PM to join [Avitar River] Drink Deep (Viper and Lynn)

[Litani]

Timestamp: 68th day of Summer season, 513

The Syliras sun etched its way slowly into the morning sky, dancing amongst the scarlet iced clouds that illuminated the dawn so richly. It was not yet near the 7th Bell, yet Litani found herself already risen and dressed, her fast broken, her intent set. She walked in lockstep with a Drykas warrior as they headed north out of the city and the distant hum of Syliras lay behind them... fading in favor of the low thrum of summer insects, the quiet calls of the distantly waking songbirds, and the way the slow morning wind whispered through the dew-laden trees. The pair walked together in a comfortable silence - both on foot, side by side, he with a magnificent Strider following close at his heels.

Over the last few days, the Konti had undergone a distinctly noticeable healing, her body and spirit resurrecting themselves from the weariness that she'd taken from her journey across the Sea of Grass. The ache of her sunburns had faded into a healthy bronze tone, giving her skin a remarkably intricate appearance as the darker color contrasted with the pale iridescence of her Konti scaling. She no longer walked with the paralyzing limp of saddle sores; instead, her steps carried the full expression of her graceful gait and she flowed fluidly beside Viper as they walked together, every inch the ethereal healer, every movement smooth. A far cry she was from only a few days before - burnt, peeling, crippled and hurting from the break-neck speed she'd taken during her flight from Riverfall. Now, she was something of herself again. Now, she was stronger.

They'd come with provisions and supply, all of which was prepared by Litani's hand and packed on Aeyan's saddle. It was not without a subtle tease that Viper reminded her of the need for water, harkening back to their encounter not a week prior; she'd seen to the need and brought plenty with her, as well as food and tools for flesh carving and for herb gathering. This time, their hunt was more coordinated, more well planned. This time, they worked together.

A Bell passed between them as they moved farther into the wilderness, walking at a fair pace and speaking occasionally, but passing the time in an easy quiet that seemed oddly... natural. Litani, for her part, found the fact comforting - theirs had been a strange series of conversations lately, but somehow they had settled into relaxed familiarity that soothed her.

When the time was right, when the place was right, they agreed to part ways - he left her by the edge of the river so she might scout out the more elusive of the water-born herbs and, alone, he slipped into the forest to stalk his prey. Aeyan was also left with her, as the large and beautiful steed would likely spook any chance at game Viper might have. And besides, the Strider would protect her. Viper had insisted... and Litani only smirked in response.

So it was that the Konti knelt quietly by the river and set her small blade to the roots of a nearby plant, intending to work it gently free of the wet ground and collect it for some potion or herbage mixture. Aeyan kept watch over her and quietly munched at some nearby foliage, his breathing and rhythmic crunching sounds soft and low. She paused occasionally to glance up and around at her surroundings, noting the flitting of birds and the scurrying of small squirrels and the like... but, of a whole, she seemed remarkably content to mind her own self in her quest to gather. For once in the last week, her thoughts were at rest... and she knew something of the solace she'd come back home seeking.

[Lynn]

Lynn woke to the sound of birdsong. She raised her head slowly, careful not to disturb the brush in which she was hidden, and quickly scanned the area, large brown eyes searching for any sign of predators. When she was satisfied of her safety, she turned her eyes upward, long neck stretching towards the dense canopy above her. A beautiful rosy glow filtered through the trees that seemed to set everything afire. For a moment, the Bronze Wood truly lived up to its name; but, like all moments, it passed, the colors gradually returning to normal as the sun continued its ascent. It had been two days since the young Kelvic journeyed out to the wilderness, looking for an escape from the sometimes overwhelming hustle and bustle of the city. Despite being born, raised, and treated as a human for all of her nearly three years of life, Lynn felt more comfortable in the woods, more at home, more alive than she ever did within the castle walls of her birthplace. The more time she spent among the wild beauty of the Bronze Wood, the more her worries and fears simply melted away, leaving her with a strange but welcome sense of peace. Human life was so complicated, full of endless frustration and disappointment; why shouldn't she choose instead the visceral simplicity of a wild life? Yet even now, with all the arguments for that simple, wild existence all around her, Lynn could not abandon her dreams. Her adoptive -- her mother had taken her in, taught her faith and kindness, and given her a chance to live for more than just herself, but for the good others. Lynn would not squander that gift. Resolving to return to Syliras that night, she stood, shaking the dirt and debris of the forest floor from her red-brown fur. If this day was to be the last of her visit, she wanted to spend it well. Lynn took a moment to nudge her pack deeper into the brush, taking care to bury it partially beneath a layer of plant litter in hopes of concealing her scent, then set off. Her hiding place was not too far from the Avitar River -- perhaps only thirty chimes at a leisurely pace -- but she had slaked her thirst just before lying down to rest; instead, she remembered an elderberry bush she had passed on her way back from the river the night before. The dark purple berries were just ripe enough to be enjoyed, but the distant scent of a predator had sent her straight back to her hideaway. Now that the sun was up, Lynn felt safe enough to return, her stomach grumbling in agreement as she took off at a run. The bush was exactly where she remembered it, though its fruit a bit more sparse. Still, there was plenty enough to fill her belly. Lynn nibbled at a patch of especially ripe-looking berries, listening always for the approach of another animal, but the only sounds she heard were the sweet singing of birds and the distant flow of the river, and she gave herself over to bliss.

[Viper]

A new day, Viper thought. A new beginning. Recent events had left his mind scatter brained as he struggled with what to do with himself. In an reckless attempt to help his people, Viper very nearly went through with his peoples misguided plan of action to turn things around in his homeland. His conscience however would not stop plaguing him, and he found himself compelled to change his course back to what he knew was right. Still that was little consolation to him. And now he had more things to worry about. Would he be safe in either country? Would Litani find out? If she did....what would she think of him? Over the course of their first few days together, he noticed she had an almost eerie ability to tell what he was thinking.

So he had taken to being a little bit over happy whenever they would first meet so as to more easily conceal his concerns. In point of fact, when she was around, he found it relatively easy to take his mind off his worries. Just like their shared dream, she seemed to have a way of calming him like nothing he had seen before. A smirk would usually pass across his face if the thought of her casting some spell to create this feeling ever came up. He knew...or at least strongly believed now that she wasn't the type for such selfish control.

Although their dream was fraught with danger, fear, and an intense whirlwind of emotions that was just about enough to make anyone's head spin. Viper found their current interactions in the real world pleasantly relaxed, if be it a bit awkward at times, considering the dream they shared.. Actions and desires acted upon, and words spoken in the carefree realm of the dream world were all well and good, and indeed liberating at times. But it was in the end the real world that mattered. And Viper was enjoying his time spent with this women of his dreams...or their dream.

As they packed for the morning, he couldn't help but let slip a small laugh to see how well she had prepared for this outing in the woods. A stark contrast indeed from when then first met. Traveling far out from the city till they made it to the Avitar River, Viper bid both Litani and his faithful Strider a fond farewell for now, and headed off into the forest.

The place was alive with the chorus of songbirds. Beams of light filtered through the trees casting a soft warm glow that just seem to make all the colors of the forest pop. An appreciative smile crept on his face as he stalked deeper and deeper into the forest, looking for prey. There was sign all around him. But he was looking for something specific. He wanted another deer if at all possible. This was a new area to him though so he would have to do some scouting around. A few chimes had passed before he finally got his first glimpse at evidence his potential target was nearby. A scraping in the ground...and nearby small plants that had been chewed down almost to the base. Then finally after a few more chimes of searching, a footprint that confirmed what he had suspected passed through.

Viper followed the clues, and eventually located a game trail. Perfect, he thought to himself. Maybe this would take him by a good location from which he could spy out an area and lay in ambush. His quest for a good position did not last long. For before him just a head lay another berry bush. One of his preferred locations. Looking around, he found a suitable tree from which he could keep a watchful eye. Quickly scurrying up, he broke of a few branches as quietly as he could, and stuck them into pockets or his belt in order to break up his profile and conceal himself all the more to any suspecting prey animal.

Finally satisfied, he settled in for what could be a very long wait. Animals came by the bush snatching up what they could of the treats nature offered. A rabbit here, a coon there. The coon did give him slight pause. He thought about harvesting it for a while, but eventually decided against it. He wanted a deer. And if the tracks in the area were any indication, a deer he would have eventually if his luck held out. Viper wouldn't settle for less due to impatience...though at times he admitted it did get the better of him. This time however, patience won out. And so he waited.

Suddenly a crashing through the woods captured Viper's attention. What in the world? He thought to himself. Whatever it was, it was big. Perhaps his target had come to reveal itself at last? Peering through the branches below, he finally caught sight of what was breaking the peaceful serenity of the area. A red deer! A grin flashed across his face as he shook his head slightly. Wow, poor thing must be hungry to be in such a hurry. Well I couldn't agree more... Viper drew an arrow and quietly, slowly knocked it in place.

Closer, the deer came. Instinctively, Viper raised his bow to take aim. He waited till the 'animal' was at the berry bush before finally drawing back the arrow. As his prey began to feast on the berries still available, Viper held his breath so as not to throw off his aim. But the gods seem to be not without a sense of humor. Although anchored in just fine this whole time in his stand, his foot slipped some at the last moment as he leaned a little bit too far out to get his shot. The arrow was inadvertently released prematurely. Like a flash of light, it streaked toward it's intended victim at breakneck speed. But Viper could still tell the trajectory was too high. His heart sank in disappointment. Perhaps he would still get lucky and get a crippling enough shot to be able to fire another....

[Lynn]

The elderberries were delicious, sweeter than she would have expected this time of year. It was no wonder the fruit was disappearing fast. As Lynn feasted, she picked up the scent of other grazers that had visited the bush before her -- a hint of raccoon here, a touch of fox there, even the fast-fading musk of a bear, though he must have been here several days prior, so faint was his mark. Still, her body tensed at that particular smell, and a wave of uneasiness washed over her as she began to take a closer account of her surroundings. In her haste to reach the elderberry bush, Lynn had left a clear path of approach, a trail of broken twigs and crushed leaves that led straight to her. Cursing her carelessness, she sniffed the air anxiously, her hunger entirely forgotten. She saw no sign of any immediate danger, but it would be better to move, quietly and carefully, upwind, taking care to leave no telltale signs this time. She was about to take a tentative step when she heard a noise behind her, froze, and then -- Pain. Blood. Panic. Lynn's shoulder exploded in agony as the arrow lodged itself deep in her flesh. Instinct took over, and she ran, not knowing where, just away, away. After only a few steps, however, her injured leg buckled and gave, sending her crashing noisily into the brush. Her blood was everywhere. She struggled to her feet, stumbled, then to her feet again, urging her throbbing shoulder to work, gods damn you, run! To no avail. The arrow had buried itself well into her right shoulder, its point rubbing against bone, making each step a new lesson in pain. When she collapsed once more, Lynn could think of only one thing that might save her. The hunter would be coming after her, that much she knew. But if he found a girl bleeding in the brush, instead of a deer.. A flash of swirling lights surrounded the injured deer for an instant, and when they dissipated, Lynn was a human once more. Now that she was bipedal, she should be able to continue back to her hiding spot, where there was a small jar of Krolar poultice tucked away in her pack. The promise of relief, however small, from the blinding pain was enough to push her forward for a few halting steps. But then her foot caught on an exposed root and, out of instinct, she threw her hands out to catch her fall. A jolt of pure fire ran the length of her arm when her hand met the ground, and she screamed loud enough to be heard halfway back to Syliras. Clutching her arm so tightly that her knuckles turned white, Lynn inched slowly, painfully, to the nearest tree and leaned back against it, its rough bark leaving angry red scratches on her bare back, though she was in no position to notice or care. Her wound needed to be tended to, but she had no idea where to even begin removing the arrow; no antiseptic, no bandages, nothing to even staunch the blood that was flowing freely down her arm. "Gods," she sobbed, as she realized that her survival might very well rest on the shoulders of the same man or woman who had, just moments ago, tried to kill her. "Priskil, give me strength."

[Viper]

An astonished look appeared on Viper's face. He couldn't believe his arrow managed to hit his target. Sometimes it really was better to be lucky than good, he mused to himself. Although his shot was unfortunately, not mortal, at least it appeared to land in a spot that would make the 'animal' easy to track. He quickly jumped down from his roost in the tree and armed his bow. His head darted toward the direction of the snapping branches and loud hoof beats of his retreating prey, and he instantly gave chase.

Even wounded though, she had managed to put a far bit of distance between herself and Viper. It had begun to get almost impossible for Viper to hear the sounds of her escape when she had collapsed. So a recourse, he began to scan the ground for tell tale signs of her direction. A broken branch here, a drop of blood there. Eventually he even stumbled onto the second half of his now broken arrow. As he looked upon it with a slight smirk, the forest quiet was suddenly shattered by the screams of a woman.

Viper's eye widened at the sound. "What in the world…?" He pulled back the arrow knocked into his bow and lit after the sound with all haste. Getting closer and closer, he could soon here the rustling of leaves once more, but as of yet, still could not see the source of the earlier shriek. As he rounded a bush, finally closing on what he couldn't even guess to be going on, he drew his bow back all the way completely prepared to fire at whatever hostile thing lay beyond.

What he found shocked him even more. It was indeed a woman. A woman stark naked sporting a broken arrow protruding from her shoulder. His mouth hung open for a moment as he tried to process what had just happened. As the reality of the situation, became apparent in his mind. He quickly lowered his bow and began to rush to her side. "Oh gods…what have I done…?" He said in a horrified manner to himself as he approached, his hands outstretched trying to indicate he was actually no threat. "Ma'am, I'm…I'm sorry! I didn't realize you were a…." He cut himself off realizing now was probably not the time for apologies. What he needed to do was asses the damage try and seal off the wound, and get her to a healer. Litani! Yes! Litani could help with this, he realized. "Can I help you!? " At this point the woman would be justifiably more likely to counter attack him as she would be to accept his aid. So he continued to finish his approach cautiously.

[Lynn]

Though only lasting a few chimes, the wait was unbearable. Lynn had never experienced pain so great. She thought for a moment of the healers at the Soothing Waters; but the journey back to the city was long, even at full speed, and in her current condition? Impossible. She could hear the hunter approaching, and whether he meant to help her or harm her, she was completely at his mercy. As the sounds of his pursuit drew nearer, Lynn felt her heartbeat quicken. She hoped, prayed, that he would show her kindness, but a deep sense of dread filled her belly as a hundred more sinister possibilities filled her thoughts. Her usual optimism had deserted her, pushed out by the sharp point of the arrow, replaced now by an overwhelming instinct to flee -- but her pain kept her rooted to the spot. When the hunter finally came into view, bowstring taut and arrow pointed directly at her, Lynn's worst fears were realized. My gods, he's going to kill me! Panic and adrenaline coursed through her, giving her a sudden burst of energy. With no time to think, she acted purely on instinct, rolling to the side and shoving herself to her feet despite the pain, taking off at a run -- -- or rather, she would have, if she had not slammed her shoulder into the tree trunk on that first roll, the impact driving the broken arrow so deep into her shoulder that it almost came out the other side. Lynn's scream caught in her throat, the pain so intense that all she could manage was a breathless gasp. I'm going to die here, she thought helplessly. Rak'keli, he's going to kill me, and I never got to serve you.. "Ma'am, I'm.. I'm sorry! I didn't realize you were a..." His apology cut through the haze of her final thoughts. Lynn raised her eyes, fear and surprise making them wide as plates, and took in his expression, his stance, his sudden lack of a weapon. Was.. was he really going to help her? Her mind went immediately to her pack, and the meager collection of supplies within; it wouldn't be enough. Lynn needed real medical treatment, a healer, but even before that, she needed that damn shaft out. She eyed the hunter for a moment, fear and distrust painted clearly across her face, but her need eventually won out, at least for the moment. "I need.. a healer," she managed, gritting her teeth against the pain as she managed to rise to her knees, then, laboriously, to her feet. "Can.. can you remove the arrow? We have to get it out, have to st-stop the bleeding.." A wave of dizziness washed over her, making the trees and bushes, even his concerned face, spin in a sickening kaleidoscope. Her reckless flight and panicked heart rate had cost Lynn a lot of blood; if they didn't get her to a healer soon, she would be in trouble.

[Litani]

They weren't exactly subtle, neither of them, in the cacophony of pain and errors that lead them blundering and screaming through the morning forest. Hearing Lynn cry out, Litani stood from what she was doing, knife in hand and eyes trained on the trees in the direction of the sound. Aeyan looked up also, his steady eyes alert and glancing briefly between Litani and the underbrush through which his master had disappeared. He stamped a single foot and snorted a breath to Litani as if to communicate his wordless angst - something was clearly wrong, Viper was no where to be seen, and yet the Strider hadn't been called. He'd been left with this... untrained Konti. Still, he remained still and vigilant, as well disciplined a warrior as the Drykas whom he carried.

Litani's thoughts scattered in myriad directions; it was a woman's scream, not a man's, so like as not Viper was not at risk. Not yet. For a brief and harrowing second, something low in the pit of her stomach twisted into a sickening knot and her hands reached out sightlessly for Aeyan's barding, seeking him to steady her against the dark consideration that flashed behind her eyes. She turned her gaze to him and whisper something in Tukant, sharing a secret thought with him for a second time in that tongue... But then, with a breath, she sought her center and pushed away the fear.

I am here, now... Aeyan is strong, the forest is alive... I am here, now.

A gently shaking hand drew the edge of her knife against her thigh, cleaning it well enough to sheathe it in her pack. She bent gracefully and brushed her fingers against her right calf, ascertaining something for herself, just for her own peace of mind... Then she straightened again and stepped closer to Aeyan, readying herself to mount quickly if need be. This done, she watched carefully, waiting, her eyes dancing and never still, looking both toward the scream and away from it... waiting. Silent. Motionless.

[Viper]

Viper nodded his head quickly in response. "Aye...I can!" He knelt to the ground beside her, taking stock of the damage done and how best he should go about fixing it. The arrow was deep. The head of the arrow was also meant for hunting...it was meant to cause as much damage as possible. His eyes jumped from the wound to hers and back the wound. The damage inflicted was beyond his skill to heal. But he knew not far away, lay this woman's salvation. He just had to ensure she would be able to last that long. Every second was precious. And she had lost many with her obviously understandable attempt to flee.

Viper brought out the other half of the arrow. Quickly he forced it into her mouth. "Please bite down on this!..." Placing his hand softly at first, on her shoulder surrounding the wound and the protruding shaft of the arrow, his eyes turned to the Kelvic, "This...is going to hurt..." He waited just long enough for her acknowledgement to give her time to prepare her mind and body. When she seemed to understand what he said. His grip on her shoulder tight in an attempt to dull the pain as best he could. In the same swift movement. He yanked the arrow out of her shoulder. Causing some blood to splatter on his hands, and even a couple droplets onto his face.

He glanced at the arrow for just a moment to make sure it had all come out. Much to his relief, the arrowhead had not dislodged into her body. Tearing a strip of cloth from the bottom of his cloak, he quickly rapped it around the wound an tied it off tightly. Without the supplies in his saddlebag, that was going to be the best he could do for her.

Her face had turned very pale from the large amount of blood already lost. Pulling off his outer cloak completely now, he wrapped her failing body in it and gingerly picked her up. "Don't worry...I'll get you help. Just...hang in there ok?" His worry was apparent, even for her justly mistrustful self to see. With adrenaline pumping through his veins, he carried her as quickly as he could back to where he had left Litani and Aeyan. After he had gotten close enough, or at least figured he was close enough, he yelled out Litani's name. His instincts were to whistle for his horse. But he knew his faithful Strider would instantly abandon Litani if he did so. All he could do now was pray that she could hear him, and know Aeyan would safely carry her through the woods at a much faster pace.

Looking down to her weakening frame, he encouraged, "Almost there...don't give up...almost there!"

[Lynn]

Lynn watched him warily as he inspected the wound, her entire body tensed as if expecting some trick. Her breath came in quick, shallow bursts, her heart racing, her eyes wide and fearful, but the concern she saw in his own emerald gaze gave her some small ounce of comfort. Faith. He was no longer hunting her, he was trying to save her, and Lynn willed her body to relax so he could do just that. Trust. Even with that in mind, she couldn't help but flinch when he tried to force the broken arrow shaft into her mouth. Her head drew back sharply, away from the unexpected motion, but after realizing his intentions, Lynn did as she was told. The earthy tastes of wood and dirt filled her mouth, calming her some. She shut her eyes tightly and, after taking a moment to steel herself against the pain she knew was to come, nodded once, giving him the go-ahead to remove the arrow. His grip on her shoulder tightened, she bit down hard, she could feel the arrowhead tug at the flesh within her shoulder -- Wait, was he pulling it back out? No, gods, push it through, don't -- Lynn's shriek was only slightly muffled by the wood held between her clenched teeth. Her fingernails dug deep into the pale flesh of her thighs as the arrow was ripped free, the sharp, unforgiving points of the arrowhead doing even more damage on the way out than they had done initially. She dropped the second half of the arrow from her mouth and sobbed, pinpoints of light dancing before her tear-filled eyes as the hunter wrapped a makeshift bandage around the wound. Lynn wanted to tell him it needed more pressure, to place more cloth beneath the wrap, there was too much blood -- but she couldn't seem to find her voice. She was so tired.. She was vaguely aware of being enveloped in rough cloth, of strong arms, of floating. No.. not floating. He was carrying her, running, his swift steps creating a soothing rhythm that brought her closer and closer to sweet sleep.. A faint shout reached Lynn's ears. Her eyes fluttered open, lids still heavy with fatigue, and she aimed her languid gaze upward, searching for his face. There was worry written all over it, in the curve of his mouth, the furrow of his brow, the determined set of his jaw. His mouth opened, but the sound she heard seemed so far away, it couldn't possibly be him.. could it? She tried to concentrate. Everything was out of focus, nothing but lights and colors swimming around in confusion -- everything but his face. Lynn drank it in, using it as an anchor to hold herself in the present. As she stared, the world slowly rearranged itself around him, gradually returning to order until -- "Litani!" His shout, the chorus of branches breaking around them as he bulled through the underbrush, even his labored breathing, it all came back in a rush of clarity. Unfortunately, so did the pain. Lynn clutched tightly at the hunter's shirt, praying to all the gods that whatever 'Litani' meant, it would bring her closer to being whole again.

[Litani]

Another scream. More of the woods crashing.

Litani pressed her lips together and all but leapt up into Aeyan's saddle, nearly losing her footing in her eagerness and his - the Strider sensed something was wrong, could likely smell the blood and fear in the air, and he was as restless as the Konti to find out what that something was. In his haste, he nearly bolted before Litani had found her grip, but somehow the pair seemed to flow easily enough to let her stay mounted. Together they plunged through the underbrush in search of Viper and his... 'prey'.

Another cry. A woman's cry. In Tukant, to Aeyan, Litani whispered, "Find your master, beautiful one... go to him, take me, quickly!" and then fell silent, listening as his hooves pounded out the distance, unable to stand the seconds that drug on into minutes as they galloped and blundered and leapt over fallen trees and raced towards those who needed them. Aeyan's footing was sure and his intelligence unmatched; for a fleeting second when Litani realized how swiftly he'd found Viper, she envied the Drykas his bond with the Strider. But the time for envy could come later.

The time to wonder just what in the hell Viper was doing with a naked redhead in his arms could come later.

She was covered in blood. Her own blood. Covered, almost the entire side of her body... and his, for that matter. "Oh bleeding light, Viper...!" It took her only a quarter of a second to realize that the Drykas was not wounded - that, in fact, he had wounded her. Instinct made her blurt out the demanding question; affection made her dull the accusation that would otherwise have been there: "Oh Viper, what happened?!"

At once, she was upon them, reining up Aeyan and jumping to the ground with an easy grace. She ran across the small distance to the pair and reflexively helped him bear Lynn to the ground; she herself was a tall woman, standing perhaps 5'10, extraordinarily tall for a Konti and as strong as a human her size. She wanted to take the wounded Kelvic into her arms and mend everything, as a matter of instinct, but knew herself unable to do so... on multiple levels. Still, she shared in her part of Lynn's weight until - gently - the wounded deer was resting on the still, calm earth. As she looked over the wound, she set a hand on Lynn's forehead and smoothed the hair back softly, murmuring in a low and hypnotically calm contralto, "T'will be all right... you are safe now. You are in Rak'keli's hands... t'will be all right."

Briefly, Litani flicked her eyes up at Viper. She was silent for an instant, guessing what had been done, feeling Lynn's body clattering through her own senses as her Gift blazed with the rich sickness of shredded flesh and pierced bone. She flinched as she felt it, even as she looked into Viper's face. When she spoke, her voice was distant, almost detached, almost a whisper: "Go to Aeyan, get my pack. Then take off your shirt. Shred it into strips, leave me the seams in place. I'll need their strength. Then bring me every canteen of water we have - and bring me the flask at the bottom of my satchel."

They were not meant as harshly barked commands - if anything, she struggled to get the words out as the truth of Lynn's condition settled into her mind mind. Blinking, she forced the feeling down, locked it behind the caged walls of control and renewed her focus on Viper. She said softly, urgently, "Please," and then returned her gaze to Lynn. "Look at me, wild one," she said then, summoning a soft smile to her features. Lynn's pain was all too apparent to the sensitive Konti, but she bore it gracefully, bore it with the hands of a practiced healer. "Look at me and keep focus on my eyes. Here, look... stay here, don't fall asleep. I know you want to, but you may not wake if you do, so stay with me..." As she spoke, her body opened itself and her soul whispered to the Goddess she so adored - Lady... only my memory of You preserves my hands from ignorance... only my hope of You makes, from the noise of anguish, a music... "There will be sleep later, I promise."

Within and without, the Konti started to shift; her consciousness focused itself on the bleeding Kelvic and she summoned what grace was afforded to her by the Gnosis mark of her birth. The wound itself she could not fully close - she lacked the strength, lacked the power - but she could purify the flesh, protect it and give it leave to heal itself properly... As she worked, as Rak'keli's mercy radiated through her hands, she laid one hand to either side of Lynn's wound and gently willed the sundered skin to mend itself, then moved the heel of her right palm to the angry pit of torn skin. The depths of the gash did obey her; sinew and muscle started to pull back into one, and although she could do nothing for the scored bone, she felt the deepest wells of pierced veins slowly ebb... slowly stop. The pressure she applied with the heel of her hand was hard - uncomfortably hard - but it also stamped out some of the more insistently raging, frayed nerves that so beleaguered the girl. She could not close it fully - it would need stitches - but she could stop the most rampant of the bleeding at least.

Should Lynn move or bolt, all would be undone... but for now... the greatest of the loss should be stemmed.

While she waited for the things she'd requested of Viper, softly, she started to pray. Her words whispered forth in Tukant, the language of the Akalak, the language that she prayed and hoped and dreamed in. She prayed for Lynn in soft, repeating verses of chanted hymns she'd once known as a girl... but she also prayed for herself, begging the Goddess for Her favor, and for the wisdom to respond properly. Here. In the wilderness. Without her tools, without her mentor, without her sanctuary. Just here....

"Here where we need Your voice, my Lady, here where we need Your peace."