The wind and rain could heal the soul- But they could not stop the course of infection, of a weak body strained from blood loss. Despite her best efforts, [REDACTED] was not a healer.
She murmured apologies in her own tongue, guttural clicks and chirps as she brushed Lonnen’s sweat-soaked bangs from his eyes. He was in so much pain he couldn’t sleep, his wound aching, his body weak and sore from fever. He tossed and turned and moaned in pain when he tried to move the limb that was missing.
[REDACTED] didn’t know who she could trust, now. Who might be able to save this boy, who wouldn’t sacrifice him for the greater good. It was a worthless struggle now- A rabbit struggling in the jaws of a wolf. There was potential for freedom if the rabbit kicked hard enough- But it would break it’s own leg, flee and then die alone from shock, and the wolf would follow the scent of blood.
She protected him only so she would not be alone. She knew that much herself. Her one, truly selfish action.
A branch snapped and [REDACTED] raised her head. She could smell other trolls. She stood, spreading her wings and baring her teeth in preparation for the intruders.
Three trolls stepped out of the trees, the third holding back. The two women that approached her stopped a respectful distance away, and bowed. [REDACTED] could smell the magic on all three of them, but more than magic, she could tell that they had both seen many sweeps. Half as many as her, and that made them closer to her than their modern children.
“Forgive our intrusion,” said one of the two, a demure ceruleanblood with her hair covering one eye. All three seemed to be related, sharing a caste and horn shape. The other woman simply kept her head down, but [REDACTED] could tell her mind was whirring along as she took in every little detail here.
[REDACTED] closed her mouth and lowered her wings, still partially open to indicate her trepidation.
“What do you seek?” She asked.
“We are unsure,” answered the woman. “Each of us felt something calling us here.”
[REDACTED] knitted her brow, looking over her shoulder at Lonnen. It was her own presence that had brought them here, not his, but it was indication enough that she was right. They could run, but they could not hide. And she alone could not save him.
“Both of you,” [REDACTED] said. “Walk with me.”
She could sense no ill intent out of the three of them. She turned to walk out of the clearing, and the two women followed. The third, a younger man with his eyes scarred shut, approached Lonnen hesitantly; [REDACTED] could feel his magic probing her, seeking answers, and she did the same, but otherwise ignored him. She could tell that he wanted to ease Lonnen’s pain.
Lonnen felt different hands this time. Somewhat clumsy and calloused, but gentle and slow, swiping his face with a cool cloth and unwinding the bandages [REDACTED] had put on his arm. The wound had not been stitched, partially healed with what magic [REDACTED] could divert to the task, pressed with herbs, and bandaged.
“This will hurt,” a low voice said, quiet and calm. “Bite down on this.”
Lonnen did as told- But he still cried out and fought when the pain came, searing and sharp in the stump of his missing arm. Those rough hands pressed on his shoulder and chest, gentle but firm, they held him down and a voice spoke softly, soothing him. Once Lonnen had calmed down, the pain started again, but he was lucid enough to understand that the troll was trying to help. Stitching the wound so he wouldn’t bleed further.
Once the wound was stitched, he was gently sat upright and given some cool water. The man at his side silently wound bandages around his chest to wrap up his shoulder.
“Who are you?” Asked Lonnen, his voice just a croak.
“Suhari.” The man answered.
Suhari was blind, his eyes scarred shut. His hands were heavily scarred, roughened; Lightning-shaped scars branched across his chest and neck; There wasn’t an inch of skin Lonnen could see that hadn’t been previously injured.
His gaze turned from Suhari to the empty clearing. “Where’s..?”
“She went to talk with my ancestor and sister.”
Lonnen hesitated, and then curled up, and Suhari lay his arm across Lonnen’s back to rest his hand on his uninjured shoulder. Kind though this action was, Suhari seemed kind of uncomfortable about it.
“Why are you helping me..?” Lonnen asked.
“Is it because of-..? That woman..?”
“No. She lead us to you. But I would have helped anyway.”
Lonnen curled up further, resting his face on his knees. He heard Suhari sigh softly, and pat his shoulder.
