Chapter 3

The 'woman' entered slowly raising her hands in peace meeting Nori's eyes she stayed close to the entrance creeping like she was approaching a wounded animal she knelt down making no movement, Nori didn't lower his knife not trusting her, after all it had only been a few hours since he had robbed and escaped from her.

Still not moving she spoke soft words trying to indicate she was not armed or here to hurt him, at a snail like pace she took off Nori's bag shuffling forward she placed it just out of his reach. Nori raised an eyebrow she was obviously smart enough not to come into his knife range but he could still throw the knife at her. Nori growled as her gaze shifted to Ori she got the message and backed away so he could get the bag. Ori whimpered in his sleep the woman frowned biting her lower lip in worry. Her movements still slow she pulled something out of the other bag she carried, it was a fat tube she unscrewed the lip pouring a liquid from inside into the cap, she sipped it before shuffling and placing it where she had placed the bag before returning to her original position. Never leaving her knees

Nori finally lowered his knife still holding it tightly in his hand he reached for the cup, suppressing a moan from the warmth it admitted. He looked at the liquid it was a creamy green he sniffed it before trying it. The liquid was soup, potato and leak at his guess the urge to down it himself was nearly over whelming as his stomach groaned and tightened painfully. Risking to look away from the woman he leaned over to Ori "Ori" he whispered "Ori wake up" Ori moaned opening his eyes a fraction "Ori I have soup" Nori pressed the cup to his brothers lips waiting for him to take the liquid. Nori's heart almost stopped again when Ori's head fell back "Ori" Nori shook him "Ori" he said louder. Behind him the woman spoke in a worried tone

"I don't understand you" Nori glared at her internally smirking when she flinched. The woman thought for a moment biting her lower lip, when she tried to move forward Nori swung at her, if she had not withdrawn her hand he out have sliced it open she shouted angrily at him. Huffing in frustration. Ori had begun to shiver violently his lips becoming bluer as moments passed Nori shook him trying to wake him, hiding his surprise as soft notes floated over. The woman had changed tactics again this time singing in a low unpractised voice, but Nori found it soothing. People who were going to kill you didn't sing especially if they were cold and out of practice. Nori hadn't taken his eyes off her as she finished. He gave her a small nod sheathing his dagger, pressing a hand to her chest she repeated the same phrase from before. This time Nori caught a few words

"Smith" he tested the woman smiled repeating the phrase again but Nori still couldn't understand but it sounded like a name or title. In his mind Nori debated whether or not to trust this woman; in the end he decided he had no choice. Besides she was unarmed as far as he could tell, he had taken down bigger men than her so over powering she would be easy even in his weakened state.

Pressing a hand to his own chest he said "Nori" then he pointed at his brother "Ori"

The woman smiled again pointing at him then his brother "Nori, Ori"

Nori nodded the woman spoke again slower this time shuffling forward again she began to mime with her hands. She gestured between them then her fingers making a waking motion across her palm. Using a finger she drew a crude picture of a house and repeated the same hand gestures from before. Nori understood she was suggesting they leave the cave and go back to her home.

Nori remembered the rush of heat that had hit him and silently longed for it again. Ori moaned again shivering violently the woman spoke again worried almost pleading gesturing to Ori. Nori nodded collecting their things as the woman rose to stand by the entrance, Nori lifted Ori staggering slightly he carried him bridal style out the cave stopping only briefly for the woman to take the bags off him.

The trek back to the house was a slow one the storm had worsened Nori scolded himself for putting trust in the woman, a woman for Mahals sake her hand on his elbow leading him through the woods soon the welcoming lights of her home come into view. For the first time since they had arrived here Nori felt a flicker of hope. The woman tugged his arm impatiently pulling Nori towards the warm.