[Aylasa Caves] Reunion (Sturlin & Sam)

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"You know how to tie a tourniquet?" he asked. That sort of thing would keep a leg from bleeding out in the time it took to get back to civilization. "Anyway, I hope you gave Francis some sugarcubes for keeping you alive."

He grinned. Life was one big adventure, anyway.

[Sturlin]

"The horse was actually useless," he said with a frown on his face. After a moment he amended, "Actually, he wasn't present when I killed the beast, and I don't know how to ride him. You're right though, leaning on him was all that allowed me to limp back to Syliras." He felt no need to comment on how difficult it was to limp for two days with a tourniquet around your savaged thigh.

After remembering the first question he said, "I did not tie one well. I only had my belt. Perhaps I should study under a healer, but I have no funds or time for such an apprenticeship." At last he removed his hand from his thigh, as if doing so would banish the discomfort.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

Sam blinked and tried not to gape. The man owned a horse, but didn't know how to ride. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it, blowing air through it as he tried to process what was, for him, so highly unlikely.

"I can teach you to ride," he said. "And you can probably trade something for some first aid lessons from that healer you mentioned worked on your leg... If you're going to be up here by yourself, you should know how to utilize your horse and how to care for yourself in the event of an injury...

"I mean, you know... well, you should..."

[Sturlin]

"You're right, of course," he admitted with honesty, "The horse is less essential than knowing how to repair my injuries. It would still prove a useful skill I am sure." There was no arguing with the statement, and so he was not embarrassed by Sam's response. The hunter had never considered riding lessons though. Lessons of that sort could prove interesting, and would widen the uses of what was for the moment just a pack horse.

"I came here, to these caves, so that I would have less to fear from monsters and injury while I continue my work. Among the rocks few physical dangers concern me." As he said this he reached out with his scarred hand and picked up a flat rock. Were it not so large it would have been a perfectly shaped stone for skipping upon the surface of a lake or stream. Sam might notice that he had widened the range of movement in his injured hand since last they met. Those stretches and exercises Miharu recommended were beginning to pay off.

With a clatter he let the rock fall and looked back to Sam. His time alone in these caves since he returned the child to her orphanage had been hard on him. Talking to himself was one of the problems which concerned him the most recently, and saying things in front of strangers was now added to his list of troubles. It was unlikely that Sam would guess the meaning of his statement, but that did not change how suspicious it had sounded.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

If Sam caught anything strange attached to Sturlin's mention of work, he didn't say. It wasn't polite, and he figured any man who lived with a few animals out in the wilderness basically wanted to be left alone. In that, he could oblige Sturlin. And while he was sitting at his campfire, sharing his meal, he was a guest and would be treated with respect. So Sam kept mum whether he was curious or not.

"Well, I'm in no hurry to get back. You could bring Francis down and I'll show you a thing or two about riding... Or maybe just how to lash yourself to the saddle in case you're worried about passing out and falling off." He grinned like the idea was amusing.

[Sturlin]

Scratching at the underside of his chin he considered the offer. He was in no hurry at the moment either, and he had been struggling to find a use which justified keeping Francis given recent events. It would be nice for the animal to help speed him up rather than slow him down. With a nod he said, "I will go collect Francis then. I am sure Mr. Pickles will want to come and greet you in person as well."

"I will return swiftly." he said as he stood and brushed his pants with his hands. His temporary home was not far and Francis awaited him nearby, tethered as usual. Sturlin offered a small wave as he headed out of the camp. Not wanting to make Sam wait any longer than he needed, the hunter did not dawdle for anything. Once he had reached his campsite tucked neatly away inside a shallow section of cave he untethered Francis.

As they left the cave together Sturlin stroked his friend's shoulder. With little time wasted they returned to Samael's camp. A little pink blur of stealth and claws followed in their shadows. Upon their return Sturlin took a deep breath of the cooking fish and said, "Perhaps we should do this well away from the fire. When I fall, I would prefer to avoid open flame."

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"Don't fall, then," Sam said, laughing.

The food was finished, and he broke off a piece of trout in his fingers to hold out to Mister Pickles. He knew that the way to a cat's heart was through its stomach, at least until the next person fed it. A plate was already laid out for Sturlin, and Horse whickered acknowledgement and welcome to Francis. There was time enough for riding, but first things first: supper.

"Seriously, you shouldn't fall off at a walk. Unless, you know, losing blood and not lashed in."

[Sturlin]

Mr. Pickles scooped up the offered food and devoured it greedily. Once it had disappeared behind his fangs he licked his little pink chops. Purring loudly he approached Sam's ankles to beg for more by rubbing up against him and paying playfully. The friendly little cat could be extremely cute when he wanted to be. Fish was one of those things which would motivate him.

Sturlin was almost as excited about the meal as his cat was. Both of the salty woodsmen made it clear that the way to earn their affection was through their stomach. After weeks of eating jerky and his own poor cooking this fish smelled delicious. Allowing Francis to wander over toward Horse, Sturlin moved to sit next to the fire.

"Are you sure? Riding those beasts..." He shrugged, unsure of how to finish that sentence.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"Well, I've been riding since I could walk," he said, "so I might be biased..."

After shoveling some into his mouth, he broke off more for Mister Pickles and gave him a bit of a scritch behind the ears.

[Sturlin]

"Perhaps. Just don't get one of my legs broken." The left side of his mouth twitched as the right side formed into a smirk. He waited for Sam to collect his own food before scooping some up for himself. Oh. Yes. So much better than flavorless gravy dripped on tough old biscuits. The cat nuzzled against the scritches and arced his back, hoping for more.