The simple thought cut through Alexi's crowded mind like the winter wind. Right. He could do some things, at least. There was fire at the camp, more light, more safety. He could do more there, not much, but [i]more[/i]. They had to get there first, where was [i]there[/i]? Could Katherine lead them? Could he support her? It probably wouldn't be any worse than Charles. At least she wouldn't be fighting him every step, right?

"Like dragging Charles home... right, right." Muttering helped, or seemed to help, or he was going mad. Alexi took Katherine's arm across his shoulders, and worked to help her stand, somehow succeeding. Right. That was done. Now for the next part. "Okay, okay, home... er... camp. Back the way we came... so... this way?"

He took tentative steps, moving simply [i]away[/i] from where the demon lay. It was as close to 'the way back' as he knew, so it would have to do for now. 

"Which way, do you know the way?" He tried craning his neck to see Katherine's face. Were her eyes open? Was she better? Worse? Dear lord, this was his fault wasn't it? "Sorry- I'm sorry Katherine. We'll get right back to camp, oh Lord I'm sorry."