A week went by without much trouble or interesting things.

Milli was now able to light a fire but else she felt next to useless.

Lambert was responsible for hunting, getting water ( because he decided her back doesn´t allow her to lift heavy things or nothing at all) and securing the camps.

I wonder when we will reach the next village. I would kill for a bed right now.

"How long will we stay in that settlement? And where will we stay?"

"It depends on how many contracts they have to me to take care of. This area is famous for it ghoul and nekkar populations. The ground is hard and the graves shallow as a result. I think three or more days. Probably we will get a room at the local inn. We can fill our provisions and get you a pair of trousers. They have a blacksmith, so I will see my swords sharpened. Now rest."

Over the last couple of days Lambert seem to warm up to his female companion, his voice got less hostile and she was sure she saw him smile once or twice.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Lamberts P.O.V

It was strange for the man to feel this way, usually he liked to be alone.

Once in a while, when he happened to cross path with one of his brothers ( or teacher) they would drink together and exchange stories, but when they separate again he was glad for the silence.

But now he was enjoying the company of the strange haired woman and he didn´t know why.

She was almost useless and couldn´t fend for herself.

That became painfully clear, when she got attacked by the Katakan:

His witcher- medallion had vibrated from the moment he met Milli. That was the reason why he was surprised by the bat that held the woman captive, when he came back in their camp. He wasn´t warned. And that could end in a disaster.

He was just a few meters away, when he heard Millis scream. Lambert immediately freed his silver sword from its scabbard on his back and stormed into camp.

The sight he witnessed was strange: The bloodsucker was tossing it head left and right and was screeching in pain. Milli stood with her back towards the monsterhunter.

Not thinking twice, he separated the bats head from its shoulders.

Its blood splattered everywhere.

He looked at Milli and saw her shocked to the bone. Her eyes where wide and her heart was beating fast.

Shit.

"Milli are you alright? Are you able to walk? We need to clean the blood of you."

It was clear as daylight that she wasn´t able to hear him.

Need to get her attention.

Slowly, trying not to scare the woman even more he walked in her direction and crouched down.

But that was an mistake. Even when he wasn´t silent while making his way towards her, she jerked together when she realized he stood there.

Milli seamed to return to her senses and looked a bit puzzled.

Lambert sighted.

"I asked if you are able to walk. You are covered in Katakanblood and it can attract

other things to our camp. You need to get rid of this shit." He was getting impatient now, he knew where one of those fuckers where could be another one quite close.

And his impatient showed itself in the growing anger in his voice.

There was no answer, she just started to walk, but fell directly towards the ground.

He was glad for his training in his youth,without it he would have not be able to catch her in time.

Knowing he must be able to fight, he threw his companion over his shoulder, hoping she wasn´t to badly injured.

He carried her to the little stream and stood her down.

"Get out of that dress and wash your face. I don´t need to fight against another bloodsucker tonight."

Damn that sounded harsher then intended.

The witcher thought about turning around (to give her some private space) but decided against it, when he saw her flinch.

The bloodsucker injured her.

With a quick move, he stabbed his sword in the soft ground and layed his arm around her waist to stabilize her.

Would the situation be different he would be surprised that she wasn´t cursing at him to be dishonorable or that a mutant like him should keep his hands off. But she didn´t.

Many thoughts went through his head, when the witcher helped the young woman out of her dress.

It was obvious she felt unconfortable, standing in the middle of a forrest in just her underwear ( and strange one at it is) trapped in the arms of him.

Nice garments. Stop looking at her like that, you need to check for injuries. He scolded himself when his thoughts started to wander of into more animalistic thoughts.

Concentrate!

His inner argument ended in a sight.

Mere Seconds were needed to asset the damage the bloodsucker had done:

There were clawmarks on Millis back. They were long but not too deep, but without stitching, there was a greate chance for them to get infected.

She won´t like that. Hell I don´t like to get them.

Bruises were already forming, where the Katakan had grabbed her.

No wonder she flinched. It muss hurt like a bitch. She was lucky, this whole incident could have ended worse.

He was able to feel her tention, the need to know how bad it really is.

"Bloodsucker scratched your skin. Bruised you where it grabbed you. It´s not to deep,

need stitches though. You should not move to much until I took care of it."

With his wichtersenses he scanned the area for any more unwanted guests, and luckily for them there was nothing around.

His eyes found a small rock at the river bank , just perfect for them to sit on it and be able to reach the water below.

Lets get her clean- The dress though...

"Sit down on that rock. I will help you wash up and then patch you back together at

camp. We won´t be able to get the blood out of the dress. Need to burn it later."

Means we need to get her something new to wear.

Frowning, the witcher followed the young woman towards the rock he had motioned her to sit on. Her body began to shake, because of fear, shock or the cold air, he couldn´t tell.

He reached around around her body again. To lend her some warmth and to secure her in her position.

Lets get going. Aint got all night.

Lambert pulled a clean cloth out of his clothes ( One he always kept for those cases) and began to clean his companions face.
He was in a hurry, because he feared another bloodsucker would be near.

She stiffed and he became aware of her cold body again.

"Put your head back, as far as you can, I need to wash the damn blood out of your hair."

he told her maybe a bit to harsh.

"Finished. Will stitch you up back at camp."

Her arms had sneaked around her upper body in the meantime to keep warmer and cover up a bit.

His eyes roam over her body one more time to check if he oversaw an injury before he

sheathed his sword and then carried her back bridal style.

Knowing the woman needed warmth soon or it could get the injury worse, he put her down near the fire.

"You need to lay down for me to stitch these up." He told her preparing his bedroll for her to lay down onto.

When she had followed his orders he wasn´t able to suppress a dirty thought about her position but recovered quickly.

"This will probably hurt like a bitch. But you can´t scream. Here put this in your mouth

and bite."

He pulled of his belt and handed it to her.

"I need to crouch over you to see with this light."

I wonder how she will react. The witcher new the position he has to take, could make the woman uncomfortable but couldn´t suppress a short smirk when he imagined it.

He saw her nod in understanding and sat down on her ass. Making her tense.

This anticipated reaction made him laugh in response, imagining what she would think at the moment.

Lets have some fun and get over with it.

Lambert leaned forward, not wanting to get dirt in the wounds again to tell her the next happenings.

" I will start now. Probably need to make five stitches per scrap. After that I will put

ointment on them and the bruises. Try to relax."

He whispered.

A silent "Yeah" was all he got as an answer. No cocky response. Still in shock I see.

He was able to feel her body prepare for the oncoming pain, every time he did a stich she moaned silently in pain.

Better hurry, or she faints on me.

Carefully he stood up from his seat on her backside, to not antagonize it more.

"These ointments will help your wounds heal and prevent infections. They were made

for me, so I need to weaken them-A Lot. Else they will probably kill you." He informed her and was able to catch a glimpse of the worry in her eyes.

Out of the corner of his eyes he studied her while she sat herself up.

It was obvious she was still in pain.

He felt a feeling rise in him. Why was he worrying so much for this woman.

A short while later he returned to the woman and put his ointment on.

He flinch, when her lips escaped a hiss of pain.

"Should have told you this stings as well. I watered it down as much as I could. I

probably need to refresh the bandages at least two times per day. This shit will slow us

down."

He felt sorry for not warning her.

Like every good witcher, Lambert had bandages and other medical stuff in his belongings.

The witcher tried not to touch her to much but when his hands brushed her cold skin, a shiver ran down her spine.

His eyes felt on the dress he had thrown into the dirt.

Need to get rid of it.

"I will throw the dress in the fire, you can wear one of my shirts for now."

He handed her a white fabric he had pulled out of his saddlebag.

"Can you help me?" She asked quiet. "It hurts when I try to lift my arms."

Sunken into his thoughts he reached helped her into his shirt.

His heart stopped for a moment and warmth flooted through his body, when he eyed his companion in his shirt.

It reached to her knees, and it was bright as sunlight that the thin fabric was not really able to warm her.

"I will redo the bandages in the morning. Then we will make way to the village."

"Good night Lambert." She whispered before closing her eyes

The fire smelled like blood, for a short moment, after he had thrown the dress into it.

His witchersenses searched for any sign of lurking danger, but weren´t able to fetch something. For that he was glad.

His pants began to twitch when his catlike eyes settled again on her ass, that was just barely covered by now.

Not thinking twice, he got his coat and draped it over his companion: On one hand to stop her shivering and on the other hand to cover her from his human needs, that were growing in his pants every passing moment.

To settle his nerves and to get focused again he began to meditate, but not before he used his mutated senses to check their surroundings.

It were still an hour till dawn, when a movement brought him back to his full senses- Milli was about to wake up.

He positioned himself behind her to be able to observe her movement when awake.

Her movements were without pain, cautious and stiff, but without evident pain.

At least the ointment seem to help.

Lambert couldn´t suppress a bit amusement when she was looking around camp, searching for a sign of him.

"How´s the back?"

He nearly loved out aloud when she jumped.

"It´s numb."
That was definitely not the answer he wanted to hear.

"I need to check on your back." The witcher told her with a glint of worry in his eyes, one she wasn´t able to see.

She sad up straight and held her arms in a way that made ít easy for him to remove his shirt and the bandages.

The wounds were already closing and healed to an extend he would have expected , if it would be him being wounded. There were little red marks around them, but nothing hinted to a poisoning. His fingertips felt no heat, when he felt for any infections.

A smile graced his lips when he felt her shiver under his touch.

He liked to be able to get such an reaction of the young woman.

"I can´t see anything that hints to a poisoning. Its already healed quite a bit. We will

wait until its hurt again before putting new ointment on. Don´t want to risk one."

They had a quick breakfast, and thous the sun started to rise he decided to brake up camp and get back on the road and motioned for her to get on the horse while he put off the fire.

Lambert turned in the perfect moment- Milli had just reached for the saddle, when the hem of his shirt was only barely covering her ass anymore. And she seemed to notice, because her face turned a very dark shade of red.

"There is a little problem here. I have no trousers to wear and your shirt can´t really be

called a dress- so..."

She turned around and sighted when she saw the grin he wore on his face and did nothing to hide it.

"No problem for me- I prefer this."

"You told me yesterday I have to wear a dress that reaches the fucking forest floor to

not be considered a whore and now it is no problem for me to walk around almost

naked?" She asked him anger in his voice.

He admit he hadn´t considered that.

"When you put it this way-" He paused to think and remembered her suggestion from the day prior.

"You are hurt. We can say I found you on the road after you were attacked by bandits."

"And now you are escorting me home. You think they will buy this?"

She caught on fast.

"Maybe. Maybe not, we will see." Was his short and final answer.

Can´t never now with us involved.

"Now get on the horse. I saw you already in your underwear so no need to be all shy

now. And I wouldn´t mind seeing more."

When Milli sat on the horse, he seated himself behind her like any other day before.

He reached for the reigns and stiffed, when his eyes felt down on her thighs.

Sitting on the horse his shirt was only barely able to cover her private parts. The man in him wasn´t able to look away.

"See something you like?" asked the young woman, her voice dripping with a mix of

sarcasm and annoyance.

"Yeah. Could be more though." He grinned, but reached for the coat and draped it

around her legs, they were traveling together and he had no need to get this complicated.

"Thank you." She was grateful, that was clear.

It was obvious for him the ride was straining her back. Her seating got stiffer from second to second.

His armes sneaked around her waist and pressed her against him without a word.

She relaxed against him and he liked it.

They reached the village a few hours later and were greeted by angry looks and sneers.

Wait until you need my help again.

"Mutant."

"We don´t want likes like you here!"

" Take your whore and go away!"

"We don´t need monsters here!"

"Assholes" mumbled Milli in response. I can double that.

"I found her in the forest a few days back after she was attacked by bandits. We need

clothing for her and we will be on our way again." Lambert spoke, anger in his

voice towards the spokesperson of that village.

"And who says it wasn´t you who kidnapped her? That what witcher to."

"I do. Are there any cloths we can buy? So we can be on our way again." He growled. You now shit.

"I don´t care. Then trousers." I am loosing my tamper.

Lambert reached for his sack of gold and pulled some coins out of it. I bet this will convince you lot.

"This is more then enough to pay for the things we need."

He showed his opponent the coins.

Knew you would bite.

"You will get what you need. But as soon as you have the cloths you and the woman will

be on your way again and don´t come back."

Not if can handle it.

"Agreed."

He dismounted his horse and waited for his companion to dismount as well.

The witcher saw her readjust the coat, Smart girl, don´t want to flash anything to these assholes.

But like he knew something would happen, he stood behind her. His broad body hid her from the eyes of the others.

His coat had stuck on one of the stirrups and she ended up in only his shirt.

"You can stay in my house while you try the old cloths of my wife." The eldest told Milli.

Not alone...

"I will come with you."

Milli smiled glad, but the man frowned making the anger grow in the witchers centre.

The house they entered was like any other in the rural areas, one big room was

the center.

"You can change in our bedroom."

"Thank you."

The wife of the eldest handed Milli her old dresses while the witcher and her husband stared at each other.

Some minutes later his companion emerged from the little bedroom and his eyes settled on her.

The dresses were well worn and not worthy the coin he had promised, but baggers can´t be choosers.

Lambert handed the man the promised coins and they walked back towards the horse.

The looks some of the man, that had gathered outside, send their way made the woman

shiver and the man angry.

I warn you lot. One move and there is one village less in this area.

He stayed close to her glaring at anybody who even dared to look at her.

Lets get out of here.

She mounted the horse and they were on their way before Lambert had reached the

saddle, his loyal steed seem to get away as fast as his master.

Smart horse.

The witcher wasn´t able to get the anger the villagers woke in him under control.

Because she was forced to travel with him, they looked at her like she worth nothing. Some of the man even showd their intentions with her, hadn´t he been near. They had lust in their eyes.

"What kind of dicks did we just met?"

Her comment was able to wipe the anger away for just a second, but it returned the very next.

"The usual ones." And those were the harmless once he met in a while.

"Really? Man I hope we don´t need to be in villages often."

"We need to get new provisions soon. There is a bigger settlement in a fortnights ride.

They are usual not as hostile as little villages. I need to do one or more contracts

there."

And find a save place for you to stay, while I risk my ass to provide for us.

"Oh. If there is something I can do to help you-"

"Yeah. Be quiet for once."

The sudden change in his behavior surprised him. He had no intention to project his anger about the villagers to her, but he did.

"If you have nothing to say, shut up. "This was the one and only time he would listen to the bastard of father.

Well done you probably scared her now.

She stayed quiet for the next hours and Lambert was able to get into an state of meditating, trusting his horse and his senses to warn him if something was trying to harm them.

It was sometime after noon when he was pulled out of his state of calmness by a stumble of his horse and a quiet female whimper.

The witcher immediately stopped the horse and dismounted and he wasn´t sure but thought he saw Milli flinch in the corner of his eyes.

What do she think I am going to do?

His anger started to rise again, but this time it was directed at himself.

"Get off the horse."

She did, refusing to face him.

"Show me your back." He ordered.

"I can´t lift the dress."

So he was right, her back was bothering her again. He could not forgive himself, if his bad mood would cause her harm and what he didn´t understand was why he felt that way.

He was aware of her gripping the saddle in anticipation, his heart clenched, he knew the pain his companion would be in.

She unbuckled the belt that fastened her dress around her waist.

His armored hand gripped the hem of the dress and began to lift it.

When the hem reached her ass, he stopped for a moment knowing , if it weren´t for the injuries this would be in a whole other level . Lambert forced himself to not see the sexual aspect but the professional one.

The dress rested on her arms and the witcher began to unwrap the bandages.

Milli flinched in pain and he was impress she did not cry out loud.

Red greeted the witchers eyes.

"Why didn´t you told me earlier that the pain started again? There are red marks

around the stitches. I need to tent to it immediately." He growled.

She flinched.

Not wasting any time he tend to the wounds, but tried not to hurt her even more.

Hopefully its not to late and the ointment will help.

"Look at me."

After he adjusted the dress, the witcher motioned for her to turn around.

Pain, worry and fear(?) mirrored her eyes, she was waiting for a telling off.

"You need to tell me when your back is bothering you. This could have resulted in an

infection or blood- poisoning. It is healed more than it should be by a normal human, but

it can still turn to the worst."

She was stil avoiding his gaze.

"You said I should be quiet and sounded angry." His companion answered with a low voice.

Now you did it.

Lambert sighted in response and made her look into his eyes after he helped her to readjust the belt.

"I was not mad a you. I am responsible for you, no matter how angry I am. If you are in

danger, I need to be able to count on the fact that you tell me that."

The fear left her eyes and she nodded in understanding.

"There is a little clearing near by. We will rest there for the night."

Lets get you some rest.