Ascending Legends

[BookWyrm]

Dayn, concerned, moved closer to examine her now obviously injured arm. "Let me take a look at it, please." Dayn stood in front of Arryn, his hand outstretched. "Arryn, I know that you are reserved about some things, but I am not going to hurt you or leave you. If you would just let me, I can help with the physical and emotional wounds. I love you Arryn, and part of what that means is being here to help you carry your burdens. But I can't help you if you won't let me."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn shook her head slightly, still a bit on-edge. She trusted him, but her instincts said to run and hide. "Dayn, I trust you, but... I've tried for two years... it can't be fixed, it seems." He obviously wanted to help, and she could appreciate that, and she worried that he'd be hurt if she didn't let him help... but if an innate healer spent two years on the injury, she wasn't sure how much he could help. In the end, he might feel bad if he couldn't, or - gods forbid - pity her or be concerned over her. "I-it's my shoulder blade. I can't fix it. It normally doesn't hurt, not much, least-ways, but... strain with a sword makes it real bad. Could be worse, though. The pain will be gone by 'morrow morn." Her educated speech seemed to be slipping, whether it was because she was nervous or in pain she didn't know.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn nodded his head. It made sense, knowing what he did from her story. Some injuries were permanent despite the use of magic. "Well at least let me help ease the pain in my own way." Dayn walked forward and kissed Arryn gently, his hand laying gently on her hip before her swept her up off her feet, carefully of course, and carried her back to her horse. "What good is a knight if he can't sweep his lady off her feet eh?" He helped her get adjusted in her saddle before moving back to the pack horse to get some material. In a couple of minutes he had improvised a sling and, gently, adjusted it on her before getting back onto his own horse. Although he would never admit it to Arryn, Dayn was running on fumes. He had rarely used a lot of magic before, especially not such focused spells, and the toll seemed to getting to him. He figured he would make it to the next village before needing to stop and rest.


The last hour before they arrived at the village was a tiresome one. Dayn, despite his fatigue, kept ever vigilant as they continued on through the woods. The last thing he wanted was another warg attack. Dayn rode up to the villages inn, a familiar stop aptly named Traveler's Rest. "Outside of the Heron and the inn at Riverbend this is the nicest Inn I have visited." Traveler's Rest was owned by two families; elves and dwarves respectfully. The elves managed the Inn while the dwarves managed the tavern.


After a couple of minutes Dayn was back outside, though now visibly fatigued, and helped Arryn down, gathered the necessaries, and headed to their room while the horses were taken around to the stables. Despite his fatigue Dayn wanted to bath before changing clothes. It had been a while since their last baths back at the start of the trip, so needless to say it was due time. "I'll have them run the baths, but lets get a hot meal while we wait."





After a nice bowl of beef stew, and maybe a pork pie, Dayn and Arryn were greeted back at the room with a warm bath. "You can go first if you want, love." Dayn looked over at the bath, taking note that it was large enough for two, but he wasn't going to press the matter. One day they would eventually come to that point of intimacy, but he was not going to force it on Arryn. Besides, he could tolerate the dirt and grim from travel a little longer. At least he would bath today. Back in the campaign he didn't bath for weeks at a time. When enemies were close at hand and the chance of ambush was high most people didn't even change out of their armor. When the rain started many men ended up covered in rust before they finally made it to safer territory.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn nodded and pulled the privacy screen between them before undressing. As the water touched her scars she stiffened, before forcing herself to relax, thinking over the day. She had noted Dayn's fatigue, and discreetly worried over him, making sure to glance at him every once in a while to be sure he was alright, but she let him take care of her. If anyone would understand mana drain, it was an innate healer. While she wanted to worry over him and fuss over him, she let him have his pride - for now. She'd never worn a sling before, even when the wound had been new; she'd been too insistent that she had to be ready to fight if something happened, and being in a sling would have put her at a disadvantage. It had made sense at the time.


The wargs came back to her mind, though. That had been a trap. They'd targeted Dayn and her, not their horses, the one had been watching them. That was too smart for wargs on their own... but that was a matter for a later date. After she'd finished and dried off, she pulled on a full-sleeve green shirt and brown pants before walking to the other side of the screen. She still held her arm close to her side, but didn't put the sling back on. "Your turn, dear. I'm going to go downstairs to get some herbs real quick. I'll be back soon."


After leaving him, she went to the tavern, asking for a few things. The dwarves were very polite, and she was tempted to stay a while and speak with them more, perhaps they'd heard from Norim Cavecoat about Rorik, after all. However, she had a job she planned on doing, so quickly took her leave. She returned to the room and moved to the fireplace, setting to work making a tea, using some other regents she'd just bought as well as some from her pack.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn opened his eyes when he heard Arryn walk back into the room. He had been soaking in the tub, almost asleep when she came back in. Dayn sighed as he got out and dried himself off, changing into comfy trousers and leaving his shirt off. He walked over to where Arryn was and sat down at her side, kissed her shoulder, before resting his head against her. In any other situation, or with any other person, Dayn wouldn't have appeared as vulnerable as he did now. Something was different about Arryn though. Dayn hadn't even been this open, this vulnerable, with Kara. But he didn't feel like he needed to put up a front with her. He could just be himself, with all his vulnerabilities and flaws as well as his strengths.


Dayn wrapped his arm around Arryn's waist, making sure to leave her arms free to work on her tea or potion. "I love you Arryn." Dayn sighed, his shoulders dropping as he allowed himself to lower his guard. "Sometimes I wish I had been common born. I wouldn't have the expectations of the nobility to live up to. My family may not be normal for nobility, but the pressure is still there to uphold the family name, even for a third born knight errant. Everything I do goes to bring the family name honor and glory. Sure people know my name and the deeds I have done, but all they see is a knight upholding his families honor despite the fact that he was inconvenienced by the number of which he was born.


"My brothers and sisters, even my parents, don't look at it like that. All they see is their son, their brother, but the other nobles, they see what they want to see. They see a third born son trying to earn a better name than his eldest brother, and they deem me vain because of the deeds I have done. Do you know what I came home to after the campaign? I came home, the men-at-arms, foot soldiers, and other knights cheering my name because when our enemies stormed our position I held the gate, defending our wounded and almost dying myself, long enough for our reinforcements to come in and drive the enemy back from the keep. But you know what the nobles saw? They saw a third born son trying to die a martyrs death, leaving a legacy even his higher born brothers couldn't match."





Dayn felt foolish for rambling on like he did, but not so much as he would have with anyone else. "They weren't there. They didn't see their friends being rent before their own eyes, laying dead in the walls that you bled to protect. They hadn't lived with, nor fought beside these men, noble or otherwise. They didn't care, otherwise they would have been there. I didn't hold the gate to win fame and fortune for my name. I held the gate, at the cost of my own blood, to protect my friends, the men that fought and died beside me. And yet when I come home I see the disdain in the eyes of these nobles, these people who create the standards that I supposedly have to live my life by. And here I am lately finding that I envy you, Arryn, for the simplicity of a commoners life. No noble standards, no laws, just a free life of your choosing. You are born into your life, you forge it with your hands."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn put one hand over his, the other stirring the "tea". "I used to hate nobles for a reason quite similar, beloved. But that was long ago, before I learned more about how people worked. I had to realize that it wasn't their fault they were pompous pricks - they were taught to be that way. I ended up pitying them, because they saw so little. And, obviously, not all of them were. I was lucky - when I returned with Night's Ascension, I was always among friends who'd been there. It hurt quite a bit to leave them, but I had to." She turned to him and pushed his hair back gently. "You have me, though. I don't see you as a third son. I see you as Dayn, my love with a mischievous smile." Arryn turned back to the tea. She threw a bit of black powder into the mix, before stirring it again. "How would you like to visit my home one of these times? They'll see you as you, I'm sure. I’d like you to meet Matthias,” she said idly, thinking out loud. She quickly added, “He’s just my friend, that’s all he ever was. In fact, he’s married now. I set him up with his wife a good while back, poor dope was too scared of her to ask for a dance. I think you’d like him. Don’t let him tell you stories about me growing up, though.” She smiled devilishly to him, explaining, “‘Cuz they’ll almost certainly be true.” Wishful thinking, I can't get back into Rorick without trouble. Not until... Oh, shit! That list! I entirely forgot about it! Nevermind.... Just remember it later.





Arryn disentangled herself from Dayn's arms, and pulled the tea away from the fire before pouring it into an awaiting mug. She handed it to Dayn, saying, "It'll take the edge off the mana drain. Won't help the fatigue, but at least I'll be able to manage to get you out of bed in the morning. Don't worry, it tastes good.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn looked at the cup before slowly taking a couple of sips. It didn't taste bad at all to be honest. "I would love to see your home, and don't worry about childhood stories. I'm sure Hamish will be around Riverbend when we get there. The stories that man could tell about my childhood." Dayn laughed before gulping down a good portion of the "tea" before sitting the cup down and taking Arryn's hands in his own. The fire's light caused alluring shadows to play out on her skin as Dayn's eyes traveled over her features. He reached up with one hand and laid it against her face, bringing her gently towards him and into a kiss. As he pulled back he felt a twinge in between his shoulder blades. He grimaced as he rotated his arms one after the other before rubbing his upper back.


"I have an idea."





Dayn got up and grabbed several pillows and blankets, laying them a safe distance from the fire, but close enough to feel the warmth. After making sure he had arranged everything into a comfortable position Dayn laid down. A smile stretched across his face before he laughed. "Lay down next to my love, it really is quite comfortable. Though, it is missing a woman's touch. Well, I am missing your touch."

 

[Dragongal]

"You sweet-talker," she laughed, laying down next to him. "I don't know what possessed you to think of this, but I like it." She kissed him, using her magic as she had before, to ease any pain. With a contented sigh, she pulled away and nuzzled lightly against his neck. "You need rest after today, love."She put her head on his chest and pulled up the blankets.


(You can timeskip to morning)

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn and Arryn sat on a plateau, overlooking a beautiful valley that stretched out for miles below them. In the distance were the purple shadows of snow capped peaks that traveled down from the North. A river flowed through the valley below, adding it's serenity to the scenery. The sun was on it's downward path towards the distant mountains Dayn and Arryn sat, their hands intertwined as the sky was painted with pastels of red, yellow, orange, and purple. Dayn turned to Arryn and leaned in, his beloved meeting him half way as they kissed. It started slowly, the two taking their time as they enjoyed the feeling of each others lips. Slowly the kiss became more impassioned as Dayn reached up to caress Arryn's face. Dayn stopped suddenly, wondering why Arryn's cheek was cool to the touch.


Dayn opened his eyes suddenly. He looked over at Arryn, realizing then that the fire had almost died out. Carefully, making sure not to wake Arryn, Dayn sat up and sighed, a little disappointed at the realization that he had been dreaming. Dreams cannot surpass reality though, he thought as he looked over at his love and smiled before getting up to stoke the fire. Once it had caught and was burning strong again Dayn walked over and laid down next to Arryn again, fading to sleep shortly after.


The next morning Dayn woke before sunrise. He could smell breakfast cooking all the way in the kitchen, giving him an idea. He carefully crawled out from the covers, slipping into a shirt, and quietly left the room. He returned with breakfast, which he sat down near their improvised bed before laying next to Arryn. He smiled as he reached out and caressed her cheek. "Arryn, beloved, it's morning." Dayn leaned in and kissed her before continuing. "I've got breakfast."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn opened her eyes and looked to Dayn, smiling. "Perhaps I made that tea too strong," she chuckled lightly. She gave him a kiss before sitting up all the way. "I'm impressed that you're up, honestly. How are you feeling?" Odd as it may seem, Arryn enjoyed fretting over Dayn. He didn't seem like he was about to, and she liked taking care of someone, especially him. She glanced at the food that was laid out, and smiled. "You were up earlier than me." She leaned close to him and kissed him again. "I'll only eat if you will, my beloved mage," she said with a little laugh. She knew what mana burn felt like, and if he wasn't very hungry now, which was quite possible, he would be later. there was a reason most mages were thin, after all.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn laughed as he sat down in front of Arryn. In truth he didn't feel much like eating, and in fact he was still tired and sore. But he reached over and grabbed a bit of sausage and munched on it any way. After he finished off the last of it he stretched, grimacing as every muscle in his body felt like it was cramped and sore. "In truth I wish we had an elvish bath house close by. I could go for a day of soaking and a good massage." Dayn tried hard not to show his fatigue, but in the end he lost the battle. He jokingly fell over, his head plopping down in her lap. "I seem to have fallen love." He chuckled at his own stupid joke as he rolled over and looked up at Arryn. He reached up and gently pulled her head down before kissing her. "So what is the diagnosis love? I'll go ahead and warn you though, I refuse to rest if I can't have company."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn laughed and kissed him back. She grabbed a piece of apple and commentated dramatically as she ate it, "I'm afraid the patient has a remarkably thick skull and is still experiencing mana drain." She kissed him again, and said, "Not much for it, I'm afraid, but rest. And letting his girl fret over him." She brushed back his hair with her fingers and kissed him slowly, using her magic to ease his soreness. While a mana transfer was possible, it wouldn't help his fatigue, and she wanted to take care of him; she wasn't exactly at full power after making as many shields as she had yesterday. She laid down next to him and pulled the blankets over them both before nuzzling against his chest. "Let breakfast get cold, you need rest. And if accompanying you is the only way, then so be it."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn smiled as he wrapped his arms around Arryn and pulled her to him before kissing her nose. "I am yours. Fret away love." Dayn smiled, he kind of liked the idea of having a beautiful girl fretting over him. He was asleep again within a few minutes. The drain from the previous day had taken more of a toll than he realized. If this drain was from casting only a few minor elemental spells, what was it like for Arryn and her more complex spells?





Dayn woke up around an hour or so later. He stretched, yawning, before getting comfortable again. He reached over and picked another sausage from the platter before munching on it. He didn't feel all that hungry, or maybe he just wasn't registering hunger at the moment, but the food tasted good nonetheless. After he swallowed the last bite he laid back down and slowly traced his fingers over Arryn, starting from her neck and down her arm, then her side to her hip and back up. He smiled as he watched her, just enjoying being around her like always. He relaxed his head on his pillow, but remained awake, but in a very relaxed state. "A man could go his entire life and never find a woman of your quality love. I am truly a blessed man."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn took his hand in hers, and kissed him gently before laying back with her head on his chest, running her fingers over his hand. "Well, it's fair when you consider that I was broken - and I still am - but you're definitely fixing me. It feels good, not having to hide so much. Be so reserved all the time. Habits still are going to be the death of me, but I'm getting there." She glanced up at him and said, "I never thought I'd be able to sleep without nightmares, or walk in a city and not be trying to watch everyone at once. And I can thank you for that." She sighed, staying silent for a few moments, before saying, "I never thought I'd find anyone I could tell my real name to without feeling pain or fear, much less loving when they call me." As she shifted to kiss him again, she felt a twinge in her shoulder, but ignored it and finished kissing him, before putting her head back on his chest with a heavy sigh and a slight wince as she adjusted herself. Just when she was forgetting about that incident, here was her body reminding her.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn noticed Arryn wince as she moved around. He wondered if it was physical or emotional pain, maybe both? He was pleased to here her saying that being around him was helping her overcome her past, but he still wanted to do more. Dayn shifted his weight, rolling over gently and propping himself on his arms as he looked into Arryn's beautiful grey eyes. He leaned in and kissed her, slowly working his way to her ear before whispering, "If the doctor would allow me I might be able to take her mind off of things for a while."


Dayn knew that she had been reserved about things before. He knew that, more than likely, she would decline, but he felt like making the offer anyways. In it's own way Dayn was saying to her that he considered the two of them equals, and he was willing to put aside his desire if she was still uncomfortable. He would be lying if he said he wouldn't be a little disappointed, but he wanted her to know how he felt, and this way seemed like a good option.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn shook her head, curling up closer to Dayn, being careful of her shoulder. “The doctor would rather doze, in honesty.” She paused, then mused, “I can’t get my mind off those wargs, though. That carcass was left out as bait for a trap. The alpha was watching, I saw it. And why wouldn’t they go for the horses? Easier prey, more meat, less risk. I’ve never fought wargs, but I don’t want to again, their weight when they threw themselves on my shields caused too much strain.” Arryn sighed and nuzzled up against Dayn’s chest, closing her eyes. Her weariness wasn't from mana burn as much as not wanting to think about the journey ahead; that required movement, and she felt too comfortable for that at the moment. She mumbled, “Wake me in an hour and we’ll go.”

Spoiler

Arryn woke up, trying to understand where she was. She was laying face down… on a bed? But… where had she last been? And where was her shirt? Why was there bandaging wrapped around all of her upper body? She tried to roll onto her side, yelping as she tried to move her arm. She couldn’t move her right shoulder without causing herself extreme pain, it was almost hard to breathe. Her whole back felt like it was on fire, and her arms felt like she’d reached into buckets of razors. She felt a hand press her back down gently. “Who…?”


“Sh, it’s alright, you’re safe here. I’ll go tell Sol you’re awake.” It was a medicine woman, young and kind. Atria couldn’t move now that her panic had died down, and she was already slipping back toward sleep. The woman left the room, and Arryn noticed something… odd. She could smell the healer’s draught, a concoction just about all healers used to keep themselves awake at their patients’ bedsides. She’d known it since she was a child, working with her mother, and had been drinking it since before she could cast a spell. The draught smelt… odd, though, there was something off about it in the slightest. But she couldn’t ponder any more on it, as she passed out again


Arryn woke up slowly, the burning on her back and arms clouding her mind before she even opened her eyes. She looked to see who was at her bedside now, surprised to find Matthias sitting in the chair by the hearth. In a second, she noted how tired he looked. She tried to get her hands under herself, but couldn’t. She woke up quickly. Her voice was hoarse, and it hurt to talk. “What… what happened? Where’s my team? Why can’t I - Why can’t I move my arm?!”


Matthias moved next to her, gently pushing her back down by the back of her neck, scared to touch her back and cause her more pain. “Calm down, you’re safe, for now. You got real badly injured in that last raid.”


“My team?” she asked. Mathias stayed silent, still holding her down. “Matthias, let me look at my arms,” she said stubbornly. He knew when it was useless to argue with her, so he removed his hand. She raised her head stiffly, looking at her arm. She stayed silent. Her arms were covered in bandaging like the rest of her upper body. She used her left hand to begin unwinding the bandaging on her right arm.


Not half an hour after she’d fallen asleep, Arryn woke with a yelp, tears brimming in her eyes. Her back and arms hurt, and the deep ache in her shoulder had returned for the moment. She looked at Dayn, trying to process things for a moment, before pressing her head against his shoulder, trying to hide her tears. It felt like even the guilt was back in her heart. This was what she got for using a sword. “I-I guess I shouldn’t have dozed,” she whispered.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn had woke around and hour after he and Arryn had laid down. He found Arryn awake, maybe even a little off, but decided not to press her for information. He simply sat up and kissed her before holding her tight against him. "No matter what, I am not letting go." He didn't know why he said what he did, but he meant it. They were dressed and packed and back on the road a lot faster than Dayn had anticipated. As they rode out of the town Dayn checked the sun. The next stop would be Riverbend, and his home, but it looked like they would be getting there probably after night fall. Dayn didn't like the idea, especially not after the previous situation with the wargs, but they would have to make due. He wasn't about to stop them and set up camp in the wilderness only a short ways away from Riverbend with wargs out. Luckily he had packed a few things encase they needed torches.


For the majority of the day the riding was easy and would have been boring if it weren't for the beautiful fall color of the trees and the growing excitement of knowing what was awaiting Dayn and Arryn in Riverbend. He planned on them staying for the length of the Harvest Festival. It would be long enough for them to recover from travel strain, the horses to recover, and for them to enjoy some relaxation before the coming of Ironcrest. But despite his excitement Dayn was also worried about Arryn. She had been off before they left the Inn, and that bothered him. But what had really begun to bother him was the fact that the sun was on it's downward path, and for some reason Dayn had the strangest feeling that they were being followed. And me not wearing any mail or gambeson today. Brilliant.





Night came rather quickly. Dayn broke out a torch, lighting it, and handing it to Arryn. "I need my sword arm free.", was his only response to the questioning looking he received. The feeling of being watched had grown up steadily until the sun set and the night clouds rolled in, masking the moon behind their dark shapes. Dayn had been paying attention to the feeling and at first didn't notice when it left. Suddenly, though, something happened that stopped them in their tracks. There was no sound. Nothing. No night birds, no insects, not even a breeze, and the feeling of being watched returned in earnest. Dayn let go of his reins and reached for his sword when something dashed out of the woods, leaping into the air before sinking it's jaws around Dayn's shoulder, just shy of his throat as it drug him off his horse.


Dayn screamed as he fell from the horse, pain shooting through his chest as he scrambled to pull his dagger off his belt. Finally free the blade bit into the beast's flesh time and time again until it finally released him from it's jaws. His adrenaline pushing into his system Dayn shot up, ignoring the wound, and attacked the beast again. It looked like a warg or a wolf, something, all he knew was that it was big. Dayn struck again, cutting and stabbing the beast as it lunged, it's blood mingling with his own as they trampled the stained dirt. With a pained roar the beast fled into the woods. Dayn chased it to the tree line, pushing in slightly to make sure it was leaving. He heard the heavy foot falls trailing off into the night before slowly turning around and stumbling back to the horse only to fall to the ground a few feet in front of Arryn.





"Ar-Arryn...hel-help me....." He felt his body tingle as a strange sensation began in his shoulder. As he began to black out he saw torches and people coming up the road, a familiar voice calling out. "By the gods, thats Dayn!" "Brother!" Two armor clad figures stormed into the area, several armed men armed with pikes taking up positions around the edges of the forest. Japhet and Hamish rushed over to Arryn and Dayn. "We heard the commotion, what happened to my brother?"





"Arryn....."

 

[Dragongal]

Dayn's cry sent a lance of fear and pain through Arryn's heart. Everything happened so quickly, there didn't seem to be anything she could do. Arryn was off her horse in an instant, kneeling next to Dayn. She dropped the crossbow she'd had prepared the moment Dayn fell. Helping him was more important at the moment than shooting the beast. She ignored Hamish and Japhet for the moment, focusing on Dayn. "Dayn, please, stay awake. Gods, please, no...." Too late, he was already unconscious. She put her hand over the wound, making the blood clot correctly and noting that he was going into shock. She prevented this from proceeding as best she could, though his skin was still cold to the touch. Her hand was slick with his blood, but this didn't cause her discomfort as she was used to such conditions, she just didn't like that it was him who was hurt. Need to bandage the wound, I can't do too much more until we're someplace safe. I'll need to wash the wound and get his shirt off before I can properly bandage it. I can't take his shirt off until we're somewhere warm, thanks to the shock. In a second, she had her pack on the ground and bandages out, holding Dayn close against her and wrapping the bandages over his wound as best she could over his shirt. This was more to keep the wound from reopening than anything. Those men, one of them had called him his brother. Arryn glanced up to Japhet and Hamish, quickly saying, "I don't know which of you is Japhet or Geoff and at the moment I don't care. Dayn's injured badly, we need to get him to someplace safe and warm. He's stable, but more speed would be better. I'm a healer, you must trust me."

 

[BookWyrm]

Japhet took note of the urgency in Arryn's voice, but couldn't help but wonder who was this woman traveling with his brother. "Don't worry, you weren't far away. Men, this woman is a medic and coming with us. Get their horses to the Inn and return to your posts. When everyone is back in the city seal the gates and double the watch." Japhet brought his horse over as he and Hamish hefted Dayn up onto the saddle before he sat himself in place. Hamish helped Arryn onto his own horse before getting on as they took off at full gallop back to Riverbend.


As they neared the gates Hamish took out a gnarled horn and blew out a deep call. The guardsmen kept the gate open as the riders rushed into the city.


Geoff paced back and forth at the Inn when the riders arrived. "By the gods, what happened to Dayn!?", he cried as he rushed to help Japhet get him off the saddle. "It attacked him on the road outside the gates.", Japhet replied as he and Geoff carried Dayn inside the Inn. Hamish slid down off his horse before picking Arryn up with strong hands and laying her on the ground before joining them in the Inn. "Inn keeper, we need clean linens now!", Japhet practically roared as they stormed into to dinning room and began clearing off a table near the fire place. "Bless me soul, Dayn! Quick!, ye heard the Lord Japhet, linens, now!", the Inn keep's wife was beating the attendants with a wooden spoon if she thought they were dawdling. "And the rest of ye, the Inn is closed for the evening. Out wit all the likes of ye!" The patrons were quickly out, hastily laying coins for half eaten meals as they promptly left the Inn as the Inn keep's wife brought clean linens and other medical supplies they had available. "Thank you, sorry about-" The woman cut Japhet short, "No need to be 'pol'gizing sire. Anyone in ye fam'ly be treated the same. Even tis beaut'ful lass.", the woman smiled as she laid a hand on Arryn's shoulder.


Just then another body burst through the door. This man wore a black coat, a flat brimmed hat, and bore a beaked face like a great bird. Japhet turned, relief coming over his face. "Good to have you hear doctor. Dayn's looking rough." The doctor took off his hat, bowed slightly, before laying his bag on the table as Japhet and Hamish spread the sheet before gently lifting Dayn and laying him on it. The doctor nodded his head approvingly. "His wound has been bound, good." He quickly undid the binding and saw that the wound had clotted and that his shock had been mild. The doctor looked quickly at Arryn, noting the blood on her hands and sleeves, realizing that she no doubt had started the process. He opened his bag before grabbing his staff and pointing it towards Japhet and Hamish. "Back off, we have work to do." The doctor turned to Arryn as he swiftly cut Dayn's shirt off, his hands acting as if they had eyes from years of experience. "What needs to be done?"

 

[Dragongal]

Had the situation been different, Arryn would have blushed when the inn-keep's wife put her hand on her shoulder. At the moment, Arryn was completely focused on her job as healer, no reluctance or hesitance was allowed, and absolutely no dealing with anyone's tomfoolery; one would be surprised at the number of times she'd had to bark at people who thought they were being helpful. A firm hand was most certainly necessary at times. Arryn didn't like doctors very much, due to years of being told that her home training apparently amounted to nothing, but this doctor seemed to respect her. She quickly said, "The wound needs to be rinsed, then washed immediately, sir." Arryn wet a towel and wiped the blood away from the wound. She put her bag on a chair and sorted through it, pulling out a dark amber bottle with Northern runes on the label. "Simple antiseptic rinse, won't cause damage to the skin like alcohol." Using the liquid from the bottle, she wet another towel and wiped it over the wounds gently. She glanced at the doctor and said, "The punctures are deep, but no vital muscles were cut. We need to bandage the wound yet, poultice is unnecessary, but, I am a healing mage. I can at least heal the deeper wounds a fair bit." It seemed they were working together, and in such a case, her magic might not be accepted.

 

[BookWyrm]

The doctor nodded before tilting his head. Something was off about Arryn's features. She looked...drained. He reached out, gently laying his hand on Arryn's head, and moved it closer to look at her eyes. They were slightly bloodshot, normal for stress, but he had other experience that told him she had been using magic recently. "Don't strain yourself more than you have to. I don't need two patients, especially when one has medical experience and is a healer to boot." The doctor watched Arryn carefully as she tended to Dayn's wounds, making sure she didn't over exert herself. He stopped her regularly to check not only the wounds but to check her as well, stopping her after a little while longer. "They will heal up good. Now," the doctor pulled out a small glass before mixing in several unusual herbs into a liquid before handing her the glass, "take this. It is stronger than your standard mana drain tonic." The doctor watched Arryn with scrutiny until every drop of the elixir was downed before taking the glass back and setting it aside. "I can finish up, you need to rest."


There wasn't much to finish, Arryn's magic having healed most of the tissue damage. The rest would need time and some care. "We need to get him somewhere comfortable and warm." The inn-keep and his wife were in the room now. "Only the best room for a Braeglan'." Japhet stopped the inn-keep. "You are not going out of your way I hope?" "Laddy, we keep rooms fer all ye here. Now come 'long, brin' Master Dayn and his lovely lass up to the room." The room was, by all means, opulent. The room had a fire already going, no doubt in anticipation of it being used, and the bed was close enough to benefit from the warmth. They laid Dayn down in the bed before leaving. Japhet stopped and turned to Arryn. "I am in your debt my dear, though I wish you could have had a better welcome to the city. I am Japhet, the eldest Braegland child. We are all staying here tonight, so if there is any need, please, come to one of us or the inn-keeps, Huldrik and Brunhilde. I'll be back on the morrow."


As Japhet left the doctor walked back into the room, his mask and gloves off. He held out several small bags. "Steep these in hot water until it is golden. They will help you rest. I know, you will be up during the night, but they will help you rest between checking on him." With that the doctor closed the door, leaving Arryn alone with Dayn.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn knew her own limits well, and while she appreciated the thought, she'd have appreciated if the doctor trusted her enough to let her do her work. At the least, he did understand that mana drain wouldn't stop her from her job. Once she was alone, she drew her chair up to the edge of Dayn's bed, sighing. She paced silently, made the tea the doctor had given her, checked on Dayn, and finally sat down, sipping the tea. Sleeping in a chair and catching short quarter hour catnaps was something her body had adjusted to. She noted Dayn's skin getting warmer and his pallor fading as the time went by, both good signs. Hours passed, Arryn stoked the fire, read a few pages at a time, sketched, and eventually just sat watch in the chair. She took Dayn's hand and laid her head on her arms on the bed, dawn only a few hours off.

 

[BookWyrm]

As his body accepted the healing Dayn found himself amidst terrible dreams. He watched the events of the battle over and over again, almost like he was being forced to watch it again. Every move, every detail played out before his eyes. Every time the beast sank it's teeth into his shoulder he felt the same pain shoot through his body, causing him to twitch and groan in his sleep. But the worst dreams were the ones that he didn't understand. In those dreams he walked into his bedroom back in his families manor. The room was beautiful, with the warm glow from the fire and candles creating a welcoming ambiance. There were rose petals leading from the door to the bed, where Arryn was waiting for him. She was wearing a beautiful silken gown and she beckoned to him.


"Come to me beloved."


He would crawl into the bed and into her embrace, only to recoil as he looked upon her to find her throat and stomach tore open, the sheets stained with her blood. The room began to crumble around him as he screamed out in pain...


"NOOOOO!"


Dayn woke himself up screaming. He looked around the bedroom, trying to come to grips with where he was. He suddenly found Arryn at his side, alive and whole. He couldn't hold back the tears and sobs that came if he had even wanted to. He sat up as he reached out and pulled her into his shaking embrace. "I thought......I....lost you."

 

[Dragongal]

"Dayn?" Arryn said, surprised at waking to Dayn's scream and suddenly being pulled into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him, murmuring, "Sh, it's okay dearest, it's ok, sh." After a few seconds, she pulled back slightly so she could see him better, brushing his hair back with her fingers. "It's alright, I'm right here, and I'm staying right here, okay?" She gently kissed his cheek then held him tighter, running her hand gently along his neck. He'd probably not realize where they were, so she said, "We're both safe, we're in the inn at Riverbend, it's okay. Your brother and some men-at-arms found us." While the inn was sturdy, she was not sure if anyone else had heard Dayn's screaming, but she also didn't care past the fact that Dayn would likely be embarrassed being caught sobbing. She put her hand on his wounded shoulder to ease his pain at least slightly with her magic, still holding him close. "It's alright, dearest, it's okay.... I understand your pain. We're safe, though, I promise."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn held Arryn tightly against him, sobbing despite himself as he rocked back and forth slowly. His body trembled as he held her. He didn't understand why the dream bothered him so, but it had felt real, and for some reason, he had felt responsible for it. But, for what? What had happened in the dream? Why had he had the dream? What was the meaning behind all of this?


Dayn finally felt his body begin to relax, the tears finally stop flowing, and he loosened his arms from around Arryn. His shoulder ached and throbbed, though when he felt Arryn's touch it slowly subsided. He held her gently now as he slowly regained his composure. "I feel....so tired." Dayn carefully laid back down on the bed, trying to not reopen his wounds, though he noticed a light tinge of red on the bandages. "The dreams.....they were horrible. You....died......I had your blood on my hands, dripping from my mouth."





Dayn felt the tears streaming down his cheeks again as he held Arryn's hand tighter. "I don't want to lose you Arryn. I can't....go through that again."