H'aanit sat at the top of a softly undulating hill - the highest point she had been able to find in these peculiar 'Flatlands'. From her vantage she could just see the rooftops and spires of Atlasdam in the distance to the North and the road that led the way down to Rippletide to the south. It was blessedly quiet and although the area provided a lack of cover she was contented. The sun would be setting soon though, meaning that she needed to think about returning to the Inn and to Ophilia, a thought that filled her with trepidation. When they had arrived at the City earlier that day, H'aanit had quickly found that the lack of any green nature in the streets was...unnerving. The smells in the air were completely different. The press of so many people all in one place scurrying here and there left her feeling claustrophobic. Linde felt the same way that she did too.

'Strengthen thy resolve girl..' She admonished herself sternly in a passable mimic of her masters tone. 'Fear only thine own reaction to fear.' Linde looked up at her quizzically from where she lay at H'aanit's feet. The woman shook her head and reached down to scratch at her companions ears. 'We must persevere old friend.' she told the cat. 'Just a few days and we can be away from this place and back to our hunt.'

They sat in silence for a short while longer before H'aanit decided it was time for a last run before they returned. Calling Linde to her side she stood and stretched, gazing down the long road away from the City longingly. A pair of travellers were heading her way at a fast jog - in the lead a tall burly man carrying a burden in his arms and behind him a young woman was struggling to keep up. H'aanit slowly moved down the slight incline with Linde keeping close to her heels - her intent to intercept with the strangers. Woman and cat were both alert but H'aanit was not overly concerned - the manner and demeanour of the two rushing towards her told more of desperation than of threat. Her own people, the hunters of the Woodlands were ever strong and noble and they took pride in the aid that they gave to wayfarers through their lands. Her character would not change simply because she was far away from home.

'Ho!' She called when the man came within earshot. 'May'st I provide any assistance?'

The man's pace faltered slightly but he did not stop.

'My companion is requiring medical aid,' he said as she came up to him and loped along by his side. She realised that the bundle in his arm was in fact a figure wrapped tightly in a thick grey cloak. A mass of auburn hair cascaded out from under the top end and one delicate unshod foot poked from the other. The girl behind them was rapidly running out of breath, possibly due to the enormous backpack that she carried.

'I do travel with a Sister of the Order of the Flame,' H'aanit said as the man finally slowed to a stop to allow the following girl to catch up. 'She stayeth in an Inn not far from the gates to the city. We also may'st still have the services of an apothecary. If thou wish 'it I can guide you to them.'

'Wonderful!' the young girl wheezed, bent over double trying to breath and keep a wary eye on Linde at the same time.

'You have our thanks Huntress,' the man said simply.

'Here child.' H'aanit put out her hand to the girl. 'Let me carry your pack so you may runneth more easily.' A look of horror crossed the girl's face followed swiftly by resignation.

'Thanks.' She muttered, stripping it off her back and handing it over. H'aanit was amazed at its weight. They started jogging again, an easy canter for the huntress and the cat - but obviously still a struggle for the man and girl who looked almost dead on their feet.

'I'm Tressa.' The girl panted as she soldiered forwards her tone still bright despite her obvious discomfort 'Our Knight there is Sir Olberic and our friend, Lady Primrose.'

'I am named H'aanit, and mine companion is Linde, but child, please saveth thy breath for the run, unless you would liketh me to carry you?'

'Err, no I think I'm okay. Yeah, I'll shut up.' The girl set a determined look to her face and tried to pick up a bit of speed.

'She must be tired if you managed to get her to shut up that easily,' the Knight commented.

'As are you.' H'aanit observed back at him having taken in the slight limp and rolled set to the man's shoulders as he moved. Her keen eye had also noted the solid sword and spear strapped to his back, his worn but excellent quality armour and his piercing dark eyes set below a craggy brow. A well made man, she noted to herself - she had not seen any of his like in the city this morning.

The sky was just beginning its path into twilight when the little band finally arrived at the Inn. H'aanit went in first and spied Alfyn at the bar with a mug of ale in his hand and an uncommonly angry expression on his face. He looked up at her entrance and waved abruptly at her beckoning her over. She strode towards him but cut off what he was about to say gesturing to the others that had followed her in and explaining the situation quietly to the apothecary. He nodded at her and his manner changed completely as he went forward to meet the newcomers.

'Your friend needs assistance?' he asked with a welcoming smile. 'Please follow me to our room, Sister Ophilia is upstairs and we can best help you out up there.'

He led the way, reaching their door first and knocked loudly just as it was being opened by Therion.

'Li, are you decent?' Alf called.

'Course she is.' Therion drawled 'Whadda you think we were doing in there?' he smirked. Alfyn pushed past the thief as Ophilia got to her feet from where she was sat in front of the fire.

'Everything okay Alf?' she asked as the room suddenly became crowded.

'Put her down over here on the bed,' Alfyn said to the huge man.

'Olberic.' The man murmured in introduction as he placed his burden gently down on top of the sheets. 'This is Primrose.'

'Well, Primrose, let's take a look and see what we have.' Alf said starting to untangle the prone woman from the cloak covering her.

'She passed out around two hours ago,' Olberic informed hovering at the apothecary's shoulder. 'She hasn't regained consciousness since that time. We were engaged in a fight two days prior when the Lady Primrose took a slash to her side but the wound appeared not to be deep or of any particular remark. I tended it myself.' The big man shrugged. 'I have encountered many wounds. I swear by my sword that this one did not seem of any note.'

Ophilia walked towards the knight, tightening the blanket wrapped around her as she went. She took him lightly by the arm and gently steered him towards the table on the other side of the room.

'You look exhausted Sir Knight,' she said quietly. 'Please sit and rest while we take a look at your friend.'

H'aanit had likewise got Tressa to sit and reunited her with her pack. The girl looked about to launch into conversation, but H'aanit put a warning finger to her lips and the girl gulped and nodded.

'Therion.' Ophilia took note of the thief still stood by the door of the room, looking like he was about to make a bolt for it.

'Err, yes sister?' Her manner had changed from the girl he had just been talking too just a few minutes before into.. well.. something else. It unnerved him.

'I'm sure you are probably acquainted with where I keep my purse.' Ophilia flashed him the briefest of smiles to soften her words 'Could you please take it and get refreshment for us all. Oh and a few more blankets.'

'At once yer Holiness.' Well, he'd tried for a bit of respectfulness in his tone - in front of the strangers and all - but he missed by a mile.

Ignoring his sniped reply Ophilia next turned her attention to the woman on the bed. Alf had succeeded in rolling her carefully out of the cloak and was trying gingerly to balance her on her side so that he could better see her wound. Ophilia climbed onto the opposite side of the bed so that she could hold their patient for proper inspection.

Primrose was dressed scantily in an exotic garb of scarlet that completely left her midriff exposed although the skin was currently hidden away under a precise and thickly applied bandage that spanned fully around her stomach and ribs. The left-hand side was a mess. Blood and some foul-smelling viscous liquid from where the wound must be located and had seeped through the covering and had crusted hard - Alf pulled at it carefully but the bandage wasn't yielding to his ministrations. While Alf was trying to get to the wound, Ophilia was running a firm hand down the woman's body.

'Her forehead and neck are burning up but everywhere else is very cold, what about round the wound Alf?' she asked him.

'Yeah, it's hot I reckon, can almost feel the heat on my face. We need to get this dressing off as quick as we can. It will need to be soaked.' They both looked in unison at the bathtub.

Alfyn scooped Primrose up in his arms and Ophilia went over to the tub, dropped the blanket she had secured around herself and stepped into the water in her shift. She knelt down and held her arms open for Alf to softly place the woman into, so that she was holding her head above the water in the crook of her arm, but the rest of the woman was submerged.

'I'm worried it might be a poison of some kind,' Alf was saying quietly to Ophilia as they waited for the water to start to loosen the clotted bandage. 'Sir Olberic,' he raised his voice to the Knight who was seated back in a chair his eyes closed. 'What was it that created the wound? A weapon?.'

'No it was a beast we encountered on the road. Not one I have seen the like of before- bit like a giant grey badger but its snout was shorter. During the battle Primrose was dancing and got too close - she took a single swipe from its claws. Didn't even give her pause at the time - she completed her dance, and the rest of the fight without issue.'

'Dancing?' Alf queried.

'You have to experience it to understand.' The Knight replied stoically.

'Do you recognise the beast H'aanit? I worry that we may be dealing with a toxin of some kind.'

H'aanit conferred with Olberic a bit further about their foe, but she eventually admitted that she did not know the manner of the beast either.

'However, I would sayeth to you Alfyn, that a beast who carries a toxin doth so for a specific reason - most often to incapacitate its enemies or to protect itself. In both cases its venom acts most speedily otherwise it woulde not fulfil its intended purpose. Also consider that the moste usual method to deliver such poisons is by a bite, sting or a spray. I knowe not of any that carried a poisoned claw.'

'Well, at least that's some good news. Thanks H'aanit. Alf turned back to Ophilia. 'Might be just an infection then hopefully.' The girl nodded at him.

As Alfyn started again to pick at the bandage Therion arrived back with a bemused server in tow and a couple of trays loaded with food and drink. Olberic and Tressa fell at the plates almost before they were on the table. Therion raised an eyebrow at the ladies in the bathtub and decided, for once, not to even bother with a comment. He took up his position by the door again, a mug of ale in hand.

Finally the bandages were removed. Clean - the wound was light but it was also very swollen and edged with angry blisters of white, yellow and red.

Ophilia sent a small pulse of healing out, just a tiny caress as she admitted that she was afraid to do any more while their patient was unresponsive. Almost as she said it the woman jolted awake, and started to flail in shock in the water. Ophilia tightened her grip on her and held her firm.

'Primrose,' the Cleric said calmly 'You are safe. My name is Ophilia and I am a Sister of the Flame. We are tending to your injury, but please...be still.'

Primrose had half climbed up the body of the girl holding her in her panic, but she relaxed under Ophilia's peaceful request, resting her head against the girls chest and heaving a big juddering sigh. Olberic has risen from his seat, but H'aanit bade him to sit back down.

'How do you feel Primrose,' Ophilia asked, stroking the woman's brow and pushing her hair carefully out of her face.

'Like I got trampled by a horse and then hung.' Primrose's voice faint and unfocused.

'You have a fever from the infection in your wound. I need you to try and stay awake and alert for me. No..' the firmness was back in Ophilia's tone. 'Please don't close your eyes. Look at me Primrose. Stay looking at my face.'

'Such a beautiful face.' Primrose said dreamily 'And such a very soft bosom...Sister, why are we wet?'

'We're taking a bath.' Ophilia smiled kindly as Primrose nestled her head deeper into her chest.

'Ah.. just like in that book... 'The Cleric and the Dancer'. Such a fine story! And the good stuff really got going on page..'

'Eighty-nine' both woman said in unison and laughed.

'Oh it hurts to laugh, please don't make me laugh,' Primrose winced.

'Ah.. Hello Primrose, I'm Alfyn and I'm your apothecary.' He grinned at the woman who strained round to look at him. 'I think it's about time to get you out of the bath and get that wound sorted out. You okay with that?'

'Will you come with me?' Primrose asked Ophilia.

'Of course!'

'Mmmm, okay then.'

Alfyn got a blanket ready and asked H'aanit to lift Primrose out of the water and take her over to the bed. They got the woman covered quickly and settled. Alf held up a second blanket and wrapped it round the cleric when she got up next and lifted her off her feet and onto the floor. Ophilia went quickly behind the screen in the corner, threw off her wet clothes and pulled her robe on, then joined Primrose on the bed, taking hold of her hand.

'I'm gonna need to drain this wound Primrose.' Alfyn told her 'Need to get all the bad stuff out and clear blood flowing. It's going to hurt a bit. Sorry 'bout that. Once it's done we got a nice bowl of stew here for you to get your energy back up.'

Ophilia channelled healing in small bursts as Alfyn tended to the blistering and purge and she couldn't help but be hugely impressed with Primrose's strength. The woman didn't cry out once although the grip of her hand did become quite intense at certain points. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity it was done and Ophilia was able to help Primrose get some food inside of her. Quickly after the woman fell into an easy sleep.

'Go team!' Alfyn wrapped Ophilia in an enthusiastic hug. Olberic, whose vigour seemed to be much replenished thanked them both, asking Alfyn if he could purchase some of his mixtures for their ongoing journey, then taking Ophilia's hand and pressing it gently.

'It has been a long time since I felt a Cleric's healing.' The Knight told her. 'Was a time when it was a regular thing, in the army. I have to say though that your touch was by far the kindest I have ever experienced. Thank you.'

'May the flame guide you, Sir Olberic. And thank you for your words. I will cherish them.' Ophilia reached out a hand and touched his cheek.

Alfyn quickly declared that they should all go to the bar and get some drinking in and give Primrose a chance to rest.

Tressa was already falling asleep in her chair, so Ophilia suggested she should join Primrose. The girl protested.. quite loudly.. that she wanted to go with the others but under the soft advice of the cleric she was persuaded to bed. Ophilia also declined joining them saying she wanted to keep a watch on her patient. Everyone else made their way downstairs.

Ophilia went and sat with Linde on the hearth and cuddled up close to the cat sighing in relief at the peace and quiet. A few minutes later the door opened again and Alfyn slipped back in. He handed Ophilia a basket of ripe plums and a hot drink with a big grin.

'Gotta keep yer energy up Li,' he told her. 'After the day we've had who knows what tomorrow will be like eh?'