Did we just die and not notice?' Alfyn exclaimed, beating a fist against his chest dramatically.
'What now?' Therion scowled at his companion 'I swear Alf, you're so random sometimes.'
Alfyn grinned and motioned enthusiastically back down the road they had just travelled. 'Look there, seems we're being followed by a Valkyrie and an Angel. Shucks, I sure hope they're our heavenly reward - I will be one happy corpse!'
Therion peered at the two women striding towards them. For once Alf hadn't been exaggerating. The taller woman moved confidently, her fur-clad figure solid and fluid, plaited hair bouncing at her firm step. Beside her the slight and graceful blonde should have been dwarfed but her gentle beauty shone even from a distance. Her ash staff and white robe marked her role.
'A Cleric.' Therion muttered darkly, already moving back from the roadside, and heading towards the tree-line.
'Whoa, Therion - where you going mate?' Alfyn got to his feet to stare at the rapidly retreating thief.
'Anywhere that's not here. I'm not overly fond of religious types.'
'Awww. Okay.' Alf took a last regretful glance at the women, slung his satchel over his shoulder and started to follow Therion away from the road.
Muttering to himself Therion swathed through tall grass, not bothering to check if his companion was behind him. Sure, life was too short to hold on to grudges - but he would make an exception in the case of the bloody Order of the Sacred Flame. Stupid to wander this close to Flamesgrace. He should have know better.
Overwhelmed by his bitterness, Therion's keen awareness of his surroundings were slack. The first warning that something was amiss came from Alfyn's startled yelp of alarm.
Therion whipped his head up just as something large and heavy bowled into him at ferocious speed knocking him clean off his feet and tumbling him down into the mud on his back. There was a metallic crack followed by an ear-splitting bestial yowl that ripped into the air then an almost heartbreaking whimper.
Despite being winded and confused, Therion's survival instincts kicked in hard and he rolled quickly onto his belly a dagger in his hand and peered out over the grass. His mind could made little sense of what he saw.
A huge snow leopard lay prone on the ground close to where he had fallen with one of its hind legs caught in a iron trap - a trap situated just where Therion had himself been about to step before he'd been diverted by the beast.
The tall woman was sprinting towards him, a bow in her hand and murder in her flinty eyes. The Cleric with her robe held up nearly to her knee's in her attempt to keep pace with her companion was failing miserably at restraining her friend but gamely continuing to try.
Alfyn stepped in front of Therion but was simply brushed aside by the Valkyrie as if he was a particularly annoying fly.
'What hast thou done!' The woman shrieked at Therion, bringing the point of her notched arrow almost to his nose.
'H'aanit - Peace!' The Cleric was breathing hard but her tone was firm 'If Linde had been attacking the young man he would be in ribbons by now. I think perhaps she knocked him away from the trap.'
'Thou art mad, she knowes him not - why wouldst she?' H'aanit's hand had started to tremble with emotion then finally with a growl she eased her bow back and the arrow away. Her attention switched to the leopard. A small cry escaped her throat and she threw herself at the cat gathering its huge head into her arms.
The Cleric got down on her knees next to the trap and started to examine it. Alfyn moved to join her. 'It has a lock..' she said. 'See it - just there. I don't think we are going to be able to release it and free the leg unless the trap owner happens by. This is not good.' The young woman motioned for H'aanit to keep the cat still as she removed her gloves and gently examined where the trap had closed its jaws.
'Not much blood,' Alfyn noted, reaching into his satchel. 'At least nothing major has been ruptured. There will be a break and tendon damage though I'd wager.'
Therion had picked himself up and moved in behind them silently. 'I can open the lock.' he said quietly, palming his picks.
The Cleric noted his tools and nodded at him 'Thank you sir, it would be much appreciated if you can.' She looked at Alfyn who was furiously pounding something in a bowl. 'You are an Apothecary?' she asked.
He nodded. 'This should the dull the pain at the wound so that we can get a better look without causing too much distress to the beast.'
'Linde. She is named Linde.' The Cleric pushed a strand of hair back from her face and looked up at him shyly 'I'm Ophilia, that's H'aanit. Thank you for your help.'
'Well in fairness Sister, I reckon your magnificent pet saved my friend here from disaster so the thanks should be from us. I'm Alfyn by the way.'
'Linde ist not a pet. She ist my companion. And my friend.' H'aanit growled.
'Apologies Mistress H'aanit, I didn't mean any offence.' Alfyn replied.
'Can'st thou help her?' H'aanit asked in a small voice.
'Once the trap is free we can assess it better,' Alfyn said although his tone was warm and reassuring. 'How's that lock coming Therion?' Alfyn glanced at his companion.
'Damn thing is as rusty as sin - whoever set it is bloody shoddy with his equipment,' Therion muttered. 'Nearly... yeah there.' The pressure loosened and Linde let out a weak growl.
'Okay.. err Master Therion?' Ophilia pressed in close beside Alfyn and lifted Linde's damaged leg gently.
'Yeah, what?' Therion mumbled.
'Could you slowly pull the trap away while I am supporting the leg please.'
'Uhh, yeah. Sure.'
Between the three of them they freed the cat from the device and the Cleric and Apothecary immediately set about surveying the damage.
'Seems a pretty clean break,' Alfyn commented - rubbing his tincture expertly around the wound. 'I can't see any splintering, course I'm not an expert in feline bone structure.'
'I concur,' Ophilia agreed. 'We should set the bone to its proper position and perhaps you have something that will prevent infection?' Alfyn nodded 'Perfect and then I can finish it up.' Alfyn looked quizzically at her. 'Well, my healing, I suppose it's like persuading the body to heal itself only a lot quicker. If I did it now with the bone out of place it would heal but not as effectively as it will if it's in the right place - and any aid in preventing infection will improve the result even more.'
'So all wilt be alrighte?' H'aanit asked hopefully.
Ophilia beamed at her friend. 'I'm sure of it! She will likely need to rest until morning and she is going to be very hungry. Perhaps you could get onto organising some food for her.' The Cleric added, realising H'aanit's frustration at her inability to help the beast.
'A wise idea Ophilia. Thankest thou.' H'aanit rested her head briefly on the leopards. 'All wilt be well Linde. Take heart my friend. Thou art safe in the care of Ophilia and Master Alfyn.'
Therion moved closer to H'aanit. 'I'll help if you want. I owe your cat some thanks.' His tone was harsh but the feeling behind it appeared genuine.
H'aanit stood and ran a frank and critical eye over him. 'I will hunt alone.' she said stiffly.
Therion turned away at her rebuke, but she reached out a hand and placed it firmly on his shoulder. 'It may'st be that Linde would appreciatethou holding her to calm her whilst the healers tend her wound. She hast obviously taken a liking to thou though I cannot fathom why.'
'Don't hold back on the compliments will ya.' Therion said gruffly, none the less he moved into position at the cat's head and tentatively put a hand on the great beasts brow. Nodding encouragement H'aanit disappeared into the tree's, with her bow to hand and confident bounce back in her step.
Alfyn and Ophilia, their heads bent companionably together, worked swiftly and competently both taking silent measure of each other's skills. Once the physical challenges had been completed Alfyn drew back with keen anticipation on his face.
'Hold fast Linde,' Ophilia reassured their patient 'We're nearly done.' She placed her hand on the cats flank, closed her eyes and tilted her face upwards. Almost immediately Alfyn and Therion felt a warm pleasant sensation wash over them gently. Linde snuffled once very contentedly, stretched out her injured paw and appearing happy with the result she closed her eyes in sleep.
'Oh...' Alfyn breathed. 'That was like someone was stroking my back - like my Mam did when I was a nipper. Was that you?'
Ophilia blushed bright red. 'I.. I.. should have warned you, I didn't think of it.' She looked up shyly at him once again 'The healing light isn't really focused - like any kind of light it spreads out. I guess any minor aches or pains you may have been having will also have been eased by it.'
'Just dandy.' Therion sarcastically cut in. 'That tumble Linde gave me left me with a sore arse, so please accept my arses thanks for your attention your holiness.'
The smallest flash of uncertainty crossed the Cleric's face, but when she turned her gaze to Therion she had a soft smile. 'I'm glad your rear is more comfortable Master Therion...' she said kindly. 'Although I urge that you continue to pay a caution to it. Jarring injuries can be rather unpredictable. Should your bottom present any further problem please be sure to mention it to me and I will be happy to make a more detailed assessment of it.'
Therion scowled back at her. 'I think you'd be better off tending to Alf, his face seems to have turned a peculiar purple.' he huffed.
Alfyn couldn't hold it in anymore. He roared with laughter.
'All ist well? What ist so funny?' H'aanit was back, a brace of large rabbits dangling from her hand.
'We were just contemplating Therion's magnificent bottom.' Alfyn declared.
'Really?' H'aanit looked confused 'I hath not noticed anything exemplary about it, do I miss something?'
'Again with the compliments..thanks.' The tips of Therion's ears had turned pink in stark contrast to his white hair. 'I think I will keep my conversation with myself - the rest of you can go hang!' he sulked.
H'aanit's confusion grew. 'Thou art vexed because I think your bottom not nice? Ist important to you?' She thought about it for a few seconds. 'In honesty I hath not truly considered the matter.' She mused seriously. 'If thou wish it, I hast only to check more closely and mine opinion may'st change.' Therion buried his head in his hands.
Once the general mirth finally died down Ophilia wandered off to gather firewood while H'aanit began butchering and preparing one of her rabbits. Alfyn offered to go in search of water. Therion started to move but H'aanit waved at him to stay as the cat was slumbering with her head in his lap.
'Alf and I need to get going to reach Atlasdam before nightfall.' Therion protested.
'Thou wil'st eaten with us.' H'aanit commanded rather than offered. 'We hath the same destination, it wouldst be well to travel together on the morrow, I hath noted that the road ist offering scant safety these days.'
'How do you know you are safe from us?'
'I trust in Linde. She hath never led me astray.' H'aanit shrugged 'I also trust in mine own skills to flatten thou should thou not be as thou seemest.'
'Therion felt the approach of the cleric behind him, her arms full of wood. 'Linde got her whiskers in a twist,' Therion snorted sarcastically. 'I am a thief and should certainly not be trusted'.
'Obviously not a good one.' H'aanit noted sagely. 'I thinken it unwise to broadcast the fact thou art a thief if thou intends to steal. Surely it wouldst be better to stayen quiet about it!'
Therion sighed heavily at the Huntress. 'And you Sister?' he challenged the Cleric. 'Surely you have a lecture on morality for me?'
'Have you stolen from us?' Ophilia asked curiously, laying down her load carefully.
'Not yet.' Therion admitted.
'Then I shall keep a close eye on my spare underclothes and should any go missing I shall deem you worthy of a lecture. Until then..' she shrugged. 'None of my business.'
'I wouldn't throw him a challenge!' Alfyn chuckled, returning with his refilled water bottles.
The stew H'aanit cooked along with some creative seasoning provided by Alfyn was simply mouth-watering. Linde woke as it was cooking and was presented with a whole rabbit to herself which she devoured gratefully before settling down again between H'aanit and Ophilia who showered her with affection that left her a purring like a kitten.
Therion remain mostly silent, listening to the good natured banter between Alf and Ophilia as they discussed healing and anecdotes of successes and failures. H'aanit added a few grisly stories about wounds she had witnessed or received from the many varied beasts she had hunted with her master over the years. Eventually, as night fell talk turned to their respective destinations.
'Fancy that. You're the Flamebearer - I guess that makes you a bit famous then.' Alfyn grinned at Ophilia. 'I bet the ritual is something to see!'
'Don't remind me!' the girl groaned. I'm sure to mess it up - or trip and fall on my face and set fire to the church or something. I didn't exactly prepare for this. That's why I'm heading to Atlasdam, look at some maps - read some of the accounts of previous Kindling journeys. It only happens every twenty years and keeping the flame fed, well, I hope I'm up to the task.'
'Thou defeateth the flame-guardian and were judged worthy child - thou have nothing to fear. Thou also hast Linde and I.' H'aanit took Ophilia's hand and squeezed it.
'I wouldn't have made it this far without the two of you. You should see them fight in tandem Alf, it's like watching a force of nature. Amazing - beautiful.' H'aanit flushed bright and muttered something inaudible. 'Anyway,' Ophilia continued 'We also hope to find some information about the beast that H'aanit's master had been hunting when he went missing. Then it's to Stonegard to follow up on the leads there in the search for him.'
'Sounds like quite the adventure.' Alfyn noted wistfully.
Therion volunteered to take the first watch over the night and settled himself by the fire. H'aanit moved to lay behind Ophilia, so the cleric was sandwiched between herself and the leopard. 'I sleepeth most lightly.' She noted meaningfully before laying her head down and falling into slumber almost immediately.
'I really don't know how she manages to do that.' Ophilia sighed as she shifted to get a better position, but despite her words she was also asleep within minutes.
Alfyn and Therion sat in companionable silence for a while until it was broken by a small cry from the Cleric. Alfyn started to his feet but H'aanit gestured him away with her arm, before resting it comfortingly around her still sleeping friend whose quiet whimpers eased at the contact. H'aanit promptly fell asleep once more.
'Well, ain't that just the most adorable sight.' Alfyn sighed softly before making for his own blanket.
'Yeah, frikkin' lovely.' Therion grumbled unkindly back to him as the Apothecary settled himself down. 'And Alf.. don't get any funny idea's about accompanying them further than Atlasdam either you big ninny. It ain't gonna happen.'
'No problem mate.' Alfyn smiled as he closed his eyes.
