A couple of rocks slipped from the mountainside, rolling through the snow into a steep valley. It was only early morning, but through the dark clouds, laying upon the sky, not a single ray of sun could shift. The white snow, falling from them, was softly landing on the ground, covering the grey stone of mountains with the bright cover.
Blood marks and footprints was all that showed Thranuilas's path through the peaks of the mountains. He limped through the snow, though not falling into it too deep, but he was running out of breath. Climbing mountains wasn't his strength at all... The sharp rocks ripped his gloves and skewed into his skin, and he could hardly find the energy to pull himself up and up again. Even when he managed to climb to the highest point between two hills, he had to slide down.
He stopped to catch his breath. Almost blinded by the snow, he stared into the distance. Beneath him lay a valley, encircled by the steep slopes of mountains. He still had a long distance to crawl down, but he was at the end with his strength. His muscles were aching and the wind was blowing through his damaged clothes straight onto his skin.
Oh gods... It's so cold... How can I even get out of here? I can't keep climbing... He pressed his back to the cliff behind himself, and sled down to his knees. Pulling his legs to his chest, he coiled up in the snow, desperately trying to warm himself up.
It was useless - he was only getting colder, as the snow, melting by his body, soaked into his clothes. This land was as hostile and cruel as death itself...
His eyes closed, embracing a dream, and he fell asleep on the mountainside, half covered by the falling snow.
Sapphira had seen this before, the weak footsteps, the tail of blood. This far north, it was rather common of runaway slaves, or runaway mages. She followed it. If the being had willed themselves that far into the mountains it wouldn't be right if she just let them die, would it?
The wind was picking up, biting and nipping at her nose and any exposed skin. She was half tempted to change into her dragon form, she wouldn't be able to feel the wind then, but soon decided against it. The more often she changed, the more likely someone who hunted dragons would spot her. She, instead she let her fire burn right beneath her skin, heating the air around her, causing any snow falling her way to turn into water.
She found that man half frozen, he didn't look to good, even if he wasn't frozen, appearing half starved to death. She leaned down, touching his face with her warm hands, seeing if there were any signs of life or if she had found him too late
Thranuilas opened his eyes to a tight gap, and stared at the woman, holding his face in her hands. He raised one hand, reaching after her, and his fingers gripped around her arm. He was cold and losing sense in his body, hardly managing to touch her.
"Who... Who are you?" he whispered. The touch of her warm hands sent a shiver down his spine, but it wasn't unpleasant. It was far more comfortable than the cold wind, biting his skin.
"That isn't important at the moment, we need to get you out of this weather, don't you agree?" Sapphira spoke, helping him stand. She pulled his arm over her should, which wasn't hard, he was much taller than she.
"Come on, I'll help you walk, but we have to make it a ways to a cabin, do you think you can if I help?" She asked, as she started to help him along, not really giving him a choice. Her body hot, trying to warm him.
Thranuilas let her pick him up and help him walk, not really having another choice. He nodded faintly at her question, gripping the tattered cloak, hanging from his shoulders, and pulling it to himself to shield his body from the wind and snow.
"I should... I hope..." He whispered, and did what he could to help her take him out of this place. The water in his robe was freezing cold, and he almost lost all sense in his hands. But the heat from the body of the girl was like fire, warming him up enough to keep awake, and he kept walking.
Sapphire managed to get the man in the little cabin. She waisted no time in lighting a fire so she could get the man warm, all she needed was a dead person in her little hide out for the winter.
"Are you okay?" She asked looking over at him.
"I have some food, want some." She asked after a moment.
Thranuilas nodded fiercely in agreement. "Yes, please... I think I'm alright, just cold. I rolled over in the snow for a few times and the rocks scratched my hands, but otherwise I'm not hurt."
The cabin was pleasantly warm, and he was quickly returning to his sense. The water in his clothes was dropping onto the ground, and he unbuttoned the upper robe, which was only soaked, anyway.
Sapphire brought the man a towel so he might be able to dry off some before turning to a little cabinet. She pulled out a small loaf of bread wrapped in leaves. She turned, handing it to the man, he looked like he needed to eat.
"Here, eat this, slowly," She said before putting a pot over the fire to heat up.
Thranuilas bit into the bread and remained silent, watching as she prepared something that smelled like wonderful food. He was no cook, but he could sure appreciate good food. The bread itself was now, when he has hardly eaten a thing for two days, like a miracle to him.
He took off the rugged grey robe, and wrapped the towel around his shoulders, covering the thinner black garb he wore underneath. It was warm inside, and his strength and senses were quickly returning to his body.
The pot mad a whistle and she pulled it off of the fire. pouring tow cups and making some tea. She handed the man a cup.
"Here, drink, it will make you feel better," She spoke before sitting by the fire as well. It felt nice, the heat warming up her muscles, she could practically purr with enjoyment.
"So, tell me. What were you doing out there in the weather, I suggest you not lie," Sapphira spoke, crossing her arms.
Thranuilas aimed his gaze at the floor. "Running from a bunch of enraged mordecai and guards, to put it simply." he replied. The whole story was longer and more complicated, but he was honest - there probably still was a couple of raging men somewhere behind.
He took a sip from the tea. He didn't want to meet those fools again.
"Why would you be in Connloathe? You are clearly and elf or fae of some sort, you had to know you would get yourself in trouble," She spoke, raising an eyebrow. Was he that young and immature that he didn't understand that there were some places better left avoided for some.
Thranuilas shrugged. "I have to feed myself somehow. And I'm a mercenary. I had a good job going on there, but... It went wrong. I was seen, and now they want my head." he explained her. "I was doing my best, but they surprised me."
"Still, its Connloath, eventually all mages get caught there, there are plenty of jobs else where. I am sure as a mage you would get paid double in Connloath, you also have to be stupid," Sapphira spoke, her words a bit harsh, as if chastising a child.
Thranuilas sighed. "There's plenty of jobs out there, you think? My experience has been different..." he muttered.
He pulled his knees to his chest and dropped his head on them sideways, avoiding Sapphira's glance. He didn't want to talk about those things - not only now, he never wanted to talk about them at all.
"You must not be very good at what you do then, I never have a problem finding jobs, maybe I am just old enough to know where to look, and knowing that sometimes the easiest path isn't the best," She replied before taking a sip of her tea.
Thranuilas looked away, covering his head with his arms. "How can you be so sure? Are you aware of all aspects of reality to speak of it so confidently?"
He wasn't as young as he appeared, and she spoke too lightly of things that were far more complicated than they seemed.
"I know enough, your an elf, so you are probably about five-hundred years old give or take a few decades, which makes me a thousand years older than you," Sapphire spoke, giving the elf a hard glance.
"Of course I know I age well, it's all to do with what I am, just think if I were human I would have long been dust," she spoke, her gaze wondering off.
"Age means nothing." His glance suddenly appeared hard and cold. "What if I told you that it gives you no right to judge someone? You may be older, and you may know more, but I doubt you know all the circumstances which brought me here. And if you think you do, then speak up. I'm not being ungrateful, but it's beyond offensive to pass judgments on that of which you know naught."
Sapphire clicked her tongue at him disapprovingly.
"Your immaturity shows child," she spoke before taking a sip of tea. She wasn't going to argue, but she had long since earned her right and ability to judge accurately. After you had lived as long as she there was never anything new, the same people with new faces and names.
Thranuilas turned his head away, but his feet slipped from the chair, and he crossed his arms on his chest. "Yeah, great." he moaned, and downed his tea. He wasn't willing to remain here any longer.
"I... I think I should go." he muttered, and pulled the robe up again to button it, but he had a bad feeling about this... He wanted to leave, but something was telling him that he shouldn't do so. As he tried to stand up, he was immediately pinned back to the chair, cringing in pain.
He clenched his teeth to stop a scream, escaping his mouth, and his fingers gripped the robe by his abdomen. He knew far too well what this was...
"You go out there you will die," Sapphira replied standing, placing her tea gently on a table. She watched the man for a moment, seeming a bit confused before moving to his side.
"Whats going on?"
He reached after the buttons of his robe and opened them again. "I wasn't... Completely honest..." he muttered as one of his hands pressed on his skin just under his ribs. "I have an arrow tip in me... I don't know... If it's poisoned or something..." he explained her.
It must have been foolish for him not to say something such as that when it clearly needed to be removed, but he feared the questions that would come from it more than pain - before. Now he changed his mind...
"You are foolish indeed," She spoke shaking her head at the man, How naive was it of him to think he could just walk around with an arrow head in him.
"Lay down," She spoke, her voice clearly showing how annoyed she was as she walked into the little space that served as a kitchen. She reached into different cabinets and jars pulling out one thing or another smashing everything into a green paste.
"I'll do it myself... Thank you kindly for your help, but I'll do it myself..." Thranuilas replied. His voice was shaking, and so were his hands, as he buttoned the robe again, but he wasn't willing to let her take a look at him. Even though it could have been helpful, it would only make more questions arise...
"You will end up killing yourself, now really, lie down or I swear to the heavens I will make you lie down and in your current condition I doubt your in the position to put up much of a fight," Sapphire spoke as she looked at him from over her shoulder. Her voice was controlled but stern, leaving no doubt she would follow through with her threats.
"You can try... I don't want you to touch me. Please, be so kind and let me do it myself." Thranuilas replied weakly, still clutching the place where he felt the tip of the arrow. "I know what I'm doing. I'm not a child." he growled, and crossed his arms on his chest.
"Compared to me, yes you are, and the fact that you tried to hide it from the person who saved you shows exactly how naive you so, please, don't get my temper all riled up," She spoke, the whole room heating up several degrees as she began to get frustrated with the man. If one were to look over at the fire place they would see the fire was now twice the size that it was before and tended to flicker towards where Sapphira was standing.
"I don't want you to do it!" he snarled, suddenly aggressive. The flames flickered, and changed into a dark violet color. "No means no... And I'm not going to argue with you any longer. I won't let you touch me, and that's it."
"I have my own reasons for not letting you do it. If you aren't going to respect them, expect a boot flying at you, or something worse." he growled.
Sapphira's eyes flashed, she wasn't one who enjoyed threats. The air in the room became stuffy, and nearly unbearable for most.
"Oh really now, something worse, what are you going to do, try to burn me with fire element bender? I saw you are scared, what, are you afraid I'll ask how you got them." She spoke her voice holding multiple tones in it. She pointed to the door, "Out!" She spoke, her voice absolute.
"Yes! You got it exactly right!" Thranuilas hissed, sliding off the chair. "Thanks a lot, but I don't need your help! I don't want it!"
He stumbled out of the door, immediately embraced by the cold wind and snow, blowing into his face. One of his hands arose to his face, lighting a small fire above his palm, and he held it close to himself to warm himself up. The wind was ripping his already damaged and soaked clothes away from his slender figure, but in his spite, he ignored it, slowly trudging through the snow.
Sapphira sat down and slowly the room temperature died down and the fire calmed soon after. If he killed himself in his own ignorance then that was his naive fault. She wasn't going to ask him about his scars, he didn't ask about the one above her eyes so why would she ask about his. She let out a deep sigh as she relaxed heavily in the padded chair.
Thranuilas continued stumbling through the snow like before. It was getting dark and even colder, but at least the storm has calmed down a little... There should be a village somewhere there...
His flame burned like a lantern in the dark, keeping his body warm, but it was taking from his already diminished energy. He was afraid he would have to choose between the flame and being conscious for a few hours. Both could be potentially lethal...
Sapphira fought with her conscious for a while longer. He asked for it, he was just helping, he was the one who threatened her harm. Finally though she stood from her chair and walked outside. As she walked out of the house her body morphed into her true, huge dragon form. It would be easier to find him if she were flying. She pushed off with her strong legs and her wings quickly lifted her into the air. The shimmer of light is what caught her eye. She shook her head, the man was really going to kill himself.
She landed in front of him, she lowered her head to his level so they were eye to eye.
'You know if you keep walking you are going to die'
The flame flickered and disappeared. He stepped back in surprise and fear, shocked at first, but eventually he realized that it was Sapphira again. Off course, a dragon... Why was he wondering so much? It was apparent that she was one.
He collapsed to his knees. "You know that I don't really care. If I'm destined to die here, then let it be so... The world's not going to miss anything." he replied silently.
Sapphira rolled her eyes at him.
'Stop now, I don't want to drowned in your self pity. Destiny doesn't exist, its an excuse for those that are weak and afraid, and excuse for why they cower and do nothing but be sheep to the wolves' She mentally spoke t the man.
He shrugged. "Exists, or not. I'm not going to get out of here, anyway, no matter what I say to myself. It's too far... You know I'm only going to make myself feel less bad. To give myself the idea that I tried." he muttered.
His eyes were closing. It was dark and cold, and he was exhausted beyond comprehension.
'You didn't, you chose to die, this is assisted suicide' Her tone clearly showed her annoyance. She didn't ask now as she grabbed him in one of her huge talons ever s gently. She wasn't going to let ll of her energy simply go to waste.
Thranuilas didn't protest. A part of him was grateful for it, glad that it didn't have to be his end in this cold wasteland. He closed his eyes, and let her carry him. He slipped in and out of consciousness along the way, not moving once. It was cold, but he didn't perceive that anymore.
Sapphira got him back to the cabin and once transformed back to her avatar she drug the man inside. She left him next to the fire as she went to go get supplies. Bottles and herbs, a bucket of water, knives, and a sponge she managed to carry everything over to his side in one trip, she knew she had to act fast.
She kneeled down beside him, removing his layers of robes so she could see his chest. She could see all of the scars but didn't let her mind wonder on them, she had to get the arrow out.
It took Thranuilas a long while to open his eyes, partly delirious from the poison that the arrow head has released into his body, but as he did so, he saw Sapphira above himself. She removed the robes that he wore, revealing his pale skin, covered in crooked scars.
He blinked, his eyes trying to focus at her face, but it came out only as a blur somewhere in the light. It didn't really matter - it was warm inside and he was too tired to think about anything. Usually, it would have concerned him, letting someone see him without a robe or armour, but at this time, he didn't even care that she saw the fresh chain marks that his skin bore.
Sapphire placed some herbs around the would partly to numb the wound, but also to keep it from getting infected later. She then took one of her blades, handling it with absolute precision, began to open up the wound a bit more so she could see the arrow head. As soon as she saw it she knew it was poisoned. She took it out quickly and while the would was still open she began to mix up differently liquids and the final ingredient being her blood.
Thranuilas winced a little when she removed the arrow, although it wasn't nowhere near as bad as it would have been without being already treated. He stared blankly at the ceiling, moving as little as possible.
It could have been hours, and it could have been seconds as she mixed something by his side. He didn't perceive it, anyway.
Sapphira then poured the liquid into the wound. It would feel like fire running through his veins and though it was painful it was killing the poison, healing the man. Only thing further he could do was sew up the wound and wait for her blood to heal him.
His mind got suddenly painfully clear as the antidote begun to take effect. For a moment, memories of his youth returned, and he thought that he is once again being used as a test subject, but then he realized that those times are long gone. He bit into his tongue to stop a scream, escaping his mouth. A sole tear rolled out of his eye.
Sapphira wiped the tear off his cheek gently. "The pain won't last too long," she spoke gently as she moved to rest the mans head in her lap where she softly ran her hand over his forehead and ran her fingers gently through his hair.
Thranuilas closed his eyes at her soft touch. The pain was beginning to ease, and he finally had a chance to fall asleep and rest. It was soothing to feel her fingers in his hair, and the slow moves soon made him fall asleep.
Once the man was asleep she got up, placing a pillow under his head and a blanket over him before moving to the kitchen. She then began to cook a stew, he would need to eat when he woke up.
Thranuilas slept peacefully for a long time, and that was good, as it was the first time when he could afford a long rest during the past few days. It was already late, and he wouldn't wake up unless smacked with a shovel.
Sapphira didn't disturb him, she knew he needed his rest to heal from the arrow and the poison. The soup would reheat fine when he woke up. She moved the her chair were she sat down, looking into the fire, feeling it's warmth before finally falling asleep herself.
Late morning. The sun shone through the small windows of the cabin, dimmed by the clouds, onto Thranuilas' figure, coiled up on the ground. He moved softly, still dreaming, and turned around in his sleep. The fire still burned brightly, warming him up.
A long wisp of his silky hair sled into his face, covering his eyes. The sensation pulled him out of his sleep, and he slowly opened his large eyes, blinking in the white light of the morning. For a moment, he had no idea what happened, and his mind was clouded. Where was he, even?
Then the memories returned, and he calmed down from the sudden confusion. He yawned, blowing the hair out of his face, and twisted his head aside, studying the interior of the cabin.
Sapphira was curl into a tight ball on a rather plush dark brown chair. Her chest moving slowly up in down proving she was asleep.
The cabin was small but oddly appeared much bigger from the inside than it did from the outside. To the left of the fire place was the kitchen area; there were cabinets, dishes, pots, and even a little table with two chairs. To the right of the fire place was a room that was sections off by a curtain that was partially open; one could see a part of a bed through the opening of the curtain.
Thranuilas, observing the inside of the cabin, instinctively turned around to where Sapphira sat, and saw the sleeping girl. He blinked, still partly desiring to fall asleep again, and stretched his arms, yawning widely.
Sapphira's eyes fluttered open as she heard the man yawn. She moved her feet to the floor turning and looking at the man who laid on the floor.
"How are you feeling thing morning? Hopefully better than last night," She spoke before standing, stretching herself.
"Hm?" Thranuilas raised a brow, but his mind soon got the meaning of the question, and he nodded. "I can hardly feel it now... Yes, it's much better. Thank you." he replied, raising a half-smile, and grabbing her chair, he sat up.
"That is pleasing to hear though I am positive you still have a ways to recover. The wounds you had were grave," Sapphira replied as she stood, stoking the fire with a poker.
He bent his head a little, raking through his hair. "The real problem was the cold weather outside... I was already getting delirious. I hardly remember a thing. The arrowhead was just a slight inconvenience was it not poisoned... Trust me when I tell you that I saw worse weapons, and felt them, too." His fingers were pressed onto his temples under the red mess of a hair, and he shut his eyes tightly. He still felt partly tired, but it was warm inside, and it felt a thousand more times comfortable than yesterday.
"By the looks of it I am sure you have had worse. That is of no matter though. If you are injured you should take care or it, no matter how big or small, poisoned or not," Sapphira spoke as she turned from the fire to look at him.
"You should probably let me look at it," She spoke softly, her hand rubbing her chin.
Shooting a short glance to the side, Thranuilas gave her a slight nod, and reached to unbutton the several layers of robes he wore. The grey fabrics sled aside to expose his chest, though he only pulled them apart as little as possible not to show more of his pale skin with the appearance of cracked porcelain.
His fingers sled down to the sewn wound under his ribs, but he refrained from touching it. It seemed like it didn't yet start healing, but he already got used to that. "I heal slowly, but I will be fine." he assured her, lifting his hand and uncovering the thin red gash.
Sapphira moved closer, she didn't seem to notice or mind any of the scars she could see. She herself was covered in scars, hell she had one going across her face. She ran her fingers ever so gently beside the gash. Her fingers where warm, almost hot to the touch.
"It hasn't gotten infected, but since you heal slowly I want to keep a close eye of it. Infection can set in at any point."
"I suppose that would be the safest." he agreed, quickly buttoning up to hide what little skin he was showing even then. Saphira's hands were almost like fire... Well, not surprising, she was a dragon, he reminded himself while finally buttoning up the high collar of the robe.
"Thanks for not leaving me there yesterday. I owe you my life."
"I dislike the Connloathians I was more doing them a disfavor than doing you a favor. I guess you chose your enemies well in this situation, I try not to make it a habit of sticking out my neck for those who aren't of my kind or kin," Sapphira replied before placing the pot of stew back over the fire to heat up.
"That changes nothing to me." Thranuilas replied, softly shaking his head. "Those people are crazy, no matter how you look at it, anyway." Connlaoth was, in his eyes, a rather messed-up country. They imprisoned and hunted mages like animals, and their nobility was spoiled and committing the real crimes instead, without any supervision except for one measly 'Grand Duke'.
Almost saddening.
"i agree that their infrastructure needs some improvement and that their religion is just as confused but to each their own. And if the people are going to follow blindly there is nothing you can do," Sapphira replied before once again turning to face Thranuilas once again.