A small tavern in Caemlyn (ATTN: U4ea)

[JainFarstrider]

Winter was slowly releasing it’s grip over the streets of Caemlyn. The sun was setting in the horizon, daylight no longer making it over the stone walls into the depths of the city. Warmth of day had left the city, accompanying the sun on its journey beyond the horizon. A cold northerly wind blew in to replace the heat of the day, bringing with it the flurries of snow from the frigid blight.

 

Elyan walked the alleyway, hunched over with his hands tucked into himself; he wore a loose grey shirt and dark breeches, with rags wrapped around his feet for shoes. The cold metal of the knife tucked into his sleeve was not helping to warm him. Trying to move in order to keep his limbs from freezing, he reached the entrance to the alleyway staring out and watching the people. The streets were clearing, people hurrying home with their heavy coats and woolen cloaks to keep them warm. Elyan had not eaten in several days, and he had not been able to keep his blanket that had been stolen from him in the past week. The temperature dropped suddenly, not giving him a chance to “acquire” more cloth.

 

Up the street two men walked into a tavern, giving Elyan a glimpse of the light, and more importantly warmth, that was held within. Checking the street for guard patrols, he walked towards the inn. In was not a high end establishment, but not the kind of place that he would be able to blend in with the other people. He looked back towards the comfort of the darkening alley, knowing that it was the wiser decision. Pain stung his feet with every step, being almost completely frozen. He couldn’t bring himself to head back that way, he thought it might be the first time he did not wake the next morning.

 

Walking towards the stout wooden door to the inn, he stood on the brink of placing his hand on the door and pushing on it. Deciding a few moments of warmth was entirely worth the risk of maybe having to run back through the streets being chased by guards, hired thugs, dogs, or whatever the innkeeper decided to set on him. He shrugged and pushed the door open, the light from within blinded him. He stood in the entrance soaking in the warmth for a moment, paying no heed to the rest of the inn. Finally, observing the rest of the inn, he noticed that he had attracted a few stares from the people sitting around the tables. An older woman, who he guessed was in charge of the inn, was standing behind the bar staring at him disapprovingly. He saw a table that lay empty near the back of the inn, farther from the fire, but he was already taking a risk just from being in here.

 

The patrons slowly went back to their conversations as he slinked to the back of the room, he cold feel the glare of the innkeeper boring into the back of his skull. He sat down on a chair with his back to the wall, hunching down and trying to make himself invisible to the others. The innkeeper was talking with a large muscular man, who was wearing a cut off shirt to expose his bulging muscles. She turned back towards the door behind her and went through it to where Elyan thought was the kitchen. The man made his way over to the table where Elyan was sitting. A scar gracing the top of his left eye, gave him an intimidating look when accompanied by the frown on his face. He placed his fists on the table and looked deep into Elyan’s eyes. Elyan wanted to look away but was unable to break the contact.

“Luvia has permitted you to stay in her tavern for the evening.” He said in a deep voice, “just make sure that you don’t cause any trouble,” a small smile appeared on his lips, “or you will have me to deal with.”

 

Elyan was afraid and was unable to respond to the man, managing only a small nod. The man, seeming to be satisfied, gave a nod of his own and turned from the table. He stopped a short ways from the table, then saying over his shoulder, “I’ll see that some hot tea is brought to you,” then he walked back to stand near the stairs and watch over the inn proceedings.

 

Sitting in the corner, Elyan watched the people he shared the room with. There was a table of four people sitting near the fire, they were dressed nicely and talked quietly to each other. There were two other groups of people in the room. Three people, dressed the way wealthy craftsmen would be clothed, sat at a table far from him near the front of the establishment, discussing intently over their drinking, one man was tapping his finger on the table to accentuate his words. Two other men were sitting not far from him, they seemed to be more under the influence of their drinks, joking loudly with each other and filling the room with deep laughter.

 

His tea was brought to him by a young beautiful woman, who wore a simple woolen dress with long sleeves. She had long brown hair that was tied together behind her neck and flowed down her back. The woman politely smiled at Elyan when she set down the tray at the table. He had to force himself to return the courtesy, the whole setting in the tavern had thrown him off balance. He drank his tea slowly, warming his hands with the cup while he continued to watch the other patrons. The serving woman would occasionally glance at him while serving the other patrons, and when she caught his gaze she smiled. Elyan recognized that look, it varied between pity and distrust, a look that he had become used to throughout his life and did not bother him much.

 

Elyan sat grateful of the chance to warm himself with the first drink he had in too long, and almost drifted off to the sounds of the tavern conversation.

 

 

[U4ea]

Edana shook off the chill as she entered the tavern, glad to be home and even more glad for the heat of the fire roaring in the pit. She smiled at the tavern keeper and waved, a signal for a round of whatever she was pouring.  She was always glad when they came back from a trip, since it usually meant they drank a lot. They paid well and rarely made too much of a mess, so she was always willing to pour another round when they waved for one.

 

She knew tonight would be no exception and lifted her mug the second the keeper sat it down.  “To a successful trip! May the drink make the haul worth it and may the woman pouring them be ever heavy handed!” She grinned as a loud rousing “here, here!” followed her announcement. Her men wandered back off to the entertainments, whether it was chasing the barmaids, dancing with their loves, or just talking over a mug of warm ale. She smiled, watching them all, but not really feeling a part of the revelry.

 

When her brothers entered, her smile turned to a grin. They greeted her as they always do, great bear hugs and demands to know who’d thought to besmirch her character while she was out of their reach. Her men got a laugh out of that and another round of drinks were ordered. Liam draped her arm around her shoulders, refilling her mug with his own. “Now, mind, I’d wipe the floor with any of these louts that laid a finger on you. Our father would roll over in his grave if he thought I’d let someone get away with treating you badly!”

 

He grinned when she elbowed him and moved off with a jovial wave. Now, she thought, feeling warm inside in a way that had nothing to do with the ale. Now she felt like she was a part of this celebration. These may be her men, this may have been her mission, but those were her brothers.

 

A few hours passed, a few men wandered off towards their beds, and a few more rounds of ale were poured. Edana felt the pleasant fuzziness that let her know that morning would bring a hangover, but she was okay with it. She made her way towards her brothers, who were huddled in a corner, to tell them goodnight before making her way home. She doubted they’d let her go on her own, but that was an argument that had become quite a ritual since she’d joined the Queen’s Guard.

 

“How is it possible she’s gotten a rank higher than us?” she heard, the voice a low whisper she probably wouldn’t have been able to hear if they’d known she was as close as she was. Who could they be talking about? She wrinkled her brow, the buzzing in her head making it a little hard to concentrate.

 

“Perhaps she is just that good?” came another voice, and she slowly started putting faces to their whispers.

 

“Ed’s always been good with a blade, but better than us?” Liam scoffed. As if she’d been doused in cold bilge water, Edana shuddered and staggered to a stop. Stone cold sober, now, she stared at the knot of men surrounding her brothers. Tanner was angry about her gaining her Captain’s marks before him? And Liam? She felt her lips parting in shock, her eyes widening in denial.

 

“Perhaps she knows someone we don’t,” Simon, her youngest brother, suggested. Edana’s head started to shake, moving from one side to another. This wasn’t happening. Not all three of them!

 

“Perhaps she knows someone’s bed we don’t, you mean,” Tanner laughed, his eyes finally swinging towards the tavern. They landed on Edana and she felt them like a slap. His laugh was cut short and he rose to his feet. Liam followed his eyes and turned, his cheeks turning red as he realized who Tanner was looking at. Simon had no such remorse, turning to laugh in her face. He’d always been jealous that she was better than he was at their chosen profession. He must feel rather strong knowing he had allies, at last.

 

“Take it back,” she said, her voice pitched low and menacing. “You know it’s not true. Take it back.”

 

“You’re only angry because we found you out, Eddie! There’s no shame in using what you’ve got…” Simon cut himself off with a laugh. Edana was hardly curvaceous.

 

Edana let her eyes travel over the men crowded around in the corner, but the three that hurt the most were the ones who shared her blood. None of them stood up for her. Not one. “Is that how you all feel?” She asked, her chin notching up. She walked closer, her fingers curling around the knives in her vambraces.

 

She swung an empty hand and hit Simon, but he’d had it coming for years. She didn’t expect her other brothers to take his side, though. Some of her men were on her side, but that was hardly in their favor. It just looked even more incriminating. Someone pulled her off of Simon, but she turned on him, swinging her fists and legs to engender the most damage. She landed on her feet when he dropped her and turned, swinging on the next brother to meet her eyes. If they weren’t going to stand up for her, she’d darned well do it, herself…

 

 

~Edana

let the bloodletting begin...

[JainFarstrider]

Elyan panicked, he wasn’t sure how it had happened, but the tavern was now filled with the Queen’s guard. He had conveniently placed himself as far from the exit as possible, meaning that he would have to pass by the whole contingent in order to get back to the streets.

 

Elyan cursed himself slightly but did not make for the door. If they had not noticed him yet, he was not about to draw attention to himself. Deciding to make himself as inconspicuous as possible, he watched the men waiting to see if they became aware of his presence. If he was discovered he would need to sprint for the door, his legs tensed ready to spring, and he was no longer sitting on the chair so much as crouching over it, which would allow him to stand faster.

 

Most of the guard was men, there was however a woman among their number, not much older than himself with long flowing brown hair, she wore the marks of rank, Elyan did not know what the marks indicated only that she outranked the others in the tavern.

 

As Elyan watched she toasted to the men, and seemed to be well liked by those in her command. Though she did not seem to participate much in what he thought was a celebration, she was very friendly with three of the guards. Elyan noticed their matching hair and other features, assuming that the four must be related.

 

Elyan sat, biding his time, waiting for the opportune moment to leave the tavern unnoticed. While he waited most of the soldiers departed or sought rooms in the inn, too full of drink to make it back to their homes. The woman was among those still left, her relatives sitting in the corner talking quietly with some of the other men. When she walked over to speak with them, Elyan felt that it might be his moment, he moved around to the front of the table and started to stand. Halfway to his feet, there was shouting at the other table where the woman was with the other guards.

 

“Take it back,” she said in a low challenging voice, “You know it’s not true. Take it back.”

 

You’re only angry because we found you out, Eddie! There’s no shame in using what you’ve got…” One of the men responded laughing.

 

Elyan did not catch the rest of the conversation, but could feel the tension building in the room. So had the large man who had somewhat threatened Elyan earlier, he saw the punch coming even before the man she hit did. He bounded across the room, moving surprisingly quickly for a man of his size. He grabbed the woman from behind, trying to restrain her. He had the weight advantage, but even with years of experience stopping fights he was unable to hold on to her for long, landing on her feet she continued the attack against her fellow soldiers.

 

Elyan simply watched, not wanting to get involved for fear of ending up in a cold cell, an experience he had no desire to repeat. Besides, from the looks of the fight the woman needed no help in holding her own against the other men, she fought with surprising ferocity. Seeing that he would not get a better chance to leave unnoticed, he started to make his way towards the door.

 

*THUD*

 

Elyan turned to see the inn’s hired peace keeper had landed hard on the ground, and was trying to force his way up amid the group of angry soldiers. Without the man attempting to keep the others away from her, she was almost instantly overwhelmed. Skilled as she was, they had a distinctive number advantage. One of the men got past her guard landing a solid blow to her stomach, arousing a grunt from the woman.

 

The sight filled Elyan with anger, brimming with a frenzy that turned his vision red with a vicious blood rage, he reached for the nearest table and bracing his leg against it broke the table leg from the frame with a resounding crack. He then turned towards the fighting with weapon in hand.

 

Looking back he was not exactly sure why he joined in the fray to assist the woman. Maybe it was because she reminded him of the only person that had shown him kindness. Perhaps he hated the men who were so akin to those he had known on the street, picking the money off the weak. It could have been his hate for his father, who treated the female servants, including the one he had called mother, similar to the way these men picked on this woman. He could never quite be sure.

 

Whatever the reason he now found himself charging over the tables, bounding from one to the other over the benches, releasing a roar from deep within him that resonated through the room. The last thought before he collided with the soldiers was, I’m going to regret this. He threw himself into the men with such force, knocking most them back and causing them to trip over each other and the low benches. He helped the hired man up, then seeing that the guards were getting back their feet, Elyan started to take a few steps back. Fear and panic had replaced the earlier anger, he already regretted his decision.

 

[U4ea]

Edana fought blindly at whomever turned a fist her way, fighting her instincts to grab the blades on her arms and stuck to just working her anger and hurt off the more physical way. She grunted as a fist landed in her stomach, winding her and making her stumble back. Her vision cleared to see Simon's grinning face standing over her, his foot raised to inflict more damage.

 

She heard a roar off to one side, but couldn't afford to pull her eyes away from Simon. His curiosity was his downfall, though, and she used his distraction to recover and fight back. She kicked him in the gut and tangled him up in her legs to bring him down, then let her fists fly until he laid, unconscious, at her feet. Only then did she turn to see what the commotion behind her was about.

 

She sucked in her breath, as most of the guards seemed trained on one lone man standing a few feet away. The man who'd been hired to patrol the common room was standing just behind him, so Ed could only guess they'd tried to help her. Or, at least, they'd tried to break up the fight. Now it seemed luck was far from on their side. She groaned, not having wanted to drag anyone else into her mess. That's al this was, too. A right, fine mess.

 

She made her way their direction, picking men off from the back, since they weren't expecting her. Once they started turning her way, the fight started in earnest again. She kept pushing her way forward until she was back to back with her would-be friends. "Why do you do this? We can't win, we're horribly outnumbered..." She panted, stopping to swing a punch into a guardsman's face. "Do you hate authority so badly?"

 

~Edana

 

[JainFarstrider]

Elyan swung about him with the make-shift club, trying to keep the soldiers away from him. He stood next to hired muscle, desperately trying to stop each other, and themselves, from falling victim to the enraged men. Refraining from pulling out the dagger hidden in his sleeve, not wanting to provoke a like response from the men, he kept the table leg as his weapon. He hoped their pride of thinking they would not need weapons to deal with a street rat would keep them from drawing their daggers, at least until their numbers were lessened.

 

The woman was on the opposite side of the group had turned some of the men’s attention on to herself, as she worked her way towards Elyan and his companion. She distracted the man directly in front of Elyan, who used the opportunity to swing the club at his legs and knocking him to the floor. The path clear, the woman vaulted over him landing between Elyan and the hired man. Together they made a rotating three-pointed formation that the guard could not, at the moment, break apart. A few of them lay on the ground, voicing moans of pain, but the majority were still on their feet.

 

"Why do you do this? We can't win, we're horribly outnumbered..." She said in between heavy breathes. "Do you hate authority so badly?"

 

“It’s my job,” Sounded the gruff voice to Elyan’s left, from the inn’s man. “I have my own reasons,” Elyan forced through clenched teeth, he had taken several punches and thought one of his ribs was broken. “But I don’t think,” He said jamming the table leg into one man’s stomach, “Think that this is,” Sliding his hand down the club, he swung his fist hitting the man in the jaw with the other end, “The best time,” Shouting loudly over his shoulder.

 

The soldier that was behind the man Elyan had just dropped, stepped over his comrade’s body while drawing a long knife from his belt. Elyan almost froze in fright, but managed to parry the man’s thrust with his club, the constant defense kept him from drawing his own blade. The steel was seeking his flesh and was wielded by a man with skill in martial combat.

 

Tonight the floor would be stained with blood, he just hoped it wasn’t his.

 

The fight continues…

 

[U4ea]

Edana didn’t stop to think as she met Liam’s blade with her own. He’d been swinging at this stranger who’d stepped in to defend her and it was very plain the man was not up to Liam’s blade standards. Not seeing a sword didn’t mean he didn’t have one, but apparently he wasn’t out for blood tonight. She shook her head, forcing her brother back with a grunt. He was bigger than she was, older, better with his blade… but she was mad. It was enough for him to let her push him away from the other man.

 

“Your fight isn’t with him, you idiot,” she said, her voice growling. “You and your big mouth need to come talk to me, rather than pick on other people. It used to be your job to stand up for me. Tell me, brother, have you gone against everything Father asked of you or did you just pick me because I’m special?”

 

If she was out to anger him, it worked and he started swinging furiously. His strength put him at an advantage, but it wasn’t one she’d let him have for long. She let him chase her, turning to fight just enough to keep him following her as she danced around the little skirmishes erupting around the tavern. He was sweating and starting to get slow and she nodded inwardly, waiting on him to reach the clumsy stage before she turned to fight again. “I thought he taught you better than this, Liam. Perhaps it’s best he’s dead so he can’t see what a mockery you’ve made of him…”

 

Liam lunged at her and she stepped neatly to the side, the hilt of her sword connecting with his head. He fell at her feet, unconscious. He’d live, but it would bleed. He’d have a horrible headache in the morning. She prayed it kept him in bed for three days. He deserved it. She looked up, seeing one last brother she needed to confront. He seemed to be waiting on her, too.

 

She checked the two men who seemed to be holding back a flood of attacks, parrying him with muffled grunts. IF she could get this last brother out of the way, this would end quickly. The rest were her men. At least, they would be until the Captain read her resignation letter in the morning. They had to take orders from her, whether they respected her or not. She sighed and started for Tanner, the oldest brother, the one with the most experience… and the hardest one for her to beat. She could only pray that luck was on her side…

 

~Edana

Not looking forward to this…

 

[JainFarstrider]

The woman stepped in between Elyan and the man attacking him. She said something to him, causing him to swing at her in a rage. Elyan was grateful for her distracting him, Elyan would probably have fallen to his blade if he was forced to fight the man for much longer. The woman’s attention was entirely focused on this man, and his was all on her. The other men ignored them as they danced between the tables, instead focusing on Elyan and forcing him and his companion to fight with their backs together. 

 

After having almost lost to the man with the blade, fighting the other soldiers seemed easier. Some had drawn their blades as they attacked him, but Elyan kept his sheathed, even if he had any skill with it, he was not sure if he would make it outside the tavern after killing a Queen’s guard.

 

Deflecting a sword blow with the table leg, he used the momentum to spin the club and swing at the man’s legs connecting with his knee, which forced him to the ground. A second soldier stepped over his fallen comrade holding his sword in both hands. Staring down Elyan he attacked with a vigilance, chipping off pieces of the table leg as Elyan deflected the blows. Forcing the sword to his side, Elyan drove the end of the club in between the man’s arms, rotating the stick forcing the sword out of the man’s grip. He managed to take the advantage of the moment that Elyan was undefended to strike at his stomach. Warm wetness soaking the front of his shirt, the adrenaline pumping through Elyan helped to dull the pain, but the cut was deep and slowed his movements.

 

Five men were still on their feet, the others were laying on the ground unconscious or grabbing spots of blood and rent flesh, moaning in pain.  Among them stood an older man behind the others, he looked strikingly similar to the woman and seemed unbothered by the men that he was facing or the injuries the men had taken. He was unconcerned with Elyan or the man with him. Leaving the other guards to take care of them, the man’s focus was all on the woman as she incapacitated the man she was fighting. He waited for her to approach him, drawing his sword as she advanced.

 

Elyan ignored his wounds and set himself against the other guards.

 

[U4ea]

Edana stared Tanner down as she made her way to him. He was going to beat her soundly and she knew it, but she couldn’t back down, now. Not with Liam and Simon on the ground behind her. She took many deep breaths, calming herself before she stopped in front of him. “Take it back and we won’t have to do this,” she said, her voice almost pleading. Hearing that tone made her angry, but she kept her grip on her temper. It took a lot of effort.

 

“I can’t do that, Eddie,” he was propped up on a column, looking completely at ease with the insanity exploding around them.

 

“I can’t leave here without you down or acknowledging that your accusations were wrong. I don’t use anything but my own wits and abilities to get ahead. I’m shocked that you would think any differently.” She shook her head, searching his eyes. “You raised me, Tanner. Do you really believe any of what you accused me of is even possible?”

 

Tanner shook his head, pulling his sword free. “You’ll get neither of those things from me, Eddie, and you’ll be ashamed to show your face outside the house tomorrow because of it. I’d suggest you think long and hard about this before…”

 

Edana lost the last bit of control she had over her temper. She’d heard of people “seeing red” but she’d never actually experienced it before. She did now and what she did, how her sword moved, how many times Tanner’s blade landed exactly where he’d wanted it to… all of those things slipped in and out of her thoughts until she stood, panting, looking down at her brother. He was alive. He was even awake. He’d have a nasty scar on his arm and she prayed she hadn’t damaged his swing, but she’d won.

 

She relaxed her shoulders, turning to see the fighting seem to stop as people noticed who’d won. Her sword drooped, the tip dragging the floor as she made her way to her “friends.” They were both bleeding and she stopped as she drew closer to them. “I think we should go now, before more guardsmen show up and we’re written off as butchers…” she wasn’t really talking to the hired man, for he was only doing his job. She didn’t think she needed to tell this man what the consequences were for flattening half of a crew of the Queen’s Guards. “Come, I can get us out of here…”

 

She waited for him, though she didn’t know whether she expected him to argue or continue on like she hadn’t said anything. She only knew that the aches and pains she’d ignored since this got started were slowly starting to materialize. They hurt. Badly.

 

~Edana

 

[JainFarstrider]

The next man in front of Elyan came running, vaulting over the pile of unconscious bodies and broken furniture. Elyan moved in closer to him, raising his makeshift club to block the soldiers downward strike. Crouching as the man tried to slow his approach, Elyan hit him just below the waist. The man fell over Elyan as he thrust his body upward to launch the man over a table behind him.

 

One of the last soldiers standing approached Elyan, with his sword in one hand and drawing a long dagger with the other. He approached confidently, knowing that Elyan would not be able to stand against a skilled opponent wielding two weapons. Elyan moved both his hands toward the center of the staff, using both sides of the table leg to parry the oncoming blows only allowed him to delay the inevitable. He was tiring, and bleeding from multiple wounds. A cut on his shoulder hindered the use of his right arm.

 

Knowing that he would not last much longer, Elyan did the only thing he could. He attacked. The staff was a whirling blur of splintering wood, forcing his opponent to defend himself, which kept the steel from reaching Elyan’s flesh. Even with his renewed vigor, Elyan’s best efforts were not enough to penetrate the soldier’s defense. What seemed hours of futile attack began to again slow his muscles, allowing the man to once again assault Elyan with rain of steel. In a last effort, Elyan parried an attack then quickly swinging the back end of the club around, striking the exposed hand with a resounding crack. The sudden jolt of pain stunned the man temporarily, long enough for Elyan to end the combat with a swift blow to his head. It was then that Elyan noticed what the victory had cost him, watching the man fall with his sword still clutched in one hand, pulling it free from Elyan’s side, where it had been thrust when he broke the man’s hand. He had neglected to block the attack, having been focused instead on striking where he had seen an opening.

 

“I think we should go now, before more guardsmen show up and we’re written off as butchers…” The woman said to Elyan, bringing his focus back reality. “Come, I can get us out of here…”

 

Elyan nodded, not knowing how else to respond and being in no condition for an argument, he was content to have someone lead him.

 

He turned towards the hired man, “I’m sorry about…”, the man cut him off with a wave of his hand, “Don’t, your actions have proven you a good man, now don’t spoil it by trying to be noble.” He smiled, and then tried to shoo them out, prevented only slightly from the injuries he had sustained.

 

Moving to follow the woman, he noticed the pools of blood on her clothes that were forming in many places. “You’re hurt,” He said catching her arm, “Perhaps you should have those taken care of before we go rushing off into the night, I’m fair handy with a needle and thread.” He suggested, it pained him to see her hurting from the wounds, which was obvious to his eyes even though she was quite successful at controlling her expressions.

 

[U4ea]

“You’re hurt,” she heard a second before a hand curled around her arm and drew her up short. Pain seared through her head, but she bit it off as she turned her eyes back to him. “Perhaps you should have those taken care of before we go rushing off into the night, I’m fair handy with a needle and thread.”

 

She blinked and wrinkled her brow before nodding. “Alright, but let’s get away from this tavern first. The farther away we are the better. It’ll take them a while to piece together what happened enough to come looking for me and I don’t intend to be anywhere they expect, by then.” She sighed. “You look like you could use some attention, yourself. We’re only a few blocks away from my house, we’ll go there.”

 

She nodded towards the East and pulled away, easing through the city the way she always had. Luckily the streets were nearly deserted, so she didn’t have to explain anything to anyone as they passed. She let herself into the house and waved her companion in. Odd, she didn’t even know his name. He’d probably saved her life by taking some of the fight off her hands and she didn’t know him from anyone else.

She gathered some medical supplies from the cabinet in the kitchen and motioned him to the table in the dining room. The once-rough surface of the table had been worn smooth by years of use and she had to stifle her tears as she sat down and laid the needles and bandages out on the table. “I put some water over the fire, so it should be hot in a minute. I’ve found it helps the stitching when the needle is hot.” She stopped and looked at her companion for the first time all night. In the dancing light of the candle, she had to admit he looked a little worse for wear. “I’m Edana,” she said, extending her hand. “Thank you for everything you did tonight. I’m not sure how I’d have made it out of there without your help.”

 

~Edana

 

[JainFarstrider]

Elyan allowed himself to be led towards the house by the woman, not having the strength or will to resist her. She waved him in to the house and motioned him to the dining room table.

 

He stood watching her gather some medical supplies and placing a kettle on the hooks over the fire, not wanting to dirty the furniture he stood still next to the table. She laid out the supplies on the table, then she stood studying him, holding back tears and clenching her jaw in pain. He could not make out her eyes in the candlelight, unable to discern what she thought, perhaps just realizing that she had invited a street rat into her home. Still, even in her condition he doubted there were many men in the city who could overpower her.

 

“I’m Edana,” she said, extending her hand. “Thank you for everything you did tonight. I’m not sure how I’d have made it out of there without your help.”

 

His face formed an awkward smile, taking her hand in both of his, “Elyan Marne,” he said softly, “Your welcome, I’m glad that I was able to help.” Elyan felt suddenly uncomfortable, looking down at the table, she was thanking him for helping incapacitate an entire guard regiment, not for assisting her with carrying a couch. He didn’t feel that it was something he should receive gratitude for.

 

Elyan moved over to the table, picking up one of the bandages. Then he turned towards Edana, “Well, now that we are out of danger, I’m not going to watch you bleed to death while I can do something about it.” His own wounds pained him, but if he had to choose, he would see that she got treatment first. She was more important than him, and he felt a certain concern for her that he didn’t quite understand. He moved closer to her, noting the red blotches that stained her uniform, “Sit down,” He said gesturing to the table, “Show me where it hurts.”

 

[U4ea]

Your welcome, I’m glad that I was able to help.” Edana eyed him for a moment and sighed. His hands in hers were rough, like he'd lived off of them for a long time. He seemed uncomfortable with her gratitude and that made her sigh. She wondered if anyone had ever offered him the chance to be a good friend. She was pretty sure he'd be terribly good at it. She dutifully sat on the corner of the table, tilting her head. "You're not going to pass out if I take my shirt off, are you?" She unlaced and let it slide off her arms, baring the sleeveless shirt she always wore under her uniforms. She had a gash in her side that was probably as apparent as anything, but if he was going to stammer with just her overshirt on, she'd bleed to death before he could focus on her side under the undershirt!

 

She didn't put him on the spot, choosing instead to look over the injuries she'd just bared. She'd need a few stitches on her shoulder and when she could afford to stop running, she'd have to put a poultice on her forearm. There just wasn't time for it, now. The worst would be her side, so she prayed he could see past the girl taking her clothes off in front of him. Even if the idea made her smile, she couldn't afford the delay it would cause waiting on him to wake up.

 

"Are you alright?" She asked, turning her gaze back to him. "There seem to be two bad ones, one convienent and the other... not..."

 

~Edana

[JainFarstrider]

Edana sat on the side of the table, looking at Elyan with her head tilted to one side.

 

"You're not going to pass out if I take my shirt off, are you?"

 

Elyan responded with a no non-sense stare, showing the lack of humor he saw in their situation. Still, on the inside he almost chuckled at the absurdity of it all, at least she was able to keep her spirits. Looking after his own skin these last years had left little room for anyone else in his life, especially woman.

 

She unlaced her shirt, letting it slide off her arms, leaving only a sleeveless undershirt. At first Elyan wasn’t sure how he was going to react or even how he was supposed to act, crushing those worries he did as he always had done, taking care of the things that needed to doing. She was an attractive woman, Elyan had to admit that, beautiful some might even say, but Elyan had eyes only for the tear in her shoulder, just below the joint that was still oozing red blood. The other serious injury was on her side, Elyan bit his lip in concentration has he began to work, first he had to stop the bleeding, placing the bandage on the injury he applied pressure. When the blood had not stopped after a few seconds, he elevated her arm and placed his hand under her shoulder, applying pressure with his thumb to constrict the flow of blood to the arm. Satisfied, he motioned for her to hold the bandage while he moved brought over the pot of hot water, placing it on a cloth so as not to burn the wood, the needle and thread, and also the candle to improve the light where he was working. He threaded the needle deftly, and hung it over the side of the pot into the water. Removing the bandage, he then wiped the area with a damp cloth to clean most of the dried blood. Finally, he pulled the needle out of the water, and resting her hand in the crook of his elbow began the stitching. He was carefully not to cause her too much unneeded pain, but worked with quick precision, knowing that the other injury would soon need his attention.

 

Minutes had gone by while Elyan finished the stitches, content with his work, he bit the thread to break it and tied off the end. Picking up one of the bandages, he snugly wrapped it around the top of her arm, tying it directly over the injury, not the most comfortable place to put the knot, but it helped hold the skin together.

 

He hung the needle back over the pot into the water, and stood stretching the sides of his neck.

 

“Now,” He said tenderly, lips still compressed in concentration, “Do you need help getting out of that shirt?”

 

[U4ea]

Edana hissed at the pressure of the rag on her arm, but understood the reasoning so didn't complain. She eyed a bottle in her father's liquor cabinet behind Elyan and sighed, wishing she'd thought to grab it on her way to the table. It was too late, though and she gritting her teeth, clenching the hand resting in her lap as she felt the needle going in and out of her skin. She felt sweat beading on her forehead and wiped it away. Something told her that if this man had any hint that she was suffering, he'd feel bad about it. Odd, considering it was her fault she had injuries, at all. She was happy enough with his no nonsense approach to this situation, even though she'd much rather have tossed around flippant jokes. Maybe it wouldn't hurt so much, then. Funny how it didn't feel like she was talking about his work with a needle, anymore...

 

“Now, do you need help getting out of that shirt?” If he'd have said it any other way, she'd have laughed and cracked a joke. It was how she handled situations she wasn't comfortable with, after all. Well, it was how she handled every situation, regardless of how comfortable she was. His obvious concern and concentration stayed her natural humor.

 

"Yes," she said softly, hating to admit she needed help with anything. "I can't lift the arm you stitched, so I can't get the shirt over my head." She used her free hand to pull the shirt up as far as she could. It wasn't that far. "Perhaps you can stitch it with my shirt on and we'll get it off after you're done? That way the fabric will be handy if you need it to stop the bleeding..."

 

~Edana

[JainFarstrider]

"Yes," she said begrudgingly "I can't lift the arm you stitched, so I can't get the shirt over my head." She used her free hand to pull the shirt up as far as she could. It wasn't that far. "Perhaps you can stitch it with my shirt on and we'll get it off after you're done? That way the fabric will be handy if you need it to stop the bleeding..."

 

Looking at her for a moment, almost telling her to swallow her dignity and take off the shirt, it would be easier for him to see that way. He thought better of it, not wanting to anger this woman, it would get her blood flowing which is not something they needed right now.

 

“Sure,” he said quietly, pulling off one of the chair cushions, and placed it next to her. “Here,” he said, “Lay down on this,” He helped her lower herself on her side, keeping her recently bandaged shoulder from bumping the table.

 

Then he moved around to her front, lifting the shirt just above where the cut was. He had to stop himself from gasping through his clenched teeth, this was deeper than he had anticipated, probably deeper than the one in his stomach that still sapped his strength. After using a bandage to try and stop the bleeding, which was still flowing freely, and seeing that it was not slowing much and not knowing any pressure points to stop flow to the side he shook his head, saying gently, “Do you mind if I grab the drink out of that cabinet you were staring at, I need something to sterilize this,” Alcohol would help stop the bleeding, and at the minimum clean the wound. At her permission, he grabbed the bottle from the cabinet, and walked back towards her.

 

He gently picked up her hand, holding it in his, and staring at her apologetically. He almost felt her pain, as he tipped the bottle over onto the wound. It had to be done he told himself. The alcohol did it’s job, stemming the flow of blood momentarily, but he had to work quickly. He placed the bottle in front Edana, so that she could grab it if she wanted. Then taking the needle began his work.

 

It was almost twenty minutes to complete the neat stitching holding her side together, but the work was good and the bleeding had relatively stopped, except for the small holes that he made with the needle, but that was unavoidable. He carefully wrapped a long bandage around her stomach, taking care not to move her. Tying it snugly, he pulled down her shirt and helped her back to a sitting position. “There, all patched up,” He said with a slight smile, letting it fade he continued in a tender voice, “How do you feel?”

 

[U4ea]

Edana was grateful of Elyan's help as she laid down. The pain was dizzying and she held her breath until she was flat. She nodded, wordless, when he asked about the liquor, then clenched her jaw as he tipped the bottle over her side. Pain flared up, white hot in its intensity and she tensed, unable to stop the small cry from passing her lips. He set the bottle within arm's reach, but she just stared at it as she felt the needle piercing her skin again. Tears slid from her eyes, cutting their way through the dust and blood on her face and disappearing into her hair. She held the sound and the movement of her side, though, not wanting him to see it.

 

The next twenty minutes seemed to stretch on forever as she fought to stay conscious. When he was finished, he wrapped her stomach and she sighed, closing her eyes in relief. She held her breath again as he helped her into a sitting position, then fought to keep from falling apart at the gentle tone of his voice. “There, all patched up. How do you feel?”

 

She managed a weak smile. "I feel like someone tried to kill me," she said with a light air. She shook her head and sighed. "I feel like I need to sleep for a week, but I can't afford it. I've got to get out of this city before sunrise. You probably should, too." She paused and looked at him a moment. "Now, let me boil this needle again and it'll be your turn to lay down..." She slid off the table as gracefully as she could, not willing to let him or anyone else know just how bad she was hurting. She was on her own, now, after all. There was hardly time to relax and let it go...

 

~Edana

[JainFarstrider]

"I feel like I need to sleep for a week, but I can't afford it. I've got to get out of this city before sunrise. You probably should, too." He nodded slightly, it was probably a good idea, but he had no where else to go and he had avoided people looking for him before.

 

"Now, let me boil this needle again and it'll be your turn to lay down..." She said sliding off the table, Elyan almost moved to help her, she was obviously in pain, though she hid it well. She would live, Elyan was confident in that, he finally let himself relax slightly, the tension in his muscles from fear of losing her finally released. His mind unfocused and allowed for the pain of his own wounds to take full affect. Inhaling sharply, he tensed barely keeping a pained grunt from escaping his lips. The initial surge of pain lessened, allowing Elyan to breathe again.

 

Edana went to the water to clean the needle and grab some new bandages, while Elyan leaned against the table. Carefully raising his shirt above his head, his shoulder being almost useless, he removed the blood soaked linen revealing the rent in his shoulder and the stab wound, almost a hand in length, in the left side of his stomach just below the ribs, which were clearly visible through his skin. Looking at it, he finally saw just how deep it actually was, wiping his hand along his back, he examined it to find it clean, surprised that the blade had not gone completely through. Rolling up his right pant leg showed a second stab wound, that upon further investigation did go completely though his thigh. He didn’t think that Edana was better off than he was, but seeing his injuries in the light proved that he was in far worse condition, he did not have her skill in keeping the swords away from his body, even though the soldiers had seemed more inclined to use their steel against her. He felt dizzy and disoriented, something he had not noticed until now.

 

Looking up at Edana, he smiled slightly, forcing the words through a clenched jaw, “It’s  not so bad,” He said, the lie plain on his face as he futilely tried to control his expression, “I think you got the worst of...” Cut off by a short fit of coughing. “it,” he said looking up at Edana, trying to control his features, he did not want to worry her.

 

[U4ea]

Edana moved because she had to. Her body protested, muscles screaming with every step. She wouldn't get far tonight and it made her angry. Perhaps there was another inn in town she could slip into before sunrise. She closed her eyes a moment, then forced herself to move again. She gathered her supplies and turned back to the table, nearly dropping the boiling pot at the sight that greeted her. So much blood! her mind screamed. Why did he insist on stitching her up first? She hurried back to the table, pushing him down on the table as gently as she could and praying her panic wasn't tightening her features the way the pain was tightening his. "You're going to have to relax, Elyan," she said softly, reaching for a cloth to start cleaning up the blood. It was hard to tell what she was dealing with, but the angry, nearly black pools were enough to tell her she was running out of time.

 

She held the needle between her teeth as she searched his skin, glad she'd done this for her brothers a million times since she was a child. Her mind set to its task, almost to the point that she didn't think about things as she did them. The alcohol was used to clean wounds and she made him take a drink every three stitches she put in him. Better to be drunk and numb than feel what she was going to have to do to fix all of this.

 

She gritted her teeth and dunked her hands in the water, thankful that it had cooled a bit, though it was still hot enough to scald her skin. She looked up at him, an apology in her eyes. His eyes were slightly glazed and she prayed it was the drink more than his blood loss. She couldn't afford to still be here when the sun came up and neither could he! "Stay with me, Elyan," she said softly. "I need to make sure this one doesn't have any internal damage before I stitch it up. It's going to hurt and it's going to hurt badly. I pray you know I'm not doing it to hurt you. I also pray you've had enough to drink that you won't remember it..." the last was said under her breath.

 

She took a deep breath, holding it deep in her lungs, ignoring the pain it caused her newly stitched injury, before pressing her fingers into the wound and searching the flesh underneath for signs of further damage. She sighed, glad that she didn't feel the warm rush of fresh blood on her fingers that would've signaled a more serious injury. This was bad, but not fatal. She sighed and pulled her fingers away, cleaning the wound again before beginning her stitching. Again, every third stitch, she paused. "Take another drink, Elyan."

 

~Edana

so... are ya drunk yet?

[JainFarstrider]

"You're going to have to relax, Elyan," Said Edana, lips compressed slightly as she looked worriedly over his wounds.

 

She forced the drink he had used to clean her side down his throat, he no longer had the strength to fight her. Washing her hands she came back over to look at him, Elyan could barely understand what she was saying, he was fighting to stay conscious, shaking his head in an attempt to keep his eyes from closing.

 

“Stay with me, Elyan,” she said softly, "I need … sure this one … any internal damage … stitch it up. It's going to hurt … hurt badly. I pray … not doing … hurt you. I also pray … enough to drink … remember it..."

 

She breathed deeply before pressing on the stab in his side.

 

Pain flared inside of Elyan’s skull, pounding against his thoughts to the exclusion of all else, it was all he could do to keep the howl from escaping his lips. Nails biting into his palms as his fist clenched, eyes squeezed shut and curling lips revealed a jaw clenched tight. A pained moan escaped his lips, and then the sharpness faded. Edana had withdrawn her fingers from inside the wound, there was a dull reminder of the ache that still throbbed in his stomach, but nothing like he had already experienced. Laying his head back on the table, he allowed his breath to escape in short painful gasps as he attempted to relax his body again. The occasional sharp twinge as Edana forced the needle through his already tender skin, brought small grunts of hurt out of Elyan. He started to feel that he was falling back from the world, that his body laying broken on a table was something far away not something to concern himself with. He could not help but think about how someone else was looking after his hurt and against every instinct he lay exposed on the table. Not that he had any control over that at the moment.

 

"Take another drink, Elyan." He reached towards the bottle, but instead grabbing her arm and trying to pull her down towards him.

 

He did not want to burden her conscience with guilt if she was unable to mend his wounds.

 

When she was closer to him, Elyan forced the words out in between painful exhalations. “Acted… of my… own volition,” he gasped as a wave of pain swept over him, “Know that… I don’t blame...” Another wave stole his breath away blocking out his ability to form words, taking a moment to regain his thoughts before he continued, “… you… for what… happened.” He finished, trying to force a smile on his lips as he released her hand.

 

He left the bottle where it was, he could never stand the taste of the drink and did not like how it fogged his thoughts. He needed to be sharp in order to survive, besides he was already dangerously close to losing consciousness. The pain helped to keep him awake, he lay on the table looking at the ceiling with blurred vision, memories of his “mother” came back to visit him, and he wished he had been able to see her one more time. Funny thing how the mind works.

 

[U4ea]

Edana worked faster, seeing that Elyan wasn't drinking. The pain alone would send him out if she took her time. Time was something neither of them really had at the moment. She sighed as she tied off the last stitch and bit through the string. She grabbed her rag, wringing it out and sponging his skin free of any remaining blood to make sure she hadn't missed anything. He seemed stitched up enough, so she smiled down at him. "All set." She helped him sit up again and worried her lip waiting to see if he'd pass out. "You can't wear that shirt again, so let me go grab one of Liam's. You're about his size and... well, he owes me, I guess. Will you be alright while I slip upstairs to get it?"

 

She waited for his response, though she knew he'd be just as bad as she was at letting anyone see a hint of vulnerability. She took his shirt with her to make sure he didn't disappear while her back was turned, though. She wasn't letting him out of her sight until she was comfortable that his injuries weren't going to kill him. She packed quickly, checking her sword belt around her hips and stashing a few other things in her bag as she slipped out of her room. She didn't even pause for a look back as she ducked into Liam's room and snatched a clean shirt off the rack. She doubted he'd miss it, so it wasn't a big loss. "And bully for him if is it," she muttered as she hurried back downstairs. Her side hurt, but she'd caught the unmistakable sight of the sunrise through the windows upstairs and felt the urgency to leave getting the best of her. She couldn't ride like this, but she had a friend with an inn on the other side of town who'd hide her for a day, at least. It would take them at least two to make it to that inn, and that's only if her brothers were well enough to get up this morning. Since they hadn't made it back here, she had no clue where they would be.

 

She took a deep breath as she entered the dining room again, pasting a smile on her face as she offered Elyan the shirt. "Are you well enough to make it to the South Gate? I know a friend with an inn there, my brothers won't know to look there and it should take them a day or two to scout the inns on that side of town..."

 

~Edana

willing to drag him if she has to...

[JainFarstrider]

After what seemed hours of being poked with the needle, Edana stood and surveyed her work seeming satisfied. Elyan watched as she washed off the blood that had dried while she worked.

 

Elyan nodded when she asked him if he minded that she went up stairs. She left the room with his shirt, which Elyan cursed inwardly at; she must have known what he was planning,it was too cold outside to go without being covered, even a blood soaked shirt would be protection against the morning air. He heard her footsteps going up the stairs, but only sat on the edge of the table, with his knuckles turning white as he squeezed the wood. He sat hunched over, not wanting to stretch the tender stitches, and tried to steady himself. His head was swimming in a river of pain.

 

Just when he was thinking that she might have slipped out a window or something, leaving him injured and shirtless to take the blame, having only bandaged him up to fulfill her obligation of him helping her, he heard footsteps descending the stairs. He rose slowly as she entered the room wearing a forced smile and carrying a small bag. Taking the shirt, he gave a quiet thank you. Normally not wanting to take things people offered him, he was not in the mood to argue and so he put on the shirt. A painful process that started with slowly straitening as the stitches pulled at his skin. Raising his arms stretched them out more and his shoulder made things difficult. Eventually he was clothed again, and listened to her as he tucked the clean shirt into his worn and tattered trousers.

 

“Don’t worry about me, these scratches won’t slow me down.” He said in a flat tone, though it would be painful he was determined to see her to this inn she spoke of.

 

“I know the alleyways pretty well, I could probably get us there without running afoul of any early risers, especially patrols,” He said, picking up the knife he had left on the table and strapping the sheath to his arm, manipulating the sleeve of the shirt so as to best conceal the blade.

 

He stood staring at her, trying to make his voice commanding through the pain in his side, “I think it’s best if we separate once we reach the inn, I will see you there safely, but afterwards I must continue onward.” She would be better off without him to slow her down… and he’d already chanced being recognized at one inn, he was not going to risk his luck twice, especially near the south gate, it was dangerous for him to even be near there.

 

[U4ea]

“Don’t worry about me, these scratches won’t slow me down.”Oh, they were far more than scratches and she lifted her eyebrow at him to point it out. She'd had her fingers inches inside his body, for Light's sake! “I know the alleyways pretty well, I could probably get us there without running afoul of any early risers, especially patrols,” he continued, strapping his weapons back in place. She shook her head at his back, but didn't reply. She could only stare as he started loading himself up. “I think it’s best if we separate once we reach the inn, I will see you there safely, but afterwards I must continue onward.”

 

Edana stiffened, her fingers curling into fists. He was in a great deal of pain, it would take time for those wounds to heal. Yet, he was trying to get rid of her. Was she such a liability? Her wounded pride smarted once more and she turned away from him, cleaning up the mess they'd made and reaching for her sword belt once more. "I believe we've established that I can take care of myself," she said, trying to sound crisp, but unable to look him in the eye. "I don't need an escort and I don't want a nursemaid."

 

She reached for her cloak, swinging it over her shoulders without thinking of the wound at her side. She closed her eyes as pain made her vision blur a moment. She was going to pay for that, she was sure. "You'll run a fever if you don't take it easy," she turned back to him, a stubborn set to her jaw. "I didn't take such pains to keep you alive simply for you to die on the side of the road running for your life." Was he really planning on dumping her at an inn and leaving? If either of them needed nursing, it was him! "You're in no fit state to go anywhere, Elyan..."

 

~Edana

[JainFarstrider]

Her fists clenched and the rest of her body tensed at anger with his words, Elyan was not sure why they brought about this reaction, but he would have to mend it. "I believe we've established that I can take care of myself," She said, while Elyan wondered how his words came off as doubts of her abilites. "I don't need an escort and I don't want a nursemaid."

 

She put her cloak on and turned back towards him, "You'll run a fever if you don't take it easy," She said in a commanding tone, "I didn't take such pains to keep you alive simply for you to die on the side of the road running for your life." A moments pause, Elyan could see the frustration with him rising. "You're in no fit state to go anywhere, Elyan..."

 

Elyan walked towards her, speaking quietly, trying to soothe her tension, “I know that you are perfectly capable of taking care of yourself and I have no intention of being your nursemaid. I took pains myself to see you safely back here and tended to your wounds.” He looked down, breaking contact with her eyes, “I know that I won’t be much use if we are spotted, but it will make me feel better to know you made it to the inn. Besides, I could be used as a distraction, the guards might not have my description,” He said thinking, those that were friendly to the Marne family would still know who he was. He turned away from her, embarrassed. “Either way, I’m going with you, and I won’t be leaving the inn by choice, there other reasons that I can’t stay no matter how injured i am," He said softly, not wanting to elaborate, but feeling he owed her the truth if she asked for it.

 

[U4ea]

Edana nearly snorted at his attempt to soothe her. Her anger was a far safer emotion, after all. What she really wanted to do was curl up and cry her eyes out. How could everything go so wrong so quickly? Perhaps it was better than he leave. He couldn't see her fall to pieces and act like a girl if he wasn't there, right? “Either way, I’m going with you, and I won’t be leaving the inn by choice, there other reasons that I can’t stay no matter how injured i am," his voice wasn't the commanding tone he'd used earlier. Her curiosity was peaked, but the sunlight filtering through the window forced her to push that aside.

 

Apparently, he was going with her, no matter what she said. She shrugged and moved towards the door, slinging her pack on her back and slipping into the street. "Follow if you want, I can't wait around for them to come home." She made her way along the sidewalk a few steps before ducking into a back alley. She'd hidden down these paths as a child, hiding from whatever Tanner believed she'd done. That it was usually Simon getting her in trouble came as no surprise. He'd always been jealous of her. She just hadn't known the others had been, too! She sighed inwardly, hearing Elyan's footsteps behind her. She had to keep it together a little longer...

 

~Edana

[JainFarstrider]

Elyan shrugged to himself, sometimes he didn’t understand the emotions of others, maybe that came from living by himself for so long. He thought as they left the house, Edana made a quick pace down an alleyway and already Elyan was struggling to keep up, the wound in his leg gave him a slight limp and gave a stab of pain every time his foot impacted the ground.

 

This was not the first time he had a leg injury and was able to keep his footsteps relatively unnoticeable. He struggled to catch up with Edana as she continued through the alleyway, breathing through gritted teeth.

 

“I’m sorry if something I said offended you, I don’t have many people that I can talk to, and sometimes I say something that is taken the wrong way,” He paused, breathing steadily through his clenched jaw, “I didn’t intend anything to be taken as offensive.” The limp was getting worse, but he held in the pain, remembering his promise not to slow her down.