[IC] Rites Of Passage (a High Fantasy/Forgotten Realms Adventure)

[Jollan]

Aiden just pulled the wooden spear from a fallen toad when it happened. It was fast, yet somehow in slow motion. Two bolts went flying past him, finding their mark on the half-orc. Aiden wanted to yell and warn him, but it was too late. He watched as Argurios fell to the ground and started to run to his aid, but his mind stopped the instinct of his heart and he turned toward the two toadmen with crossbows. If he didn't bring them down, he would be another victim, or they may make an even more fatal shot on Argurios.

Before he went for them and before they had the time to reload a bolt, Aiden hear a low rumbling horn. He turned to see what seemed to be another toadman, but this one in command, and they all seemed to be retreating. He thought about chasing him or even trying to throw his spear at him, but there would be no way he could throw it that far or catch up at this point. Instead he turned his rage toward the two, now starting to flee, crossbow toads. He instantly took chase, closing the gap between him and the toadmen by cutting off their path of retreat. He burst from the tall grass beside them. It was much like the way he did the surprise attack on the boarwoman, though, with as light as the frogman was, it lifted the creature in the air and he slammed it back down on the ground. Unfortunately, this display made the other toadman redouble his efforts to retreat and he got away safely. Aiden sheathed the dagger back in his boot and picked up the smallish crossbow and few bolts it had left and made his way back to Argurios.

Quickly glancing around to see if there were any straglers, and finding none, he set his weapons down. He then took out his knife and cut off his left sleeve. "Don't worry, my friend, I've got you." he cut the sleeve in half with the dagger longways, making two long strips. He then wrapped on above the wound on Argurios's upper arm, tying it down to slow the bloodflow but not to neutralize it, and the other above the wound on his leg. He left the bolts in so that it wouldn't open up the wound and bleed more. He looked up to check on him, and lifted one of the bolts he pilfered from the toadman he took down and wiggled it in the air. "Got one of the little bastards for ya, so buck up," he said with a smirk. They needed to get him back and under the boat, fast. with a wound like this, he didn't need to be out in the rain.

[Astarael42]

Brisa had clung, with all her strength but in the end she was shaken free. She tumbled to the ground, her small body hitting with a dull wet thump in the muddy grass, the cloak she had borrowed followed, covering her body and obscuring her vision.

She instinctively curled in a tight ball, arms over her head, to protect herself from being trampled. It only half worked. Unable to see she could only guess what was happening but she took a few good kicks and stomps. Still when the strange horn call came and the kicks faded along with the other sounds of the fight, Brisa could figure out what happened.

Uncurling herself tenderly, she was quite bruised really, she pulled the cloak off her and looked around. The first thing she saw was the boar man standing some distance away, sword drawn. It was clear he had lent a hand, and from what she remembered, her mind was still a little fuzzy, he probably saved them. She looked for the fallen boar girl, but didn't see her. Instead her eyes fell on Argurios and Aiden bending over him.

“Mystra's Mantle” she swore under her breath. She scrambled, half crawling half running, over to her friend. She was relieved that Aiden was already helping; that was good.

“Come on” she said to Aiden. She wasn't extremely strong but she could help and between the two of them, if they were careful, maybe they could get him back under shelter. She was already trying to think of how to get their fire started again; the constant rain wouldn't help matters but they would need it to clean Argurios' wounds. She sighed internally. What she wouldn't give for Autry's wisdom and creativity now; she never realized how much a magic user would have to rely on new angles to solve old problems. If she had known she would have taken Autry's cantrip lessons more seriously.

the most versatile spells in a mages repertoire ! Autry had said this over and over, Brisa had never really understood that. She had used the color spell to help hide Aiden in the gray to give him an edge. The cantrip had originally been created by a very flamboyant mage to color his clothing. Such a simple thing, such a strange use. All she had left now was fire finger which wouldn't light wet wood.

She lifted her head and saw the boar man watching them. She was surprised he had stayed; if she had been in his shoes she doubted she would have helped someone who had killed her friend. She didn't say anything, just watched him and gave him a nod of thankfullness while at the same time trying to help Aiden with Argurios. She wanted to go over and thank him personally, but right now she had to take care of her friend. She pushed all the stray random thoughts into the back of her head, Autry had always said she was flighty and she was, but she could focus when she had to.

[Jollan]

Aiden's face was dark, and not just because of the color Brisa put on him either. There was a mixture of anger and sadness in his eyes that he tried to hide from the others....the rain helped. While helping Brisa carry Argurios, he didn't say anything about Jatan. He noticed he was gone when he turned back around from Argurios. He never saw what happened. He had just left him for a second, and then he was gone....Just like Sarah. an assault of harsh realities kept spinning in his mind.

('You can't protect anybody. Argurios is injured, Brisa was surrounded, Jatan is gone, Sarah is gone. You murdered the boarwoman. Your sister and father would be ashamed, but they are gone as well, aren't they!? You couldn't do anything but watch your friends die in front of you at the last town. If it wasn't for the monk's sacrifice you would all be dead. You are weak. You can't protect anything! YOUR'RE TOO WEAK!')

It was enough to drive even a battle-hardened man insane, let alone a young man. Normally, when morale was down, he would be able to make some sort of joke or smile through it, like just before this fight started and with Argurios a moment ago. But he could no longer do it. He couldn't laugh this off.

He got his injured friend under the boat and handed Brisa his tool-kit pouch. "In it is some needle and fishing line you can use to seal the wounds. That fire finger of yours should be good enough to heat the small knife in there to cauterize the wounds. I'll be back," he said as he stepped just outside of the tent to confront the other boarman.

He kept the blade with him and approached the boarman. When he was at a close yet safe distance from him he looked him for a moment. He raised his makeshift spear and snapped it in half, throwing it to the ground. He wasn't sure how he was going to say this.

"I know it probably means nothing to you for me to say this now... but I'm sorry for what I did. We were scared and it was a cowards move. You have every right to hate me, even kill me. By the code of my father and his father, I would put my life in your hands, but I can't leave my friends. I need to do what I can to protect what sort of family I have left. If you wish to reap revenge on my head, I won't stop you, but at least let us find what those dark monsters did to our village first." he paused for a bit to see if the man would say anthing back. "My name...is Aiden Folkvar."

[orcpunx]

Argurios did not manage to see the bullywugs retreat. For him it was hard enough to stay concious. it seemed like days until he felt hands on him. They carried him, although he tried to walk he couldn't. After what seemed a lifetime they settled him down on the ground. At this point he wasn't sure what was happening, nor where is he, all he was sure about is to not fall asleep, and even that he did not know why. But like every living creature, after a certain amount of blood leaves teh body, so does conciousness.

The boar man left out all his anger and frustration that had piled inside him. Knowing that no toad could match him, he focused on the offence. By teh time he managed to get warmed up, the toads retreated. For a moment he stood in the spot, than sheeting his sword he took up the girl and carried her next to the orc. With a sigh he stood up and faced the boy who attacked his niece.
With tired eyes he looked at the boy, "I do hate you Aiden Folkvar, but what you did was understandable. I have little desire to kill anyone because of my continuous stream of reckless decisions. Yet I am grateful for your apology, but try to see this from my view." Pointing to his niece, tears began to fall from his face. "there lays my last family member, which will most likely die before this ordeal is over. Now if you will, I would like to be alone for a moment, and tomorrow at midday we will prepare for the night." Saying no more he turned and walked out of the camp.

Argurios awoke a little after dawn. He noticed teh rain eased up a little, but you could still fill a bowl in mere hour. As he looked above , he noticed he was under a well build shelter, with a fire going under a roof. The warmth of teh fire was a welcome feeling, and though Argurios loved the site of teh camp, he did not understand how was it built. As he tried to move he groaned,and could feel his skin tighten as stitches pulled on his skin preventing the wound to open.
"Do not try to move to much boy, you'll just tear the stitches and its hard for me to apply them again with the thick thread and needle." A deep calm voice warned him from his left. As Argurios looked he saw teh boar man sitting next to teh girl, cradling her hand in his.
Argurios remembered teh events of last night, extending his hand in attempt to grab teh boar man. " I am sorry for what we did to your daughter, had i known who you were I would not ask Aiden to attack. Also I thank you for your help, bought in battle, and for this camp which I presume you built. My name is Argurios, son of Raknar"
the boar man listened to Argurios, but did not look at him, but at teh mention of Raknars name he looked at the boy and took his hand in a wrist to wrist grip. " Bad things happen in dark moments; that is what an Old orc friend once said to me. My name is Jaim. Raknar i knew, was a big bastard and a good fighter, had a large axe, looked teh same as yours. But if you're his son I presume its his, and since he is not here I guess hes dead."
Argurios felt proud for the moment, as teh boar recognised his fathers name and weapon, but it was short live. "Yes he is dead, without even having a fight. One day our village was under attack, we, the children hid, but after some time we realised teh whole village was gone and only me, Brisa." By mentioning her name, Argurios tensed and jumped into a sitting position hoping that his friends are safe.
"don't worry boy, teh girl and teh spear boy are safe and sound, but one of your party is missing and there's no trace of him, I'm sorry. Also it saddens me to hear what happened at your village and I hope you manage to save your village, presuming that is why you're on the road"
Argurios nodded. For teh next couple of hours they talked about different events teh children faced and how ARgurios father and teh boar man meet. The boar man also introduced himself and his niece as Jaim Graymauch and Laodike, and teh past they shared.
Argurios listened intently. At last he decided to ask teh boar man for help. " I would be really grateful if you would help us at least till we are capable to move forward, and maybe teach us something in the mean time? Also if you would be up for it, both you and your niece are welcomed to join us on our travels."
Jaim smiled for teh first time. He slowly stood up, " First my dear friend we must survive this. Get well and when you're fit to travel we'll talk more." He was about to leave, when Argurios carefully asked. "how is she fairing?". The boar mans mood darkened. "If she makes it through the next two days she has a chance." With that Jaim walked out of the shelter.

[Astarael42]

Brisa was weary in soul and body, battered and shaken, but she did not rest for quite some time after the battle. Instead she worked with the boar man, whose name she had learned was Jaim. Silent as a shadow she followed him around, and extra pair of hands. She asked no questions, only did as he directed her to do, fetching what he said. It was only after it seemed he had nothing further for her that she sat down, weary and quiet, next to Argurios who was still out.

The rain hadn’t stopped, the silence was still heavy, and everything seemed surreal. If it weren’t for the fact she hurt so gods cursed much she would have thought this was all some sort of strange dream. But then they started collecting the stuff Jatan had left behind, Aiden taking the pack from the vanished boy and packing it so they didn’t leave behind anything that might help them later, it was then that Brisa felt the real seriousness of their situation.

She remained quiet, content to let the others talk while she waited beside Argurios for him to wake up. She studied when she could, though the rain and the pitiful light made it almost impossible. She had originally intended to talk to the others, learn what she could about the environs, figure out what their next steps were, but she just didn’t have the energy. She had intended to re-learn her spell so she could change Aiden back to his normal color, instead she decided that until he mentioned it she would leave it alone. They weren’t out of the woods yet, figuratively anyway, literally the woods along the shore were rather thin, and his sort-of camouflage might come in handy again. The rain sure didn’t seem like it was going to be moving on anytime soon.

She didn’t realize that this time of year rain would be the norm, sunny days were to be revered and utilized, and rainy days were to be pushed through like any other disagreeable task. She felt in her satchel for her little bundle of sticks sighing when she realized there were only a few left. Each was about 6 inches long and an inch around; but they were from some plant she didn’t know nor had she seen again. She and Argurios had discovered it early on in their journey as they had had almost started a forest fire using a handful of branches from an odd smelling bush. Whatever the wood was it burned incredibly hot and intensely and Argurios had quickly latched on to the importance of this, creating a bundle of starter kindling for future use. It was how they had managed to have a fire even in the rain; they used the strange wood as a starter, building pile of wet wood around it. By the time the starter was burned out, the flame it had caused was so hot and intense it had dried the surrounding wood enabling the fire to catch properly. Soon though they would be out of the starter sticks, then what? It hadn’t been her magic but nature that had given them fire even with the wettest wood. When that trick was gone she wasn’t sure what they would do.

She had taken to studying as much as she could. Though she was quiet her scattered thoughts were racing, focus was growing, thinking on how magic and nature intertwined. In the shadows of the early night, when others were resting, she finally stood up and walked to the water’s edge, now much higher than it had been when they originally stopped. She had seen some huge leafed plants over there, and she painstakingly gathered several of the big leaves. Then she made her way to the site of most of the fight, she was looking for something in particular and she found it. Several small “hunks” of the frog men, flesh, blood, and gore, scattered in the grass. This was by far one of the most disgusting things she had ever done but she had had an idea, and for the first time she had started thinking like a real mage, seeing how things could be used, changed, and studied to further magical strength. It was only the glimmerings of an idea, begun when she began to think of how nature and magic tied together. But it was a start.

She carefully wrapped a piece of frog-man flesh up in the leaves, preserving it as best she could. She would need to turn it into ash so she could work with it, but until the cursed rain stopped that would be difficult. She just did the best she could. She couldn’t stomach cutting into a dead body, not yet, but scouring the remains from a battle was a little less repulsive. The remainder of the time, until her friend woke anyway, she spent sitting silently by his side unless directed to do otherwise. She studied her spells and the strange language, prepared food and tea when it was needed, and slept. She began to wonder if she wasn't studying even in her sleep because occasionally when she woke, and she woke often for she was sleeping lightly after all the excitement, when she woke the words in the strange language seemed clear to her, the translation plain as the smell of damp earth that permeated the area. Yet when she tried to grasp them, to write it down, it was gone. If only she could remember....

[Jollan]

Aiden sat just at the edge of the shelter to allow more room for everyone else inside. Originally, he stayed outside of it all together. He believed that he didn't deserve the kindness the Boarman showed after the atrocity he commited and tried to stay out of the way so that the man could help those who needed it more. As for Brisa, he was just making sure she stayed dry. However, after a while he made himself sit at the edge, just inside out of the rain. Awkwardly, he couldn't help but feel a little jealous of the boarman. At least he still had someone in his family. Aiden didn't even have any closure with his family, they were all just gone-...

Aiden shook his head. Those kind of thought were too cruel. And he couldn't give up on his family, they may not even be dead. He took out one of the books that he carried. It was the one with the pressed flowers in it. Flipping through it only brought memories of the time he and his sister spent together. It comforted him and hurt him all at the same time. Eventually, he found tears coming down his face as he closed the book in one hand and quietly sobbed in the other, covering his face. Next thing he knew, he woke up to find Brisa walking around the field. He made sure to wipe his face and put the book away before heading out to her. He meant to make small talk and ask about his newly acquired skin tone, but he then stopped himself before getting up. She was probably busy with something important and he didn't want to disturb her. Confirming his thoughts it seemed the rest of the night she seemed to be half sleeping and half studying magic.

He then looked to Argurios and the boar people. Aiden wasn't without his fair share of injuries, but they weren't nearly as bad as Argurios and the boarwoman. Most of his own wounds he semi-tended to himself and refused any medical attention until the others were taken care of. Tired as he was, his mind did not allow him to fall back asleep for the longest time. So for the rest of the night he just sat back and watched the rain continue to fall until he was calmed into a restless sleep.

[orcpunx]

By midday Argurios managed to get back on his feet and moving, but that was it. He had a hard time leaning forward or doing anything seriously. So for teh most part of Jaim's teaching and explaining, only thing Argurios could do was sit, listen and imagine things. Besides teh rain and loss of Jatan, the fact of being useless, darkened Argurios mood even more.

As the day approached midday Jaim took a long breath before beginning to teach things to the kids. Laodike still did not manage to regain conciousness, but her situation was improving.
Deciding to let Argurios rest, before making him exert any physical energy some more he started with Aiden.
Finding two thick long sticks he sharpened the point and stuck them in the ground. " Aiden come here, we may not have lots of time so stay quiet and listen." Taking the sticks he threw one to Aiden. " now first thing you need to learn when handling any weapon is footwork, meaning how to move your feet accordingly to the situation within the fight. Argurios you listen and watch, since you are horrible at it. Tho you have an idea about this Aiden, you still have to master teh basics. This is one aspect about fighting most people forget about, and it makes a big difference between staying alive or not. Trust me, it saved my life more than once in battles. Aiden step beside me facing same direction I am, Argurios sit in front of us."

At first Argurios felt lost not knowing what to do, but as Jaim called Both of the youths to him he felt glad, the boar-man gave him something to concentrate about. When Jaim told him to just sit and watch, at first Argurios wanted to protest, but dismissed teh idea, knowing he is too wounded to train properly, and would accomplish nothing but tearing his stitches.

[Jollan]

Aiden picked up his stick and nodded to Jaim in confirmation. he went over and took his position as he was told and watched the boar-man for further instruction.

He was glad to notice that the boar-woman was doing a little better, but it still haunted him that he had done that to her in the first place. It was a lesson he would never forget. To be still and observe thoughtfully before you strike, because things aren't always as they appear.

[orcpunx]

Jaim nodded when the boys took their positions.
"Now the most basic stance and most used is teh same as for a fist fight. why is it the most useful? It gives you good balance with the ability to dodge and jump in. although there are different stance for different weapons, but with this stance and this footwork, you can use it with any weapon type. So for now let us train in it."

Drawing a straight line on the ground with his stick he placed his feet on it.
"Okay, now you stand paralel with the line, you put your left foot after the line so the heel is touching the line. Your right foot comes before the line so teh fingers are touching it. If your facing twelve o'clock, than your left food should be between eleven and twelve and your right between one and two. the distance between your feet should be about teh same as your shoulder or a little less."

Jaim checked how the boy was standing. "Aiden its all good except your right foot is a tad too back, move it forward for a little bit."

satisfied by the boys foot placement, he continued. " Now crouch down a little. any foot placement is no good if your legs aren't bent a little. Argurios watch carefully, and learn teh theoretical part, so you can practise it once you heal" Jaim checked if the boy was listening, it appeared so, but there a difference between listening and learning.

[Jollan]

Aiden listened carefully to everything that was told to him. The stance felt natural and balanced. He tested his ability to sidestep or jump by leaning to the sides. Jaim was right, movement to either side was easier this was and yet provided a solid position to stand your ground as well. When Jaim mentioned Argurios, he looked over to the wounded half orc for a moment and also tried looking for Brisa. Aiden wasn't quite the biggest in the group due to Argurios being a half orc, but he was the oldest and in decent shape to where he felt like he had the duty to protect them. He would learn everything Jaim had to offer, knowing that it would be vital to his friends' survival later.

[orcpunx]

"very good. now whenever you move in any direction the first foot to move is the one that's in that direction. for example. if you move forward you first move your front foot nad than your back foot. if you go right, you move your right followed by your left. Never ever cross your legs.because that's when you are least stable and your reaction time is doubled. Aiden i recommend you to be a bit more light on your feet, so you can move around more, which is crucial for a swordsman. Argurios you will stand a little wider and have a solid stance, that axe of yours is useless in a fight if each swing throws you off balance. and one last thing. in a fight move as much ass possible, standing still means you are the one being hunted and targeted. and do not rush in blindly. Some more experiance fighters will fake a wound to get you to charge and kill you." saying all there was to say Jaim stretched.

"Aiden practice moving around in that stance and swinging, and swing with your full body not just hands. I need to talk to brisa, after that we will spar for a moment."

Jaim walked to where Laodike was lying took something from his coat and walked towards Brisa. As he reached her he caughed and offerd he an old book. "Here take this. Its like a manual about useful plants in the area. in the army a friend showed me the value of knowing local vegetation. Take it its yours. I memorised it by now."

[Astarael42]

Brisa looked up at him and blinked owlishly; an expression that those who knew her were all too familiar with. Surprise coupled with an unstoppable curiosity. Books were so very valuable; they were all painstakingly crafted by hand and rarely duplicated. She desperately wanted that book; if it was as he claimed it could teach her from where Autry left off.

She carefully put away her spellbook, wrapping it carefully in is protective cover, and slipping it into her satchel. Then with reverent hands she reached for the book. She opened it, quickly scanning the pages. She let out a breath she hadn't been aware she was holding. It was written in common; that was lucky. Then she took a moment to look at the entries a bit closer. Detailed and very precise they included the plants name, other names it was likely to be known as, where it grew, what it looked like, what valuable properties it had, and how to prepare it. In some cases it included clear precise sketches.

She shook her head softly.

“I can't, its too valuable” but she didn't hand the book back. Instead she kept staring at it in awed pleasure. Suddenly she remembered her manners. “I mean thank you so very much. Are you sure? This is wonderful.”

[orcpunx]

Jaim noted teh curiosity in teh little girls eyes. It pleased him that the book had teh desired effect. He stood there for a moment and let teh girl look through teh book, he had no intentions of interrupting Brisas intense inspection of teh book.

“I can't, its too valuable” She said after couple of moments. "you cant?" Jaim asked, but it was more than obvious she is going to keep it.
“I mean thank you so very much. Are you sure? This is wonderful.” Jaim laughed out loud, then looked at Brisa with a look that parents give to their kids. "yes im sure, i have the whole book in my head. I wont need it anymore anyways." He looked at Laodike and felt silent for a moment. "I dont plan on travelling anymore after this. If she lives we'll go somewhere south of here. If not..... well, lets hope she does." turning back to Brisa he smiled." So no worries little girl, if you want it its yours. Trust me it will come handy." As he said that he patted Brisas head and walked back to Laodike.

-----

Argurios sat in his spot watching Aiden practice. He tried to imagine it in his head, and how he would move if sparring with Aiden, but such a thing was hard for a farm boy like argurious. In his life he never had to imagine about anything, most of his time he worked and most of that work was shown to him, so he had little imagination.

[Jollan]

Aiden took to practicing his footwrok. From moving forwad and back, to left and right. He practiced his footwork in making attacks and keeping it all stable. After he was a little comfortable with that, he tried circling into an attack. First he would go left, leading with the left and then meeting it with the right as the left started its way out again. However, the next time it was time to move the right foot again, he moved it forward this time in the same motion as he dove a right handed lunge where he stopped to think.

Should he withdraw his right leg with his right arm, in effect taking a step back and putting his left side forward? Or should he take his left side foward with a step and push forward with his left? If there was a shield there both seemed like they could be helpful. He tested both as if he had a shield, seing imaginary merit in both options. One gains distance between him and the target, and the other could knock the injured target back after being caught off gaurd by a serious wound. But what if he had no shield? He then tested just moving back with his left, keeping his right on gaurd with his weapon. This seemed to be the best for now, as it seemed that he wouldn't have a shield for a while.

Aiden then noticed how intently Argurios was watching. He looked up to see Jaim with Brisa and decided to take a second to check on him.

"Hey, how you holding up?" he asked the other boy.

[Astarael42]

Brisa liked the strange man, he seemed...fatherly in a way her own father was not. Or maybe that was just because he had given her a book and such a thing would never have crossed her family's mind. Or maybe it was just that her family was gone and her only companions had been other younglings like her that it was nice to change.

She wrapped up her other books, carefully put them away along with her few odds and ends into her bag and settled down to look at her new book. It was well used, but also well cared for and Brisa would do her best to ensure it remained that way. Medicinal plants: there was no doubt that was valuable information. She already knew some from Autry but it tended to be about how to heal sicknesses, settle nausea, treat a rash. Common everyday issues the villagers had to deal with. Here she found plants that could be used to clean a wound, make blood clot, and make a bruise fade faster. Also a bit of obscure things like plants that could be used to ward off mosquitoes or heal "blood weakness." Whatever that was.

She had just barely skimmed through the book when she looked up and saw Jaim leaning over Laodike. Something triggered in her mind and she frowned slightly. Jaim was here because they had caused the woman harm, she might die, and it was their fault. Yet he didn't kill them. Had their positions been reversed Brisa was pretty sure she wouldn't have been so forgiving. In fact she knew she wouldn't. Her friends were all she had left. Watching them as they practiced she knew without question that she would have done whatever she could to get revenge.

Of course Jaim could mean them harm; they were so tired and weary from running and fighting when he found them that they hadn't even questioned him or his motives. Even when he had good reason to wish them harm. She was pretty sure that wasn't the case though and actually wanted to ask him about it. She carefully wrapped up her new book, bundling it with her book of maps. She needed more oiled hide to protect them but for now they could be wrapped together. Sliding it all into her satchel she rose and walked over to Jaim. It was in her mind to ask him about why he was helping them, and revenge, and forgiveness but she just couldn't bring herself to do it.

"Anything I can do to help?" she asked him softly. It had been plain this was not what she had originally intended to ask but her words were still quite sincere.

[orcpunx]

Argurios was intensely watching Aidens moves, trying to imagine how he would fight him, and react to Aidens blows, how he would use his axe in battle. Then he tried to remember all the fights he had witnessed till now. And each one he would try to imagine how would he fight his opponents with his newly gained knowledge.
At first it was hard, Argurios's imagination was poorly developed, and just trying to imagine himself moving in a way was hard, but like a child he was, once he opened teh doors of imagination, it poured into his mind as if a dam broke. His imagination grew and soon he could imagine himself in a fight with teh bandits that attacked them at teh start of teh journey.
He was so lost in his imaginations, that for a moment he forgot he was injured, and as he tightened the muscles of his arms the, pain from the wound brought him back to the real world.
Looking around him, he noticed Aiden was looking at him as if he was expecting an answer to something. "Sorry did you say something. I wasn't really listening."

Jaim, was looking at Laodike, checking her wounds, which seemed to be getting a tad batter. Even tho, Jaim didn't have high hopes, it was expected for teh body to start healing it's self, but throughout the night and next day things may turn to worse, and there's nothing any of them can do about it.

"Anything I can do to help?" Brisa asked, from behind him. It had been plain this was not what she had originally intended to ask but her words were still quite sincere.

He took a long breath before answering with a calm and sad voice."No dear child, there is nothing. First the internal wound must close, than she needs to caught out the blood from her lungs, and if luck is on our side, pieces of dirt and cloth. Then we need to keep her safe from hypothermia and hope nothing worsens. Except if you know some good healing magic there is nothing to do." He shifted a little so he could look at the Girl behind him.

[Astarael42]

Brisa shook her head slowly at the words. Few wizards had the magic to heal; that was mostly the domain of priests and religious spell-casters. And she wasn't even a wizard yet, just a couple spells and some knowledge of how magic worked.

“I'm sorry” she said softly “my teacher could do a few things to help heal, like put people to healing rest or remove poison, but I was just beginning training. All my spells do is make a little fire, change a little color, or make a person run a little faster. There was so much to learn, and now I guess I never will.”

Brisa sat down next to the girl, carefully so as not to disrupt her in any way, she knew that an improper jostle could cause problems. She was no healer herself but she had been the assistant of the only thing close to a healer the village had, she at least knew what NOT to do.

“If it is ok with you I will sit with her. I may not be able to do anything but at least she won't be alone.”

[Jollan]

" I was wondering how you are doing," Aiden restated. "All those injuries n' such. I wish I could have done more to help," he then said, thinking of the few fights he has been in as well. While Aiden normally made it out a little ruffed up, the outcomes in general have never seemed to be that great.

While Aiden normally made it out a little ruffed up, the outcomes in general have never seemed to be that great. He wanted to confess his inner turmoil to somebody, but he didn't know who. He didn't want to discourage his friends, but he also felt like they were the very ones he should talk to.

[orcpunx]

The day was reaching its second third of daytime, and Jaim let out a long steady breath. " i know that little one, i was not expecting you to know any healing magic. Ofcourse you may sit with her, actually i would prefer that, there are things to be done and i cant watch her at all times. Just make sure she is warm and dry and that her cheeks have colour. If anything changes call me." Jaim put his hand on Laodikes forehead, and mumbled something to himself. He slowly stood up and moved out from under the cover. The clouds were still high in the sky, but there was no rain present. He turned back to Brisa, "Don't worry little one, you may learn some more magic yet, you never know who you will meet tomorrow or when you're on the road." With that he walked into the center of teh clearing. "Aiden, Argurios! Come here!"

"I am doing fine don't worry i'm almost back to being healed." Argurios tried to jump on his feet as fast as possible, but the pain from the wounds almost made him flinch. "see no problem" Argurios Smiled, hoping he managed to hide his wounded state. Beside teh pain from the wounds, his pride was also hurting. he was immobile and useless, and was incapable of doing any work at all.
"You've done more than enough, if it wasn't for you i'd be dead by now. So dont worry about it, besides the injuries are not that bad." Argurios bluffed before sitting back down on the ground, teh pain was horrible when standing, And hed rather not stand more than needed, already cursing himself for trying to look fine.
Just then the rain stopped falling.

[Jollan]

Aiden nodded as he saw his friend sit back down, "Thanks, I needed that." Argurious was obviously in pain, but too prideful to show it and ask for help. He grabbed on of the practice staffs and handed it to Argurios. "Here, lean on this. It should help you walk a little while your legs heal." It seemed sturdy enough to use as a walking staff of sorts, and hopefully it wouldn't decide to snap, but it should be enough to take some of the pressure of walking out. Other than that, though, Aiden tried to help Argurios save face and not point out his injuries any more. Instead, he jerked a thumb over towards where Jaim was, "C'mon, we should go see what he wants."