The young village healer looked at the frustrated woman in front of him with understanding.

„Calm down, my dear. Tell me what happened, I'm sure we can help your sister."

„Oh thank you, thank you, I don't know what to do!" The woman was desperate, almost crying, and her sad face so beautiful – the healer found himself wanting to comfort her in ways he shouldn't be wanting to. „I found her by a creek – she went to the forest to bathe – and she isn't moving, it has been almost a day. It's like she's asleep, but I can't wake her. There were strange flowers growing beside the creek, I think it was..."

„Wolf's bane," a dangerously quiet voice finished the sentence for her.

There was a thud as an armed fist knocked the woman unconscious.

„I apologize for the interruption." Fenris threw the bard over his shoulder. He looked at the shocked healer. „Do not look at me like that, she is a liar and a spy. She poisoned the girl herself." His green eyes were dangerously aglow. „How do you treat it?"

„Eh... w-wolf's bane? J-just flush i-it out..."

„She did not drink it. She was paralyzed."

„Well... sh-she should w-w-wake on her o-own..."

„Yes," the elf said, thoughtfully, „but she hasn't."

He left without another word, the beautiful woman dangling limp from his shoulder.


It wasn't hard to find the only horse good enough to carry an Orlesian. It stood in front of an abandoned shack at the outskirts of the village. He looked around. Most people were resting indoors, hiding from the midday glare. Nobody was watching.

He drew his light-sword and entered.

There she was, her face pale and unmoving like carved from ivory, lying in a corner, wrapped in a cloak.

Evidently she was to be delivered alive.

He threw the bard on the ground, bound her and searched.

A full coin-purse, six daggers (impressive, he thought) hidden all over her body, and a letter.

Yes, well... the girl will have to read that.

He turned his attention to her.

Her breathing was slow but regular, and except for the extreme whiteness of her skin, she really seemed to be just peacefully asleep.

Fenris kneeled down and gently lifted her up. He removed his gloves and pressed two fingers underneath her jaw, trying to find her pulse.


The blackness was filled with an invisible movement, a timeless potential.

She was aware of it, but she had no will, no intent and no purpose, so she merely lay in it.

It was relaxing.

It could go on for however long was needed.

It didn't.

There was a white flash of light and out of nowhere, she felt she had a body again, and eyes to open.

She opened them.


The white flash of light washed over the room. The heat poured into him, making him tremble with energy, and before he could locate the artery, she opened her eyes.

He jerked his hand away.

There it was again, the strange gray void of her eyes that made him doubt she was even human.

„It's you," stated her hoarse voice.

It took a while before he could speak.

„Who did you expect?"

She seemed to honestly think about it.

„I don't think I expected anybody." She tried to get up and he helped her. She held the cloak tight.

„Did you bring me any clothes?" she asked nervously.

He smiled.

„Yes, my lady," he mimicked a servant's voice, „And a weapon, too. I will get them." He handed her a bottle of water. „You should drink."

As he went to the door, he noticed her looking at the bound bard on the floor.

„Oh, yes, keep an eye on her, please. She was a pain to catch."