The moon was high. He'd been waiting for hours now, but he kept his eyes on the forest to the North. It was already past the time she had promised. "Ashaad," he called out and sighed. Without taking his eyes off the forest, he began, "Pack up the-" He stopped when he saw a flash of white form in his vision. A figure began to form in the distance.
"Tal-vashoth!" The Ashaad readied his weapon as did the soldiers behind them.
"No, stop." The Arishok held up his hand. The figure drew closer, carrying another. "They are here. Get the tome and guard it with your life. Do not let it out of your sight," he commanded. The white hair and bronze skin of the figure before him brought about a new realization. This is the companion she spoke of. Her limp form called his attention as well as the large book being carried by another, smaller companion. "Does she live?"
"Yes, Arishok, but she is injured and unconscious. May we ask of a place to tend to her wound?" Markl spoke respectfully.
"Follow me," he said leading them to his tent. "You are Tal-vashoth?" he asked after Markl laid her gently in the large bed.
"I am not. My father was. I have been trying to convert since his death years ago, but I was turned away for that very reason. Sicilia was kind enough to include me in her mission so that I may become worthy of the Qun." Markl spoke formally to show his respect.
Sicilia. Is that her name? "So you have."
Haiden walked into the tent and looked at Sicilia, bracing himself for what was to come. "Markl, you should go rest. You carried her the whole way here even after taking the brunt of the battle. It's going to be a long night for me. Luckily, she passed out before this. Maybe she won't wake up in the middle of it."
"What will you need? I will have it brought to you." The Arishok never took his eyes off her. She was pale and sweating.
"Some hot water, cloth, wrappings, any healing potions you may have, and the smallest sharpest blade you can find." Haiden watched the Arishok leave to gather the equipment and moved to the bedside. "Markl, go rest. She'll be fine."
Markl nodded and left the tent. Haiden knelt beside her and brushed the hair from her face. "Sicilia, you are the strongest woman I know. Just sleep; I'll take care of the rest. Don't give up now," he whispered to her. He began unwrapping her leg. Using the cloth to remove the pulp, he realized the extent of the burn. It was a perfect hand shape.
The Arishok and a Sten walked in carrying everything. The Sten sat the hot water on the ground next to Haiden. "This is the sharpest we have," said the Arishok holding out the small knife.
Haiden took it and tested it against his fingertip. "It'll work fine. Thank you." He watched the Arishok sort out everything on a crate next to the bed. He had brought in multiple potions of different kinds, plenty of cloth, and some other tools. Haiden thought for a moment. "Could I ask for your help?" When the Arishok nodded, he elaborated. "I need you to hand me tools and, if she does wake up, I'm going to need you to hold her down. First, hand me some cloth."
The Arishok was glad to help. He handed Haiden a few of the rags and removed his armor, leaving it in a corner of the tent. Haiden had placed his staff on the ground behind him. Taking a cloth, he dampened it with the hot water before placing it on her forehead. He took the small knife and a pair of teasers, dipped them into the hot water, and touched the tip of the blade. His fingertips glowed a soft orange to heat the blade. Haiden took a deep breath before he began the tedious process of cutting away the burn.
Cutting was made easy when the blade was hot. It also caused less bleeding. Once Haiden had finished half of the burn, he was relieved to find that the damage hadn't reached the muscle. It would leave a horrible scar, but, once healed, she would be able to walk and fight normally. Her thick leather armor had saved her leg in the end. The Arishok never said a word; he only did as Haiden asked of him, which Haiden found odd and also helpful. He even watched the Arishok re-dampen the cloth on her forehead a few times.
"What potions did you have?" Haiden asked as he cauterized the last spot. He examined the fresh wound. The elfroot had minimized the swelling, but he could tell it was still red and swollen and would be for a couple days. He listened as the Arishok went through the potions he had brought, telling him what each did. After wrapping her leg and placing a fresh cloth on her forehead, Haiden washed his hands of all blood. "It would be best not to move her until she wakes up. I'll come back in the morning to change the wrappings." The Arishok remained seated on the ground next to the bed even after Haiden left.
Haiden wore a grim expression as he threw the bloody rags into the fire. The picture of the Arishok at her bedside would not leave his mind. He had given her his bed, his tent, and remained at her side. Sicilia had already said that she liked him, but now he knew that his chances were slim to none. He loves her, too.
He carried the bowl of water into the forest and poured it out. It was Haiden's idea to ask the Arishok to help; although, he was sure the Qunari would've helped regardless of him asking. He didn't regret it, though. Sicilia lived and would survive the healing process. She had not died before he told her of his feelings towards her.
For the half-elf, this was true love. He was happy whether she chose him or not. She was alive and the Arishok loved her. He could go home without regret.
The Sten had brought in another bowl of hot water along with the Arishok's backless chair. The Arishok couldn't tell what time of night it was, though he was sure it was nearing morning. He felt a minor fatigue as he rung the rag from excess water and placed it on her forehead. Three days he had spent thinking of her and he still didn't know the full extent of his feelings.
"In a way, I guess I do. It could be futile, but-" That is what she said when he asked if there was someone she was interested in. Could it be that Qunari companion or someone else? His mind wondered of other possibilities. When he had thought of her death, it left him confused.
A soft groan came from his bed. He sat in his chair, hunched over his knees in his usual posture. He glanced up to see her eyes slowly open. He stood after grabbing a small potion. "Drink this. It will help with the pain."
She looked at him and then around the room. "Where am I?" she asked grasping the flask of amber liquid. Trying to sit up, she gasped at the pain. She downed the oddly sweet potion.
"My tent," he said taking the flask from her.
"What time is it? Why aren't you asleep?" Her voice was a bit shaky and low. She felt the potion begin to dull her senses, relieving some pain.
"It is near dawn. I feel no need to sleep."
She looked down and realizing the size of the bed, she said, "I guess you can't sleep if your bed is occupied, can you? I would move, but I'd need some help." The Arishok sat in his chair, but made no move to help her stand, which she took as a hint to stay. She laid back, flinching at a sting of pain. "I assume that since I'm here, that means Markl and Haiden made it alright, which also means you know about Markl."
"I do."
"Markl is no Tal-vashoth. Didn't you say once that even the Qun cannot change the nature of birth? I couldn't have gotten to tome back to you without his help."
"He will be viddathari."
Sicilia smiled, knowing how happy Markl must be. "How is he? He carried me the whole way after taking on the majority of the shades."
"He seemed fine. He is resting."
Sicilia watched him. His chest rose and fell with his breaths. Without his armor, he seemed less intimidating. She never noticed just how broad his shoulder were. He was staying there, watching over her. She closed her eyes, ready for sleep to take her. "Thank you, Kadan," she said before her breathing became steady.
The morning came shortly after. Haiden had come to change her wrappings. The wound's swelling had reduced and everything appeared to be going well. He quickly cleaned the burn, added an antiseptic, and replaced the bandages. After he left, the Arishok followed, feeling better knowing that her injury was getting better. The Qunari were gathered in the center getting ready for breakfast.
He saw Haiden and Markl talking to one side away from the crowd. A spicy, smoky scent filled the air. After eating, he promptly returned to his tent. The Arishok filled his time thinking of their journey ahead. He would wait until Sicilia was well enough to walk before his camp would make their way to Kont-aar. Or maybe she will take the journey with us?
He took his seat and continued his watch over her. Once she woke, he decided, he would ask her of her plans. Will she continue to Kont-aar or return to Dairsmuid?