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[Kelski]

Timestamp: 25th of Summer, 518 AV

Kelski stopped dead in her tracks. It was getting late and the sun was getting low. Shadows were growing thicker and starting to take on a life of their own, whispering to the Nightstalker that there was trouble ahead.

The Kelvic had started to turn down a street, but long shadows had reached out to her, as if to stop her. She passed harmlessly through them, but paused and tilted her head anyhow. "What is it?" She asked, whispering to the strange creatures she hadn't yet met.

"Nightstalker.... Nightstalker... there is trouble ahead. You should go another way." Two of at least half a dozen hissed a warning and Kelski nodded, starting to take a step back and getting ready to pivot on her heel and take another pathway.

She was running errands... dropping off hand drawn advertisements for her grand opening and securing a few more suppliers at the last minute before the shop opened. Kelski held a bag beneath her arm, a burlap shopper, that had a few pieces of fruit in it, a head of lettuce, an fresh loaf of bread, and a tight jar of furniture polish for nice wood. The food alone would get her stolen from, but the plain clothing she wore revealing a brace of daggers across her chest and two at her hips meant she didn't look like an easy target.

Luckily, Kelski was ready for the streets of Sunberth.

Her arms were bare due to her tank top and her boots were thick dark leather, stretching up to her knees. She wore soft leather pants in a deep grey color that set off the paleness of her skin and the soft silvery-grey of her tank top. Her ombre hair was plaited down her head and ended in a thick loose braid at her belt.

And she was incredibly well armed.

Before she could turn away, she heard it again. It was a .... cat? A big cat. It was a cry of pain and rage and incredible hopelessness. She'd been there before, felt that feeling, and it stopped her dead in her tracks. She tilted her head to listen, then utilized her eagle eyes to see. Expanding out, she couldn't find anything. But again, she heard the sound.

"Walk away, Nightstalker.... walk away!" A shadow urged. It knew what was up ahead and it didn't think Kelski would want to see it.

Another cry came, this one half roar of pain and half roar of rage. There was definitely a big cat involved. Kelski drew her daggers, tucked her shopping bag against her body, and took off running.... in the direction of the sound.

She didn't have far to go. Perhaps 200 yards away, around the corner.... was a
circle of youthful Sun Birth's. Gods, she wanted to kill them just for who they represented. But what she saw them doing was worse. A black lion, just as silvery and grey as her own coloring, was half lying half crouched against a wall. Someone had a spear lodged in his shoulder. It was pinning him to the brick wall he was up against. Four, no five youths had him partially surrounded and were darting in taking advantage and cutting the lion.

It was a Kelvic like herself. Kelski could sense it as clear as day. And he was going to be cut down by the youths if no one came it his aid. The Sea Eagle didn't hesitate... as foolish as it was with four against one... she charged ahead.

"Stop it! Leave him alone!" She said, sheathing her right-handed dagger and pulling one of the lighter throwing daggers free. She released one of her daggers but it sailed wide, the Sun Birth youth taking advantage of a good instinct and ducking. It didn't deter Kelski either. She drew her other dagger and charged into the group, trying to distract them off the night lion.

[Aer'wyn Grisghul]

Seldom did he leave his house these days as, truthfully, Aer'wyn didn't really enjoy it. Nobody really did in this god forsaken city. Between streets that reeked of sewage and trouble lurking around every corner, most sane man peeked their noses beyond their porch only when really necessary.

Aer'wyn himself counted on impressive physique to ward of willing onlookers. Built like a mountain and clad in studded leather, he ventured out only with the friend that was his sword on his back. Being caught on the streets unarmed was a foolish temptation of fate, begging for someone to take advantage. Beneath a black cloak, what was left of his arm was morphed into the opposing blue limb that he had spent so many years perfecting. An added measure of security, should he be caught by misfortune.

There was little separation between the late evening shadows and the Akalak's skin thus in the night he felt far more comfortable on the streets than in the day. With a careful step he could almost make it from point A to B with little trouble on the way - of that he was certain. But it seemed that this evening was not going to turn out at all peaceful as he has foolishly hoped. It never did so.

Somewhere in the distance between twists and turns of the vast network of slums that was Sunberth, a desperate cry of agony echoed. The kind of cry that would pull on Aer'wyn's tender heart strings. But if there was anything that this city has taught him, it was that he couldn't save every unfortunate soul he came across. When push came to shove, he had to look after himself first, otherwise he could end up in the place of the one from whom the cries came within days. So quickly did the tides of fate shift.

Yet the more he tried to ignore those horrid sounds of pain, the more he would hate himself for doing so. When had he chosen to forsake what was left of his honour? Perhaps he could sidetrack just a little and investigate the source of the screams. For all he knew it could be just another gang fight from which he could walk away with a clear conscience. At least that was what he had told himself whilst allowing his feet to carry him though the streets, in the direction of the commotion.

But to his horror, the violence was anything but what he had hoped for.

As he tiptoed with his back against the wall and peeked over a corner, a true horror befell his eyes. Sun Birth's scoundrels had been torturing a black animal with their spears and jeering. The Akalak's heart broke. Though it's cries he felt it's pain. Before they managed to notice his presence however, another figure entered his field of view. A woman who in all her fury, with daggers in hand, raced straight for the gang's men. This indeed changed the whole situation. Perhaps by her side they could do some good and besides; he couldn't let her fight the goons alone. Without as much as a second though, unsheathing his won sword, Aer'wyn rushed to her aid.

[Kelski]

Kelski had a hard time judging human age unless the person had silver hair and wrinkles or missing teeth. She didn’t know if the four folks were children, adults or somewhere in between. But regardless they acted as if they’d been fighting together for a long time and broke off, turning their back to the impaled Kelvic and advancing on her. She thought for sure she was in trouble until a second figure joined the fight.

She had seen Akalak’s before, but never truly up close or with weapons in their hands advancing menacingly. The four figures evidently hadn’t either expected an Akalak to attack or one to even be in the area. They divided in two groups, so Kelski had the two closest on her and the new figure had two more on him. The lion was left alone and in a truly acrobatic move turned and grabbed at the spear with his jaws and began to try and pull it out of the wall.

Kelski was too busy suddenly to see much more. She stepped forward, met a youth with a hand axe, and attacked. Dual wielding the daggers gave her an advantage because she ducked under his swing and came up to slice at his forearm that was holding the axe. Her secondary attack came but the Sun Birther was already jumping out of her way. She cursed loudly, bent, twisted, and suddenly had another youth with what looked like ice-pick shanks attacking her. Lashing out a boot, she tried to stave him off. Her kick missed the boy’s nose by inches as he jerked away, but gave her a chance to sheath a dagger and pull a throwing blade to fling it at the boy. It buried deep in his chest and he broke off, dropping his shanks.

Kelski turned her head to see where the other boy went and took an axe in the shoulder. Part of it bit into her flesh and part of it bit into the thick leather bracer of daggers hung across her chest. She cursed loudly, dodged, and which caused the axe to pull free of her arm. Blood welled up and the Kelvic warbled her displeasure as she jumped past the crumpled form of the first boy and got some room between herself and the boy with the axe.

About that time the lion pulled the spear free, shifted, and still bleeding wielded it. He looked young, with a shock of close cropped black hair and bright blue eyes. Gripping the spear, he looked ready to run it through his tormenters himself.

Kelski wasn’t sure he was safe to approach so she dodged sideways, where she could see all the action and still keep the axe wielder in view. Her left arm that had taken the wound was incredibly painful so she left her dagger sheathed and fought right-handed.

The Akalak seemed to be holding his own against the two other figures. She briefly caught his eye, nodded her thanks, and then while the other boy thought she was distracted, flung her dagger – the good fighting one – straight at him. The figure ducked, the dagger went wide, and he hurled his axe at her in response. Twirling end over end the Kelvic tried to dodge out of the way but the axe slammed into her handle first and knocked the wind out of her and knocked her well back. Kelski landed on her rump with a cry of pain, and clutched at her chest where the handle had hit her hard. It would be a mighty bruise in the morning. If the other end had hit, it would have ended up as her death.

Scrambling, she tried to retrieve the fallen axe which wasn’t hard since it was tangled in her brace of daggers… and worked to catch her breath so she could get to her feet. Meanwhile, the Lion turned naked man raised the spear, aimed it at the second man that had flung the axe at Kelski and tried to drive it home. The man dodged, the naked man cursed, and Kelski surged to her feet… hopeful the Akalak was doing better.

[Aer'wyn Grisghul]

No matter how much Aer'wyn wanted to rush to her rescue, it was not to be so as two goods closed off his path. His warrior's instincts kicked in. A mix of fighter's focus and muscle memory drove him now as the Akalak assumed his battle stance and held his bastard sword in position to parry. Using a weapon not completely ideal for one handed combat meant that he had to learn to fight smart rather than fight hard. And in spite of having full use of both his limbs at that point, he never forgot the lessons he learned during his training.

He waited for an attack daringly as the two men circled him like hyenas circling a bull. Both smaller than him, both visibly scared. At last the first one came at him, screaming as his sword swung with full force. Aer'wyn was ready, however, and in a clash of cold steel he parried the blow, bringing both weapons down and quickly following the parry by slamming his shoulder into his opponent. Knocking him of his feel, the Akalak then slammed his foot on the man's throat whilst turning to the other. He narrowed his eyes. "Try your luck."

At that moment he caught the woman's eye but before he had the chance to return the nod of gratitude, the second goon attacked. Aer'wyn parried the first but was too slow for the other one. It sliced across his left arm as the Akalak jumped back.He groaned in pain though clenched teeth. Warm, red liquid trickled from a deep cut, below the elbow, in the djed flesh.

Infuriated by this, Aer'wyn advanced once more. This time holding his sword in just one hand, albeit equally as impressively, he raised the blade above his head and brought it down with full might on his opponent who in the last second managed to duck out of the way. A loud clash of stone and steel echoed though the streets. Trying to use this moment to his advantage the gang's man went on the offensive but Aer'wyn seemed to match him not only in might but in speed too as, albeit not that skilfully, he ducked out of the way.

Once again Aer'wyn performed the same manoeuvre, yet this time with a little more luck. The man blocked his sword by crossing his own and for a prolonged moment the two were locked together in a power struggle to the death. The Akalak, being the larger and stronger one however, slowly inched his blade closer to the man's face. It was just inches away from his nose. So close to the target yet so far. In the last second a blue arm reached out and grasped the man's collar, lifting him off the ground ever so slightly, then slamming him back down with a loud thud. A cry of pain came from his mouth as his scull cracked against cobbles. He was still breathing but his eyes rolled into the back of his head. If he pulled though he'd certainly have a concussion.

But that would be down to the Akalak to decide as he now towered over the limp body with the tip of his sword, back in the dominant hand, over the man's throat. His eyes looked to the woman and the now naked but certainly more human looking Kelvic. He prayed they could hold their own until he could make it close enough to help at least.

[Kelski]

Kelski wasn’t sure what hurt worse… the cut on her upper arm of the absolute blow to her chest that took her breath away. It took her precious chimes to get enough breath back enough to surge to her feet. The whole time she kept her eyes on the remaining man, which thankfully the other Kelvic was distracting. He was bleeding too and she could see his wound was a clean puncture. It looked serious, but not life threatening… much like her own cut.

As Kelvic surged to her feet gracelessly, she kept an eye on the Akalak that was … absolutely fierce. He’d crushed the throat of the first guy and basically mashed the brain of the second one. Kelski was panting hard as she swayed, gaze turning to the Kelvic again. She could tell they’d beaten the Kelvic bad because he wasn’t on his feet as sturdy as a she suspected he normally would be. Kelski took the hand axe that was in her hands, threw it at the remaining man with no real hope of hitting him. The man whirled, ignoring the now staggering Kelvic and leapt towards the axe where it had fallen some distance past him.

Kelski almost smiled.

She was buying time by distracting him so she could find her balance and grab another dagger out of her chest brace. This weapon she had more expertise with and carefully calculated the distance between herself and the man, adjusted it so the tip would hit because she knew how many feet she had to be away to let the dagger spin and hit point first. Two steps back, one step forward, and she cocked back and released her throw. It sailed through the air, a neat spin to it, and buried itself in the remaining gang member’s throat. He went down as Kelski hissed her displeasure and started towards the other wounded Kelvic.

She approached the Kelvic cautiously, her eyes searching his, before she wrapped a hand around his waist and tucked herself under his shoulder wincing as his free arm cascaded down her shoulder and across the wound there. “Easy…. Easy….” She whispered, getting her feet more under her. Then, before she could take a step forward, she cursed softly.

“My daggers….” She hissed, glancing at the Kelvic she supported then looked imploringly at the Akalak. “We need to get out of here. He’s going to be no good bled out if we don’t get him down and stitched up. I know absolutely nothing about medicine, less about wounds, but I have liquor at my home and a place for him to rest up. I need to get my daggers too….” Kelski said, pausing, not knowing what to do. She couldn’t release the Kelvic drapped on her and she couldn’t collect her weapons with him leaning on her.

So far the lion had been quiet, his head dropping and his eyes vacant. Kelski was worried if he’d even survive at this point. Why had he been out there? Why had the gang been tormenting him? She’d have to make a quick decision. She’d either abandon her weapons that could possibly identify her, or release the Kelvic for a moment to collect them. She didn’t want to do either.

“We need to make sure they are all dead too… really dead… so they can’t identify us.” She hissed, her brain finally reconnecting after the battle where instinct had taken over. She glanced at the Akalak, hoping beyond measure that he’d help.

[Aer'wyn Grisghul]

Aer'wyn watched had given himself a moment to heave breath back into his lungs. His eyes trailed after a dagger, watching it fly though the air and become buried in the assailant's back, knowing his body limp on the ground. In moments at seemed like it was almost over. Quite the team they made and she certainly could hold her own in battle in spite of wounds. He admired that. But in this accursed city no moment spent outdoors was truly safe and they still had the problem of the lion Kelvic who was becoming weaker with every second.

For a moment he turned his back to the Kelvics and looked at the half dead goon at his feet. "May your next life be as pitiful as this one." Aer'wyn whispered, taking the man's last breath away with the tip of his blade, slowly driving it into his neck and severing the arteries. Blood spilled onto his boots and christened the dirt. He took no pleasure int his act. Far less did he want to honour his fallen enemy with any kind of respect, however, for that he had none, especially when it concerned those who tortured the defenceless and the weak. Only weak dogs stuck together in packs to hunt down the frail and the injured pray.

It was her voice that called for his attention as he turned to face her once more. Aer'wyn saw her struggle beneath the boy's weight, a plea of desperation at her lips which gave him a sense of urgency. Quickly Aer'wyn sheathed his blood soaked sword and bolted over to them.

"You're injured." he said as softly as the situation allowed. The last thing he wanted now was to appear threatening to a woman he just saw take down two Sun Birth ruffians with her daggers, especially since it seemed they were on the same side at least for now.

Kneeling on one knee in front of them, Aer'wyn gestured with his palms towards his chest. "Come give him to me." he said, very gently shifting the wounded Kelvic and doing his best not to cause the wounded shoulder any more pain than it was necessary. He laid him against his chest, taking the bulk of his weight against his bicep rather than the aching slash across his lower arm. Then he looped his right hand beneath the boy's knees and again very slowly stood up, lifting him off the ground. "Get your daggers but be swift. The loess time we spend hanging around here the better for your friend." Aer'wyn nodded to the wounded Kelvic who began to shiver and roan in pain. " And lead the way, miss."

He was on auto pilot. The urgency of the ordeal demanded it so. Any second they could be attacked by yet more Sun Birth goons, attracted to the site by the sound of commotion. His eyes scanned the surroundings for movement as he obediently followed the woman. There was no sense in doing anything other than working together to ensure each other's survival and perhaps, in some sick, twisted sense, something good came out of it all. For, in a city where everyone's out for them self, three complete strangers would manage to unite to achieve a common goal.

Beneath the weight of the Kelvic, the cut on his arm hurt but not enough to drop the boy. Are'wyn knew very well the feeling of pushing though the pain. He would grit his teeth and let out muffled groans every so often but his finger's wouldn't dare to release. The life of a warrior was such that he had to familiarise himself with pain at an early age. To an Akalak it was an inescapable part of existence.

[Kelski]

Kelski reluctantly turned to the Akalak but knew he was right. She helped transfer the wounded Kelvic to the big man’s care, shrugging off her own injury. “I’ve been hurt worse. You are right. We can’t linger.” The Jeweler said, the adrenaline in her blood transferring from aggression to urgency. Once relieved of the other kelvic’s weight, Kelski went to work quickly. She gathered all her daggers back up, not bothering to clean them until she could properly put them away. She slit the throat of the one gang member that was still breathing, and picked the one that was closest to the Kelvic in size and stripped him, only wincing a bit as her wounded arm had to be in use.

She took all the clothing she could, searched and confiscated the coins and weapons of the others, and took what looked like a nice cloak off one and moved back to the Akalak where she wrapped it around the naked Kelvic. As she did so she noticed a gleaming raised almost embossed mark on his arm. “He’s got a gnosis…” She said, gesturing downward, but not sure what the winged snake on his leg meant. Quickly she bundled the naked Kelvic in the cloak, using a belt from one of the thugs to belt it into place. There was a bag that was by where the Kelvic had been fighting. She grabbed that as well.

“My place isn’t far from here, but we need to hurry and stick to the back streets.” She said, whispering softly, and looking slightly worried. They had to dart out of the darkened street they were in and set off down one of the more traveled pathway. Kelski darted her eyes up to the Akalak and whispered a quick introduction. “I’m Kelski. Thank you so much for your assistance. I would have been in real trouble back there without you. I shouldn’t have gotten involved. This kelvic is a stranger to me. But I can’t stand seeing gangs – especially Sun Birth punks – pick on someone so terribly. And he’s obviously not just anyone…” She whispered, glancing worriedly at the Kelvic who was not doing terribly well.

And despite the fact he wasn’t doing well, he actually answered, taking more of his weight as if he was coming back to himself under the Akalak’s support. “Than… thank you. I … I did nothing to… them. They killed…. they killed Sisala… for… being a mage. They thought I… was one too. I’m a healer though… not a … not a …. “ The man took a deep breath, swaying even under the Akalak’s grip, before he seemed to come back to himself again. “Ebon… I’m Ebon…” He said softly, gritting his teeth. “I would have been fine if they hadn’t …. ran… that spear through me.” He said, shaking his head as if to keep conscious. “Lot… lot of blood loss.” He added… glancing at Kelski. “When.. when I sit a bit… I can I can… stitch you both up.” He offered, his voice gruff, and yet he sounded young… very young.

They came out of a street, turned east, and Kelski pointed. A building stood out on the point, its beam and brick structure washed with a bluish purple paint. “There… that’s where we are going… The Midnight Gem. There’s a stairway on the side of the building… take it up to the balcony with him, Sir.” Kelski told the Akalak. “We will be safe there. And I don’t think we are in much risk. Those Sun Birth’s were in Daggerhand Territory… the gang will assume the Daggerhands killed them and that gang will get rid of the bodies or use them to make a point. Both of them are at war…” She whispered, speeding up, hoping the Akalak and the wounded Kelvic could keep up.

Once they got to The Gem, up the stairs, and onto the balcony which was spacious and open to the sky with a beautiful view of the ocean, she turned and unlocked what appeared to be a spacious residence. She ushered them inside a large common room and gestured to the couch. “Put him there…. I’ll get a fire going and boil some water. We need to clean all our wounds.” Kelski said, dumping her burdens of clothing and loot by the doorway. She also dropped off the bag that had seemed to be with Ebon.

[Aer'wyn Grisghul]

The Akalak's eyes quickly followed the direction of her discovery. From afar he wouldn't have noticed but up close the winged serpent sent a torrent of deja vu though his mind. He had seen them before; the healers touched by Rak'keli, although he didn't utter a word of it. Back in Endrykas they had saved his life... or well, Vel's life. Suddenly it wasn't just any poor soul he was defending but a devout servant of the gods. Aer'wyn counted his blessings and breathed a sigh of relief knowing that he did not turn his back on the lion Kelvic. So many surprises did this city of Sunberth hold.

"The gods watched over him tonight." he said, not taking his eyes of the gnosis mark. At the sound of the woman's name, Kelski, the Akalak committed it to memory. United now, as they were, by a common goal he hoped this wouldn't be the least time he heard it. "My name is Aer'wyn. Likewise thank you for standing your ground against them. I couldn't say if I'd have succeeded to take the four of them on had you not been there and likely hated my self 'til the end of my days for it." His voice was stoic and calm, soft even. They weren't out of the red yet. As far as Aer'wyn was concerned it wasn't the right time be anything other than a rock. "Let's..."

Aerwyn's voice silenced quickly as the injured Kelvic shifted into consciousness. This voice, however frail, told the tale of her capture. The Akalak swallowed loudly as he listened about what happened to the mage, knowing very well that the same fate could befall him at any moment in this god forsaken city. He was growing painfully aware of the morphed hand prosthetic with which he disguised his disability. He still had time until he risked a serious chance of overgiving but with every drop of blood that seeped from the wound, that risk became more and more real. But how would they react if they found out? Was he even prepared to take that chance?

Aer'wyn banished those thoughts from his mind. He had a job to do. One that wasn't yet finished. As they made it though the streets he kept his eyes on the road and his senses about him, praying a silent prayer to Akija to keep them out of trouble. But once the Midnight Gem came into view, all three of them could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Safety was within reach.

He did as she instructed, placing the injured Ebon down on the couch gently and covering him up with the edges of the cloak. He didn't really know much about medicine himself but it didn't take a master surgeon to see that his wounds were severe. Comparative to him, neither Aer'wyn nor Kelski had anything to complain about.

The Akalak sat on the floor, allowing Ebon all the space to get as comfortable as one could when bleeding out of their shoulder. His eyes trailed the walls of the room, across cupboards and books. It seemed impressive at first glance, certainly by the standards of Sunberth. But he couldn't really focus his mind on anything in particular for his thoughts were on one thing and one thing only, the arm that he now shrouded beneath his cloak. Blue fingers curled in and out of a fist repeatedly as if to confirm they were still there.

"Such an odd city... where you can't take a stroll down the streets for fear of your own life. People here want freedom, but is it really freedom when the government in power is fear of gangs and violence?" he mused to himself before turning his attention to the woman who was now preparing a pot of water on the hearth. "Thank you, Kelski. I won't forget your kindness."

[Kelski]

Kelski nodded in response to Aer'wyn’s introduction. She liked that he promptly introduced himself and didn’t put up a fuss about who he was. Sometimes, such things in Sunberth were uncommon. “I don’t much like it when people hurt fellow Kelvics. Him and I… we have that in common. Sometimes here, they treat us like beasts when we are so much more.” The silver eyed woman said, not in a tone that was arrogant, but in one that was almost affirming – as if she’d been telling herself she had worth for a while and trying to convince herself of it.

“Yes, The Gods watched him and guided us to him. He’s someone special, someone marked, though I do not know by whom.” She said thoughtfully, seemingly determined. “We’ll keep him alive too.” She said, knowing the truth of it. “I don’t think he’s that old. He looks it, but sometimes with my kind it can be deceptive.” Kelski admitted, keeping a watchful eye on Ebon. She was glad they’d gotten to her home and she’d saved the words for when everyone had settled.

Kelski left them both upstairs to run down and use the well. She filled two buckets of water and carried them back up then nudged the Akalak gently. “Feel free to use one of the chairs… they are oversized and comfortable, but they will definitely hold someone your size.” Kelski said softly in a tired voice.

The sizeable room itself was comfortable, with bookshelves that had titles running the gauntlet from cooking to auristics. There were shelves with knickknacks that showed off unusual clusters of gemstones, washed up shells from the beach, and even unusually twisted driftwood. The Kelvic wasn’t a collector of things, but the stuff she did have seemed to be appreciated and displayed tastefully.

There were three doors besides the balcony entrance, and a stairway that ran downward to what appeared to be a large workroom below. The doorways were open, showing modest bedrooms, and what looked like a master suite slightly larger in size. The couches and chairs faced a large fireplace with a hearth. Flanking either side of the fireplace were cupboards that functioned as a makeshift kitchen.

There was a counter, sink, and a table with four chairs that they’d had to skirt around to enter the room via the balcony. A rug of muted colors stretched beneath the couch and chairs flanking it but pulled back enough so that sparks from the hearth would not ignite it.

Kelski worked at the hearth, lighting a fire and filling a kettle with water from the well buckets to set it to boil. She also poured a large mug of water for Ebon and walked to the couch to set it on a little side table beside it. Running to one of the cupboards, she pulled forth what looked like a little kit, pulled it out, and then ran to the largest of the bedrooms and brought out an oversized linen shirt that looked a lot like a man’s oversized nightshirt. She began shredding it into bandages and laying them beside Ebon.

“I don’t have any medical training. I can clean and dress this wound… but I don’t know what else to do for him.” She said softly, glancing at the Akalak hopefully. She didn’t know if he knew anything about medicine but she was hopeful.

At that point, Ebon opened his eyes again and reached up to where his worst wound was. He laid his hand over it a moment, muttered, and his hand glowed. To Kelski’s eyes, the hole in his garment and the flesh beneath did not change, but the Kelvic Night Lion seemed satisfied. “Water?” He asked, and she dropped her shredding and picked up the mug to hold it to his lips. He drank deeply and when he was done he simply said… “Cant… reach my back. Clean it carefully, front… front will be fine. If… you brought my bag there’s medicines there. Suture… supplies. Patch yourselves up. If you have cuts… put my hands on them… wake me a bit… I’ll make sure they do not grow septic with my … my touch.” He said simply, his voice raspy. Kelski nodded.

“I can do that… I’m sorry… relax. We’re safe. Drink more water.” She said, holding the cup to his lips again. He drank deeply and then closed his eyes once more. Kelski left him then, to refill the mug and replace it by the couch, then got his bag and began looking through it. It had some basic clothing, a couple of packets of dried meat and a healers kit stuffed with medical supplies and herbs. That she pulled out and set by the couch.

Then she got a bowl of the boiling water, placed it beside the mug, and dumped some of her bandages in it to soak. Then glancing at the Akalak she gestured at the Kelvic. “Can you lift him a bit so I can clean that wound where they drove it through to his back?” She asked hopefully, not wanting to impose on the Akalak knowing he was hurt too. “I’ll help you dress your own in a few minutes … lets get him settled.” Kelski said, gesturing to the Lion.

Going through the medical kit, she found thick absorbent bandages, jars of creams marked for wounds, and herb packs marked for anti-infection and fever. All those she sat aside, not knowing exactly what she was doing. She felt the Kelvics wounds would require stitches, but she wasn’t even remotely sure she could do such a thing even though she’d found needle and thread in the kit.

She looked at the Akalak for guidance.

[Aer'wyn Grisghul]

And there his suspicions were answered. Though as he listened to her talk about the Kelvics and their nature Aer'wyn felt a sense of confusion. His own people were guilty of purchasing these odd shape shifters from Ravok's slave pens. Back in Riverfall it was an everyday occurrence, something he was taught to be normal. Something he'd never given a second thought. The more he conversed with Kelski the more he realised his naïveté regarding the subject and so Aer'wyn chose to keep his thoughts to himself. He wasn't about to loose a potential new ally over cultural disparities.

The Akalak watched as Kelski began shredding a shirt into bandages. He had felt himself become more powerless every second, having next to no idea about how to properly dress a wound or disinfect it. Being the recipient of her hope, his heart ached when he had to crush it in a few words.

"I'm a swordsman not a medic. I'm sorry." he said being able to offer a little more than an encouraging smile to aid her woes.

But then the Kelvic made yet another bid for survival as his hands performed the healing magic granted by his gnosis. Aer'wyn did as he was instructed, Holding the Kelvic carefully, trying to move his frail body as little as possible so that he wouldn't cause the creature any more pain. He used his good arm to do so, avoiding the use of his left as much as possible as to not flare up the dull throbbing of the wound that seeped a little blood onto his clothing.

The Akalak was dumbfounded, staring at the array of things inside Ebon's bag. All of it he has indeed seen before but never truly understood how to use. Though haze of regret and memories of the past he searched for any idea at all, even the slightest one, of what to do. Neither him nor Kelski had any idea.

Logic had to suffice. "Are there any antiseptic poultices in his bag?" he asked being a little too far away to read the teeny tiny little labels on the pots and pouches that Kelski dug out from the bag. "If so we'll need them. The wound is too big to heal up on it's own. He'll need stitches."

There was uncertainty in the Akalak's huge, doe-like eyes. His brows pulled together in worry and teeth clenched. It couldn't have been more obvious that he didn't want to make these decisions. Then again someone had to. He waited patiently for Kelski to clean all the dirt and crusty, maroon blood so that what was left was just a clean, red puncture. Now that it was much easier to see what he was doing he instructed Kelski to keep the wet bandages at hand as he laid Ebon down on his front.

"Forgive me, friend." he whispered beneath his voice as he took the needle from the bag and walked over to the fire place to hold it over the flame for a moment. He recalled doctors back in Riverfal doing the same with candle flames. It was something to do with preventing infections. The specifics however he did not know.

Upon his return he addressed Kelski first. Any authority that he displayed on the battle field, was now replaced with uncertainty and doubt. "I don't wish to hurt him. But it'll have to hurt unless you have anything non-alcoholic to take the edge off. I was once told not to drink with open wounds. Supposedly it thins out the blood, or something. How true this is, I wouldn't know, but since neither of us really seem to know what we're doing I'm not prepared to take that chance. Hold him down and don't let him move too much. I'd rather not cause any more damage than necessary."

With those words Aer'wyn placed the very tip of the needle on the skin of Ebon's shoulder. A moment passed before he was finally satisfied with the placement; not too close to the wound as if not to tare the stitches but not too far either so that to not damage any more tissue than was already shredded. Though perhaps he allowed himself much more space than any skilled doctor would, be did his best. Biting down on his own lip until blood trickled down his chin he drove the needle into the flesh and out again the other side, pulling a long black thread tight and creating a knot. Ebon screamed but from the look on his face it seemed the Akalak was in just as much pain. He was too empathetic for this kind of work. Every bit of it he dreaded. The sight of blood and gore didn't bother him. Surgical needles however turned out to be a whole new kind of nightmare.

He made another three unskillful stitches before deeming it to be enough. The less the better, he figured. At least this way he'd bring the Kelvic's agony to an end sooner. Grabbing a wet cloth from Kelski he cleaned off the rest of the blood from the wound and held it down to stop the bleeding whilst instructing her to put whatever antiseptic she deemed fit at this point. It was uncertain whether the injured Kelvic could offer them any more assistance in his state. After that the only thing left to do was to bandage up the wound and pray to Rak'keli for the best. Surely she wouldn't turn her back on one of her marked ones after going to all this trouble.

Hoping the nightmare was about over, Aer'wyn leaned back against the sofa, still on the floor and breathed a loud, broken up sigh. He had to give himself a moment to collect himself and steady his mind. Suddenly he wished he was in the Kelvic's place for at least then he wouldn't have to spend the next few days agonising over whether or not he did the job correctly.

"Hopefully this will hold him though the night at least. We should keep an eye on the wound."