A Last, Dying Breath

by **Verena Lorak** on December 1st, 2013, 2:37 pm

A Last, Dying Breath
7th of Fall, 513 A.V.

Cassius helped her down from his Strider hastily, hurrying her over to the group of people who had gathered around something. If she was to guess, it was probably the slave that was said to have survived a Rujaro attack. The reason why she was dragged all the out here to the city gates. Honestly, Verena was not quite sure what she could do to help, really. Her logical mind knew from Cas's description that this woman would've died whether or not she get a medical treatment. Still, the half-Vantha couldn't quite explain why she still agreed to help this slave, even if she knew it was useless.

"Get out of the way," her betrothed snapped at the crowd - who mostly consisted of Pailles. It was no surprise that they had been the one to find the slaves - they did patrols around the city in the name of security. And probably because of the fact that Cas was the cousin of Steven Paille, the group of Drykas did as ordered without as much as a squeak.

Called by a deep instinct in her soul, Verena ran toward the dying woman as soon as she sat her eyes on the limp body. She knelt beside the woman, horrified by the extent of her injuries, even though her face was still a cold mask of detachment.

The slave's body was clearly broken. Her arms stood out in odd angles and covered with scratches and wounds. So covered in bruises, her face was unrecognizable - her eyes swelled shut and her jaw was probably shattered. Dried blood matted in her fair hair, telling Verena that the woman had some time without any help. It was miracle that she was still alive, that her lungs were still taking wheezy breaths.

For once in many years, Verena was not sure where to start. There were so many injuries, so many broken bones that she could not tell which was the worse.

Rak'keli help me . . . No,help her.

by **Verena Lorak** on December 21st, 2013, 5:08 am

"How long had she been here?" the girl asked, barely looking up to the Drykas surrounding her. She might have looked petite and delicate among the big men, but they apprehended her with a certain cautiousness. They had expected for such a girl to seem horrified or at least hesitate at the sight of violence, but her dark violet eyes only showed a cold, calculating intelligence. It might even seem that the doctor cared nothing for the slave's life - which wouldn't be true. She was marked by Rak'keli after all, and the Goddess would not bless someone who cared nothing for a life.

"Roughly two bells," a familiar voice answered behind her. For some reason she could not explain, the Lorak knew who it was before she even turned her head. It did not make any sense, really, yet, she was always aware of the young man with dark blonde hair. Caedmon Paille. He took a step closer to her and smiled weakly. "The others had wanted to question her first."

Verena turned back to the slave, once again assessing the damage. If she did not do something quickly, the woman would die and soon. Finally deciding that she couldn't waste any time, she placed her hand on the most serious of the wounds - a wide gash on the slave's forehead. It was deep and uneven. If she had to guess, the wound was made by some sort of blunt object. Almost immediately, the doctor felt the familiar rush of power coursing through her.

There was no way she could fully heal such a deep wound, but she hoped it would be enough to make sure the slave survive the trip back to the clinic. "You're trying to question someone who can't even speak. Foolish."

"We need to find out what she knows!" a man surged from the rest. He was shirtless, just like the others, his tattoo spiraling over his large chest. "She's the only survivor of the Ackina caravan! She's the only lead to the Rujaros that we have." He probably would have walked right to her of Cas hadn't blocked his way, forcing him to stand down.

Caedmon also took place beside his brother. "Malick, you'll have no survivor at all if you force the issue. Listen to the doctor." With the siblings in the way, no one dared to say anything else.

Under Verena's touch, the slave shifted and groaned weakly. She was still pale as sheet and her breath whizzing, but at least her head wound looked better. Verena pulled back, deciding that was the best her healing could do, now resorting to more conventional means. She brought out a flask of rugberry tea, trickling it gently on the woman's lips. It might not help all that much, but it could at least help quench a thirst.

by **Verena Lorak** on December 21st, 2013, 5:46 am

A cough wrecked the slave's body violently, spattering blood on Verena's white robe. She slapped away Verena's flask, straightening slightly. Something was wrong. Had the lungs sustained an injury she did not notice? Or were the wounds much more worse than she hoped? Gods, she needed help, but there was no one who knew about medicine better than her around. Suddenly, a bloody hand grab hold of her wrist. She could see that the woman's eyes were full of an unspeakable fear. Verena had to ask. "What happened to you?"

Of course, the woman could not answer. She simply thrashed around in jerky movements, trapped with the horrors in her mind, yet she kept her hold. Cas and Cad surged from behind her, worried that the slave might somehow hurt Verena. But the doctor simply shook her head, warning the two men back. "I'm doctor, please, you must let me help you." Twisting her wrist away from the slave's grip, Verena pulled out a jar of Sundrya Water next. " I am going to wash your head wound, alright? Or you'll die soon." Gingerly, she uncapped it and poured the liquid onto the wound and her other hand pulling the woman's hair back. A noise gurgled from the woman's throat. The water will hurt, she knew, but it was necessary.

Verena did not expect what came next. Fingers raked down the side of her face. It wasn't deep, but it stung enough to cause her to jerk back. Before the men around her could do anything, Verena raised her hand. "I'm fine. Just move back."

"Rena," Cas started, his hand hovering near her arm, to pull her away if he needed to. She ignored him, though, driven to help this terrified slave.

Her frightened eyes moved back and forth, absorbing information. Something Verena that the slave was seeing things. Again, she coughed and doubled over and crying. Sobbing in a way that dying animals do. Her movements weakened and her breathing slowed. Eyelids fluttered weakly.

The slave whispered something to her, in a voice so low that no one else could probably. Something she did not really make sense of until a full chime later. Something she had never heard before. "Kaziu." And then she was gone.

by **Poppy** on December 22nd, 2013, 4:51 am

...because you've EARNED it!

Verena :

Notes: Quick and bloody - just the way I like 'em. Err. Anyway. Yea. Nice little solo - looks like Verena has a mystery on her hands!

Please PM me with any questions, comments, or concerns!

Solo A Last, Dying Breath