Chapter Four: Scent
Word Count: 2,478
Focused Characters/Pairings: (Kellam x Panne)
Summary: If anything, she wouldn't forget him.
'So far, so good.'
The large room in front of him was clear, no enemy in sight. Despite the lull in action Kellam took his duty seriously, if he failed here the Shepards would be vulnerable to a surprise flank attack.
The current battle was against Plegian bandits who remained after the war's end. Although their crown ceased funding them, they found their gold through vulnerable Ylissean border towns and villages. It meant the Shepards' victory march to Ylisstol would not be peaceful.
For tackling this stronghold Robin developed a simple plan: a swift rout. She put an emphasis on cavalry and Pegasus knights leading the charge while those on foot would finish off stragglers. Those with limited mobility would guard key defensive points.
Which meant once again Kellam was left behind for guard duty. Not that he minded, it came with being a knight. Although he had to admit, it hurt a little watching everyone leave him.
'Leaving me here, it means they trust me… right?'
There was a slight breeze in the air. The torches along the wall flickered. The shift in environment made Kellam grip his lance and look for oncoming foes. There was no one, but saw something glimmer amongst the fire's light.
Instinctively he dove sideways. Looking to where he stood an iron arrow was lodged in the ground.
'Looks like the enemy noticed me for once.' Kellam sighed, 'And I hoped I wouldn't have to fight this time around.'
Sometimes he even passed for a statue.
Kellam moved behind a column for cover for time to assess the situation. The archer couldn't be alone; they hardly ever were when attacking this close.
On cue he saw a swordsman charging forward. Kellam threw his last javelin, hoping it would down the foe from afar. Sadly the lance lodged itself into the enemy's shoulder, who took a short moment to remove the spear and snap it in half. The action provoked him rather than dealt damage.
Upon a lance's length away Kellam revealed himself. The swordsman slashed diagonally across Kellam's chest, but was surprised to see him stay still. Upon contact the sword recoiled harmlessly, dazing the bandit. Kellam took the opportunity to strike. This time the bandit was unable to remove this lance.
Keeping on his toes Kellam kept moving from column to column, trying to pinpoint the archer's position. However he could not roam far without leaving the passageway unprotected.
With his eyes on the horizon Kellam jumped when he heard a yell to his immediate left. Turning quickly he saw a hand axe in mid air towards him. He could only manage a step backwards as he felt the blade cut through the small opening at his collarbone.
The strike told him two things:
One, such a precise strike called for a skilled foe-one who was much stronger than the swordsman.
Two, he was in serious trouble.
Luckily the cut was not quite so deep and the pain was bearable. Though the amount of blood running down his armor was concerning. Kellam tried hard not to look as he applied a vulnerary to the wound, which slowed the bleeding.
The step back left Kellam vulnerable and the archer took another shot. Luckily it was a miss, but he could feel the arrow whiz past his cheek. He quickly got back into cover.
'Two ranged weapons? This… Isn't looking good.'
If anything… maybe reinforcements would arrive once the larger skirmish was finished. It had been two hours since the Shepard's invasion; surely that was enough time for the others.
Until then he was on his own.
The column he was hiding behind was slowly crumbling… It was clear he had to go on the offensive-despite how suicidal it seemed. At this rate he would slowly die through attrition.
His charge was slow, but was able to prevent most damage. Using his armor he angled his body to receive each projectile, reducing damage. His skin and their weapons never made contact, but wherever he was struck, Kellam was sure a welt formed.
Once in range Kellam aimed his lance towards the bandit's leg, retracting when the opponent brought his axe downward onto the shaft. If his weapon was destroyed now-he would die.
"So you wish to taste my axe again Ylissean dog?" The bandit was panting heavily. It seemed like he sprinted a long distance, which was the only advantage Kellam had. Upon closer inspection the man wore many rings and heavy bracelets-treasures pilfered from nearby homes. The man's bloodthirsty eyes looked at Kellam's wound, pleased. "I'll give you this, you're a sturdy fellow."
Kellam went on the defensive, focusing on dodging swings. He tried to ignore the arrows bouncing off of his armor.
"Oh no lad, you won't be able to win this way." Slowly the bandit was gaining more ground as Kellam back stepped with each dodge.
'He's right. f I don't act now, he'll definitely get me in the corner.'
Kellam gave up on finding an opening-the bandit swung too quickly to give him a chance. With no other options he charged forward-shoulder first, knocking the bandit onto the ground. Instantly he felt a burst of pain coming from his wound but Kellam continued on. With the bandit pinned down under the weight of armor, he closed his eyes and nodded-an acknowledgment of defeat?
"Clever." Kellam ignored the bandit's mock praise and struck. Out of mercy Kellam finished the man with one strike. He never did enjoyed screaming... or a mess. To get up he leaned onto his lance. His head felt woozy.
'I managed well, even with the disadvantages.'
The bandit managed to strike the same small area twice. There was no doubt in Kellam's mind his left collarbone was broken now. He had to keep pressure with his hand to avoid bleeding out quickly, but it was only a matter of time before he fainted.
Then his heart lurched. The battle was not over yet. Kellam forgot about the archer once the volleys stopped while finishing off the axe-wielder.
Kellam looked behind him to see the archer running down the hallway. His comrade became a decoy. With fatigue and pain setting in Kellam could only watch as the Shepards' faces ran through his head. One of them could potentially die because of him.
But what could he do? In hindsight the dim swordsman was clever to break his last javelin, which laid in two a few feet away… Was there really nothing he could do?
No, that was not an option. Sure the Shepards forgot about him, but they depended on him. He couldn't fail here. It would make him completely useless.
In a stroke of pure innovation Kellam looked to the fallen bandit, prying the axe from the corpse's hand. The unfamiliar weapon felt heavy. Regardless he had to try and chucked the axe as hard as he could. He imagined Vaike laughing at his poor form.
Out of sheer luck or by Naga's will, Kellam hit his mark. Upon impact the archer instantly crumpled, the axe was lodged into the poor man's spine. Perhaps a class change was in order.
Well, he had to live through this first.
With nothing but silence and blood surrounding him Kellam took to his original post, only this time slumped in the entrance. With no other enemy around Kellam used the rest of his vulnerary, cursing when the recovery item did not close the wound nor slow the bleeding. It only dulled the pain making his death somewhat less pleasant.
He stayed put. There was no use venturing down the hallway for a healer. He could easily encounter another foe, and this time Kellam had no more tricks or strength to fight with.
He was beginning to lose consciousness, his head kept dipping down begging for him to close his eyes.
A crackle through the air woke alerted him. He knew that sound… Someone was charging a lightning spell.
Mustering his strength he stood up to face his next foe, but had to lean on the wall for support.
A flash lit up the room. Kellam lost his balance once he felt a sharp pain coming from his leg, making him fall down. The smell of fried flesh did nothing to ease his mind.
He craned his neck to see a mage eying his fallen comrades as he walked towards Kellam. It was strange to see a mage bandit, but since Plegia had invested into these rogue fighters during the war-anything seemed likely.
'This is it. The last thing I will see is this leaky ceiling. Sorry guys... I'm sorry Panne.'
Despite the fear gripping his heart Kellam could not bring himself to close his eyes. Perhaps he had some morbid impulse to see his slayer's face.
For a moment he thought he died when his view became dark for a moment. He chalked it up to the blood loss.
Yet the crackling also stopped.
"Man-spawn. Get up." Upon hearing her voice Kellam found the strength to at least sit up. There was Panne in taguel form with blood dripping from her claws and mouth. Beside her was the mage's desecrated body; limbs sprawled out in unhealthy angles-if attached at all.
Despite the grisly scene Kellam smiled.
"I thought you promised to stop calling me that."
"You promised to stop being foolish. If I arrived any later I'd be bringing a corpse back."
"Sorry Panne. Thanks for coming."
"Why would I not? You are my husband."
"You make it sound like you were forced into it." Regardless of her rough words Panne approached him, nuzzling him gently with her nose. Had she gone soft after marrying a human? Perhaps. It was the first time during battle she felt her heart twisting itself in half.
He climbed onto her back.
"Sorry for getting blood on your fur."
"That is the least of my concerns. I could smell you dying."
"Was it the burning flesh or the blood?"
"Both. It clouded your scent. Smelled worse than usual."
"Sorry… Again. Hey remember the last time you gave me a ride?"
"You're bleeding. Stop speaking nonsense man-spawn."
She carried him as fast as possible without jostling him too much. Upon arrival Libra focused all his attention to the armored knight. When he removed the damaged armor he recited a short prayer. The mixture of dried blood, white bone, and burnt skin did not sit well with the priest.
The battle was over when Kellam received treatment. By then all there was left was to gather the hoarded supplies hidden within the stronghold. Not long after treatment Robin approached the two with a grim expression. Despite their successful rout it was clear she was not pleased.
"I'm sorry Kellam. I should've noticed the bandits' ringleader left the main fray sooner. The lot here was too disorganized."
"It's not your fault Robin. Who could've expected the boss leaving his station? Normally they don't dare to budge, even in sure defeat." So his opponent was the leader? Now the skill level made sense to Kellam. His heart swelled with pride.
"You're too kind Kellam." Robin smiled weakly. "But I have to take blame here."
"We follow your leadership because we acknowledge your prowess. As our tactician you hold our lives. Do not throw them away."
"Panne…" Kellam winced when he saw Robin's face grimace. He was never one for confrontation.
"No. Let her acknowledge her faults."
"I agree. Just allow me to say one last thing: I don't assign you these duties because I've forgotten or think of you as weak Kellam, I do so because you are the best person for the task."
"Thanks Robin." Kellam said with a slight blush. It was nice to hear someone acknowledge him. Perhaps the Shepards did keep him in their thoughts, at least more than he originally thought.
"Then I will leave you to rest. Panne I trust you'll nurse him back to health?"
"I can assure you he won't die."
"Perfect. Well then, I'll check up on Gaius and see what he's uncovered."
The two were now alone.
"You didn't have to tell Robin that. She beats herself up enough already."
"She acknowledges your skill-and that becomes your concern? After facing death?" Panne lifted his shirt up to apply her personal healing salve to his injuries, not even blushing upon the sight of bare skin or flinching at the black and blue bruises. "I've married a sentimental fool."
"It's why you fell for me, wasn't it?" He said with a grin and blush. Although Panne could keep a straight face, Kellam couldn't while feeling her fingers running along his chest and abdomen.
"A pompous one at that." She applied harder pressure, causing him to wince slightly. Yet the smile did not disappear from his face. This was much better than treating himself with vulneraries.
With Panne around everything seemed to feel alive: mealtimes, training, marches, mornings… she didn't need to speak, just her presence was enough. The two enjoyed living in peace and quiet, they left the limelight for the others.
He gripped her hand.
"If you died, how could I preserve the taguel race?"
"You're amazing Panne. I'm sure you would be able to find someone else, someone better-"
Panne yanked her hand away.
"I can stand a fool but not a weakling." She said firmly. She cupped his face in her hands; he could smell the salve's minty herbs from her fingertips. "I chose you. Where's your pride? You managed to charm the last taguel with your bumbling attitude."
"You're right." He took her hand and held it against his cheek. "I shouldn't have said that. I promise I won't leave you."
"I don't care for liars either." It was the closest she would get to saying: I forgive you. "When will you recover from these wounds?"
"Libra said a month probably. Well it's good the war's done and all… Why?"
"Then in a month we'll try to start our kin."
He blushed from her straightforwardness. But thinking about it more a child became more and more appealing. Certainly he or she wouldn't forget about him. Even though it pained him, he leaned up and gave her a chaste kiss, surprised when she forced her tongue into his mouth (not that he was complaining). She normally wasn't so bold with others nearby, but he quickly learned after marriage Panne could be rather forceful when she wished.
"Prepare yourself till then." She said with a grin.
"A wonderful wife and soon a child… I can't be any happier than I am now. Thank you Panne." He said, a bit breathless. Was it good for his heart to beat so quickly? Right now Kellam couldn't give a damn. "Plus I can't wait to shove this in my brother's face. He always thought I would be a bachelor forever."
"Does he treat you poorly? Should I confront him?"
"Uh… No, it's alright."
A/N: Said this would come out soon... Didn't think it'd be this quick but w/e.
And I'm sorry Kellam for making you the sacrificial lamb in those rare instances I put you in battle. I offer this one-shot as an apology.