Fiachra

  Fiachra turned his attention away from watching the other elf marvel and circled behind them while they remained distracted. He scanned their legs searching for any indications of fresh injury until he caught sight of torn clothes along the thigh.

  “Ah, so my arrow did injure you.”

  “What are you doing? Hey, don’t touch it, it hurts enough.” The other elf stepped away quickly turning aside to obscure their thigh.

  “I need to get a better look, that wound should be treated so it heals properly. The poison won’t kill you, but it will cause unnecessary trouble.”

  “You tip your arrows in poison.” Their eyes narrowed, the sense of accusation was piercing. “I get the feeling I shouldn’t be surprised.”

  “It’s not a fatal type of poison, at least not for an elf, but it does what I need it to for anything that comes along that should not be here.” Fiachra gestured for them to follow and turned toward a stone path that led to the atelier containing healing supplies. He took the lantern off its hook beside the door and brought it inside the workroom setting it and his bow down before casting another lantern to life to be able to work with ease. “I never did get your name and thinking of you as Unusual Trespasser is troublesome,” he prompted, hoping not to get pushback.

  “I prefer that not you not call me by such a name. I am Belenus Teu-Tel’Quessir, male Moon Elf of Caerwyn. I have yet to hear yours, mysterious forest dweller.” He half sat on a stool offered to him, leaving his injured thigh without weight.

  “Fiachra Or-Tel'Quessir, male Wood Elf of Scathwood.”

  He looked at Belenus fully for the first time in full light without a golden glow painting his appearance askew. He could see now that Belenus’s features were not simply white, his hair had silver highlights where the light touched it and his skin had blue-grey undertones. Although, his eyes were no less rich in multi-tones of gold that were a striking complement with the deep golden wraps of his clothes.

  Belenus was a stark contrast to features of his own from his dark brown hair and tawny skin. Even his clothes were darker, layers of green that looked black in dim light. Where he matched the night forest outside Belenus closer resembled the moon on a clear night.

  “Well, unless you dissent, I’ll begin before the night draws later.” Fiachra turned away to find a bottle of antidote and clean cloth, the potion would cut back on the healing work he would have to do. It took only a moment to gather and in that time he took a few deep breaths to clear his mind before turning back to Belenus.

  “Normally I take care of my own injuries.” Belenus’s tone was dismissive and his eyes travelled past Fiachra.

  “I have an antidote to the poison that will work for you, if you would prefer to fix this yourself I will leave you to it.” He held up the small glass bottle and Belenus returned eye contact then looked at the bottle wistfully.

  “I do prefer it, but I am rather worn out already to fix something you have caused.” Belenus said with a sigh.

  “You will have to do as I ask then, and remember, you were given a choice.”

  Belenus sat stoically before nodding with a scowl.

  “Does this sort of thing happen often?” Fiachra asked, accepting Belenus’s silent nod of consent.

  “Not like this.”

  Fiachra arched a brow in response, envisioning what kind of elf Belenus was to get himself in these kinds of situations. He knelt on the wooden floor to better study the wound, it had been untouched this whole time and as a result was difficult to assess. The deep gold fabric looked black across half his thigh with wraps drooping and torn in places. There was a long open gash shimmering blue from blood and it seemed possible muscle was cut.

  “I’m going to need to remove your clothes away from the area and clean it properly first.” He swept his fingers gently along the layers analyzing how he might best remove them.

  “Don’t even think about cutting my clothes.” Belenus said, sweeping his outer tunic aside and unclasping a piece at his hip undoing a series of interwoven strips that began around his waist and wrapped separately around his legs. It was all one piece and he removed it with ease and speed, revealing several ties which he undid upon reaching them, rolling a thin leather leg guard down. Fiachra was fascinated by the style construction and how many separate pieces he wore, he noted Belenus wore a second tunic underneath the first tucked into tight-fitting trousers. It looked to be the last layer.

  “You have a lot of layers for summer, it must have made for uncomfortable travel.”

  “It has been since I descended from the mountains. I’m used to higher altitudes and the layers are comfortable there.” Belenus paused fingering the ties of his trousers.

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  “That layer too, it’s most in the way.” He was almost apologetic. He gave Belenus a moment of privacy now by prepping a bowl of water for cleaning. He set everything up within easy reach while Belenus worked his trousers gingerly away from the wound until it was free from obstruction. Belenus sat in the same manner as before, his tunics providing convenient coverage over his upper thighs. It was a casual countenance that was ruined by Belenus looking pointedly askance. “I’m certain you are aware, but this will hurt.”

  “I’m aware.” Belenus sounded resigned and understandably tense.

  It looked worse uncovered. He started by cleaning the skin around the gash, careful to avoid touching the wound directly. Once it was cleansed, he called forth his magic with a slow deep breath. His focus narrowed, intent on the damage and feeling out the extent of it with his mind. The muscle had been grazed but it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. The properties of the poison prevented him from healing it with his own reserves, so he was careful not to extend himself unnecessarily.

  He uncapped the bottle, ready to counteract the effects of the poison now that excess blood was cleared. “Ready,” he warned before setting a few drops into the exposed flesh. Belenus lurched sideways hissing in pain and gripped the table beside him for support, jaw visibly clenching.

  “Corellon,” Belenus swore, “Fiachra, ‘hurt’ was an understatement.” Belenus gasped still listing to the side. Fiachra sat back to wait a few more minutes for Belenus to collect himself before returning to finish the healing.

  “Almost finished at least and then you will be free to rest.” He helped Belenus back to his original position resting both hands along the outer reaches of the wound. Magic had been pooling in his fingertips and now flowed out with a nudge of his mind weaving into Belenus’s very essence. As it did so, the world around him fell away and all that remained was the work to physically undo the damage done. He scarcely breathed as each fiber and layer knit itself back together at his request, building upon each other until at last the top layer of skin reformed as though nothing had ever happened at all. With a sigh, he called the remaining magic back into himself and pulled away. “There.”

  “It’s as it should be,” Belenus said while smoothing a hand over his thigh.

  Fiachra nodded in acknowledgement and moved to put up his supplies. “It will be best to have a light dinner and rest before doing any work. I have no guest house, but I do have a spare bedroom you may use for the night.”

  “An unexpected gesture. I won’t soon turn it away, there’s no comparison to a room after sleeping outside.”

  “It’s only proper to offer, this circumstance is far from typical. Besides, you’ll make it up to me. I look forward to seeing you alchemical work.”

  His supplies were back in order quickly and Belenus was dressed once more within that short period, looking perfectly kempt minus the tear in clothes. He stepped outside and called for the faerie in charge of keeping the house in order. She materialized immediately at the atelier front step. She looked up to greet him, then dipped to the side to peer past his waist, watching Belenus with curiosity.

  “Brunaidh, will you grant Belenus the kindness of showing him to the spare bedroom and providing dinner?”

  Brunaidh nodded and spread the many folds of her skirt out in a gesture of politeness. “Would you like dinner as well?” She asked, her voice light like a small chime in a breeze.

  “In my room this time as it has been a long night. I appreciate your help.” She bestowed him with a smile, which he returned in kind. Turning to Belenus he said, “Brunaidh will show you where you need to go.”

  “Are you not coming?” Belenus stepped out into the night air, brows knitting and lips downcast in a small scowl as his head tipped slightly to the side. “You have kept me in sight all evening and now you leave.”

  “I have a few things I need to tend, go on, Brunaidh will keep you under control if need be.” Fiachra took possession of his bow sitting by the door before shutting it and going on his way. He wasn’t worried about either of them, Belenus was compliant and Brunaidh was capable enough to handle him if he wasn’t. He left them both without a second glance, heading away from his house and to the relatively secluded area of the stable.

  Long creature-like shadows cast along the ground alerting him to Gronw’s location before he reached the area. They stood post outside the large door with two saddlebags almost as tall as they were, he couldn’t help but smile at the comical similarity in height. With Gronw here and with saddlebags it could only mean they succeeded in bringing Belenus’s mount in, though it would have been worrying if Gronw was still out in such a stretch of time.

  “Was the mount difficult to bring in?”

  “Not terribly so, I called Phouka who did a majority of the cajoling and together we got it stabled in short order. I was starting to worry about you, you have been out longer than anticipated.”

  “Nothing to worry of dear friend, I took the time to heal the wound I had caused and that always takes a fair amount of time and energy. Did you find any more of his possessions besides these two bags?” He motioned to the saddlebags picking them both up by their handles. They were quite full and weighted, but it was easy enough to manage.

  “Nothing around that we found and everything on the elk was well secured until I removed it. Do you need anything else tonight?”

  “No, everything you have done has been more than enough for one night.”

  “Plenty for a few nights! I will take my leave then, until tomorrow.” Gronw inclined their head and flicked their hand in a kindly farewell before walking away into the forest depths.

  He took his leave as well and carried the bags into his home, counting the passage of time till dinner and soon after, rest. Weariness had set in but he forced himself to trudge up the stairs and pass by the spare room housing Belenus. He set the luggage down soundlessly and went to his bedroom without a word, Belenus would find them when he opened the door.

  When he stepped into his room at last, he felt he could finally relax for the first time all night. A glass of wine and plate of dried meats and roasted vegetables waited on his desk, still warm. He sank into the plush chair, wasting no time but eating just slow enough to be able to savor the rich seasoning.

  From his position at his desk he could see the grounds of his house settling for the night as the lanterns beyond his window were extinguished one by one until only the light in his room remained. Once food and drink were gone he doused the last lantern, inviting darkness in as he stripped off the layers of clothes of the day. The darkness was like a blanket of its own, making the night still and quiet, accentuating the comforts of his bed as he nestled deeply into it.

  Tomorrow promised to be interesting.