Update: All chapters have been updated with some additional context to make the story flow a little smoother.

Chapter 4

It felt like an Ork's axe was embedded in her chest, she had to get it out.

Triss shot upright, her arms frantically clawing at the space in front of her. Where her hands expected to find an axe, they found only empty air.. And a haphazard binding of gauze and bandages.

"Easy there little one," spoke a soft voice from close by, it's gentle reassurance did not ease the soldiers growing panic. Fighting off grogginess and crippling pain, Triss forced her eyes open. She was in a small room dimly lit by candle light. The air smelt like a hospital mixed with burning wax, the stone walls looked old and unused. But what grabbed Triss's attention like an electric shock to the heart was who else was in the room. A Sister of Battle sat on the ground slouched against the wall opposite her, black armour coated in grime and blood. She wasn't wearing a helmet and as such; Two rose red eyes, almost glowing, stared at her, but counter to the imposing sight of the Sister's armour and weapons, the Sister's face was not filled with malice or hostility, but a sad and troubled concern.

"Slow movements little one," Lethaine said trying to put on a smile. "It's Triss, yes? The Emperor has seen you fit to live another day, but the Ork's mark on you is grave. I have stitched your wound closed.. I think that surgical wire is all that's holding you together right now, so slow movements."

Triss gaped, completely unsure what to say. She sat in the presence of an Adepta Sororitas; a Sister of Battle. Fearless and beautiful, they were the stuff of legend and prophecy. Stories Triss heard when she were a young child started resurfacing in her mind; grand tales of heroic struggles and selfless acts. Tales of their unwavering love for the Emperor and the fierce hatred they would unleash upon his enemies.. but nothing came to mind on what to expect from them in person. 'Why was one here? Was she being interrogated!?'. At a loss for words Triss shied away from the Sister's gaze. Her eyes lowered to observe her battered and bruised body. She looked at her shattered armour laying around her and the deep red that stained her bandages. Wounded, unarmed, barely clothed, and alone.. If she were being interrogated, she wouldn't last long regardless of what she told the Sister.

"Can you speak?" Leth asked.

"Y-Yes, I mean Th-thank you my lady" Triss managed to stammer out weakly. "Ar-are you an Apothecary?" Triss started to tremble with fear.

Leth's smile dropped just for an instant. She could see so much fear in Triss. Immediately Lethaine could hear the Inquisition's words in her mind repeated again and again ad nauseum, 'fear is cause for suspicion, it is the sign of the weak and the mark of the heretic'. Leth forcefully shook off the thought. It was perfectly sound for this girl to be scared. Though well concealed, a similar fear tugged at her own gut. It was more than possible that Lethaine would be punished for disobeying her orders but, Emperor willing, Triss knew something about the planets situation that would make her deviation excusable. If she played her cards right, Leth was going to get the both of them out of this breathing. There is always a way, but to do that she needed this girl to trust her, she wanted her to trust her.

"I am Sister Lethaine, and no I'm not an Apothecary; I'm just someone who didn't want to see you die." Leth tried to sound unintimidating.

"My Lady.." started Triss but Lethaine was quick to intervene. "You can just call me Lethaine, or just Leth; No need for formality in this place.. sorry if that leaves a scar," she nodded at Triss's chest. "From what I've seen you'd avoided getting any so far".

Despite the pain she was in, Triss managed to blush a little. The majority of her clothing was nothing more than bandages. Put on in a frantic rush, they didn't do much for modesty. It wouldn't have made a difference even if she were clothed. Triss didn't know that anyone's eyes could be that red and she felt Leth's stare go right through her.

Leth realized she was grinning at Triss's compromised attire, quickly she cleared her throat to recompose herself; "There's a number of store rooms here," She pointed from her sitting position "If the Emperor wills it, there'll be something to protect or arm you while we get ourselves out of here." Triss didn't respond at first. She just let out a quiet sigh of relief; It seemed like she was in caring hands, and not subject to some brutal interrogation by the inquisition. Still unsure what to say, she quietly observed the Sister sitting on the ground, slumped against the wall, eyes red and hair white. There was something so different about the way her eyes never broke contact and her smile was so charming yet so insistent, almost needy. There was something Triss wanted to know;

"Lethaine.. In the short time I've been a guardswoman, I've learnt that I'm not even a number to those above me. I've never had anyone notice my existence let alone bother to save my life. So.. May I ask; why did you save mine?"

At the question Leth failed to contain a giggle. "What?" she remarked, "No one noticed you? With that amazing hair?!" Triss was completely unprepared for the Sororitas response. She just sat there looking completely dumbstruck until Leth's cheerful laughter started to prove contagious and she couldn't help but laugh herself. It was short lived. The exercise put too much strain on Triss' chest and the quiet chuckle quickly turned into a pained cough. Triss could taste fresh blood in her mouth, but she kept smiling, for the first time in a long time Triss had something to smile about, she wasn't sure what it was yet but she had a feeling.. A strange unfamiliar feeling.. Hope.

Leth caringly smiled back, satisfied that the initial tension had lifted. "Easy there. I'm glad to see you're in good spirit little one," It was Leth's turn to blush, "I'm.. sorry to put you in this position with your weakened state but I have a request I need to ask of you". "Yes Lethaine?" Triss replied, quick to regain some formality at hearing she was needed. Leth struggled to find the right words; "Triss, It's not that I find this floor or wall particularly comfortable or interesting.. Its more.. I can't move. My suits locked up from this planets.. grime."

Triss made a sound half way between a groan and a sigh. "Of course it has... Everything does that here." She shook her head as if to ridicule herself for feeling hopeful mere seconds ago. Carefully she pivoted her legs over the side of the bench and tentatively put her weight on her left leg, checking to see if she could bare the pain with the added stress. "Careful," Leth cautioned, annoyed at her inability to move to help the struggling girl. Convinced she could stand, Triss put her weight on the other leg and held one arm over her chest to lessen any movement in her torso. Slowly she limped and hobbled over to Lethaine, ending at the opposing side of the room where she lent heavily on the wall to steady herself and recover. Though pained and exhausted, Triss managed to speak between ragged breaths. "I'll need you.. to tell me.. how to get you.. out of this armour." Leth nodded, her cheeks growing more and more pink by the second.. "And.. one more thing," Triss regained her smile "Leth... Don't call me 'Little One.'"