Edvard makes a tough decision after Yuila’s fatal impulsiveness.
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"What's he doing?" Yuila asked, suddenly by Mina's side.
Mina only shook her head. They watched from the slope as Edvard stood at Sova's side for a moment and then went to the mare's saddle. He untied the cinch and gently pulled the saddle off, letting it drop a few feet away. He took the mare's bridle and lifted her head, then eased off the leather straps of the bridle. He put one hand on her neck near her whither and one to her nose, putting his hip above her injured leg, leaning into the animal. After a moment Sova dropped slowly to her side, with him still close, kneeling as she went down.
"Sapo?" Yuila's tone was shaking, choking. "What's he doing?"
"She's hurt, Yuila." Mina wasn't sure what Edvard was doing, but there seemed to be only one thing he could do.
"But, but she just tripped. Right? She just . . . " Yuila's mouth hung open.
Mina saw only the back of Edvard's shirt and the bulge of the horse's side from their distance up the slope. For a long moment he stroked the mare's neck, soothing and slow as she lay with her head outstretched on the ground, panting. He took the long knife from its holster at his side.
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