Look What The Wolf Dragged In

[Illae]

“Nnn!” Illae groaned, attempting to push herself up from her lying position. The moment Vane had moved forward, she had moved away, and when she heard the scuffle behind her she had shuffled even faster.

Now it was silent behind her and she was still. Despite her adrenaline rush, she wasn’t having much luck getting up to her feet. She sat still, leaning away from them until she heard Vane address her. “He’s deaf.” And this time, it was a snarl. She was looking away from him while he spoke, breathing heavily. I wonder where this road leads, she pondered idly. A few more moments of breathing and she was ready to address Vane without seething.

“Well, Little-More-Than-A-Mercenary, the man who currently has the arrow at your throat—he’s helping me.” She had turned back to him by that point, her eyes narrowed as she surveyed the situation. Things had escalated pretty quickly, much more quickly than she would have thought. Pausing, Illae brought her hand up to her forehead, wiping away the new sweat drops that had emerged. “Thank you for your concern, we’ll be ju—just fine…on our own.” She was beginning to pant, and brought her eyes down, looking at her side once more. With her heart racing, she had begun to bleed more heavily, and the blood loss was starting to affect her more. “Damn it.” She swore, frowning deeply.

[Wulf]

Wulf flicked his eyes between the girl and the man. He couldn't see the mans lips, and she was speaking too fast, her breathing making it erratic. He could see she was bleeding more. There was nothing for it.

"Yahk!" It wasn't a word, more a sound. Desperate and frustrated, he released the great pressure on his shoulders by slowly taking the draw on his bowstring down. He stabbed the arrow down into the dirt of the Road, and kept his eyes on the man. Walking to the now abandoned area where he left his gear when this had started, he grabbed some of the bandages. He walked backwards, keeping his eyes on the human until he was beside Illae. Kneeling, he folded a large square and placed it on her side, the blood flowing more vigorously than before. He grabbed her hand and pressed it down with force on her side until she seemed to be putting enough on there. He took another long strip of cloth and pushed her up into a better position for what he needed to do.

He began to wrap the bandage around her midsection, making sure to keep it tight and not loose. There was nothing for it. He'd have to talk. It would make it all quicker, make it all simpler. But he knew that as soon as he did, something would go wrong. He wouldn't be able to say her name, never having heard it. He didn't want to spell it out either, longer chance to make a fool of himself.

"Doctor. Must." The first word was almost unbearably loud in the silence of the road, but the second word was almost a silent afterthought, something that even Illae, close as she was could very well miss and not hear. He didn't want to consciously yell. He would not give this people cause to mock him. He would not.

[Vane Ulmar]

The elf-woman's bleeding got worse and she shriveled due to the pain. The deaf elf also noticed, let out some loud weird noise and slowly put away the arrow. "Finally." - sighed Vane after the menacing cloud of danger flew aside. Vane slowly, not to alert the elves, made his way to the injured woman and knelt down to see the wound before the other elf wrapped a piece of cloth around it. The next moment the elf loudly yelled, causing Vane nearly to fall on his back. He stopped the fall by balancing and slowly standing up. It was obvious that the elf had a very hard time speaking. Before that Vane thought he had that worst of luck, not remembering anything about his family or his past, the only thing he remembered was his "master", and now Vane was glad he later realized the flaws in what the old man taught him. Vane thought that this big of a memory loss was the worst fate of a man, but now he understood that he never even knew what the worst fates were.

Vane blinked and interrupted his thoughts, and started to talk - "The only doctor is in the town. Like it or not we have to go to Marn." He looked up at the sky to look for the weakly shining sun, and finished - "And soon."

[Illae]

Wulf’s declaration rang out like a boom and made her jump. “Woah!” She snapped back quickly before she registered what he had said. Doctor. “So you do talk.” Her smile was genuine and a bit playful. Illae noted the peculiar way that Wulf spoke; the thunderous call followed by the almost silent whisper, but beyond this didn’t think them strange in any way. She intrinsically understood that he couldn’t hear, and so probably couldn’t regulate his volume, and this made little difference to her. She never would have imagined all the anxiety and suspicions that Wulf was hiding and mulling over in his mind. Never would have considered it at all.

She was now, however, considering her possibility of avoiding going to this doctor. It seemed to be a waning one, made ever more apparent as she watched Wulf bandage her and felt the pain of pressure gnawing into her side and her head going a little light. Maybe this doctor would have some sort of healing magic and could take care of her quickly? During her time on the ground on the outskirts of this town, Illae had sensed a disturbing atmosphere around her. Muted, like a depression, almost like there was no activity in the Astral Plane at all, or at least that it was suppressed. She hadn’t thought much of it until she had the idea of a magical doctor, and then it came to her as something puzzling, something she really hadn’t experienced before. Surely though, this magical depression—if it existed—would only be here. In the dilapidated, ramshackle section of the city (that is supposing that all of—Marn was it?—wasn’t like this.)

Illae reached her hand out to Wulf for him to help her stand, taking the strap of her leather bag tightly in her other hand. Then she looked at Vane. “Mercenary, this place is called ‘Marn,’ did you say? How far is the doctor from here?” She’d rather not interact with him, but his answer was much easier to get than Wulf’s. Besides, she had a lot of blood loss, who’s to say she was in her right wits anyhow?

[Wulf]

He helped her up, keeping a grip on her arm in case she started to fall. There was no telling if she would or not, but it was hot, she had lost a bit of blood, standing could very easily make her topple. He watched her lips ask the other man where a doctor was. Wulf knew damnit. He had been planning on getting her to go to one since he had seen the blood. But now, she'd ask this man. He knew why. Because it was too much of a hassle to get an answer from him. Too much work. When she could just ask and he would nod and lead her there. But no, ask the man who could hear, because that meant he was a better choice.

Don't be angry. I can't help it. Yes you can. No I can't. I hate this so much. Why did I have to lose my hearing? Why? Hardship makes one stronger. Shut up with that bullshit. I don't want to hear it. Hardship is not being able to find game for a little while when you're hunting, not losing your fucking hearing. So shut the fuck up. You do realize that you are talking to yourself, right? I can't shut up, I'm in your head.

Wulf decided not to comment. When she seemed able to stand, he let go of her arm to grab his supplies where he had left them on the ground.

[Vane Ulmar]

The question stumped Vane. He had an unsure look on his face and chuckled a little as he scratched the back of his head - "Honestly, I was just speculating... Marn is a major city, so there's obviously a doctor there. But I literally just arrived, so I do not know exactly where he or she is." His little speech was followed by a minute of silence, and just when Vane felt helpless, he remembered of the other elf. His face brightened as he suggested - "But your friend seemed pretty sure about what he was doing, he might know better than me." And then he nodded to the elf, as if saying "lead the way". Vane didn't know why, but his gut kept telling him that the elf would know where to take the injured woman.

As soon as the deaf elf let go of his companion, Vane went up closer, just to be ready if she falls. Only when he began to wonder: he always associated elves with magic, but now his two new acquaintances seemed normal, just like him. That's when he decided to ask - "When I always thought of elves I thought of magic. You don't happen to be a magic user, do you?"

[Illae]

Illae scoffed at the man, fully annoyed. Why would he have said a thing with such surety if he actually had no idea? She had no doubt that Wulf knew where the doctor was but she wanted some idea of how long or how far she would be walking. She had little patience for this man that she did not trust, and frowned at him. "Useless," She grumbled, locking her eyes ahead of her in a gesture that spoke she had no more time for him and would pay him no more attention. It was enough that she was entrusting herself to the elf-man and a doctor, she had no patience for a human man all suited in armor, who would tell her things like truth of which he had no knowledge.

She stood, waiting for Wulf to lead her in the right direction. She turned her face when Vane stepped closer, irritated at the very sight of him. She bristled when he spoke, aggravation reading in her expression. "Weren't you headed somewhere?" Her words would have sounded harsher if she hadn't felt so suddenly weak in this standing position, if she hadn't wanted to sit down again and her side didn't feel like it was tearing. As it was they came off tired and weak, and the reality that she couldn't insult him as she'd like to grated at her more than his initial presence.

[Wulf]

Wulf took the rabbits off of his stick and tied them to a sparer loop on his pack. Holding the stick, he measured it against the woman. It'd help as a walking stick, so she could lean away from the wound in her side. If worst came to pass, he could probably carry her. She wasn't that big, and he was strong. He put his arms through the loops and tightened the pack down, looking at the setting sun. He was running behind as it was, but surely it could wait until he got her to the doctor. There was a Doctor in town, but he had never been there and didn't trust them. The healer in Shanty would do just fine. He'd be able to remove that piece of whatever stuck in the wound, and he had more of the salve that Wulf had used on some of the smaller wounds already. He walked over to the group, and noted the tight lipped way she stood, slightly swaying. Better get her to the doctor quickly then. He took her hand and wrapped it around the impromptu walking stick, making sure she held it. Then he beckoned to her to come on and follow him, and if she didn't then that was no longer his problem.

[Vane Ulmar]

As the elf-woman asked her question, Vane's face noticeably got more grim. His tone also became more serious as he answered - "I've got nowhere to head. He's not the only one with disabilities." - Vane shook his hand in the other elf's direction, who was taking rabbits of a stick he impaled them on - "I don't remember anything about me, not that I care. And I'm just trying to help out!" Vane also noticed how the half-elf couldn't speak too harsh because of the weakness, so he tried to get rid of his grim expression and simply said - "I'll just hang around until you're healed, than you two can go about your business. Now will it be that hard for me to know your name?"

[Illae]

Illae blinked at Vane's sudden proclamations, not sure what to say. What did he mean he didn't remember anything about himself? This is outrageous, she thought, watching as Wulf placed her hand around the walking stick. She gripped it tightly and then went to follow him. It was a slow pace, with an unsteady, swaying gate, but she was glad. She felt a bit more independent carrying herself, even if walking was painful.

When Vane asked her her name she glared at him, and then turned her gaze forward, continuing to walk. She had no intention of telling him her name, or talking with him any more than was absolutely necessary. She assumed, and hoped, that it would never be necessary.

[Wulf]

Wulf walked away, hoping she would have the good sense to follow him. He was running late, there'd be no time for stew now. Oh, Shayla would be able to cook something, but it wouldn't be stew. Why did he have to stop and help her? Why did someone else come along? Why didn't he just leave her with the man? They'd find help eventually, and he would be on his way.

Because it wasn't right of him. Even if they already thought he would be something he was not, it was up to him to prove his true worth and what kind of person he was to them. He would be fine with any meal, and Shayla would think he had merely run late in the woods. Game was scarce sometimes, and it took him a long time to find food.

Now, if he could just remember where the doctor was...

[Vane Ulmar]

The elf-woman simply glared at Vane in response to his question and slowly went off, leaving Vane behind. He didn't hurry, and sighed, looking up at the sky. It plain grey filled with dark clouds, setting a gloomy atmosphere to all of the city. Vane, still with that non-hurrying pace, reached into his pouch and pulled out his flask. After taking a sip out of the water in it he sighed again, this time in disappointment. "Should have filled it with rum or something." - a thought quickly flew through his mind before he took another sip and started analyzing the situation. He realized hanging around elves isn't going to get him anywhere in the city, and he will need to re-think his strategy after this is over. But there was still one thought that haunted Vane. He had nothing against other races, and he never anywhere close to racist. The only thing he despised in other races, and sometimes humans, was magic. He once heard a phrase which left him thinking for years. "Magic exists within all of us, you just have to find it, and you will have to accept it." - was the fact Vane couldn't bear. Just the thought that he would be using magic made him disgusted and nauseous.
Vane shook his head and realized he was getting off the topic of his thoughts, and went back to thinking. As said, he was never racist to anybody, and never understood the hatred of elves to humans. Maybe it's something in the past, maybe something personal. Vane did not know. The only thing he knew now is as soon as this was over he would head into the city and make friends among people more like him, and hopefully, make some money.
With that thoroughly thought through he picked up his pace and ran up to the elves, following them.

[Illae]

As they moved, Illae huffed, trying to get in as much air as possible, and feeling as though none of her breaths went quite deep enough. How long had they been walking? It felt like ages, though in truth only minutes, maybe 10. Those few minutes felt like miles to Illae, and she gripped hard on that walking stick. The striking sound that it created as it made contact with the earth soothed her, the pattern reminding her of the motion of breathing or a heartbeat. Maybe that'll help.... The idea came to her, and she decided to count the number of times the pole hit the ground, thinking the distraction would occupy her mind until they made it to this doctor, at least take her thoughts away from the fact that it felt like something was gnawing away at her flesh.

....forty-five...forty-six...forty-seven...forty-eig-- Illae was well into thought when she felt the ground slip from under her, and she went toppling over to the side. Hypnotized by sound, she had not recognized the man come up beside her and casually put his foot in the way of the walking stick, tripping her. He had been there to catch her however, and now he smiled as he gently craned her back to a fully upright position. "Beg your pardon, stranger..." He flashed an apologetic yellowing grin, and turned to walk away.

"Not a chance," Illae responded coolly, and there in the town street she had pulled a knife from her skirts, holding it to the man's neck. Though her words were tired, they were pointed, and the stranger stared back at her, wide-eyed with surprise. Illae nodded her head towards the man's pocket and waited. He began to chuckle, his poised demeanor quickly crumbling into something more crude and un-mannered. "Heh-heh--just a man trying to earn a living, ey girl? No need to get in a tizzy or nuffin'." At that he produced her bag of bishani from his pocket. After examining it Illae nodded again, and the man scampered away.

If the three of them had been alone on the streets before, the gaining morning and noon time were seeing an end to that. Townspeople were stirring, and beginning to liven up the town, and seeing as they were in the shanty place, quite a few of them seemed far less scrupulous than others.

Illae was a pickpocket herself, so it wasn't hard for her to identify a thief looking for their mark. It was a rare day that she had become a target though. As they went, they began to receive many prying glances, some outright stares. They were definitely a remarkable group--a fully armored man, a hobbling head of straw strewn hair, and a brooding elf. Apparently to some they were a moving target.

"We need to get to this doctor quickly" She breathed, momentarily forgetting that Wulf could not hear her, but remembering enough of her disdain for Vane that she did not turn back and look at him. "These wolves intend to make us their lunch."

[Wulf]

Wulf never heard her speak, so he never understood her need to hurry. He knew this part of town was a danger, all you had to do was look at it. The buildings were falling apart, the people were thing, guant cheeked and hollowed eyed. Their clothes were threadbare. Maybe it had been his natural paranoia, but he hadn't been the object of much theft. Or that could be the fact that he had put an arrow through a mans hand for trying to cut off another half-elves ear. Either way, he was always cautious in the city, so this time was no different. He moved forward, one foot in front of the other, steady. If you looked like you had a destination, they usually left you alone. Don't look like you're in a hurry, or they'll think you are pressed for time, and wouldn't notice a lighter belt. Don't gawk at the wares, or you've got money to spend, a luxury many of them didn't know in the first place. Walk with a purpose, and look like you had enough wits to defend yourself. Illae didn't look like that, but that piece of fluff behind her with the weapons looked like a guard so people would see it like that. A guard meant watching eyes, which meant quick blades and death. Most thieves wouldn't mess with guarded folk.

Wulf quickly started to fade from sight, blending in with the crowd of people like he would blend into the forest. It was a talent, so ingrained it was instinct and muscle memory, happening without him even knowing. He continued to walk. There was no way for the others to bother him unless the grabbed him. They had almost arrived, so they had better keep up.

[Vane Ulmar]

Vane was quite surprised by the elf's very quick reaction. After she reclaimed her belongings the man quickly stormed away, obviously frustrated by his failed attempt at theft.

"Psht." - Vane smiled but still whispered back, not to alert or provoke the thieves - "I'd like to see them try." Vane, being a very skilled swordsman and fighter, already started imagining his plan of action, if something was to go wrong. The people surrounding the group posed a threat as thieves, but Vane doubted that any of them could match his near-military fighting skills, and was entirely positive he could cut through them as if they were made of paper.

However, Vane's thoughts were quickly interrupted as a hand was quietly reaching over to his very noticeable pouch. The mercenary stood behind the elves, so they did not see. Just as the hand was about to grab his pouch and run, Vane turned halfway and the pickpocket missed, and the only thing he caught was Vane's cold stare. The mercenary simply grabbed the hilt of the sword on his hip with his right hand, and, with a grin on his face, made fun of the thief's failure - "Tsk, tsk. No you won't." After that Vane saw the pickpocket turn around and walk away, and that's when the man did the same, and hurried up after the elves. They better get away from here, as Vane could feel the tension in the air."