Evaline watched as the battle commenced then swiftly ended, all over the area were fallen beastmen and fallen or injured guards. She took a deep breath regaining herself, "I'm going to have to get stronger if I want to make any kind of difference." She thought to herself. The bevels in the bricks behind her kept her in place for the time being.
Evaline sheathed her dagger and saw at a glimpse a brawny figure coming towards her. Her wind storm blew out most of the lanterns that illuminated the area so it wasn't until the figure was nearer to the windows at the front of the home did she recognize him as Bjorn. He walked briskly and held out a hand to her. The red that stained if smelled of the foul that was once the beastmen that stood before him. She raised her chin and gave him a gentle smile before placing her small hand in his big one. "No, I'm okay, thank you." She said in almost a whisper. This was perhaps, the first time since her mother that she was willingly offered a hand in any situation, without being asked for anything in return. "Or perhaps the favor is around the corner" She thought to herself. His strength pulled her onto her feet quickly, the ground felt stable now and her muscles and bones stood firm.
A light breeze shook the trees and tickled Evalines ears. It was at this she remembered she was not under the protection of her scarf. She blushed and eyed Bjorn expectantly then quickly removed her hand from his and pulled the hood of her cloak over her head to cover them. Her long red hair hung down the sides of her neck under the cloak. She looked at Bjorn for a third time, gently kissed his hand and whispered,"Thank you." In a voice low enough for him alone to hear. She glided past him looking on to the crowd of soldiers kneeling over the fallen and injured. The guard on the ground nearest to her was writhing in pain, his hand clasped over an injury on his upper chest. His face began to grow pail under the mask of dirty that covered it. She quickly knelt down and began unfastening this breastplate so she could see his wound. She put the palm of her right hand on his forehead and whispered a simple spell to reduce the pain. The guard immediately went into an almost trance like relaxation.
The guards breastplate was now removed. Evaline pulled the small chest of healing herbs out from under her cloak that was attached to her belt. She quickly flipped it open and took a pinch full of several different herbs and put them in her mouth. She used her saliva to dampen them. Her right hand was now over then wound as she continued muttering her healing magic to lessen the damage of the wound. She could feel the herbs working on her, giving her some strength back and knew it was time to place the herb mixture into the open wound.
Evaline spat the orange goop into her hand her hand and gently pressed it into the injury. After a moment she felt the harsh and swift slap across her face from a guard who then pulled her up and screamed, "I know your type you sneaky little whore, you elves would stoop so low as to finish a man off when he's nearly dead already. I know what you are, you slut." Her shoved her into a puddle of mud made from the rain and blood that filled the scene. She quickly grabbed her chest and stepped backwards away from him, clutching her burning face. Just before she turned around she saw the man she was working on sit up and steady himself with his hands, she revealed a small smile before turning towards the area she let off the wind spell.
Hanging on a branch nearby was her lost scarf, she quickly snatched it and in a rush wrapped it around her ears again. Evaline began the walk back to the tavern, she fastened her chest back onto her belt and made the short journey down the road. She sought the warmth of the fire and perhaps a warm bowl of stew. Upon entering the tavern however, the scene before her was quite different.
Adriana stood with her arms crossed, a pan in one hand and a scowl that could curdle cream. The owner of the tavern stood next to her looking in disgust and behind the two of them, sitting at the bar, was the gentleman who resided at the house she collapsed against before smiling at her mischievously. In one swift motion Adriana tore her scarf from her head revealing her elven ears. "All this time you were were one of those scum, living under this very roof." She shouted, her chest heaved and her face grew flushed. Adriana tapped her foot on the ground furiously. "Well.." Evaline started. "And to think!" Adriana cut in, "After all we've done for you, you may have been plotting to poison us!" She threw a book at Evaline's feet, the title read
Herbs that heal and herbs that kill; A travellers guild to picking herbs near Galloway. The owner looked away in disgust and spat in the fire. "I found that in your room, along with many other interesting books. It just so happens that this book was signed property of B.H. Henderson. Last I checked this wasn't your name, a thief too it seems. Just what were you planning, Elaine?" Adriana spat. "All the books you've stolen found their way as our new kindling." she said pointing a thumb over her shoulder towards the fire.
Adriana smacked Evaline on the other cheek, making her face feel like an oven and beginning to swell with the bruises that have recently inflicted it. "You have 5 minutes to take your belongings out of your room before I smash them myself and add it to the burning pile." She took Evaline by the shoulder of her cloak and shoved her towards the cellar door. Evaline quickly ran down the stairs towards to door to her room. The door was slammed open and her property was thrown around the room, smashed, and torn. She began to gathered what few things she had left. "Why did I have to help?" She thought to herself, her hands moving quickly to find what hadn't already been taken or broken. Her eyes began to water from the burn of pain so close to them. Adriana and the owner were now at the door. "Times up!" She huffed. Evaline looked at her in astonishment, "It can't have been 5 minutes!" She pleaded. "It wasn't." The owner coughed out, "Seems you caused a stir upstairs and the guests are talkin' of leavin' if we let vermin like you stay here long. It's bad for business, now get." Adriana once again grabbed her by the shoulder and shoved her towards the stairs.
Evaline quickly climbed them and had barely opened the door to the tavern when the man at the bar kicked her in the back flinging her and her things out the door. She stayed on the ground, her knee had struck a rock, it too now rang in pain. She watched the small rivers of mud run above her fingers. Everything she had left was now soaked. She began pulling her items towards her, canopying them with her body. "Now what?" She sighed to herself.