Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Feb 2, 2010 12:16:28 GMT -5
Conall barely had time enough to take a sufficient breath, much less to cry out, before being dragged under the surface. He clawed at the hands that held him, kicking against his captor as he tried to hold his breath.
His eyes were wide with fear; he could see the form of his captor: a kelpie, he realized instantly. Just his luck to run afoul of an Unseelie when no one was nearby to help him. He was going to die... naked, alone, unremembered and unmourned. He struggled harder as this thought rose up in his mind. He had already tasted a temporary death; he did not want to suffer a permanent one!
Bubbles streamed from between his clenched teeth as he thrashed and scratched at the kelpie's deathly-cold hands, trying to pry them away from his throat. He remembered Aimhirghin's debt to him, and knew the Sidhe would remember it too... but was he even near enough to help him?
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Feb 2, 2010 12:28:13 GMT -5
The kelpie jerked away suddenly, a scream bubbling through the water. It shifted form, to a pike, and disappeared into the now murky water. A hand pulled Conall out of the water, grey eyes looking closely at Conall's yellow. Conall's sword was in the Daoine Sidhe's other hand, dripping with what seemed to be thick blue blood mixed with water. He dropped the blade and rubbed his hand, glancing into the water.
"Art thou unhurt?" Korlian asked, kicking the sword away a little. Damn steel. It was enough to burn, without a mark. His lip curled as the Kelpie came back, and he grabbed the sword hilt. Dark fur and staring red eyes rose out of the water, claws extending from the Unseelie's fingers. It came forward and Korlian moved between the creature and its prey. The sword wove expertly in front of the Fae, keeping the Kelpie at bay as it stared at the steel.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Feb 2, 2010 12:38:12 GMT -5
Conall gasped and sputtered for air as he was pulled suddenly from the water. He nodded silently in response to Aimhirghin's query, moving quickly away from the river and pulling his dry leine over his dripping body for modesty's sake. He watched in silence, huddled on the riverbank as Aimhirghin moved between him and the kelpie, sword in hand. Gratitude mingled with wonder welled up in him as he watched the warrior-Fae face off against the Unseelie.
Part of Conall's mind told him to get as far away from the battleground as possible, but another part urged him to stay and observe. Besides, he was going to want his sword back, and once this was over Aimhirghin had no real reason to linger there. Their debt was nullified, or would be. So he stayed, recovering his breath, entranced by the deadly grace of a warrior in his element.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Feb 2, 2010 13:02:02 GMT -5
The Kelpie finally overcame its fear of the blade at seeing its prey move as if to escape. Korlian leaned forward a little, the feral smile coming upon his face again. Claws reached for him and he countered with the sword. The Kelpie screamed and leapt over the sword, knocking Korlian over. As it ran toward Conall, the Sidhe grabbed it and threw it into a tree, rising to his feet quickly. The creature snarled and spun, launching itself directly at Korlian.
He staggered back, an arm thrown over his throat to protect it as the Kelpie's claws came at him. Blood began to soak fur and clothes, and Korlian snarled angrily. The Kelpie was thrown against a tree again and the sword pinned it through the chest. Korlian's lip curled as he jerked the blade out, and used it to remove the Kelpie's head. Blood, still thick and blue, gushed from the neck as the body jerked violently and then fell still.
Korlian stabbed the blade into the ground to clean it and set it down, nodding at it. "I believe that is thine." He put a hand to his chest, three marks torn through the shirt and the flesh beneath.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Feb 2, 2010 13:08:23 GMT -5
Conall nodded slowly, looking up at Aimhirghin. "Aye, it is..."
He rose quickly to his feet at seeing the wounds in the Sidhe's chest. "Ye're injured. Let me see to your wounds... 'tis the least I can do since ye saved my life. Please." He knelt quickly and opened his pack, pulling out a clean, dry leine and beginning to tear it into strips to use for bandages.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Feb 2, 2010 13:15:35 GMT -5
Korlian looked at him, shaking his head slightly. The blood began to cover his fingers and his lip curled.
"Twas repayment of a debt, nothing more," he said coolly. He moved to step away and staggered, his lip curling worse. His jaw set but he slowly sat down. "Fine."
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Feb 2, 2010 13:23:07 GMT -5
Conall nodded, moving closer to Aimhirghin. He pulled up the Sidhe's shirt carefully to examine the wounds, then wrapped the strips of cloth firmly but gently around them to slow the bleeding.
The sight of Aimhirghin's blue blood was fascinating, but it held no temptation for him, being so strange and different from the blood he drank. That was well; it meant he was able to work without worrying about the taste of it. He finished binding the wound and knotting the cloth in place, then moved away by an arm's length, holding out his hand to the Fae.
"Are ye able to stand, my lord?" he asked carefully. If he wasn't, Conall reasoned, it would be safe to rest here for a while now that the kelpie was dead. And Conall could perhaps get some proper sleep.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Feb 2, 2010 14:13:12 GMT -5
Korlian forced himself to his feet, but staggered again and nearly fell. He set his jaw stubbornly and tried to walk away again, but fell and gasped softly as he hit the ground. His face was somehow paler than normal, just white without the faint blue tinge he'd had until now. He breathed carefully, his jaw still set.
"Apparently not," he grated, putting a hand carefully to his chest again. Grateful that his brother wasn't here to taunt him for being so foolish as to get hurt, he sighed softly. The wound would heal quickly, but it didn't make it any less frustrating.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Feb 2, 2010 15:26:13 GMT -5
Conall moved quickly to help Aimhirghin as he staggered and fell, able to at least keep the Sidhe from hitting the ground too hard. His pallor -- unnatural even for one of that ilk -- was unsettling. The wound must have been affecting Aimhirghin more than he was willing to let on.
"If ye can't stand, ye should lie still and rest," Conall urged him gently. "If it would please ye, I'll stay with ye until ye're well enough to move. Shall I build a fire?" He wanted to keep the Fae warm, and himself dry; it might also be of use against enemies. But he would only use it if Aimhirghin permitted him. This was his land, after all.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Feb 2, 2010 22:12:46 GMT -5
"Fallen branches only. I've killed men for less," Korlian said softly, his voice tight in his anger at himself. His eyes drifted closed slowly as he leaned back against a tree. It was probably shock, but he was feeling oddly weak.
His breathing slowed and his head slumped forward as his consciousness slipped away. Slowly leaning to the side, he ended up curled up on his side, half-asleep and half-passed out.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Feb 2, 2010 22:39:35 GMT -5
Conall nodded, wincing in concern as the Sidhe slowly passed out. He hurried to gather branches from the ground nearby, building a small fire a safe distance from Aimhirghin. He sat close to the Fae, watching him silently. After some thought he picked up his cloak, brushed off the dirt and draped it carefully over Aimhirghin's still form.
He sat for a long while in silence, watching and listening for anything approaching, whether friendly or not. But eventually the warmth of the fire and the calm of the night lulled him into half-sleep, and he curled up on the riverbank with his pack for a pillow, closing his eyes and allowing himself to drift off into dreams.
The wood around him was bright with sunlight, thick with the smells of flowers and herbs. He was following the music of Aimhirghin's panpipes down the narrow path, looking around for the hidden minstrel in the trees. The music was not haunting this time, but light and cheerful, and he followed it eagerly.
The path curved away ahead of him, and he rounded the bend, wondering what he might see beyond. A woman sat in a quiet glen, the sunlight falling upon her fiery red hair and turning it into spun flame around her head. She did not see him immediately; when she looked up, her bright green eyes filled with delight, and she rose quickly to her feet, calling his name joyfully.
Conall's heart leaped as he watched the woman rise and turn to him, seeing that he was looking into Aerona's eyes. His Aerona, standing tall under the sun, as alive and well as ever she could be. He laughed in joy, rushing down the path toward her as she stood in wait.
The earth split between them, forming a gaping chasm; Conall teetered on the edge before steadying himself. A cold, pale hand grabbed at his ankle, intent on pulling him down into the abyss; he shook it off and backed away several paces, then took a running start and leapt across the gorge.
He stood still for a moment, recovering his breath from the thrill of his leap, then reached out and pulled Aerona into his arms, holding her tightly against him and burying his face in her soft hair as he kissed her neck. He drew back, looking into her face, kissing her mouth...
...and reeled back, gagging as her warm, rosy flesh turned cold, green and putrid at his touch. He stared open-mouthed, seeing that he now held only the corpse of his wife. Her sightless eyes stared into his for a moment; then her head tipped lifelessly back, falling to the ground with a thud as her neck snapped. The rest of her body crumbled in his arms, falling into a pile of dead flesh at his feet. Horrified, repulsed, he staggered backward with a scream---
---and awoke, sitting bolt upright, eyes wide and chest heaving as he gasped for air. His scream echoed in the air around him, having startled several birds from their roosts in the nearest trees.
He stared around him for a few moments, wondering where he was and how he had gotten there; then his eyes fell on Aimhirghin, and he relaxed, remembering everything. Every horrible detail of the past few days. He shuddered silently at the weight of them all.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Feb 2, 2010 23:49:55 GMT -5
Korlian jerked awake as Conall screamed, his head searching rapidly for any danger before he laid it back down. Without really thinking about it, he pulled the cloak up around him a little more and curled up slightly. Grey eyes watched Conall for a moment, then unfocused and closed again.
He sighed softly and curled up a little more, then fell asleep again. He looked oddly innocent, the faint hint of color that he normally had slowly returning to his skin.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Feb 3, 2010 0:10:12 GMT -5
Conall watched Aimhirghin wake and glance over at him, then lay back down and fall asleep again. The color (what little there was of it) was returning to his cheeks now. That was good. He hoped Aimhirghin's wound was healing well too. He could tell the Sidhe was frustrated by it.
Conall lay back down himself, lying on his side, half-closing his eyes and watching the Sidhe quietly. He looked strangely innocent, his pale golden hair falling lightly over his face, lit silver by the moonlight. The fire had fallen to embers; he picked up a stick and stirred them tiredly, watching as a small flame leaped up.
After a few minutes he turned over onto his back, looking up at the sky. The moon was full tonight, and the sky was clear, sprinkled with stars. He gleaned what comfort he could from their light. Someone was apparently watching over him, even under his curse. That was an encouraging thought.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Feb 3, 2010 3:02:54 GMT -5
"Fare thee well, Lhachlhass" she said, disappearing into the shadows. Korlian started; Lhachlhass? Had she just called him Lhachlhass? He tried to follow, only to be surrounded by blades. He heard his father again, condemning him. The pain seared his heart, he ran... slipped and cut his cheek, scrambled to his feet and kept running. His brother... Lhachlhass could help him, he had to...
The cell was cold, damp and dripping. The red cap leered at him and he only looked away, a strange emptiness in his chest. The days of torture had barely touched him, hadn't even reached through the cold his brother's betrayal had created. He was pulled out of the cell and bound, his head hanging over a basket. His eyes glanced around, seeing the one he'd once called brother. He couldn't read the expression in Lhachlhass' face, but it wasn't the happiness that filled the other faces he could see. Grey eyes burned into orange emotionlessly, but Lhachlhass still looked away first. Sighing slightly, Korlian merely lowered his head again as the axe fell.
He woke with a gasp, clutching at his throat as he sat up quickly. Sighing slightly, he leaned back against a tree again, wincing away from the sunlight flittering through the trees.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Feb 3, 2010 9:22:18 GMT -5
Conall stirred slowly, blinking as he woke up and wincing at the sunlight that fell into his eyes. He sat up and stretched, looking over at Aimhirghin with a small smile. "How are ye faring today, my lord? Is your wound paining ye at all?" he asked in concern, noticing the Sidhe wincing.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Feb 3, 2010 12:28:23 GMT -5
He rubbed his eyes slightly, blinking rapidly until his eyes adjusted to the light. "I am well, do not be concerned," he said softly, though as he shifted he winced again and put a hand to his chest. "Wounds always hurt as they heal. Pain is a warning... and a chastisement."
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Feb 3, 2010 12:36:11 GMT -5
Conall nodded. "I imagine the bandages need to be changed by now, if nothing else." He opened his pack, pulling out some more of the strips he had torn from his leine. He was fully intent on doing as much as he could to help the Sidhe for as long as he was needed; it was his fault Aimhirghin had been wounded in the first place.
It occurred to Conall then how phenomenally lucky he had been these past few days -- even when he had been in danger of his life, he had managed to get away with only a few minor bruises, while Aimhirghin had been burned twice, as well as slashed in the chest. It hardly seemed fair.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Feb 3, 2010 13:17:29 GMT -5
Korlian mostly ignored him, rising slowly to his feet. He wavered slightly but fought not to show it. His eyes closed slightly as he focused on how he felt, on the pain and his ability to keep walking. The bandages stuck slightly to his chest, blood soaked through to his shirt. He picked at it slightly, frustrated. If the fight hadn't ruined his tunic, the aftereffects certainly had. "First, I want to find some clean water," he said, still picking at the dried blood on his shirt.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Feb 3, 2010 13:22:56 GMT -5
"Aye, good idea." Conall nodded in assent, watching Aimhirghin carefully lest he stumble or fall. He climbed to his feet as well, knowing it would be dangerous for either of them to be alone here, especially the wounded Sidhe. He picked up his pack and shouldered it, then adjusted the belt that held his sword. "I'll go with ye. There's safety in numbers." They had proven that twice over in the past few days alone.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Feb 3, 2010 13:27:55 GMT -5
Korlian's lip curled slightly, but with his back to Conall, all the man could see was his slight nod. "The fire. Extinguish it fully. I would, but..." his voice trailed off as his pride fought to keep him from admitting weakness and his mind understanding that there was no 'admitting' to do. Conall had already seen him collapse; what greater admittance was there?
"We will probably want to boil the water we find, but I have no desire to use water holding blood of my distant kin."
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Feb 3, 2010 13:37:06 GMT -5
Conall nodded, bending down and smothering the fire completely with damp earth from the riverbank, then picking up his cloak, which Aimhirghin had left where he lay. He checked the area carefully for any stray embers; finding none, he moved to Aimhirghin's side. He did not offer to support the Sidhe as he walked -- he knew Aimhirghin had too much pride for that -- but he walked close at hand to help him if necessary.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Feb 3, 2010 13:43:44 GMT -5
Korlian glanced at him, then simply headed for a near stream. He staggered once, but caught his balance without help and simply continued.
By the time they could hear running water, Korlian had nearly fallen twice. Finally giving up on pride, he leaned against a tree, slumping to the ground slowly. He blinked slowly, his head spinning. The wound really wasn't all that bad, but he had lost enough blood to be lightheaded.
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Feb 3, 2010 14:00:32 GMT -5
Conall acted quickly and silently, building a small fire before digging to the bottom of his pack and finding a small but serviceable pot, which he pulled out by one handle as he reached around to hold it by the bottom.
The iron felt hot to his touch -- far hotter than it should have been, even if the sunlight had been warming it. He yelped and dropped the pot with a clang, looking in alarm at the palm of his right hand, which was obviously seared, and stinging badly.
"What..." he gasped, shock for a moment overriding his pain. "Impossible! I am not a Fae!" At least, I don't think so... What was going on?
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Feb 3, 2010 14:38:36 GMT -5
Korlian raised his head and looked over at Conall curiously. He looked at the pot, then at Conall's hand. "Nay, thou art not. A Fae would be burned far worse."
Standing carefully, he took a piece of cloth from Conall and wrapped it around the handle of the pot. Filling it with water, he set the pot over the fire. "Treat iron as if it was hot from a flame. It will be uncomfortable, but probably less so for thou than for me."
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Conall
Ireth
Ding dong, the witch is dead~
"Please do as I say, or I'll rip your throat out. How does that sound?"
Posts: 576
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Post by Conall on Feb 3, 2010 14:45:08 GMT -5
Conall nodded in response to Aimhirghin's advice, moving to immerse his stinging hand in the cold stream to soothe the pain. Drying his hand carefully on the hem of his leine, he crouched near the fire as he waited for the water to boil. This new trait was going to take quite a lot of getting used-to. He'd have to be more careful when handling his sword as well. Remembering the redcap, he shuddered a little. He could have been harmed just as easily as Aimhirghin had been.
He extinguished the fire and set the pot carefully down on the ground -- using cloth to protect both of his hands -- once the water was boiled and had cooled enough for him to safely touch it. Then he dipped some cloth in the hot water and gently peeled back the blood-soaked bandages around Aimhirghin's chest to examine the wound; it had begun to heal, but looked quite tender.
He couldn't see any herbs nearby that would have speeded the healing, and he didn't think it wise to go far away to look. Besides, Aimhirghin probably wouldn't have liked him to pick the plants in any case. He settled for getting the gashes as clean as possible with the water before binding them with clean bandages. He worked very carefully, knowing how much it would sting, not wanting to hurt his companion unnecessarily.
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