9 May 2012
Two hours later (we were going downhill) we finally arrived back at camp. And caused quite a stir. "Are you alright?" "What happened?" "Is the wyrm dead? "Who is he?" As members of the clan gathered around us, emerging from their tents sleepy, yet inquisitive, I was grateful for the presence of Kieran, who was able to dispel all the questions (and people) with just a simple "The Second is a little tired just now. I am sure she will be able to answer your questions tomorrow, but for now she needs to rest." I could sense that last part was also aimed at me, but I had to see through the safe housing of Samuel. As the crowd began to disperse, I asked Kieran where he might be put up until such a time as he was recovered (the boy was still unconscious, drooping over Kieran's shoulders, and drooling a little). "Well, he needs an expert on magic and medicine, so that leaves jut one person..." We approached Curtap's tent and tentatively opened the flap. The old healer had a justified reputation for being extremely... aggressive towards those who displeased him, and we didn't want to get on his bad side. And Kieran was not in his good books for getting a lot of injuries in a short amount of time. So it was quickly decided that I was to speak up while Kieran remained resolutely mute in the background. Good plan, I thought. So I cautiously stepped inside.
"What do you think you are doing?" roared the old elf that flew into view as soon as my foot touched the ground. "You do realise that this an offence if the highest order, and I DEMAND that you explain yourself!" I gulped. "Well... it's like this..." "Oh, is it?" The elder's stare was withering, like his skin and long grubby grey hair. "Are you sure?" I had a feeling that he was deliberately being flippant to throw me. With this in mind, I retaliated. "Alright, Wrinkles, it IS like this. We have a possessed mage over Kieran's shoulder, and he needs both a healer and a mage, and seeing as you fit the brief, you are ordered to take care of him as best as you can, until he is able to walk out of this camp unaided. Got that?" The elder looked taken aback (I was doing a lot of that today.) "Good." I turned on my heel and stormed out, leaving a bewildered Kieran to dump the body on the dirt floor of the tent and come rushing after me. "What did you think you were doing? Deliberately annoying one of the most respected elders in our clan, and then storming out of there like you were... a... lord or something! I expected..." I cut him off. "Look Ginge, my patience is at its end, and I need to go to bed. I've had a long day, and I don't need you lecturing me about how I shouldn't abuse my power as Second of the clan, but, the fact is, I can. Is that the end of it?" He was silent, brooding. "Good." And with that I flew off towards my tent.
I stepped inside, slung my bow off my back, chucked it in the corner, and fell into bed, face-first, fully clothed. I was asleep in five minutes.
An Elder • Opuss № I