[Isaac does not speak or cry out to alert Hector, his harsh life seemingly having taught him to suffer always in silence.
Hector meant to keep vigil this night. He sits propped against the cave wall near the entrance, his makeshift club within arm's reach. Without cloak and with the fire dying, he's shivering, but in spite of the discomfort and of his own resolve, he's fallen into a doze.
It's movement that stirs him back into wakefulness. A shift in the labored breathing across the cave, and the quiet struggle to prop himself up. Hector looks out beyond the cave, but neither sees nor senses a threat.
He pushes himself up straighter, and calls out in a whisper,]
Isaac, are you well? Keep still. I'll rekindle the fire.
[His own body is stiff and slow to respond. The chill and the uncomfortable position he's forced himself into are taking their toll. But he needs to move. It's not only himself he has to take care of now, and the weaknesses of his flesh do not excuse him of the responsibilities he has assumed.
Groaning, he flexes his fingers and toes, trying to will away the pins and needles as he crawls to the fire.]
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Hector meant to keep vigil this night. He sits propped against the cave wall near the entrance, his makeshift club within arm's reach. Without cloak and with the fire dying, he's shivering, but in spite of the discomfort and of his own resolve, he's fallen into a doze.
It's movement that stirs him back into wakefulness. A shift in the labored breathing across the cave, and the quiet struggle to prop himself up. Hector looks out beyond the cave, but neither sees nor senses a threat.
He pushes himself up straighter, and calls out in a whisper,]
Isaac, are you well? Keep still. I'll rekindle the fire.
[His own body is stiff and slow to respond. The chill and the uncomfortable position he's forced himself into are taking their toll. But he needs to move. It's not only himself he has to take care of now, and the weaknesses of his flesh do not excuse him of the responsibilities he has assumed.
Groaning, he flexes his fingers and toes, trying to will away the pins and needles as he crawls to the fire.]