Caesar winced, hating how pained his brother looked with every movement he made. Concern knotted his stomach into something tight and ugly, and though he didn't really believe in revenge, he silently swore it against their unseen tormentors. No one deserved this kind of treatment.

Once Albert was relatively steady he began to walk, slowing his pace to one he hoped Albert could endure. He wanted to be back to their new home as much as soon as possible, but he also recognized the limits of his own strength. He simply wasn't strong enough to do more.

"Ha," he panted softly, easing Albert along the dirt path. "Time will do that to a person. You've still got a few inches on me, though."