Chapter 206: First Blood

Katlyn Farragher

The puny dog cowersss!

Kat ignored the hissing cry of joy in her head. Every movement hurt. Durge, or whatever his name really was, had been an absolute menace. She’d been thoroughly outmatched unarmed, and only Ann throwing the shield had given her the edge. Still, she was covered in bruises.

Kat looked down at the man’s caved-in face and spat. He’d tried to take away what was hers. She would never let that happen.

“We… we lived!”

Rosalyn looked about ready to fall over. She was leaning heavily on her staff, out of breath, and sweating. She and Lucia had done solid work, taking out the bandits that hadn’t run off after Ann. Splashes of blood stood out in the white snow.

“Did. Where’s Ann?” Lucia asked, racking Fillianore’s bolt and ejecting a round.

“Dinnae. Dragon’s not bein’ nice about ‘er though.”

“She might be in trouble. Let us proceed immediately,” Bren said, standing. He wasn’t much better than the rest. A couple of new tears in his robes showed how close he’d been to getting hit. They made Kat’s heart burn with rage.

She took a deep breath. She’d finished the fight. The bandits were dead. No need for that anymore. Looking back, she nodded at Bren. Running over to the edge of the clearing, she picked up her new tooth-sword. It still felt wrong. Too heavy at the front. Cletius didn’t know how to balance a blade, and it showed. She’d have to get someone to put a metal core in the pommel. Still, it was sharp. It’d hurt like the Hells. The packs could wait.

“Ye see where she went?” Kat asked Lucia.

“This way.”

Kat followed the tracker, her heart in her throat. What the Dragon had said was driving her anxiety up a wall. If Waheela wasn’t doing great, then Ann was doing worse. She had to hurry.

Lucia led the way for a few minutes before Kat heard it. The sound she hated more than anything.

Ann was crying.

“Feck.” Kat took off at a run.

She came upon the scene and stopped short. Ann was lying curled up in the snow, her tail tucked between her legs. A couple of feet away, a puddle of vomit steamed in the morning light.

Then there were the bodies. Two looked intact. Intact enough to still be alive. The third, though? The third was a bloody mess. Walking over, Kat saw a hole punched clear through the woman. Broken bits of bone were all that remained of the woman’s rib cage, and her spine and innards were spewed out behind her.

Kat had to be careful. She desperately wanted to check on Ann first, but needed to make sure the danger was over. Walking over to the two downed men, she knelt by the first. A knife stuck out from his back. Small, made of bone. Kat pulled it out and confirmed it was one of the paralytic knives that Ann had received earlier. She tossed it to the side for now and went to the second person. They’d twisted as they fell, and Kat found the remains of another knife under them.

“Feck. Ye’re too kind,” Kat grumbled. Leaving survivors would invite others to come after them. As quietly as she could, she pulled her knife and cut the throats of the two survivors.

“Kat!” Rosalyn gasped.

“Had tae be done.”

Bren put a hand on Rosalyn’s shoulder and gave her a nod, confirming the necessity.

Safety confirmed; Kat approached Ann.

The first thing she saw was Ann’s hands. They were working feverishly in the snow, desperately trying to wash the blood off. The woman’s beautiful green eyes were distant, not seeing what she was doing. Through it all, she sobbed.

Kat remembered the first time she’d had to fight a bandit. She… well, she didn’t have much trouble with the event. Her training had prepared her for the eventuality. Polaris had made sure of that. Still, she knew that her experience wasn’t the norm.

Tossing off her gloves, she grabbed Ann’s shoulders and pulled her into a sitting position. The woman didn’t even react, just rubbing at her hands.

“Ann.”

More tears. She couldn’t hear her.

Rosalyn walked up, but Kat held up a hand, then a finger. She needed to get Ann through this first. Well, get her out of the shock. This was a warrior’s affliction, and she worried Rosalyn might, in her earnest attempt to help, accidentally make it worse. She loved the Druid, but she needed to do this.

Kat reached forward and tried to take Ann’s hand.

Ann flinched, pulling away. Still, her tears fell. Still, her chest heaved, and her back shook as she cried.

Kat took her waterskin off her hip and poured it over Ann’s hands. Gently, she started helping her clean up. Kat kept her touch gentle, but confident. Slowly, they got the red off Ann’s hands, got the gore out from under her claws.

Ann was still not speaking. She’d stopped sobbing, but she was still crying. Kat wouldn’t push her. Time was the most important thing right now.

Gently, Kat checked Ann for wounds. She found three. Two crossbow bolts were still stuck in her, and there was a nasty-looking cut on her arm. Gently prodding at that, she found it was deep enough to see muscle. They would have to get the bolts out of her before Ann’s body could start healing. If they’d hit anything important, or even unimportant, they were still causing damage.

“Ann,” Kat said, keeping her voice calm and even. “We need tae get the bolts out o’ ye. Can ye lay back fer me, sweetheart?”

Ann paused, then nodded. With Kat’s help, she uncurled everything but her tail, lying in the snow.

Bren moved up, checking the wound. “Thank the Gods these were not barbed. This will hurt, Ann, but it will be quick.”

Bren took hold of the one in Ann’s stomach, while Kat grasped the bolt in her shoulder.

“On three. One, two, three.”

Bren and Kat pulled the bolts free. Blood and muscle sucked against them, but both were used to the act by now. Tossing the bolts aside, Bren put pressure on the gut wound, while Kat took the shoulder.

Lucia turned and ran off into the woods.

“Where’s she goin’?”

“To get my pack. Rosalyn, can you please come here and put pressure on this?”

“Uh, yeah.” Rosalyn stepped up and put her hands where Bren’s were. Blood welled between her fingers. “Oh, Ann.”

“When Lucia returns, ask her to find the bandages. Kat, you know what to do.”

“Aye, but what’re ye goin’ tae be doin’?”

“Reading. I need Mind, and I need it faster than it will regenerate naturally,” Bren said as he stood. Digging in the breast of his robes, he pulled out a small book and flipped it open. “I must focus for the skill to work. I will return as soon as I am ready.”

Kat returned her attention to Ann as Bren’s boots crunched in the snow, retreating behind a tree. “Ann?” she whispered.

Ann’s lips quivered. Her eyes were screwed shut against the pain.

“Ann, ye didn’t do anythin’ wrong,” Kat continued. “Ye saved our lives. Ye saved yer life. It was them or us.”

“They were people,” Ann hissed through her teeth. “I killed them!”

Kat sighed. “Aye. They were people. People just like us.”

“And I killed them.”

“Aye. Ye did.”

“I…” Ann faltered, her face scrunching up in either pain or grief, Kat couldn’t tell. “I could’ve not.”

Kat closed her eyes. This was the worst part. Accepting that what she’d done was necessary. Ann was… well, she was soft. The girl could fight a Warped tooth and nail, but hadn’t run into the worst side of humanity. She was from a different time. A time when she still had fears, but not where she had to consider killing another person. Kat and the rest? This was life. Rosalyn had probably seen a few deaths in her time, even as reclusive as she was. Kat wouldn’t be surprised if she’d stopped poachers with lethal force, and she’d seen people die to Warped while performing her rituals. Lucia was a hunter. She walked with death constantly, and Bren was a healer.

Ann was none of these things. Ann was a woman from another world. Kat sometimes forgot how different this all must be for her. She was good at adapting and blending in.

Kat took another heavy breath. “Nae, love. Ye did. If someone comes at ye with a blade, they give ye no choice.”

“Could have knocked… argh, knocked them out.”

“Could ye? Could ye have made sure they’d stay out until we were gone?” Kat hated arguing this. She was helping destroy some of Ann’s innocence. She fucking hated every word she said. “If ye let ‘em go, more would come fer us. This was probably most o’ ‘em, but there’s likely more.”

“Let two,” Ann groaned.

“What?”

“Let two go.”

Kat closed her eyes, suppressing a frustrated sigh. “It’s alright, love. Ye’re too kind fer this.”

“Two more… paralysed.”

“I took care o’ them,” Kat said gently. “Don’t worry.”

“I… there was… they were so scared.”

“Aye. Everyone is when they’re fightin’.”

“Not you.”

“Darlin’, Annita, I was shakin’ fightin’ Durge back there. I was gonna die if ye didn’t get me my shield. I was terrified that this was it. Scared that they’d hunt ye down, kill Rosalyn, kill everyone.”

“I… shit.”

“I know. I know. Nothin’ makes it… Well, it does get easier, but only if ye find yer reason. Mine is you all. I’ll kill fer all o’ ye. Warped, men, monsters an’ animals. That’s me resolve. You, though? Ann, my love, ye’re fine tae be hurtin’ right now. Don’t ye dare beat yerself up fer it.”

“I know,” Ann said weakly.

“Nae. Ye don’t.” Kat leaned down, putting her forehead on Ann’s. “Ye’re only startin’ tae think about it. That’s alright. This kind o’ thing only comes wit’ time. Lots o’ time an’ thought.”

Ann’s lips pressed together, holding back tears. “I puked.”

That brought a sad smile to Kat’s lips. It was the little concern that was inflated by the rest of what had happened. “Ye did.”

“I… it sucked.”

“It does.”

“Rosalyn?”

“Yes, Ann?” Rosalyn said, leaning in.

“Did… did you have to do this?”

“Yeah. I had to a while ago. Two years after I got my Path. Poachers.”

Kat hated that she was right.

“Poachers came in and started killing local wildlife. We had hunters, sure, but they all made sure to check in with the town first and get word of local wildlife. These folk were different, killing way more than they needed, and leaving bodies untouched. I confronted them, and couldn’t frighten the pair off. It was a very long night.” Rosalyn raised a hand, probably to stroke Ann’s sweaty forehead, but flinched and returned to putting pressure on the wound. “I didn’t cry. I knew this sort of thing happened. I just… I kept seeing their faces. Honestly, I don’t think I slept for a couple days. Eventually, I came to grips with it. I would defend my land and the creatures within when they couldn’t do it themselves. I’d try to scare people off, but if they wouldn’t leave and tried to stop me, I wouldn’t back down.”

Ann just closed her eyes, but her eyebrows clenched.

“And you know what? I don’t like it either. I wish people could just not be bad to each other. Folks would get so much further in life if they would listen to each other. We just live in a world where people have the power to kill, and the unfortunate circumstance to push them into… well… killing others.”

Lucia returned and dug through Bren’s bag, handing Kat fresh bandages. She took them, handing a few to Rosalyn, and they did their best to clean the wounds. Ann winced a few times, but kept her jaw locked. Gods, she was tough. So soft, yet so Godsdamned tough.

“Is ok?” Lucia asked, keeping her voice quiet.

“Getting there. It’s a lot fer her. Ye remember the first time fer ye?”

“Yes. Rival tribe. Attacked for territory. Stupid. No Path. Young. Scout far from territory. Used spear. Remember blood on hands. So scared. Ran home to mother. Scolded. She was scared. Couldn’t leave days. Always watching. Dad said me or him. Did well. Didn’t feel it. Years before understood. Hard lesson.”

“Aye. An’ it’s ‘er first time,” Kat nodded to Ann.

“Oh. Am sorry. Know doesn’t mean much, but did well. If not under oath, would owe one.”

“Oh no ye don’t. No more Life Debts. She’s mine.”

“Kat…” Rosalyn muttered.

“Sorry. Just, ye shouldn’t be jumpin’ intae that shite wit’ someone who’s already spoken fer. Ugh. Ann, how ye holdin’ up? What’s yer health lookin’ like?”

“Thirty-two. Been watching it. Going down.”

“Aye, that’ll be bleedin’. How fast?”

“A point every minute?”

“Shite, thirty minutes. Hope Bren gets enough.”

“Sorry.”

Kat looked down at the woman in disbelief. “What ye gotta be sorry about?”

“Hurt. Worry,” Ann tried to shrug and winced as her shoulder no doubt twinged.

“We should be sorry for what you went through,” Rosalyn said with a sad smile. “That’s twice you’ve run off to save us. Could you stop that, please?”

“No promises.”

“Could you try?”

“Yeah, I can try.”

“Thanks.”

They stayed there for what felt like forever. Ann’s breathing grew ragged as her health dropped lower and lower. It was nearly empty by the time Bren came back.

He didn’t say anything, just knelt and put his hand on Ann, magic streaming forth. Kat watched his face. The focus he showed her girlfriend made Kat smile. There was a reason he was Kat’s best friend.

Ann’s breathing relaxed, then her eyes opened.

“That feels a lot better.” Her voice was still weak. Physically, she was probably still beat to shit, but would survive. Mentally, it was a different situation. “Help me up?”

Kat and Rosalyn gently helped her sit.

“Ye goin’ tae be alright tae walk, fluff?”

“I think so.” Ann still wasn’t looking her in the eye. Kat’s heart ached as she noticed.

What happensss when you’re not ssstrong enough.

Kat’s face twitched. The rage she choked down earlier, threatening to rise.

Your preciousss wolf hasss been damaged. You should have kept her clossser.

“Kat? You, um. You’re hurting my shoulder.”

“Shite, sorry,” Kat mumbled, letting go of Ann. When had she clamped down so hard?

“It’s stupid, but are you ok?”

Bless this sweet woman. “Eh, been better. Dragon’s pokin’ at some sore spots. I’ll be fine.”

Ann reached up and held Kat’s hand. “Don’t let it do that. You’re so much better than it could know.”

“Always thinkin’ o’ others,” Kat chuckled. “Love ye, too. Think you’re ready tae get goin’?”

“Not sure,” Ann shrugged. “Kinda just feel weak.”

“I know. We’ve gotta move, though. The two ye let run’ll probably be bringin’ friends back soon.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t…” Kat bit her tongue from lecturing the hurting woman. “Ye did what you thought was right. Gotta deal wit’ what happens because o’ that. Not gonna ask ye tae do anythin’ but carry yer pack, an’ walk. Think ye can manage tha’?”

Ann struggled to her legs, then wrapped her arms around herself. It was cold, sure, but Kat knew she couldn’t feel it. The adrenaline dump was still affecting her. Poor thing.

“I can take some of your stuff. I’ll carry your gauntlets, your book, all the heavy stuff,” Rosalyn offered.

“We’ll split it.”

“I don’t need…”

“Just for now,” Bren cut her off. “For a couple of days. Let us help.”

“Thanks,” Ann said, almost in a whisper. Kat could see her holding back tears.

“Got you,” Lucia affirmed.

“Alright. Let’s get our stuff an’ head out. North, aye?”

“Correct.”

“Rosalyn, Lucia, ye’re in charge o’ coverin’ our tracks. Bren an’ I’ll keep watch fer anythin’ comin’.”

“And me?” Ann asked.

“Ye just take yer time. Do what ye feel comfortable doin’, but don’t push yerself.”

“Feels like I lost a limb,” Ann chuckled weakly. “The way you all are treating me.”

“Ann, it’s kinda like that,” Rosalyn said, holding her hand as they walked back to their packs. “You lost something. Something big and important. Now you’ve gotta figure out how you go on without it. Innocence is something precious. Gods, I wish this never happened.”

“I’ll figure it out,” Ann mumbled.

“We know you will. You have a vast compassion for your fellow man and a fortitude well tested to date. I have faith you will recover, with time.”

“Thanks, Bren,” Ann smiled, a little stronger this time.

“There’s our shite. Let’s get a move on. Got a Goddess tae follow.”

“Yes, quite correct.”

After they’d gathered their things, they set off. Rosalyn and Lucia used tree branches to brush away their footsteps the best they could, but only just enough.

Not for a single step did Kat let go of Ann’s hand. She had a duty to protect this woman. She would not fail her.