A tale is not only of one. It is spun of many, reflected in many facets like a mirror.
Whilst the four of our travelers made their way onward towards their destination, let us turn our lens towards another side of the tale unwinding. A chronicle beginning in the Frostlands...
"May the Sacred Flame ever guide your path…"
She murmurs the same words over and over again, for each of the candles she lights ever so carefully. Each of these lights represent that which will illuminate the path for one lost. It will guide them to the rest they deserve, and the living hope them to achieve.
Or something like that.
They sit on their hallowed place, illuminating the windowsill and spilling out onto the floor in their own corner here. Each one is a special wish left by a relation, whether by blood or other. Outside, the snow piles quietly in the weak daylight.
"Fili!" Lianna half runs up to the cleric. Several of the other church sisters turn to look at her scoldingly, so she slows down and lowers her voice, "I mean, ahem, may the light bless you on this fine day, sister Ophilia."
She crosses her hands over her chest in prayer. Ophilia smiles and returns the gesture. The two hold their formal poses until the eyes avert. Then the girls giggle like little children with a shared secret and loosen.
"Ahahahaha… Oh, this never gets old…"
"Mm. I'm almost done here…" Ophilia comes to the last of the candles, "Do we have the blankets and food ready?"
"Yep! Old sister Patricia has the mule loaded. It's simply not safe these days, living out of the city walls…" Lianna sighs and adds, "But some people can't put aside their pride to move on in…"
"Richard's had that house forever, Anna. You know he probably has too many memories to just pull up stakes and move."
"I suppose…" Lianna huffs slightly. She blows a tuft of hair out of her face and tosses her braid over her shoulder, "It's just a bit of a trip you know?"
"It's no bother really. I rather like going out every now and then. He also helps the travelers and destitute. Otherwise, they'd all freeze or be eaten by the ice lizards out there…" Ophilia straightens, lighting the last candle.
"I know, I know, Fili…" Lianna sighs, "I just hate to be away sometimes."
"Says the one going on the Kindling pilgrimage across the entire continent?" Ophilia turns and smiles knowingly to her sister.
"That's different…!" Lianna folds her arms defensively, muttering slightly, "I mean, an event of that importance…"
"Come now, his Excellency has always taught us that all works in the name of the Sacred Flame are equally important, whether it's a coin in a beggar's cup or blessing a whole city."
"I meant that… well, you know father has had this tickle in his throat for a while now…!"
"He never wants us to worry, does he? Last time, he said it was because he had stayed out a bit too long in the chill. This time it's his age."
"You know how I fret for his health so, Fili."
"I know. As do I," Ophilia places a gentle hand on Lianna's shoulder, "That's why, to me, you are the bravest person in this whole cathedral."
Lianna blushes slightly and looks away, "Pfft… it's nothing, really…"
"Come on then," Ophilia draws her insulated cape about herself, "We should be off to the houses, lest another storm blindside us like the last time…"
"Don't even try to scare me, Phili… I thought we'd be eaten by bears for sure!" Lianna sighs loudly, exasperated in her recounting of the event, "I must say that those who persist in living out in the wilds … certainly have admirable gusto."
"That they do."
They leave the corner of memorial flames and walk slowly past the massive cathedral halls of ivory columns and stone walls. The architecture is gothic, with flying buttresses and that beautiful stain glass in the main basilica where service is being held for midday goers. Motifs of the sacred flame decorate the arches and great old black iron chandeliers keep the place lit with blazing light.
The two venture out to the gates of the cathedral, where the snow falling is so slow it may as well be still in the air. Such is the beauty of Flamesgrace. The small flakes spin slowly in their descent, making like glitter in their air. Bundled in their heavy cloaks and garb, the two are as warm as can be. Outside, a small, beat-up wagon awaits, drawn by the shaggy old mule, Bastion. Patricia, in her thick robe, stands by with the reins. She looks to the girls with a slightly stern eye and gruff voice after a brief pose of greeting prayer.
"Ready then, girls?"
"Hello, Bastion, how are you today…" Ophilia strokes the snout of the beast gently and slips it some oats, "Yes, sister Patricia."
The beast snorts and gives a low grunt of appreciation, peering at her through the shaggy hair covering most of its body. Lianna and her climb onto the seat. Patricia hands Lianna the reins.
"Remember, keep to the posts, unless they be too buried in the snows… Stray not from the flames light," The old woman says sternly, "You caused the archbishop quite some grief last time."
"W-well, we can't control the weather now, can we?" Lianna chuckles, "Tell father to take care of himself if he starts worrying. We won't make the same mistake twice!"
"Yes, we bought a spare blanket this time," Ophilia adds.
Patricia sighs. The wagon slowly starts moving with its cargo in tow as Bastion chugs along and the two girls ride past the streets of Flamesgrace. People, bundled in thick wooly coats and garments wave and make the sign of prayer as they pass. The two return the gestures and giggle a bit as their ride thuds along the cobbled road repeatedly, but not enough to bounce anything big off.
"They should trust us more with supply runs," Ophilia breathes into her gloved hands, "We aren't children anymore."
"Patricia's just a worrywart. And I am almost positive father has been rigging the chores."
They giggle at their inside joke. As they near the town limits, they see a pair of men being helped out of the tavern. They holler like drunk men loudly, and many people turn away. Their clothes show them not being of the Frostlands. Perhaps nearer the Woodlands or Flatlands.
"We... we're the Ciaran! You... You people shou' be glad we wanna drink yer piss ale!"
"Eyy, yeah! 'Afore we came, we dun' felled a frost bear! Jus' the two o' us!"
They are escorted back to the inn by a stout third member, who avoids the glances of the townspeople.
"... How rude! Such language in public!" Ophilia gasps indignantly.
"Well, that's how drink bade men be," Lianna sighs, "Hopefully they will be more civil once sober... Or at least out of town. Did you buy that story at all for a minute? A frost bear!"
Ophilia nods slightly as they exit the city limits out to the tranquil snowdrifts outside Flamesgrace, "Beasts with the strength of twenty men! To think they can fell one with just three!"
"A load of cockamamie if liars told any!" Lianna snorts and looks out at the drifts, "T'will be dark soon, I believe. I do look forward to going a bit south for this pilgrimage, to where the sun shines more than just a few hours a day..."
"Mm, yes..." Ophilia keeps a wary look out at the snow as well, as monsters tend to hide there. In the distance, she spots movement. But it is gone quickly. Yet the feeling of eyes remains and lingers.
"First to Saintsbridge... Imagine it! A city built upon rivers! Unlike here, where the water is frozen solid nearly all year round!" Lianna chuckles, "And since it is quite an attraction, I'll bet there's lots of other things from around the realm, like clothes and food..."
"Ahaha, you sound so excited, Lianna."
"Well, a bit. It's both worrisome and exhilarating to think of you know? And the day is awful close. Just a few days away!"
"Yes..." Ophilia murmurs thoughtfully, looking about and not seeing anything. How her heart leaps for Lianna! Yet she cannot shake that she wishes she may also experience Orsterra like that…
Bastion pauses suddenly, halting their banter. Ahead, they can see the light from Richard's house along the path, past the fork to Northreach. The old shag mule snorts in the direction of the drifts and gives a menacing grunt.
"Bastion? What's wrong?" As the girls look, they see nothing out of the ordinary. The mule stares still, expectantly.
"...Yip, yip, old boy. Come on now..." Lianna lightly flicks the reins, urging the beast onward, "Fili, do you see anything?"
"No... Nor do I sense anything..." As a cleric, they learn not only to heal the wounds, but the very souls of people. Such requires a form of empathy that can grant them awareness of the suffering and minds of others. However, for beasts it is a much more complicated subject. There are powerful clerics able to sense not minds, but all life, including plants and animals. Ophilia is far from such development, however. She requires yet her staff as a focus, unlike accomplished clerics like Lianna, who need only their hands.
Bastion gives one final snort before continuing. They roll up to the front of Richard's house, which is a modest, snug, one-story building. The old curmudgeon lives alone here, after his wife died and his children moved away. Despite pleas from the townspeople, he remains outside Flamesgrace. Before the famed cathedral was built, he and his family performed hospitality for travelers. Now, though less necessary, he still helps those stranded in the snows who cannot reach the city.
The old man wears a bearskin parka and waves as the wagon approaches. He is usually very gruff and rude, but Ophilia found him to be a rather kind man under that crust. He ties Bastion to the anchor post as the girls dismount.
"Sorry about the wait!" Ophilia and her sister gather the baskets and blankets in their arms to greet the old man.
"Bah, were ya any slower, I could 'ave gone to Victor's Hollow and returned with supplies meself!"
"That stroke didn't stop you at all, did it, Richard?" Lianna sighs with a slight smile, "Any takers tonight?"
"Small twins. Near frozen from the Flatlands they said," The old man shakes his head, "Didya get the wicks I asked fer?"
"Yes, and candles. We also have some frozen tallow," Lianna replies, "And father made sure to send some extra food."
Richard nods and roughly opens his door for them. They feel the pillow of warm air invite them in. Inside, there is a roaring fire, and two young men, possibly not older than twenty, sitting asleep near the wall under a shared blanket. The girls take care to be quiet as they place down the deliveries and talk in low voices.
"The sick beds have been full these days too in the cathedral... lots of monster attacks..."
"Aye, they be getting bolder," The old man shuts the door, "But these two be goin' ter Northreach anyways. Offered me coin t' stay, but I wouldn't let 'em."
"Ehehe, I know you wouldn't," Ophilia smiles warmly.
"Now dontcha git all giggly on me like we both be the same fools, Ophilia. Still remember I do how ya near froze t' death tryna be helpful," The old man grumbles under his whiskers.
Ophilia chuckles a bit nervously and Lianna as well. Before his stroke and his hair turned wholly grey, Richard had caught the younger Ophilia lost in the snows on one night of a bad storm. She was nearly wholly frozen and set the cathedral off in a panic. It was Richard and his wife, Fina, who housed her until the storm broke. They gave her the warm water baths and took care to see to it that she didn't end up losing any toes from frostbite. She woke up about five days later, after her fever just broke, and blubbered about some merchant who had dropped a leaf as he left Flamesgrace that she had to return. She got quite an earful for that. And Richard still berates her for that to this day. That was the first time they met, and Ophilia recalls it with some fondness.
"Yes, you were quite worried for me, Richard... and Fina too..."
He grunts and gets to moving about some of the supplies and opens some of the crates. Ophilia glances at the old portrait on the mantle above the fireplace of his family when they were young. The parchment is old and yellowed now, but it is always there.
"... Thank ye fer always keepin' Fina's candle lit."
"Ah, of course. You knew about that?"
"Aye, she hath told me herself in me dreams."
Ophilia notes that quietly. The two twins stir and stare at the sisters and their patron.
"Oh, hello," Ophilia gives a smile to them, "Sorry, did we wake you?"
They shake their heads as they stare quietly.
"They ain't gorgons, boys. Jus' the local holy people of the Church of Flame," Richard takes out sticks of candles, "They're the reason y'can eat tonight."
"...Thank you," One of them says quietly.
"You're welcome... So! On your way to Northreach, huh? There's some mighty strong storms and monsters along the way... will you be alright?" Lianna looks to the other twin.
"Should be," They both look at each other and shrug, "We'll just avoid the main roads."
"Ah, but that's dangerous! That's where the monsters usually are..." Ophilia murmurs.
"We aren't helpless babes," One twin reveals a sheathed shortsword at his breast, "We'll be fine."
"Tea," Richard's gruff gesture thrusts a cup of tea at all the people in the room, "Best ye warm up 'fore headin' out 'gain."
"Mm, yes, thank you..." The two sisters sip appreciatively. Lianna burns her tongue a bit.
"Oww..." She sucks air in and fans her mouth.
"C-careful, Anna..." Ophilia looks back to the twins, "So, what are your names?"
"I'm Biggs. And my brother here's Wedge," The two seem to be opening up a bit now.
"I'm Ophilia, and this is my sister Lianna. We're both from the nearby town of Flamesgrace."
"The cathedral city..."
"Yes! Erm, if you want, we are returning there later-"
"No thanks ma'am. We're staying on course to Northreach. Its closer from here."
"Oh...well, alright," Ophilia nods, "Might I ask why you're going?"
"Work," The twins reply simply.
"Well, ain't ya jus' a pair o' chatterin' marmots," Richard looks to the clerics, "It's gon' be dark soon. Ye should stay the night."
"Ah, no, we should get back, lest we worry his Excellency..."
"Still with the whole 'Excellency' business, eh?" Richard chuckles.
"...?" Ophilia puts down her cup and bows briefly to Richard and the twins, "Thank you for your hospitality. May the Sacred Flame ever guide your path."
"Right, right, yours as well..."
"Ah, miss Ophilia, before you go..." One of the twins call after them at the door.
"Hm? Yes?"
"Do be careful. When my brother and I were out last night in the snows, we'd heard a very inhuman sound. Twas like a mighty beast in rage. It might still be out there."
"Ah, I see... thank you for telling us..."
"Mayhaps I should escort ye," Richard suggests.
"No, no, you're needed here," Ophilia assures him, "It was probably a frost bear or something, and it'll be asleep by now... We'll be vigilant."
"Yes," Lianna hides her fear.
"...Well alright. But do be careful," Richard makes a slight gesture of prayer as the two girls take their leave. He stands outside and watches them ride off in between the drifts until they ultimately fade from view.
Night comes quickly in the Frostlands, and even natural light is very weak in the day. The two girls light their lanterns and set them on the sides of wagon as it gets dark on their way. Suddenly, Bastion stops again, more abruptly. And, this time, their lanterns illuminate something standing in the snowed-up road.
"Huh?" They both peer at the creature.
It looks like a large cat, with greyish white fur accented with black circular markings and yellow eyes. It looks intently at the wagon. The girls swallow. Was this the beast the twins heard perhaps?
"T-that's not like any beast I've seen here in these parts…"
"I think I've read something about... Snow leopards," Ophilia breathes, "But they are usually further north, by Stillsnow or so..."
The large cat gives a slight growl and paws at the snow. Bastion gives a low snort. As a veteran shag mule, he was a stubborn old creature that did not fear easily.
"Wait…" Ophilia squints, "Is that blood?"
She looks at the snow near the leopard, flecked with something dark. The creature also seems to be limping a bit, tense. It seems a bit more scared than aggressive…
"Get of the way… shoo!" Lianna shouts at the cat.
Ophilia slowly climbs out of her seat and takes the second lantern.
"H-hey, Fili?!" Lianna gasps, "Fili, get back! It's dangerous!"
Bastion gives another steamy snort and paws the snow.
"Peace, Bastion…" Ophilia slowly crunches in the snow, hands on the defensive, as she tries talking soothingly to the big cat, "Um… you're hurt, aren't you…? Is that why…?"
"Rr…" The beast eyes her and suddenly seems a bit sad. It gives a low growl and slowly limps closer. As it does, Ophilia sees its arm is indeed bleeding from something like claw marks. There are also some broken spearheads stuck near its rear legs. On its tail is some small ribbon tied.
"… Poor thing…" She nears the creature, so it is within arms touch. Cautiously, she kneels on the snow and reaches a hand for the injured paw.
"F-Fili, don't…" Lianna can scarcely breathe, grasping tight to the reins. Her eyes fearfully watch as Ophilia tries to reach out for the beast.
When Ophilia's touch nears, she says a small prayer, as the knights of Ardante do often to heal their own. It is the most rudimentary of holy healing, requiring only the conviction of one's words. The cat's eyes go feral for a second and swats her away with a yowl. She falls back on her bum in the deep drift. Bastion rears with a loud whinny as Lianna screams slightly.
"N-no, it's ok!" Ophilia scrambles to stand as the cat shrinks back, "I-I'm sorry, I should have said… We can heal you…"
The cat stares at her silently. Bastion quiets.
"Come on… see?" Ophilia extends her hand again, "We're not going to hurt you."
The cat slowly returns to her touch. This time, it lets her touch its jowl, purring slightly, lowly. Lianna can only watch, dumbstruck, as it licks Ophilia's hand.
"There, there… we must be on our way then…" Ophilia looks to Lianna, "Might we have some room for this little one?"
"Are you daft, Fili? The sister would throw a fit with that beast! Nay, she may even die of a heart attack then and there!"
"But…" Ophilia frowns. All creatures were created by the gods and imbued with the essence of the flame. They all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.
She feels a tug at her skirts. The big cat is biting on her dress hem and trying to pull her in a direction off in the drifts.
"Ahh! Is it trying to eat you?"
"N-no, Anna, I think it… wants me to see something… What is it, little one?" Ophilia tries to see in vain at what it might be trying to alert her to, "Is another of your own wounded as well?"
The cat drops her dress and nods with a pleading growl. It goes behind her and tries nudging her onward with its head.
"Uhh… I-I'll be only a moment Lianna!" Ophilia lets herself be pushed off the path, to the drift on the side.
"W-what?! Fili!"
"Just keep Bastion and watch the wagon!" Ophilia hollers back as she wades in the deep snow.
Lianna's shouting after her grow distant and soon the cold winds drown it out. It is not long before she feels quite a bit of cold creeping on her. The light from the wagon is gone, leaving her with her solitary lantern. Gripping on her garments around her, she pushes her fears down as they rise. She mustn't think of being led to a den for food…
"Ah!"
Kicking something half buried in the drift, she trips and gets a face full of snow. Luckily, her lantern does not tip and go out.
"Oh Flame…" She gets up, shaking off the snow and looking at what had tripped her.
The flame shows what looks like a maw buried in the snow. Just the snout and mouthful of teeth stick out. The big cat pounces ahead slightly as she tries to absorb what she is looking at. There is also what looks like a spear, a knee… scaly. It's a lizard man. They are notorious creatures that roam the Frostlands, ambushing travelers. Unlike the other beasts like the foxes and marmots, they have a deadly intelligence that many tend to underestimate. Like humans, they can concoct schemes like traps and are tactically adept at surprising unwary parties.
Now looking towards where the cat pounced, Ophilia sees more half-buried remains of these lizard creatures. All dead. There is some blood, but the ice lizards bleed naturally little. Standing, she comes closer to where the cat stands. It seems to be a great mound of white fur, frozen stiff like ice needles.
"A frost bear…" She breathes a cloud of steam out, staring at the dead giant, "Is this what you wanted me to see…"
The cat burrows slightly in the snow next to the bear, where Ophilia notices a slight indent had been dug. Slowly, she sees the cat drag out furs… which are attached to a person.
"Ah…!" Ophilia quickly drops to her knees and assists in excavating the buried person.
It is a young woman. Her clothing is of an odd fashion, consisting of thick animal furs wrapped about like a cape with a hood. There is also a fox pelt belt, hide gauntlets, feather earrings, and wolf skin around her boots. Her body is covered with an animal skin dress, stained with blood. Holding her, Ophilia can feel her body is very muscular and lithe. Her light brown hair is long and messily tied in a rough braid. What skin shows is pale, and possibly turning blue from the exposure to frost. Gripped still, tightly in her hand, is a well-worn bow. Her eyelashes have bits of snow stuck to them, and she seems to be unconscious… or at least, that's what Ophilia hoped.
The cat looks to Ophilia and gives a low growl, like that of worry maybe. Ophilia's gloved hands tremble as she leans forward, trying to ascertain if she was still alive. Her fingers graze that beautiful, frozen face. She keeps an ear near the woman's lips, and a hand on her torso, to feel for breathing. As she does this, a million prayers race through her mind. She hears a low grunt, very weak.
"Sh-She's alive…" Ophilia draws back with a sigh of relief, "But she shall freeze to death at this rate… Mm! Come on now…"
Determination alight in her eyes, she moves to heave the woman so that she leans on her and begins trudging back the way she had come. The cat follows closely.
"She… is your master?"
The cat seems to give a slight nod in affirmation. She had heard of people who kept beasts as partners. They tend to be hunters, or so she recalls.
Ophilia would not buckle despite how difficult it became, carrying this woman and trying to keep her lantern light steady as they stumbled about the drifts. In the distance, she hears the howls of the winds. A storm is brewing and coming fast. Luckily, she can also see the light along the road, from the wagon lantern.
Lianna jumps out of her seat after the initial shock as Ophilia comes into range of the light. She stops short of her sister, seeing her with the woman and the cat.
"What in the name of Aelfric-"
"Anna, they need help… There were lizardmen where I found her… She'll die if we don't take her back with us with a storm coming…!"
Lianna bites her lip before giving an exasperated whine of resignation, "Fiiliii! Ugh..."
She grunts as she goes to take the woman's legs, helping haul her onto the back of the wagon. Ophilia pants a bit before climbing in as well. The large cat nearly knocks her over as it hops on after her. Lianna hurriedly gets back to the driver's seat as the winds begin to howl again, whipping the snows around them up to a blinding mist.
"Bastion, let's go! Yip yip!"
The old mule gives a bellowing grunt before moving along again as Lianna flicks the reins. His heavy body is undeterred by growing ice winds, and his shaggy mane keeps the snow off his eyes.
As the wagon moves along, Ophilia focuses on keeping the woman warm. The large cat curls around them both protectively, and she can feel its warmth. The woman murmurs a bit in her sleep, probably coming to a little.
"...nde..."
Ophilia leans in to hear the stranger's words. They are low and mumbled words of "Linde," "mother," "father," and "master."
"Are... Are you alright...?" Ophilia says gently, pulling about the spare blanket on the woman.
"..."
She sounds severely weakened... There were definite signs of a fight... did she and the leopard fight all those lizardmen and a bear? Oh, Sacred Flame...
Ophilia slowly peels back some of the bloody furs sticking to the woman's body. The cat watches her with a low growl.
"I need to check if she's injured..." She says, keeping a wary eye on the beast.
She feels warmth on the side of the woman's stomach. Upon withdrawing her hand, she sees it is slick with blood. She looks down to see some blood leaking onto the wagon floor as well, staining her clothes. Ophilia bites her trembling lip a bit.
"Fili! We're almost there! Is she alright?" Lianna calls to her sister form over her shoulder.
"I don't know!" Ophilia grasps a bit at where she can feel the warm liquid dripping, trying to apply pressure to the wound. A multitude of fervent prayers spill from her lips in rapid succession as she tries to at least staunch the wound. The feel, the touch, and the scent of blood brings back horrid visions. Her hands, stained a red that will never be washed away...
Your bloodied hands could not save anyone.
The woman coughs suddenly, and Ophilia feels her spasm. A chilled hand lightly grasps at her own.
"...ngh..."
Ophilia barely registered their surroundings change as they entered the town limits. She hadn't felt relief at their return. Her eyes and mind could focus only on this person dying before here, and that horrid sight...
She didn't even taste the blood now running down her chin from biting her lip for so long.
Lianna pulls Bastion to a stop just short of the cathedral gates. She shouts something to Ophilia, which the cleric does not fully register, before running inside. The woman's grasp is not strong, Ophilia can feel, and she's lost too much blood.
When Lianna had fetched Patricia and another priest to help, the bleeding had stopped. But no one questioned it. Miracles do happen, after all. Ophilia seemed a bit disoriented, but they thought it was merely because of the shock. And boy, did Patricia and the church have a shock at the leopard that entered their holy grounds. Though it allowed them to approach the wagon, it would not stop following them when they tried to move the injured party. And they just could not have a beast running about their sick wing.
"Hold it down!" The Knights Ardante bellowed as they tried to corner the beast. It was wily and dexterous, evading their clumsy attempts indoors.
Natalie, the master cleric of the cathedral, clicks her tongue at the shouting when she comes to help them move the woman to an available cot.
"What a ruckus over the poor beast."
The leopard comes bounding at them.
"Ah, Sister Natalie!" The knights shout in alarm.
Ophilia could scarce believe it when the beast seemed to skid to a halt before Natalie, who merely held up a hand. She then lowers it, and the big cat purrs slightly as it rubs its jowl on her hand. As well as being one of the greatest healers Ophilia knew, Natalie had been blinded at a young age from a missionary's trip to the Cliftlands. Her power, though, is undiminished, and her faith only grew, sharpening all her other senses, as well as giving her a few extra. She is one those who can sense souls. Ophilia stares with slight admiration.
"...Come now, this dear will be little trouble. And she is wounded as well."
"Y-yes, as you wish, Sister Natalie..." The knights withdraw.
Lianna and Patricia had gone to return the wagon and Bastion to the stables. Ophilia, Natalie, and the priest manage to transport the woman to an empty cot in the wing. The priest hurries away in presence of the beast that follows.
"Concentrate now, Ophilia," Natalie starts to undress the woman, "Shall I tend to her whilst you get those weapons off poor Linde's rump?"
"Linde?" Ophilia glances at the cat, "Is that your name?"
Linde gives a catty smile in assent.
Ophilia smiles slightly in turn, "Ehehe, ok, I will tend to you, Linde."
As she carefully removes the spearheads lodged in the cat's hind leg, it tries its best not to move, but rips the sheet on which it lays to shreds, giving out yowls that echo through the halls.
"You're doing very well, Linde..." Ophilia chuckles nervously as she puts aside the last of the bloodied points, "Now I'm going to wrap your wounds, ok?"
Linde gives a mewling growl, licking her bloodied, gloved hand. She casts her healing prayers on the wounds, closing up small scrapes and scratches. The wounds that remain open are given a salve, another small prayer, and then bandages. Linde lifts her head once treatment is over and immediately tries to stand.
"Oh no you don't!" Ophilia presses on an uninjured part of its torso to keep it lain down, "You must rest!"
Nonetheless, she looks across the room to where Natalie is treating the woman. The blind cleric has bowls of hot water around the bed to wash down the woman's nearly frozen body. Ophilia can see bloodied bandages lie strewn about the cot.
"I'll be right back ok, Linde? Please rest," She leaves the cat's side to go over to Natalie. Linde remains watchful of her.
"…How is she?" Ophilia makes herself known to the blind cleric, though she knew Natalie needed no such alert.
She sees the woman's torso has been bandaged and her bloodied clothes have been removed. The main wound is on the lower side, just by the ribs on the side. Some red still seems to seep out. Other parts of her half-frozen body are wrapped in warmed bandages. For now, her face seems to be at peaceful sleep at least.
"Alive. I can feel she is very strong, so I do not doubt she will make a full recovery shortly with rest." Natalie draws the covers about her.
"She had been fighting a good many of the lizard men where I had found her. And even a bear… Tis a miracle her wounds were not more severe…" Ophilia lets out a sigh of relief.
"Your healing aided well, Ophilia. It shan't be long before you may reach and surpass my level of prowess," Natalie picks up the soiled and bloody cloths to dispose of.
"That … is high praise, Sister Natalie… I hope to live up to that expectation. But I fear you might be being overly gracious in saying so…" Ophilia gives a small giggle, "I cannot even heal at my best without a focus, nor can I touch minds like you."
"…You are a more proficient healer than you know, child," Natalie taps the blonde cleric's head lightly with the handle of her cane staff.
"Wah… W-well how is her mind, actually? Were you able to see her?"
"The exhaustion made for an unclear conversation. But I assured her she is currently safe," Natalie nods and moves to leave the younger cleric, "You will keep her company?"
"Yes. I believe I ought to, since I found her and all…"
"Very good," Natalie turns and walks to see to some other sick people in the wing.
Ophilia sighs a breath of relief and sits down on the bedside stool. She looks over the woman slowly, taking in everything about her in a more comfortable pace. When she reaches her face, her hand moves to remove a stray strand of hair from her forehead.
Who are you, I wonder…
The woman in bed does not respond. Ophilia lightly grazes her bandaged hand. She pulls back immediately out of reflex when she feels an image come upon her. But she did not want to reject her. And so, she gingerly reaches back.
The image comes again. It is clearer than other times she had tried to reach another's soul or mind. She sees a warm scene. A little girl in worn animal skins sits by the fire with a leopard cub as large as she is. She playfully strokes her companion's soft fur and ties a ribbon to its tail. Her lips form one word before Ophilia pulls back.
"Linde."
"Ah…" Ophilia feels herself get a bit lightheaded, and her face is warm. It still made her uncomfortable, looking into people's hearts. She hadn't told anyone about it, this odd ability of hers. It was much more of a nuisance compared to Natalie's controlled form which sensed others without seemingly probing them like some voyeur to their inner dreams!
She sees a slight twitch on the woman's face. Had she disturbed her dream? Ophilia bends down near her face and whispers some words of assurance, unsure if they would reach.
"Linde… Linde is alright…"
"…" No response.
Ophilia pulls back and leaves the cot's immediate area, going back to where Linde rested now. The big cat stares at her as she enters, blinking occasionally before letting out a big yawn.
"I suppose you must be famished. We can't exactly serve you hardtack and porridge now can we…" Ophilia puts a pensive hand to her chin.
"Fili?"
Ophilia turns to see Lianna poking her head in from the cot over. She eyes the cat warily.
"Oh, Anna! Is everything else alright?"
"Yes, yes, that was all a trifle compared to… well, whatever this is…" Lianna reluctantly walks over, still eyeing the big beast, "I just spoke to Natalie. The guest will be alright."
"Yes, thank the Flame. I suppose the noises Biggs and Wedge had heard last night… might have been the battle the guest was fighting with the local creatures…"
"Those monsters really are becoming quite a nuisance. Not just one, or two, but three parties of travelers near town now have a run in with them!" Lianna sighs and puts an exasperated hand to her head, "Gods, and I still have the Kindling to worry about… I'll be out there right with them!"
"Oh right…" Ophilia sweats a bit thinking of the dangers that lurked outside the Frostlands awaiting her sister on her pilgrimage.
"Well, I'm about to go see to Father. Do you want to come?"
"Ah, I told Nat-"
"My girls!"
The sisters turn heads and see the archbishop walk towards them. He looked better than he had last week, when he had coughed until pale as a ghost. Some color is on his cheeks, though not ruddy of health.
"Father!" Lianna greets him with a hug, "You shouldn't be about!"
"Your Excellency!"
Josef chuckles and returns Lianna's gesture before going to stroke Ophilia's head tenderly, "I can't be in bed all the time. That is just not what my position warrants…"
"Your Excellency…" Ophilia lets out the tired sigh of a mother, "Even Pontiff Julius has told you to watch your health and take a full sabbatical."
"Oh, has he?"
"Yes!" Lianna pouts up at his smiling face, "And yet here you are still, running about and minding everyone's business in Flamesgrace but yours!"
"Ahaha…" Josef gives a nervous laugh and he looks to Ophilia for recourse. There is none. Ophilia just smiles and shrugs. He sighs in defeat, "I simply could not rest easy knowing you both were yet out in the cold drifts... But I suppose I man being a sentimental fool, eh? You both did just splendid. Soon you two will be out as missionaries of the Flame... and Lianna! You, most of all..."
"Fatheeerrrr...!" Lianna lightly taps his chest playfully, "Flattery won't get you anywhere!"
The three of them chuckle for a small moment. Josef pauses to look at the leopard on the bed, whose eyes have not left them.
"So, that is the new guest you both found..." He looks now towards the woman in the bed across the wing, "I am very proud of you. You have helped save two lives today."
"It was Fili who actually was nutty enough to go and follow the beast."
Ophilia chuckles and scratches her cheek a bit nervously, "Anna kept a more level head than I..."
"Regardless, my girls. You both ought to be proud of your deed," Josef embraces the two of them warmly, "The Flame could not have asked for more."
"Heehee..." They giggle a bit childishly, cheeks slightly blushed, as they hug their father back.
"Now, back to bed, father!" Lianna says, pulling a little from the hug, "I will march you there myself to see that you don't stray off to the pantry or something!"
"Ah, speaking of which... I need to get some food for this little one here..." Ophilia looks at the big cat on the bed, "I'm not sure we even have any meat at the moment..."
She silently wishes she had thought to maybe also have tried carting off the body of that bear back in the wilderness. It is a foolish thought though, given the lack of manpower to hoist such a beast, and the urgent weather incoming at the time. She sighs.
"Do not fret, Ophilia. Perhaps the beast will take kindly to some jerky. That we might have, as opposed to fresh meat," Josef strokes his neatly trimmed stubble, "I know some people who feed their ocelots like so."
Linde gives a slight yawn that resembles a wide grin.
"Mm... thank you, your Excellency," Ophilia nods slightly.
"Now come!" Lianna proceeds to drag the archbishop away, "Your bed awaits!"
"Ahahaha, oh, do watch the arm, Lianna..."
Ophilia smiles a little watching them leave her proximity. She looks to Linde, who gives her a quizzical stare, tilting its head. She reaches cautiously at first to scratch its jowl. When it allows her to do so, she eases into the action and smiles softly. Linde deeply purrs, tail flicking about in lazy contentment.
"I don't think you're able to adapt to an omnivorous diet... And I don't know how you'd take to catching mice for us here in the church?" She asks in jest. The beast's tail lightly swats at her face in response and she chuckles.
"Well, I suppose I ought to go and find you something to nibble on before I start to look appetizing," Ophilia teases as she pulls away from the cat now, "Sit tight, ok, Linde?"
Linde lays her head down on the bed and her eyes now shift to watch her owner across from her.
Out in the hall, Ophilia makes her way through the main cathedral body to the abutting buildings where the dormitories, private prayer rooms, libraries, and pantry are. As she passes through the courtyard arcades, she sees two shapes walking about in the snowy backdrop. One is pope Julius. The other is an old friend.
"Oh, Mattias!" She calls out and waves. When they turn and look, she is already running up to them. She performs the usual salute with a slight bow to the pope, "Your holiness. May the Sacred Flame ever guide your path."
The sandy haired man chuckles, "Oh Ophilia, ever the prim and proper one."
"Why, Ophilia, how nice it is to see you hard at work," Julius smiles, crinkling the wrinkly skin around his eyes, "Mattias and I were just talking about you."
"Eh, really?" Ophilia curls a stray hair behind her ear to try not to blush full on, "W-well I do hope it isn't gossip of the ill sort..."
"Just how much I've missed you," Mattias chuckles, "I'll be staying around a little more in town so I'll be able to see Anna off on the Kindling in a few."
"Oh, that's wonderful! You rarely stay long enough!"
"Well, what can I say? The Leo Consortium can be a bit of a slave driver when it comes down to it. Not enough worker bees," Mattias shrugs, "But enough about me, how have you been?"
"Just well. We've just arrived back from a trip to Richard's..."
"Really? There was a storm kicking up out there just now, you know! And I just arrived with the cart as well!" Mattias folds his arms, "You lucked out!"
"Ahaha, I suppose..."
"Well, I shall leave you two to catch up then..." Julius nods slightly and glances at Mattias as he goes to leave them, "You know where to find me."
"Indeed. Me and Fili have a bit to catch up with," Mattias smiles.
Ophilia is secretly on cloud nine as the pontiff walks away. Mattias pats her head a little.
"Anything exciting happen? News about when you might want to go on a pilgrimage or...?"
"Oh, as if..." Ophilia flutters her lips a little, "Once Anna's off on the Kindling, I need to keep a close eye on Father Josef! He's not as young as he used to be, you know!"
"Hehe, you're such a dutiful daughter," Mattias pokes her playfully between the eyes, "But haven't you been wanting to traverse the realm for a while? You always love my stories after all."
"...Stories have their place and time. And my place is here," She looks to the side a little, "I'm happy after all. There's nothing to complain about."
"Except that you would rather go out and walk with me, no?" Mattias says in half jest.
"Mattias you … you wily… snow fox!" Ophilia reddens at her own weak insult. But her mouth was as clean as the fresh white snow drifts unfortunately. Mattias howls with laughter at her attempt.
"Maybe next time then, hm?" He gives her a small wink. He'd asked her multiple times now if she wanted to travel with him. She'd always refused.
She sighs, "You know I can't leave my responsibilities as I please…"
He seems a bit sad when she says that, "Hells, Ophilia… You need to think about yourself a little more! If you're tired of the stale bread, I'll bring you some meat!"
"Meat!" Ophilia's eyebrows shoot up in realization. She was supposed to be feeding Linde! "Mattias, I-I'll talk to you later!"
Mattias waves, just the slightest bit confused as the cleric runs off to the pantry.
Ophilia arrives around the hall, about to turn a corner to where the mess hall is. She hears the low voice of two sisters coming by and she stops to let them pass.
"…Too worried really… about Josef…"
"Mhm… Anna's not really fit to go…"
Ophilia clenches her skirts but greets the sisters as they pass. Once they are gone, she continues onto the pantry, though there is now a troubled expression on her face. Doubtless those two were talking about Lianna's willingness to leave Flamesgrace with Father Josef ill. Ophilia had these thoughts as well, and she admired Lianna for the courage she displayed in choosing to conduct the pilgrimage regardless. It's painful to be away from those you love for any extended amount of time really.
She enters the empty mess hall. It is not time yet to eat. But the sound and smell of cooking is apparent and Ophilia licks her lips. Stew! It's nice to have some hearty meat for once. To save money usually, they buy cheaper cuts of meat, which require long periods of cooking. But even that is rare, so Ophilia is grateful to be having meat at all.
She pokes her head into the kitchen. Some nuns are working before a large pot, cutting in vegetables and herbs. There is also the fainter scent of baking bread. Ophilia's mouth waters a little.
"Ophilia!" Sister Prudence spots her peeking, "Hungry already, are we?"
"N-no!" Ophilia looks towards the adjoined pantry door, "I came to find some meat scraps…"
"Whatever for?"
"Well, we found a huntress in the snows and she had a large cat with her…" Ophilia says a little sheepishly.
"Good gods, Ophilia! There's a bloody beast in the convent?" Some of the other cooks balk.
"It's completely harmless to us, I assure you!" Ophilia walks into the pantry and begins looking for jerky, "It took down more lizards and a bear outside town. Hasn't harmed a person as far as I can tell."
"O' Flame of Aelfric, what is our world coming to these days…" Prudence sighs, stirring, "You know just now, I went and bought this meat from the butcher in town? A couple of ne'er-do-well travelers from the Woodlands of all places were squatting around the streets, drunk! The nerve of people without decency!"
"Oh, those blokes? Yes, I heard they were making some big stink over at Orr's!"
Orr was the owner of the local tavern in Flamesgrace. He was a gentle giant sort of man. Despite drinking being a perceived vice, he was on friendly terms with the local parish, and Ophilia preferred him over the more dastardly types of men in the world.
"They were shouting like big nobles about the House of Ciaran or something…"
"Ciaran? Why that's an old name from the Azelhart days, isn't it?"
"Yes, they escaped the great Purge that took down the other ones like Gerster and Hulhorst… But if they have dolts like that running about now, mayhap their end is not far either!"
The nuns have a nice laugh over that. Ophilia finds some shreds of bear meat, dried and darkened. She leaves the nuns to their cooking and hurries to return to the sick ward. Just before she steps out though, she hears a curious bit of gossip.
"…claiming they killed a frost bear just last night…!"
"Oh, you found what you needed, Ophilia dear?"
Ophilia nods hastily and takes her leave. Another frost bear? Was it a coincidence then, that she had just seen the carcass of one of those beasts? Or were there two unrelated incidents?
Once back at the sick ward, she finds, to her relief, that Linde had not gone wandering off due to hunger. The large cat purrs a little when she returns, and its eyes positively light up when she shows it the meat. She puts it before the cat and gently strokes its fur as it eats. It consumes the jerky in a surprisingly polite manner, not at all what one might expect from an animal. When finished, the big cat licks its paws and rolls to show Ophilia its snow-white stomach.
"Oh, comfortable now, are you?" Ophilia chuckles and rubs the furry belly a little, "Well at least you are… I hope your master wakes up soon…"
The cat arches and licks her face a little in response. She chuckles and scratches the jowl, eliciting a purr. Then realization strikes and she pulls back to leave.
"Ah, I haven't restocked the lavatories… Sorry, Linde! I'll see you again later!"
She gathers her skirts and runs out. It would not do to have Patricia yell at her over a trifle!