Black Mage Leah- Somebody changed their name. I'll try to add more descriptions on Typan.
Ace Ryn Knight- Wow, high praise. Thanks. :)
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When the men below didn't draw their swords or bows, Typan jumped free of her cave and the cliff side. She moved with care, gliding down slowly, making sure to stay within the men's sights.
As she came closer and became more distinct, the eyes of the men widened and their grips on their hilts slacked.
Typan was relieved they were becoming less tense rather than more.
The large man waved a bit as Typan came in the last few feet. Maude waved back.
"You're alright then?" the man asked.
"I'm injured, but from bandits, not Typan," replied Maude.
"This is Typan?" asked the man, nodding towards her.
"Yes," answered Typan, annoyed that he seemed to assume she couldn't understand him.
He and the men around him started before the man gave a self-deprecating grin.
"Forgive me for not introducing myself," he said, giving a slight bow. "I am Raoul of the King's Own."
Typan nodded stiffly and shifted Maude.
"She needs a healer," said Typan.
"We have a man in the other search squad who can heal pretty well," said Raoul.
A sparrow flitted down, landed on the man's shoulder, and let out a loud peep.
"We haven't forgotten Kel," he assured it.
The sparrow continued to look miffed, puffing her feathers out. Raoul sighed and looked to Typan, "Could you place Maude on this blanket?" He indicated to his left and Typan complied before turning to climb the cliff face and retrieve Kel.
She heard a peep from the ground as she climbed and smiled to herself. At the mouth of the cave, Kel was sitting with her sparrows on her crossed legs.
"Time to go," said Typan and Kel stood up, allowing Typan to carry her down to the waiting group the same way she had carried Maude. After landing and putting Kel on her feet, Typan kneeled by Maude to see how the woman was handling the cold night air.
Someone had given her a blanket and started a fire nearby. Maude smiled and reached out a hand to stroke the side of Typan's face. It was very relaxing, but Typan didn't want people to think she was to be petted like a dog and pulled away.
"At least sit by me," said Maude.
Typan did that and the men of the Own began to set up camp as Kel quickly cooked some oatmeal for Maude. It would have been awkward and, to Typan, embarrassing to try to eat oatmeal in her form. She would have to hold the bowl up to her face and lick, so Typan passed on the midnight snack.
The camp was soon set up and Raoul came over to sit on the blanket, close to Maude.
"I hate to ask you this now, but the sooner we get the information, the sooner those bandits will be caught," he began, looking at Maude.
"I'm afraid I won't be much help," she said, looking apologetic. "I never saw my captors. They just came up behind me and tackled me. I was tied up, gagged, and put in a sack."
Typan felt the woman's hand on her own and knew she had not imagined the tremor in Maude's voice. She turned her paw-like hand around and gently squeezed Maude's.
"I saw them coming to the village yesterday," said Typan.
Raoul turned to look at her and motioned for her to continue.
"Next I saw them was at the town inn, meeting with some man in the back. He gave them money," she added thoughtfully.
"Could you describe this man?"
"He was well dressed, but not a noble. More like a merchant. He had long brown hair. That's all I can remember."
"That's very helpful," said Raoul.
"Finally, I saw them on their skinny horses, riding away with a struggling sack. I heard Maude's voice and followed them till they set up camp. I would have gotten her when they fell asleep, but I saw the spidrens coming."
"Yes, we know about the spidrens," said Kel.
Typan and Maude looked at each other, surprised.
Raoul explained, "One of the kidnappers survived the spidren attack and was carried off to be a snack. Our little friends here," he indicated the sparrows resting in the bush behind him, "alerted us to a spidren with a captive. We killed the spidren guarding him, but he was dying."
Kel took over the explanation, "He wanted to confess and be cleansed before the Black God came for him, so he told us about taking you and Typan's rescue.
"He pointed in the general direction and my dog, Jump, found your trail. He led us here, you met the sparrows, and you know the rest."
Typan nodded, too drowsy and talked out to say anything. Raoul noticed her fatigue and Maude's.
"Kel will take you to your tent, Maude. Typan, you're welcome to stay, too, though it may be a bit cramped."
It was cramped, but Typan wrapped her wings tight around her body and lay beside Maude.
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