"If you can hang on for just five minutes, you'll walk the trail again." He looked up at Don.
"That was quick action," he said. "You may have saved our clan brother." He looked down at the torn place on the man's leg.
"A couple of more bites, and he'd surely be dead by now." He got to his feet.
"Whom do we have to thank?"
Don looked down at the path in apparent discomfort.
"I am Kalo," he said, "of the mountains."
The other's eyes clouded. "Oh," he said tonelessly. He looked down at his companion, then back at the dead animal.
"Well," he said slowly, "we are grateful, Clanless One. Go your way in peace. We will take care of our brother."
Don started to turn away. "I hope he——"
The other nodded curtly. "The gersal's poison is strong," he said. "But soon we shall see. May your way be safe." He turned back to his patient.