Flashback Memories of Days Gone By (Graded)

[Kaizer Dragos]

Date: Winter, 82, 513
Location: Cyprus wilderness near Ahnatep

A gentle breeze blew through the bare branches of the trees in the wilderness near Anhatep as a single man walked in the direction of the city. Having traveled for some time with a group of nomads, Kaizer parted company with the group as their destinations finally took them in different directions. The city was only a three day walk so Kaizer decided to take some time and enjoy the scenery. The low rolling hills and soft green grass spread out before Kaizer making the journey fairly calm. Even the sun shone down over the land bringing warmth to the early morning chill. The flowers weren't in blooming yet, but being so close to the end of winter, he could see a few scattered about that were eager for the arrival of spring.

Never one to travel with an excessive amount of gear the only things he had with him were the essentials needed for safe and healthy traveling. Even Kaizer's clothing was a little rugged as his journey had already dispensed with one set. Using a gnarled tree branch as a walking staff he walked quietly across the landscape while deep in thought about what had brought him here as the first place. Though traveling abroad was something Kaizer had wanted to do for a number of years now, that wasn't his only reason for leaving Lhavit.

On the second day of spring this very year his father had passed away, having spent more than a week in bed. After Valea's death more four years earlier he needed to get away. There were too many memories at home for him to deal with right now. Kaizer had no intention of abandoning life in Lhavit or running away from the loss of his father, but traveling abroad provided a chance to focus on other things while finding a way to come to terms with this loss. For a moment Kaizer thought about the whole situation, including traveling alone. In truth it wasn't something he was very fond of, especially after traveling with a group of friendly nomads for nearly two weeks. For a time he considered getting a traveling companion, an animal perhaps.

As he came to the top of a small hill Kaizer stopped for a moment to look around. There wasn't much to be seen and the city of Anhatep was nowhere in sight. It was a good thing he could follow a single direction rather well, otherwise it would have been easy to get lost out here. The leader of the nomads had given him fairly detailed directions as well as several landmarks to look out for along the way. One of them could already be seen in the distance so Kaizer began to walk in that direction. Having only been walking for about three hours he wasn't tired as the man was no stranger to exercise. That combined with a healthy diet allowed Kaizer to remain strong and vital even though he nearly forty years old.

Something else the man wasn't fond of was the gray hair that was starting to pepper the sides of his head. This was more of a recent development that came about after Heinrik passed away. No doubt the result of considerable emotional stress. It made Kaizer look older and with a slight grumble he ran a hand over the side of his head in a subconscious gesture.

Nearly twenty minutes later Kaizer was lost in thought when a sound brought his attention back to the present. Having not been paying attention the first time he didn't quite catch it, the second time it was unmistakable. It was the low growl of an animal, and taking a step back he looked to the left. From behind a small hill a single gray wolf appeared which Kaizer found to be odd, having heard they weren't common to the area. It was fully grown with a sleek coat and appeared to be much thinner than normal. Kaizer quicker surmised the wolf likely hadn't eaten for some time which wasn't a good sign, from the look in the animal's eyes dinner was exactly what was on its mind. Taking another step back he heard a second growl issue and another wolf appeared behind the first.

“Not good,” Kaizer said. Without warning the wolves let out a loud snarl and came dashing forward. Kaizer quickly dropped his backpack to the ground and brought the walking stick up in both hands like a club. When the first wolf lunged he swung and connected, causing the stick to shatter in a shower of wooden splinters against the wolf's head. The animal spun to the side with a loud yelp and seemed quite dazed by the attack. By the time the second wolf lunged Kaizer only had time to get one hand into the pair of metal gauntlets worn by his side. He was bowled over and the animal nearly clamped down on the man's neck had a metal clad forearm not been shoved into its mouth.

The wolf on top of him Kaizer was fighting to get his other hand into the second gauntlet. The wolf tried to draw back and bite around the gauntlet, but each time he would shove it back into the animal's mouth. Kaizer's pulse quickened as adrenaline began to flow, knowing these animals meant to kill him. This would be a fight to the death, be it theirs or his. After a moment of continued struggling Kaizer got his hand into the second gauntlet and pulled it free. With a powerful left hook he slammed the metal hand into the side of the wolf's head causing it to rear back with a yelp.

Now able to sit up he lunged forward slamming another fist into the side of the animal's head resulting in a small 'clunk' as it connected. The second blow nearly knocked the wolf unconscious and he drew back for a third strike. Before the blow could be landed the first wolf, having recovered from his attack, bite into Kaizer's unprotected upper arm from behind. Teeth tore through flesh and blood began to flow as he let out a loud yell. The wolf pulled back trying to drag Kaizer onto his back and nearly succeeded.

Barely managing to turn around he began to resist being pulled despite the pain and the damage it was causing his arm. This time Kaizer decided for a different approach and instead of beating the wolf in the head, he grabbed it by the skull driving an armor thumb into an eye socket. They eye ruptured as blood began to flow freely and the wolf let out a loud scream this time. The wolf released his arm and staggered back waving it's head wildly, continuing to scream in pain before finally beginning to retreat.

“Yeah, it ain't much fun when the meal fights ba- gaaaah!” Kaizer said. The second wolf lunged in biting him in the back of the right thigh, tearing through clothing, skin, and muscles with its teeth. This time he slammed almost face first onto the ground as it pulled back. When the wolf turned loose, aiming to bite down on the back of the neck, Kaizer spun around slamming elbow to head completely unintentionally. The wolf was staggered slightly in its attack and this time he took the offensive. With his right Kaizer managed to get a strangle hold around the wolf's neck.

With the beast in a headlock he dropped to one side and began to squeeze. The wolf tried to pull free but was unable to match Kaizer's strength. As he continued to squeeze the animal began to choke and desperate for air it clawed at his arm and back. The clawing was enough deep enough to draw blood and cause more wounds, but Kaizer refused to let go. Using his left arm and what little strength it could still provide, the man grabbed his right fist and pushed. With a growl his own Kaizer began to strain, enough that his face started to turn red. The wolf was choking and trying to scream until there was a cracking of bone and its body fell limp.

With the first wolf having disappeared with the loss of its eye, Kaizer finally let go and sat back to inspect his injures. His left bicep was bleeding and badly wounded, enough that even trying to flex it caused considerable pain. The right thigh was another matter altogether, it looked more like hamburger and was openly pouring blood.. Tearing the sleeve off his left arm Kaizer wrapped it around his leg just above the wound and tied it hard enough to stop the flow of blood. The arm was bad enough, but with the right leg injured like this he was unable to walk. Even trying to put pressure on it sent sharp pains through Kaizer's leg, hip, and lower torso akin to being stabbed with red hot irons.
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[Amunet]

82nd, Winter Season, 513 A.V.

The sixteen year old young herbalist was on her way back to Endrykas from a Drykas camp where she helped the healers with the birthing of a set of twins. They were rare but not unheard of. The healer was fascinating to watch as the simple herbal preparation that would make the contractions stronger also worked its wonders. The girl had pushed back flashbacks of her mother passing away from childbirth. This young lady was also in attendance that day. This mother she helped with didn’t perish as her mother had. The girl chose to return home alone instead of with the rest. She needed to think. It was good that this birth was a positive one. It still brought pain she had thought been buried.

Why did these things choose to come up now? Why can’t they lie in the past and just stay there. Like wonton girls for pleasure it rose its head up and screamed for attention in the midst of the passions of emotion. It never ceased. The pain did not lessen after all these years. The girl sorely missed her mother. Aimlessly she ran a hand down the braid that laid within a piece of her mother as a reminder. Those sky blue eyes clouded over as she wandered the grasses. Maybe this shouldn’t be a time for her to not be paying attention but her sore heart wrung from her the silent longing for the comfort of her mother’s embrace that is forever denied her. it was sobering. It ached so much that those reservoirs dedicated for keeping the eye moist overfilled like so many changing tides to spill over with the one drink that glistened in the light and hung upon her cheek like a treasure.

Shetanae, being the perceptive mare, walked steady, slow and even. The somberness was met by the cool breeze. Ironically it was in contrast to the heat of emotion she felt in the lingering sadness. Approaching seventeen it was wondered why she didn’t find husband. It was simply she wasn’t ready. How could she be ready? The cool air against the hot tear streaked face made her shiver. Though it was the end of winter almost, the breeze was a bit brisk. The mare suddenly startled with a clambered leap to the side to look towards the sounds of something. Amunet had to clamp down quickly but stay relaxed enough for her body to move with the horses sudden movements. The girl looked over towards the sound now in alarm. Its growling cries could be anything as a wolf with blood pouring out of its eye came staggering along. It didn’t seem to even see them. They side stepped the two and the wolf probably won’t last much longer. Amunet left the wolf to its fate as she nudged the Strider towards the direction the wolf came from. The little lady was not equipped to handle a wolf even if it was half dead.

The rider and her companion gingerly came up the rise. The heavy breathing of something or someone came to her ears from behind the stand of bushes. Yes it had to be someone to breath like that. The smell of blood was heavy in the air. She carefully tried to get her and her horse snuck around the side to get a peak. The girl was insatiably curious as the mare snorted her dislike of this decision. The girl tried to shush her friend as they rounded the bend. There was a man, a strange man sitting in the cold dirt, a dead wolf nearby and the man was not looking very good. The evidence in front of her gave pause as this looked to have been a good fight. Amunet dismounted and gingerly approached the man. The girl waved carefully. “hel...lo?” In seldom used common. The girl would go weeks without speaking it much. The questing eyes searching his face. Those same eyes practiced as she noticed body posture and ragged cloth that was blood soaked. The pain on his face in continued evidence that the man was injured.

[Kaizer Dragos]

The pain from the injuries sustained in battle were becoming worse and Kaizer had closed his eye for a moment to try and push the sensations down. His arm wouldn't continue to bleed to the point of threatening his life, and the leg was still dripping. That was what he was concerned about the most. If the leg weren't treated soon he could very well end up loosing it, a limb could only last for so long without fresh blood flowing into it. After a minute he started to grumble and growl as a result of the pain, there were no actual words involved, just angry sounds. Anger over having been injured as well as ending up in a situation like this.

It was very possible the wolves wouldn't have gotten the better of Kaizer the way they did if he'd been paying attention. Instead he was lost in thought and now sitting in the dirt, unable to walk because of injuries received by a pair of wild animals. As odd as some might have thought it, Kaizer wasn't angry at the wolves. It wasn't as if they'd gotten up in the morning and started by plotting his death. They were wild animals and hungry no less, just doing what came naturally to them. In a way he even felt bad about killing one, possibly both of them, when they were just looking for food. On the other hand he wasn't about to just roll over and die so some animals could have a nice meal or two.

The main concern on Kaizer's mind right now was the possibility there might be more in the area. With the thigh injury he wasn't too sure about being able to fight off another attack, seeing as how upright mobility was out of the question. Just when it seemed like dark clouds were gathering Kaizer heard a sound that he hoped might be a ray of sunshine in what was turning out to be a really bad day. It was the soft snort of a horse were he not mistaken. The sound came from behind and with a little effort, followed by a lot of pain, he turned around to face the noise and quite surprised by the sight in front of him.

“Hel...lo,” Amunet said. The young woman was slender and plainly dressed, however her face was surrounded by long, flowing red hair, and was quite lovely to behold. Finding someone like this out in the middle of nowhere was a stroke or luck, and one that was likely a lifesaver. For a moment Kaizer was stunned into silence by her presence, then manged to regain his wits. Standing up to greet her was out of the question, in fact not cursing like a sailor from the pain was also an effort. However, such an outburst would likely scare the young woman away, as she seemed ready to flee as it were. Instead Kaizer tried to compose himself as best as possible.

“Greetings young lady, my name is Kaizer and I would stand to greet you, but as I'm sure you can see, something just tried to make lunch out of me,” Kaizer said. “I do apologize if I've frightened you, but I would be ever so grateful if you could assist me in some small way at least.” In a situation like this he wasn't exactly sure what to do next. The young woman appeared to be a little frightened and from her accent, common didn't sound like her native language. To that end Kaizer tried to feign a smile and winced in the process. He left the next move up to Amunet, although he hoped the young woman at least had some bandages.
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[Amunet]

The baritone words that came out of his mouth, most she understood. The girl edged closer as she evaluated him. The words were smooth and svelt. It sounded easy and pleasant on the ear. The girl figured a man who speaks like that would not be harmful and Shetanae seemed more interested nibbling at a flower bud than the man. The little woman pointed to herself and said in a soft voice “Amunet” . She took her hand out of the glove as he will find her diminutive warm little hand on his forehead. He wasn’t going to last long out here.

Shetanae and her both was looking about as the smell of blood did not go unnoticed for long. The girl said a few words in pavi accompanied with gestures. The mare moved more to her side as it seemed the mare went on alert and watched while the girl bent to one knee and began taking a good look at his injuries. She lifted the bicep and then looked at the tourniquet. “Shetanae” The mare came forward and turned to the side. The girl stood and pulled one of the bags from the yvas. He may note the Strider did not have a bridle or a halter. The mare only had a riding pad and an intricate piece of leather with handles and girth tightened underneath the ribcage just behind the front legs. That was accompanied with items one would find for someone who traveled short distances.

“Do not move.” She admonished as she pulled from the bag batting and leather. she took a portion of it and lifted his leg. The girl knew it was going to hurt but they had to move soon. “sorry, need to patch for move.” It was a bit broken but common was coming back to her more. A smaller cloth pouch of herbs came out as she used a wooden bowl some clean lard where she lifted his leg again and slathered the wound with the herb mixture. The batting was lashed firmly around his thigh with leather. “Sorry, I know hurt.” She looked contrite but her hands were no nonsense.

The arm would get by with simple bandaging for now and the rest could wait. The resourceful girl backed her horse on the bad side. “grab handle, pull up” Amunet pointed to the yvas grasp. Her slight form would not hold the man’s weight but she was on the other side to help push him up that way. “We must find protected place. This bad to stay.” She hoped her understood that this was a very exposed spot. “Need stronger medicine.”

Once he was up, rather she pushed him up by his behind or he pulled himself up or even a combination of the two, which was done with no qualm about personal space. It was a practical matter in her eyes. The walk was painfully slow both for him and for her as she scanned the area. A word or two in Pavi and a single hand gesture the horse started moving forward. “hold onto handle. “ The girl instructed. He was tall once he was standing. He would find her of a wiry sturdy build.

[Kaizer Dragos]

When the young woman mentioned her name and called the horse over, Kaizer was relieved that she seemed willing to help. Amunet removed a small her glove and checked his forehead, then called her horse over. When batting and leather was removed Kaizer knew that she meant to bandage the wounds. This was both an idea he was thankful for and one that was dreaded at the same. With the likes of these wounds they would no doubt flare up in painful objection to any attempted ministrations, but it was a discomfort he was willing to endure. In light of the alternative, being that of waiting out here to die alone, Kiazer didn't mutter a single word of objection.

He watched as Amunet took out a piece of cloth, a wooden bowl, and started to work on some sort of herbal mixture. For this part Kaizer knew almost nothing about medicine beyond simply bandaging small wounds. When the lard and herbs were applied it came as no surprise when the thigh began to throb with pain. Eyes widened and Kaizer growled in response, but refrained from moving to trying to jerk away. When the leather was tired into place it took a moment for the pain to subside enough to focus on something else. The key word in this situation was subside as the pain hadn't stopped, in fact it was steadily getting worse.

When Amunet positioned the horse for him to get on, this was something Kaizer knew was going to be even more unpleasant. He followed the instructions that were given, taking a moment to stand up with a great deal of effort. Using the larger half of the broken walking stick from earlier as a prop, Kiazer took a moment to steady on both feet. The majority of his weight was on his left leg, in fact nearly all of it was. He let the stick fall to the ground after bracing himself on the horse as the hardest part was about to begin. With most of his weight now supported by both arms and a badly injured leg, Kaizer had to move his good leg around and pull up onto the horse.

It came as a slight surprise when a pair of small hands planted themselves on his posterior and pushed. When Kaizer sat down another jolt of pain fired up through the injured leg as well as his arm throbbing like a drum that was being beaten. “Son of a sea serpent...” Kaizer said. Those words were far from what was going through his mind or what it would liked to have had coming out of his mouth. Despite that Kaizer refrained from cursing as he preferred not to do so in front of other people, it was considered bad form. The ride would no doubt be a long and painful one, yet even with that in mind he was thankful just to be riding.

After nearly a year of traveling abroad to better see the world and what there was to it, this was his first real brush with death. That was something Kaizer knew was an ever present danger in traveling, the world wasn't known for being a safe and cozy place after all. This however was the closest he'd come to the great beyond and it wasn't a pleasant experience. Not even forty years old yet Kaizer still had plans, things he wanted to do, places he wanted to see. It wasn't long before Amunet was leading the horse along slowly. Like Heinrik had told him before as a child, it was time to suck it up and take things like a man.

To better reinforce this Kaizer sat up straighter and managed suppress the pain he was feeling, at least on a surface level. This was also the first time that he'd owed his life to anyone other than Heinrik. It wasn't something that Kaizer would soon forget and one way or another he would find a way to repay Amunet. It was the only proper thing to do in his mind. Looking down he smiled at the young woman, “You have no doubt saved my life good Amunet, and for that I am both eternally grateful, and in your debt. If there is anything I do to repay this kindness you need but ask.”
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[Amunet]

Amunet looked at the strange guy and shushed him fiercely. Then she looked around carefully putting her ear to the air to listen carefully. She looked at Shetanae, her strider, speaking in low tones in Pavi. The mare picked her ears up and looked around then snorted. The young lady looked at her four legged companion and inclined her head. Before the strange male knew it the girl was up behind him and guided his hands to the side handles on the Yvas. “Hold these.”

Amunet nudged the mare forward. It may seem like the mare moved without any guidance at all. The herbalist checked his thickly wrapped leg and it wasn’t bleeding through yet or dripping. Hopefully they had some time left. Soft words in Pavi reached the mare as her ears went back to pick it up. “hold on. This may hurt. We move. “ At that moment, the horse went into a canter. The girl didn’t risk a fully gallop. One arm curved around the injured man’s waist to hold him steady. While she had compassion for his pain, she also was more concerned for their safety.

Horse and rider was headed in a definite direction. After some distance she pulled up at a location slightly risen and recessed into brush and grasses. She hopped off and helped the man down from the horse and onto the ground. “Stay there. Your hurts are … bad. ” Amunet then started to take stuff off of the horse. Gauging the sun and the condition of the man, he won’t make it to Endrykas without some intervention now. She worked to get the tent up, a fire and the basics. It was an hour or so before she was able to pour the injured Kaizer into the tent and on his back. “sorry” The little sixteen year old was really contrite but hopefully he wont be moved much till he was a bit more healed up.

Amunet put a hand on his shoulder. “get water, stay here.” Though how he was going to move in his condition she didn’t know. Men were stubborn and get a wild hair sometimes. After dealing the males in her family, it seemed that way with most men. Her and Shetanae went to get water. Hopefully later she can fish to garnish a fish or two to make into a soup. Soup would be good for those that were healing. Once she had returned she put water to boil. She unpacked her pack a bit more to reveal a respectable selection of herbs, roots , and other items that said louder than words she was an herbalist. “Tea will help with pain. Will need to redo.. hurts.. umm “ what was that word for hurts?

[Kaizer Dragos]

Kaizer was starting to become accustom to the pain caused by riding with his injured thigh, It didn't mean it was any easier however. After speaking Amunet shushed him and started to look around. In a similar fashion Kaizer surveyed the area for any signs of danger. Though he had no doubt Amunet knew the area better, three sets of eyes and ears were always better than two. When she climbed up behind Kaizer, he looked back for a moment then had both hands placed on the saddle's side handles. This was a rather odd way to ride a horse, not that he had much experience in this area to begin with.

The horse the two were riding went into a canter when Amunet spoke some words in pavi. The increase in speed followed by the slight jarring motion elicited a small grunt of pain from Kaizer. Instinctively he grabbed the arm Amunet had wrapped around him for a moment, then leg go. This was turning out to be one of the longest and most unpleasant rides of Kaizer's life. He hoped that they would reach their destination soon before the thigh ended up going numb from the pain.

It wasn't long before the small trio, horse included, came to a small area protected by brushes and high grass. When Amunet hopped down and help him it was a very well relieved layover for the man. It gave Kaizer a chance to rest and try to relax despite the pain in his thigh and arm. As carefully as possible he sat down on the ground, letting out a small sigh as Amunet went about setting up camp. The young woman went about erecting a tent, making a fire, and other small things that needed tending to. Once the fire was burning Kaizer scooted closer so that his body could drink in the warmth, one of the first welcome sensations of the day.

He made no attempt to go anywhere when Amunet told him to remain in camp, moving wasn't much of an option at the moment anyway. With a bit of help Kaizer was moved into the tent where he laid down and may well have tried to go to sleep, were it not for the throbbing and bleeding wounds that were being endured at the moment. “Sorry,” Amunet said. To that Kaizer only smiled at her a little to show he wasn't upset.

“Get water, stay here,” Amunet said.

“The intent to vacate these premises are the furthest from my mind at his juncture in time,” Kaizer said. When she left he laid back again trying to rest an conserve energy under the circumstances. It was a short time before Amunet returned and he only looked up for a briefly to make sure it was her before returning to resting. When the young woman walked into the tent and began to work Kaizer sat up and took notice. From the way Amunet was laying everything out it seemed obvious she was intent on further treating the wounds.

“Tea will help with pain. Will need to redo.. hurts.. umm,” Amunet said. Kaizer watched her for a moment, seeing that the young woman was struggling with her common speech.

“Injuries, I believe is the work that you seek my good lady,” Kaizer said, his voice calm and low in tone.
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[Amunet]

The smile at least told her he was not in too bad shape. The eyes seemed kind and his voice was a nice low soothing sort. Amunet may not have understood some of his words, but it sounded good. The soft smile she offered that was now available as they had relative safety. Her father might be upset but it was for a good cause. There would be some of the Drykas who would have left the man to his fate as they put it. The compassionate girl couldn’t do that as her nature was to tend to those hurts and the maladies to make a stronger person.

When the man supplied the word for hurts being injuries, she tried the word with her soft honeyed voice. The girl nodded once as she understood it quickly. “Your injuries bad. “ Her brow furrowed as she pondered the next name. What did commoners call the wolf. “what bite you. Liquid in mouth hold bad things. “ She attempted to say wolf but it may come out more like Pavi instead of common. The word bad seem to fit a lot of things as well. “Try and keep you from getting too sick.

A simple glazed cup had an herbal mix in it, to which she put hot water into it. She put a piece of leather over it to steep it. The young herbalist then started grinding herbs together in a more careful manner than before. Those herbs she turned into a more proper paste to make a poultice. The object of this herbs was to draw out the bad stuff he mentioned. The girl was dreading the next part as she had to clean the wounds. That was why she was making the tea double strength. It will help. The other hot water she would use to clean. She moved to the arm carefully she beckoned for the injured arm. She examined it carefully and then gave him the tea from the cup into his other hand. “Drink.” It was unsweetened and bitter.

She started to clean the arm wound which she knew would not be as bad as the leg. It would be some painful, but hopefully the herbal tea would start working. The poultice was applied on top and then wrapped into place. The girl bid him to drink all of the tea. “You will need it. “ Once his arm was bandaged she moved to his bad leg. The deep scratches on his back were something she would look at later. The girl moved her equipment along with a sewing kit. She sorely wished her mother was still alive. She would be much better at this. The girl seen it done before with striders. Once she had as carefully and gently as possible uncovered the blooded bandages the wound was mostly not bleeding accept for one spot. The warm water revealed the wound. “Don’t look.” She said as she firmly pushed him onto side. With movement it started bleeding again. More water to flush it kept it clean as she worked to bring what muscle made sense together and skin. It had to be closed or it would not heal right at all. “Rak’keli guide my hand.” The girl uttered as her firm strong arm and left hand kept a firm grasp of his thigh. “Don’t move.”

The girl knew it was hard. The pain had to be incredible, but his life was in the balance. Amunet would combat other issues afterwards. The bite of a wolf often left bacteria in a wound. It was something developed over time and all they had to do was keep up with the animal till it fell from fever and infection. You hear the stories of the great wolves hunting and bringing down kills and they do. If their prey got away and they got a good bite in, they would still eat with patience. If she washed the wounds well enough, the infection would be minimal. The girl hoped. Once she was finished closing the wound she placed a poultice on it and rewrapped it. The tea hopefully would relax him after the pain subsided.

“Please forgive me. Wound must have be closed or the wound take life. “ She moved to make him more tea. While it steeped she got a blanket to cover him with as he would soon need it. The herbalist hoped this was not in vain. The poultice had tobacco and other herbs to pull infection and toxins out. “You far from home?”

[Kaizer Dragos]

“Indeed, I am aware of the bacteria and other manner of foulness contained within the bite of a wolf,” Kaizer said. Still curious about what Amunet was doing, he watched with considerable interest. None of the herbs were anything that was recognized as herbalism was not a vocation he had any knowledge of. Soon he was given the tea and Amunet beckoned for his arm. With his other arm Kaizer took the tea and sipped at it. The mixture was more bitter than what he was used to, but unsweetened tea was nothing new. Kaizer smacked his lips a few times and down the whole cup so the brew would be more effective instead of a bit at a time.

The mixture had the desired effect and it wasn't long before h blinked a few times feeling the effects. This was a result of the fact Kaizer was rarely sick, barely took and medication, and because of that he had almost no tolerance to herbs designed to kill pain. The tea was already starting to addle his senses. Having been wounded before Kaizer was accustomed to dealing with pain, even getting stitches. So the work on his arm wasn't hard to deal with. He knew the wound on the thigh would be another matter altogether. Kaizer removed his shirt so it would be easier to work on the arm and the garment could also be used for bandages, what parts were clean. The shirt was then handed to Amunet.

His upper body wasn't what one would call a hide of scars, but he did have old injuries that had long since healed. Most of them were and faded, but stood as proof that he wasn't a stranger to pain. When Amunet moved to work on his thigh, Kaizer held up a hand for her to wait. He then proceeded to remove the pants as well and was now laying on the ground in nothing but plain white undergarments. This was to allow Amunet to work on the injury without the clothing getting in the way. He rolled over onto one side so that she could get to workproceed. By this time the tea had numbed a good portion of Kaizer's senses so that he only grunted slightly when the water was poured over it. The pain was still sharp, but nothing like it was before.

Although Kaizer could feel her working on the thigh wound the pain was bearable now so he refrained from moving, albeit with a good degree of effort. Trying to distract himself Kaizer thought about other things, like his travels, reasons for coming out this far from home, even how lovely Amunet was to look at. Anything to try and ignore the growing pain in his thigh. Having not been able to see it clearly he had no idea how bad the damage was, but when the young woman mentioned that the wound could be fatal, the words were taken to heart. Because of that Kaizer was making every effort not to move or do anything that would prove a problem to Amunet's work.

Regardless of this he did grunt and growl from time to time, and once she seemed to strike a nerve. That caused Kaizer to let out an audible 'Hhhhhhhrrrrnn!” in response and his leg muscles tensed. That nearly caused him to pull away as the pain shot through both leg and torso with its former potency, not a pleasant experience. When more tea was offered Kaizer took the cup and quickly downed the contents with a small sigh and once again closed his eyes, just thinking about anything and everything. Clearing his mind helped in finally being able to move past the pain, at least to a degree, and set it aside. From time to time a sharp pain would offer momentarily distraction, but Kaizer again pushed it away and let Amunet do her work.

Once the work was finished Kaizer was covered by a blanket and with that he opened both eyes and looked up. “I am originally for the city of Lhavit in Kalea. Although I do not know the precise distance I would estimate it to be between 3,500 to 4,000 miles from here,” Kaizer said, then looked at his arm. “I would also compliment you on your skills my lady, you do good work.”

Now with the tea taking full effect he was drowsy, but not about to pass out. If anything Kaizer had a strong constitution and was able to resist the effects of most herbal medications and sedatives if he so desired. However like any normal person, in large enough quantities even he would succumb to the effects.
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[Amunet]

The girl looked into his sharp intense eyes with her own sky blue and another small hand on his forehead. The tea was taking effect and he had relief. Kaizer looked to be relaxing even after what she put him through. When he complimented her work she blushed. “Much to learn with herbs and medicine. “ The girl afforded a smile and a half chuckle. “It good though. “ The girl liked what she did. A shadow passed over her face as she mentioned where she learned what she knew.

“Mother good teach..” The rest of the word escaped her as her face furrowed briefly in sadness. The girl attempted to fix that as the strange man did not need that with his injuries. He was nice and seemed the honorable sort. If he was dishonorable, she would have no way of discerning that. The warriors of Endrykas found her to be too trusting. Maybe it was true and maybe it wasn’t. “Mother was good with herbs and tending to hurts.. mean injuries.” The word ‘was’ being the operative word.

“You comfortable?” The girl changed the subject as her eyes threatened to spill again at the mention of her mother. The girl fussed over him a little bit as her assessment of the man was he would need a better trained healer even though she stabilized him to the best of her ability. Those strong hands checked his arm ever so gently for any signs of redness and bleeding. His undergarments, which she found curious, was something she wasn’t used to and she was not in any way ashamed of the human natural form. The girl has seen her fair share of intimate parts in her capacity as an herbalist. “You from Lhavit? It far away? “ He mentioned numbers but they didn’t mean very much to her as she didn’t understand the context they were said in. “Lhavit pretty place?”

The herbalist was making sure he was comfortable. She bid him to stay on his side. The shirt she did turn into bandages but placed them more loosely on top explaining “wound needs air to heal. “ Then he was covered up and she tended to the fire. The ruddy glow of the fire warmed the tent in no time as she had herbs set aside to mitigate fever. The stick she poked at the fire absently moved it so it would flame up a little. she added a dung chip on it. When there was little to no wood, animal dung chips made good fire fuel.