Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

“It means you have a heart, Qira. It’s not a bad thing.” Kate said softly as she helped him to unbuckle his armor, working around his wounds to get him free of the restriction so that she could better assess the situation. “Tell me what you need and I’ll try my best to help you.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Once they'd stripped away the armor and clothing on his upper half, the damage was revealed to be serious. On smaller or lesser men, just one of the deep stab wounds would've rendered them immobile or dead, and he was still bleeding freely from the gouge in his shoulder. It seemed he'd been bleeding a while by how the others had clotted and his fur was absolutely soaked in blood. He immediately took his ruined shirt and pressed it tightly to the wound. "Just any clean cloth for Fawkes to use, he'll have supplies for stitches and any medicinal items... I don't think he'll have enough bandages."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate nodded, turning to gather as many shirts from both her and Kell to shred into bandages for Qira. When she had a small pile, she got to work ripping up the fine linens into strips and handing them to Qira to place where he saw fit. When that was done, she turned towards the tent entrance and dared to step outside, calling to Michael who was a short distance away.

“I need your absolute secrecy this evening.” Kate said as the young boy came up to her. “Gather as many bandages as you can and come back to the tent quickly. Tell no one what you’re doing.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Michael simply nodded at her command, aware of the blood on her hands from helping Qira out of his armor. He didn't speak as he hurried away. When Kate reentered the tent, Qira had placed as many bandages as he could before getting his bandolier and pulling out one particular dagger with a slight curve and a hooked hilt. And when Michael returned, he was shortly followed by a small make fox with silver-speckled black fur.

"Kosaav, tekar," the fox murmured as he went straight to Qira without regard for anyone else. He knew his job came first. "The Lord Protector said you were half dead. He understated."

 

[heartofcourage]

“The lord protector is a master at understating the situation.” Kate said softly as Qira armed himself and then allowed the doctor to work.

 

[KieranSoares]

"No offense, milady, but the Lord Protector is still just a cub. He has much to learn," Fawkes chuckled to himself. "Qira is a bit older, but by this point in our business, the only other man of experience and years is Khelt of Monaghan."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’m sure Khelt has taught his grandson well.” Kate said quietly as she stared at Qira, wondering if he were in pain. It all seemed like a minor irritant to him as Fawke worked.

 

[KieranSoares]

If Qira were suffering, his expression certainly didn't show it. It was the same stoic, almost melancholy face as ever, bar minor winces when Fawkes began checking on Qira's left arm to make sure the damage to his shoulder didn't do more than rip the flesh. "You're young and strong, you'll be fine," Fawkes announced when he was finished. He turned to Michael then. "You seem useful, cub. Not bothered by blood or injuries. If her ladyship will allow it, I could use an extra helper."

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Fawkes seemed calm, even a little irreverent. While the Elder Khelt never showed such a carefree attitude, they seemed to have the same outlook on dangerous situations- what would happen, would happen, and they'd simply do their part along the way.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Only if he’s finished his other duties.” Kate said, glancing towards Michael as the young boy nodded. “Then you may go.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Come on, lad," Fawkes put a hand on the boy's shoulder, but remembered to bow his head to Kate before they left, and added as they slipped out, "Never fear, milady. You're an Aleister. Only Aleisters can kill Aleisters."

Qira watched after him silently before looking down at his bandage-riddled fur, and then he tucked his chosen blade into his belt. "Nothing to do but wait," he murmured.

 

[heartofcourage]

“For a man that was almost killed, you are incredibly calm.” Kate said as she took a seat across from him, looking down at her clasped hands. “Thank you, Qira. For being willing to put your own life on the line for mine...and for not taking the offers that come your way for my life.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Being hysterical does nothing to help you," Qira murmured simply. As she spoke again, he watched her expression as she spoke, and tilted his head slightly as if confused. "This is my job, Lady Katherine. There is no need for thanks. And I don't need the coin and prizes they offer. I am content to finally be doing something worthwhile with my skills." It was perhaps the most Qira had ever spoken that she knew of, and the most insight he'd given to his own thoughts and feelings.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know that Kell doesn't need it, but does he have someone protecting him as well?" Kate asked him in a soft tone, knowing that Qira had every right to deny her that answer. She wasn't asking really out of curiosity. She was asking as a concerned spouse wanting to know that her husband was well protected and taken care of.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Her name is Lyra," Qira said simply. "She was placed by Khelt." He wouldn't give more details, as per typical of Kell's people. Speaking too much out loud was dangerous. It allowed enemies to find identities and use them to coerce and blackmail, even turn people traitor to protect loved ones or keep secrets hidden as well as themselves.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate didn't press beyond that, knowing that Qira wouldn't tell her even if she did. Instead, she stood and nodded, turning to ready herself for bed. It wouldn't do to be tired in the morning when everyone else was awake and ready to go. It was up to Kell to solve this issue and Qira would watch over her as she slept.

"Call if you need me." She said as she slipped beneath her blanket, watching as her guardian settled in for the night himself, always alert in spite of his injuries.

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira sat to one side, purposely out of view of the tent flap. But the night was peaceful, and Kate woke to find everything and Qira just where she'd left it. But Kell hadn't returned.

 

[heartofcourage]

When Kate woke, everything seemed quiet. She glanced towards Kell's side of their shared bed and frowned to see that he was still gone. She had expected him to return during the evening, but it seemed that he hadn't made it back.

"Where's Kell?" Kate asked, turning to look at Qira as her mind spun with all manner of terrible thoughts and ideas.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Still hunting," Qira murmured. "But he sent back reports. He's safe." Qira himself was exhausted enough that it was beginning to show, his posture slumped and his words slow.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You need rest, Qira. Before you fall over and die." Kate said as she moved from bed and encouraged him to take her spot. "I promise to stay here in the tent while you sleep."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You have a battle to fight. Focus on that," he muttered, meeting her gaze tiredly. "I'll do what I need to once you're in a crowd of soldiers."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll send Fawke back in to check on you." Kate said softly, knowing that he might refuse, but she wouldn't see him struggling simply because he was too stubborn to admit that he needed help. "And I'll stay close to my uncle Boar. He wouldn't let anything happen to me."

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira simply nodded, unable to stand to even escort her. "Fawkes will look after me. You need to focus. It's only a few hours to dawn, and you need to be at those gates by sunrise."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I won’t fail.” Kate said softly, securing her leather armor before she placed her belt back about her waist. “And I won’t fail you.”

She glanced at Qira for a long moment after she said that. “And if I do fall, I expect you to take care of Kell. It would be my wish.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira looked up at her for a long moment, quietly aware of the danger ahead and knowing Kate would be nervous. "Come here," he murmured, hugging her against his unhurt shoulder. "You won't fail," he agreed softly. "And I will be here for both of you." Qira didn't often show emotion, and certainly not affection. Such things were dangerous if seen. But it seemed he would make an exception for a young woman about to enter her first all-out battle. While she had fought previously, it had never been as a commander or at the front.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Thank you, Qira.” Kate said softly as he held her tightly against his side, promising that she wasn’t going to fail. “For everything that you’ve done for us so far. You’ve been invaluable.”