Hunted

The farms and houses of Shim, a single inn known as the Red Chalice, and an old manor on a hill overlooking it all to the north.
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Rekkan
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Re: Hunted

Post by Rekkan » Sun Oct 09, 2011 8:33 pm

The touch of water in Rekkan's lips was refreshing. He reached for it with his hands, feeling the coolness sink into his skin. He raised his arm over his head, drops raining on his face as his eyes remained shut. The buckets of water rested by the well, with Rekkan sitting next to them. Some things could not be rushed, especially not the sensation of something so natural, yet so amazing. Water truly was Mother's gift upon all of Her children, the druid's path clarified that and gave it its worthy importance.

The druid sighed and rose from the ground. He gripped the handles of each bucket and pulled them from the ground, water shaking from one side to the other. Then, Rekkan walked back to Saruna's house, where the water he had previously helped carrying was already boiling. It was time for Ran's bath. "You require two more buckets, correct?", questioned the druid as he poured the water into the barrel.

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Ran Azshmatha
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Re: Hunted

Post by Ran Azshmatha » Mon Oct 10, 2011 1:04 am

Ran had met others such as Saruna in his travels, the rare ones who helped without asking for help in return. Whether for kindness or out of some other reason, the alchemist knew not, but he was grateful nevertheless. He sensed in Saruna some conflict behind her charity, and he resolved to understand this conflict if at all possible. Perhaps that would allow him to repay the old woman in a way she would accept.

"It would be good if he could." Ran sensed that something had made Saruna discouraged, and he attempted to assuage her, saying "and if not, we will figure something out. I will be alright, Saruna, thanks to you."

The news about the infection did not surprise him. He had long suspected that this was so. Though not a healer, Ran was no stranger to the fate of uncleaned and untreated wounds. It was worrying, but the alchemist was not panicked yet. If he was lucky, the herbalist would be able to help. If not, Ran could attempt prepare a solution which would purge him of infection, with some help.

Ran then watched with some anticipation as the herbalist returned and dumped two more buckets of water into the barrel next to the boiling pot. His hair and skin itched for the cleansing heat of a bath.

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Saruna
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Re: Hunted

Post by Saruna » Mon Oct 10, 2011 4:54 am

Saruna nodded to Ran, and then waited in silence for Rekkan to return. She told him that two more buckets would be needed, and sent him off again. When he returned she acquisitioned his help with the heavy, hot pot full of boiling water, and the metal tub. The tub was set before the fire, and between the boiling water and the cold water it made a not-too-hot temperature that wouldn't cool quickly.

Saruna did not wish to press her luck, but she would need even more water. Still, that could be worried over later. The present required Ran getting into the tub, and even watered and fed the man was weak. She would only be able to offer him token support, but the tub's walls weren't too high. Its sides were tall enough to come up to her husband's ribcage when he was sitting, and he had been almost six feet tall. The memory carried with it an unpleasant sting, which she covered with bustle.

She covered it by fetching her cake of soap, which she'd left in her work room.
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Rekkan
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Re: Hunted

Post by Rekkan » Mon Oct 10, 2011 12:39 pm

Rekkan nodded and assisted the old woman by using the strength she did not possess. The druid journeyed back to the well for two more buckets filled with water, and then returned to help prepare Ran's bath. He took the liberty of further assisting Saruna by helping her carry the injured man into the tub. Once the man was inside, Rekkan would quickly inspect his "patient's" wounds. There was one that asked for particular treatment, because it had a risk of developing gangrene. "It already has some dead tissue. It's not a problem."

The druid stripped his cloak and threw it to a chair. He grabbed his bag and laid it on the table, opening it and taking a small jar from the inside. Rekkan also found a bowl and a mixer, along with a couple of herbs that would provide the effect he desired on Ran's wound. "I hope you do not mind me taking the liberty of using your table, old woman.", mused Rekkan. He removed one of his two belts, the one carrying his iron short sword and his silver dagger. The young man placed those belongings, along with the empty canteen, on top of his cloak.

As the southerner was bathed, the druid placed the herbs inside the bowl and mashed them together, fluids merging and creating an unique and smelly greenish-like component. The jar remained shut next to the bowl, but it appeared that whatever it contained was alive. A treat from Rekkan's travels. After letting the medicine alone for a short span of time, the druid opened the jar and stuck a finger inside, removing three larvae that attached themselves to it. He dropped them inside the bowl with care before shutting the jar and placing it back in the bag. The remains of the herbs could still be of use, and the mixer would be the tool with which Rekkan would work the most.

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Ran Azshmatha
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Re: Hunted

Post by Ran Azshmatha » Mon Oct 10, 2011 7:31 pm

Ran did his best to help Saruna and the herbalist prepare him for a bath. Nakedness did not bother him. It may have made him feel vulnerable, in the past, but now it did not. The alchemist mused--it was as if his experiences of being mortal prey had stripped him of many feelings, trivialized them. There was a sense that this was temporary, but Ran wondered if some of these feelings would never come back. Inwardly, he chuckled. Of course some would not; it was only natural since he had experienced these things and these experiences would be a part of him forever.

Once in the bath tub, the heat of the water warmed Ran to his core in a way which he had not experienced in some time. He felt no shame in letting out a long and contented sigh. He rubbed some of the heated liquid over his chest, then cupped some of the water in his palms to pour over his hair. Bits of dirt and other debris fell streaming out of his hair to float in the hot water. The alchemist ran his hands down his coarse yellow hair, pulling out the filth. His hair stuck along the curve of his skull and Ran relished the sensation.

Ran expressly avoided looking at his wound. He had quite enough of the taste of bile, and even thinking about the wound forced the vile liquid from his throat. The herbalist seemed to be busy with something that interested the alchemist. The Hamil Kha alchemists had encountered others of their kind before, and Ran had always been interested in herbalogy and alchemy outside of his own practice of anu hikhna. The few herbalists and alchemists that Ran had found to be friendly had much to offer in terms of knowledge, though the exact workings of Hamil Kha alchemy differed greatly from other practices. He laughed when he spotted the larvae on the herbalist's fingers. He had an idea of what kind of "treatment" was awaiting him.

"Are those larvae for me?" Ran asked, jokingly, "they can wait for I'm not dead yet."

He let out another sigh. In the tub, he was worlds away from the trauma of the past few weeks.

"Herbalist, what is your name? If you will treat me, then we should know each other at least. I am Ran Azshmatha."

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Saruna
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Re: Hunted

Post by Saruna » Tue Oct 11, 2011 4:01 pm

Everything was so utterly domestic. Saruna could almost pretend the two young men were her sons returned from the west. It was so easy to let herself be drawn into the illusion while Ran bathed and Saruna sat nearby, ready to assist whenever the young man's face pulled tight with pain. He was too polite to complain at the floral scent of her cake of soap, but Saruna knew if he wound up. . .

What, sticking around? With her? Make a whole new family of mother and pretend son, like mother and pretend daughter with Derin? No. Better to shoo him off quickly lest he be stolen away by crook or death just like all the others. Ran was testing the other young man with words, and Saruna resorted to busying herself to take her mind off the ills in her mind. An absorbent blanket to cover him with, and one to sit on before the fire. And, the old clothes from her husband. Maybe she would give them all away, and his memory would fade.

Then she could just give in to being alone, and nothing would stand between her and Marn but the ghosts.
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Rekkan
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Re: Hunted

Post by Rekkan » Tue Oct 11, 2011 6:38 pm

A soft chuckle slipped from Rekkan's lips in response to the injured man's joke. He grabbed the bowl with his left hand and turned to face Ran and Saruna as the bath continued. The druid approached the two beings with a smile on his face, mixer being held by his right hand.

There was something oddly familiar to this situation, and the interesting part of it was the fact that Rekkan found himself in a moment similar to that which he lived in the south of Eyropa. Saruna would be replaced by Ellen and Ran by one of his homeland, Thavir. Five years went by after that night, but History felt like repeating itself in the present. The changes were the moods of the two beings Rekkan was with now. Saruna seemed somewhat glad, as if she liked to have someone to watch over for. Ran seemed fortunate enough to find others who could lend him aid. However, there was an air of contradiction roaming around the old woman. She wanted to have someone to stand by her, but she didn't want to hinder Ran's path throughout the road of life.

Oblivious to the thoughts that passed by Saruna's mind, and focused on the alchemist's words, Rekkan leaned his head to better inspect Ran's wound. "You may not be dead, but a part of your body is.", stated the druid with a degree of seriousness in his words. Small pieces of flesh, where there was a higher risk of infection, had visible marks of growing death. The southerner was lucky enough to have advanced medical aid so soon, else things could of gotten much worse.

The druid pulled his head back from the inspection and laughed once more. "You must suffer of memory loss, perhaps from the injuries you took.", said the druid in a mocking tone. "Nevertheless, I shall reintroduce myself. I am Rekkan." It was simple and self-explanatory. Last names only mattered in the midst of his tribe, a way to divide it and share responsibilities.

The Basca were entitled with two tasks: one was to protect the tribe's territory and its people. It had been taken by Rekkan's deceased brother, the werewolf who had given his life for the sake of his tribe and his brother; the other was to explore Mother's world and increase the knowledge of the clan. Rekkan had been chosen by the elders to do so because of his childhood. Always wanting to search the depths of the woods, always craving to venture through places no human had set foot before. The plants and creatures Rekkan was fated to encounter were what motivated his father to train him in every art he could, so that his son could have a chance to defend himself against the world outside, the world Rekkan was destined to walk on. He would do so until the age of thirty, the time in which he would return to his tribe and provide a heir to his legacy.

"Are you done with the bath, old woman?", asked the druid.

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Ran Azshmatha
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Re: Hunted

Post by Ran Azshmatha » Tue Oct 11, 2011 8:34 pm

Ran did vaguely remember Rekkan introducing himself before, and his face reddened with embarrassment. He decided not to dwell on it, for the alchemist felt that he had plenty of reasons to be distracted.

"Of course, I'm sorry Rekkan. There's been a lot on my mind, though I do not think it is an injury."

The alchemist felt drowsy. He was comfortable and getting clean, and he resolved to go back to sleep as soon as his wound was treated.

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Saruna
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Re: Hunted

Post by Saruna » Tue Oct 11, 2011 11:59 pm

"I suppose that would depend upon my guest." She returned mildly enough, one blanket draped over her arm and the other spread before the fire. He looked clean enough, as clean as he would get with the dirtied water he was currently sitting in. She clucked her tongue. "We should get him out of there before he gets too sleepy, and then you can examine his wound."

She didn't need the extra reminder that she was getting old.
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Rekkan
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Re: Hunted

Post by Rekkan » Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:06 am

"Very well.", said the druid. He placed the mixer inside the bowl and took the liberty of grabbing Ran by one arm and laying it around his shoulders. With that, the young man would assist his patient out of the tub and towards the blanket and the warm fire, where he would proceed to take care of Ran's wounds. The medicine was ready, the larvae sought to consume the rotten flesh and whatever trace of infection was left on the southerner's body.

"Are you ready, Ran Azshmatha?", he asked with a determined tone.

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Ran Azshmatha
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Re: Hunted

Post by Ran Azshmatha » Wed Oct 12, 2011 6:55 am

"I am. Let's get to it."

Ran let himself be guided by Rekkan and Saruna and laid down by the fire on his back. He awaited the treatment he had been expecting since he has seen the larvae. He did find northern herbalists and their practice intriguing, as it was similar to alchemy in a way. But the alchemist felt sleep pull on his brain with gentle claws and he knew questions, to Saruna and to Rekkan, would have to await one more night.

Rekkan
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Re: Hunted

Post by Rekkan » Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:08 pm

The druid sat next to Ran's injury, legs crossed, and placed the bowl by his side. He sunk two fingers in the paste. The larvae were carefully removed and placed around Ran's wound, their task being carried immediately after setting in his flesh. "Warn me when it starts to burn.", said Rekkan. The tiny beings would eat away the small pieces of rotten flesh that had formed, but it was typical for a druid to ask his patient for attention if the larvae continued eating into living tissue. While they were part of an efficient treatment when used and supervised by one who understood their function, the insects could be the cause of a very painful death to an incapacitated or unconscious being. There were even records of animals who had died from very few larvae digging into their bodies in minutes and ripping through their organs in few hours. These larvae were dangerous.

After placing the larvae, Rekkan proceeded with the treatment by covering the southerner's wound with the green paste. Layer after layer, its smell would infiltrate the nostrils with a hint of aggression. The smell was provocative, but not actually uncomfortable. The paste cleaned the injury with a fast pace, followed by regenerating the tissue over twenty-four to forty-eight hours. The time of healing would depend on the seriousness of the wound and the living being's regenerative process.

The rest of the wounds were covered by smaller portions of the paste, each injury being provided with the necessary amount of the natural medicine to recover at a pace similar to the main one. This way, the body would regenerate as a whole. It was believed by the druids that this specific treatment would "heal" the soul as well, as partial restorations over the course of time would leave fragments of the wounds in the spirit.

Now, there was silence. Rekkan waited patiently for the moment Ran warned him of the burning. He thought about talking about some sort of payment for his job. However, something inside the druid compelled him not to. The easiest explanation was that this man was a southerner. Rekkan had come to thoroughly respect Ran's kin due to his encounter with a tribe five years ago in southern Eyropa. But that is another story.

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Ran Azshmatha
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Re: Hunted

Post by Ran Azshmatha » Fri Oct 14, 2011 8:48 pm

Ran wrinkled his nose at the intrusion of the medicine's strong and aggressive smell. It wasn't unpleasant and Ran adapted to it quickly. The dull sensation of the larvae eating away dead flesh, however, was a much stranger sensation and Ran silently pondered on it. The nerves on the necrotic flesh that the larvae were feasting on were long dead, and Ran could only tell of their destruction by the minute tingling sensation he got from the living flesh around the wound. The alchemist had seen a few men treated in this way. Some lived, and others died; the alternative was magical healing, which was highly esteemed in large cities for their miraculous effectiveness. Yet there were also rumors that magical healing came with an especially high price.

It took Ran everything he had to stay awake until the larvae began to dig into living tissue. The sensation was slightly disturbing, but the alchemist was almost relieved since he was reaching the limits of his willpower in staying awake.

"Rekkan! I think the larvae has done its job. I must sleep, my body demands it. Once again, a thanks to both of you, especially you Saruna," the tiredness, which Ran had done his best to mask in his voice, now manifested itself fully.

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Saruna
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Re: Hunted

Post by Saruna » Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:02 pm

Saruna watched the process sharply. It was her nature to hover and nag, though she bit off any remarks she might have made with the wisdom of one who knows to defer to one more skilled than she. There was some worry, and helplessness, but over it arced curiosity and awe. She had years living as a peasant would for her strong stomach and practicality.

She gripped Ran's shoulder in reassurance as he began to give in to his exhaustion. She saw no need to move him back to the chair, though he would be stiff in the morning. The fire would keep him warm, and stretching out would prevent him from pulling any fresh scabs, or at the wound itself. She didn't understand what Rekkan was doing, but she didn't need to. He needed to, and he seemed to know, so she trusted him.

With Rekkan's task almost finished she moved around the room slowly, making piles of the things clean enough to use again, and that which needed washing. Rekkan's clothes went into their own special burn pile, which she would take care of on a different day. So much needed doing, but all she wanted was to sit down and drink tea, and eat something for herself. Hunger was what had been clawing at her stomach, she realized, not nervousness. She spoke softly so as to not disturb Ran: "Young man, have you eaten anything this morning? I have been remiss as a host, I fear."
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Rekkan
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Re: Hunted

Post by Rekkan » Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:18 pm

The druid's hand grasped the surface of Ran's wound and retrieved each larva with haste and precision. They held the flesh tightly, but Rekkan pulled them harder. There was no chance for them to continue feasting on the body of the southerner. "Rest, Ran Azshmatha.", he said with calm, standing up and walking away from the fire.

The young man turned around to observe Saruna about to grab his belongings. He was somewhat possessive, as if that which he wore and wielded was too precious to let anyone but him use it. "I'm sorry.", said the druid as he intercepted Saruna's hand with his own. "I will take care of my own things."

Darkness covered the atmosphere outside. Rekkan peeked out of the sturdy window and looked back at Ran. He didn't know how the man ended up with those injuries exactly, but some had been definitely made by human-crafted objects. Could it be that he was part of a skirmish? In any case, the druid couldn't let things stay the way they were. If he left now, it was possible that Ran and Saruna became helpless, at least for this night in particular, in which the southerner needed to recover from his injuries. Some careful watching was needed.

Saruna's question made Rekkan's stomach growl very gently. It was silent, so Rekkan wouldn't need to worry about the old woman pressing on the topic. She didn't seem like the type that would press on it, in fact. "I am fine, old woman. I shall leave for the night and return at dawn to check on Ran. Good night.", the druid grabbed his belongings and equipped himself back with his cloak. The larvae were placed back in the jar, which was placed inside the young man's bag with the dirty bowl and mixer. He would clean those in the morning. The paste, when completely dry, actually provided one with a considerable amount of proteins. Then, the druid left.

A few feet away from Saruna's house was a tree with enough foliage among its branches. It would do for perfect cover during the night. Rekkan climbed into the darkness that set inside the thick foliage and sat on a branch, leaning his back against the trunk. His spirit remained vigilante, with his eyes always open and body ready for any situation.

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