RP:Satoshi's Pet Knight
Part of the The Ice Plague Cometh Arc
Frostmaw
Onjar had summoned Hildegarde with news that he had found a lead on the exiles who had escaped from the lake, who had escaped punishment from Gunjar’s death. “Onjar,” the knight hailed upon her arrival, “what news do you have?” The giant looked to Tormund first, then Hilde, “They’ve gone west,” he growled, “those bastards have fled to the damn west.” The dragon looked to Tormund, receiving a slight nod of the head as if to say it was all true. “Then that’s where we’ll go, Onjar,” she said, “we’ll avenge Gunjar, I promise.”
The trio set out beyond the Western Gate, with Onjar leading the way, Hilde in the middle and Tormund guarding the rear. They marched through the cold and through the snow, no banter or anything: just the crushing silence of the wind, their footsteps and their own breathing. “The bridge is ahead,” Tormund said, trying to elicit a response from Onjar about some kind of plan; how they were going to proceed. But nothing was said; not a single damned word and it left Tormund and Hilde looking worried.
They both knew fine well that revenge and rage could blind a person’s path, Onjar was blinded by his need for revenge; his necessity to avenge Gunjar. Indeed, they could understand it was his brother and he should seek to avenge him, as that was the way of Frostmaw. “Onjar, I do not think we should walk into this situation so lightly,” the knight cautioned, but he ignored her like he had ignored Tormund.
If only Onjar had listened to them both, he would not have stumbled into what looked like a small exile camp on the move. It wasn’t a terrible amount, but they outnumbered the trio easily. Ten or so giants, versus three who sought vengeance for the sake of one. It wasn’t as if they could leave either, they had been spotted and the exiles were swiftly falling into a defensive position: spears, warhammers, battle axes and swords readied while a small number of giants raised vicious looking crossbows and fired them freely at the trio.
They were so ill prepared, it was practically a massacre. The quarrels flew: striking Tormund in the throat to silence his great and booming voice, his hearty laugh that seemed to make everyone smile whenever they heard it; skimming Hilde’s temple so hard it knocked her back and to the snow, giving the illusion it had struck her head and struck her dead; slamming hard into Onjar’s chest. But with the mighty blow to her temple, Hilde lost consciousness and was unable to hear the defiant screams and roars of fury from Onjar as he rose up to swing his axe down and smash what foes he could; unable to hear the struggling gurgle of breath that left Tormund.
Hildegarde only awoke to the loud cracking pop of her shoulders being dislocated, screaming as it happened; arms being tied to a wooden post by rough and thick hands. She knew those hands belonged to a giant. She felt lighter than usual, though, felt the chill of Frostmaw permeate her clothing which helped her realise that her armour had been taken from her. She heard deep voices rumble with laughter, assuming they must have been laughing at her and her misfortune.
“Ahh, Miss Silver, we meet again!” the voice boomed, cruel yet polite at the same time. It was a horrible mix, something that spoke of patience and willingness to do great deeds of cruelty. “Who…?” she asked uncertainly, knowing full well that voice was somehow familiar and yet different. But she couldn’t quite place where it was from. Until that figured leaned in and was only an inch away from her face; decrepit and rotting features now in full view, “I was a Jarl once. Hakkon, they called me. I tortured you and your friend, remember? You killed my sons. Pitted brother against brother,” he rasped, curling the remnants of his tattered fist, the stumps left from his sliced fingers looking rotten and corrupt.
“What are you?” the dragon demanded, before screaming as Oathkeeper bit into her flesh and embedded into the post behind her. With a growl, she forced herself to eye the giant, “I killed you,” she stated. The giant seemed to find that comment funny, as he burst into laughter along with his companions, “Aye, that you did. But a force greater than you and her brought me back,” he said.
His mutilated fist curled and jerked out against her face, sending her world momentarily spinning. To add insult to injury, he chuckled as he lifted her eyepatch and transferred it from the mutilated wound to her decent eye, rendering her blind. The knight heard the rip and tear of fabric, feeling her belly exposed to the elements and the sharp point of a blade pressed to her gut. The blade began to move, carving a name and a title into the soft skin of her belly before slinking beneath what silvery scales could be seen and pulling them off with horrendous force. The dragon screamed as it happened, perhaps finding the removal of her scales far much worse than the pain of having something scarred into her flesh at the point of a blade.
With another laugh, Hakkon ripped the cloak from the back of her armour – a treasured item gifted to her by her Queen – and draped it over the post to cover Hilde’s front. She heard the creak of crossbows being reloaded, listening to the scribble of quill on parchment and felt something being held against her chest. A ‘twang’ notified her of the crossbow being fired, the ‘thump’ and pain she felt told her it had met its target. The first crossbow pinned a note to her cloak and chest, followed by two other quarrels: one near her shoulder and the other near her hip. But the knight did not remain awake for very long: feeling the thump to the side of her head that sent her world into darkness and silence. It was perhaps more fortunate that way, as it meant she wouldn’t feel the lash of the whip on her back or the pounding of fists against her already battered body. Nor would she heard the giants joke and jest about melting her armour down for scraps.
Hildegarde’s cloak was draped over what looked like a post, legs protruding from the bottom of the cloak. The knight’s arms were bound behind her, twisted in an awkward manner given the giants had dislocated them; popped them right out of the sockets in order to make her suffer. To add insult to injury, they had placed her eyepatch over her good eye and bared her disfigured one. The cloak was bloodstained: three quarrels embedded in it – and subsequently Hildegarde – and one with a note attached, stained with blood. There was so much blood at the base of the post, though, what looked like an endless pool of blood that had just streamed from this bound figure. Her armour was gone, missing entirely, leaving her only in her cotton clothes. The woman didn’t even seem to be breathing. Hell, it would be impossible to tell it was her unless someone recognised the cloak or removed it to see who lurked underneath. Once they did, their eyes would be assaulted by Hilde’s broken and beaten form: her belly red and raw, as silvery scales had been sliced right off, as if they were shiny little trinkets for her assailants to have.
Dami couldn't tell what amused her more, the fact she'd actually managed to fall asleep or the fact Hildegarde managed to sneak off while she did so. She'd tended to the warrior's wounds the previous night as best she could, demanding she get what little rest she could before heading back out to battle. With Hildegarde missing and Dami's own wounds healed, she had nothing else to do but wander Frostmaw on her own, hopefully in search of the crazy knight. Lake Freysta was obviously the first choice, but the her wyvern's persistent roars from far above didn't sit right. He was her air support, always ready to swoop in at the right time, scouting for any obvious threat over the horizon. This time was different, he'd found something and it wasn't in the direction of the lake. Dami knew the lake was of utmost importance, but Rocky didn't call for squirrels and food. It wasn't until she followed his returning shadow through the frozen lands that she came upon the bloodied corpse covered in a cloak. "Welcome to Frostmaw.." She said jokingly, wondering what unlucky sap had managed to meet their demise. She recognized that cloak, she recognized the acidic sting of blood that assailed her vampiric senses. "Oh no.." Quickly she sprinted to her side, hoping.
Hildegarde was unresponsive as the woman sprinted to her side, blood slowly dripping from many open wounds to join that puddle at the base of the post; which was perhaps risky for Dami to be even close to! The knight’s back was a myriad of cuts, lashed to pieces and flesh gouged by what must have been a clawed whip. Her belly bore a message itself: ‘Satoshi’s Pet’, making it clear that this was a personal assault on Satoshi through those who were close to her or at least in her life on an almost daily basis. The note itself simply read: “If this is your protector, I weep for Frostmaw.”
Dami was lucky she wore her signature skin-hugging leather pants, and a long sleeved leather jacket, because the dragon's blood wasn't her concern right now. Had she actually a heartbeat, it would have stopped while she reached for the cloak. Her hand trembled while she wrapped her fingers around the fabric and slowly pulled it away. What she saw next made her shoulders sink, and her heart with it. "Oh Hilde.." Her eyes darted all around, unsure of what to make of the situation. She wasn't a healer, she had no idea the severity of the wounds; she did hear a heartbeat, and that much gave her a glimmer of hope. "If you can hear me.. I've got you, sit tight." Good one Dami, because what else was she going to do? The elf took her jacket off and draped over her exposed lap. She'd let out a sharp whistle to signal for the wyvern, figuring him smart enough to land anywhere but the bridge. "Hey, Hilde.. sweetie, can you hear me?"
Hildegarde’s head moved just ever so slightly, but it wasn’t as if she could see given the eyepatch had been moved to her good eye, a gesture made purely to humiliate the dragon. “H…urts,” she shuddered out, not wishing to be conscious given that it meant she would feel the pain in full force once she was conscious. She wasn’t certain she could tolerate that. No part of her was left untouched: her hair had been chopped and cut in a brutal fashion, chopped and hacked at for the purpose of a cruel joke. Oathkeeper – the blade gifted to her by Kirien – was embedded in her leg, with Winterheart left on the ground as it was no use to the giants.
Dami in all honesty was afraid to do anything, let alone touch her. She had no clue what she was doing, or what she could do. The fact Hildegarde was covered in her own blood made this worse; she couldn't touch her even if she wanted. She left the knight alone for a brief moment, long enough to sprint to the edge of the bridge where she met the wyvern. She grabbed the thing by the maw and forced.. yes, forced it to look her in the eye. "Satoshi. I know you've got some sense up there in that big, lizardy brain of yours. You've seen her- Find her. Bring her here." She started to turn and paused, "Kirien.. Kasyr, in fact- find anyone." That was all she'd say to the wyvern before leaving him to his own mission. He was clever and she knew that, she could only hope he was quick. Once at her side again, Dami moved in close and flipped the eyepatch up, already getting blood all over her pants and shirt. Her fingertips hissed, but she didn't pay attention to that right now. "Stay with me alright?"
Hildegarde’s hearing faded in and out in her effort to stay awake, she just felt so horrendously tired at the moment. Her head had lolled to the side a long time ago, so she was easily in Dami’s reach for her to flip the eyepatch up. She groaned as the light invaded her eye, but she looked to Dami because she simply had to. “N… Not like I…” she heaved in another painful breath, “can go… anywhere,” she said, attempting to grin, but her split lip only welled with a bit more blood in her attempt.
Dami shook her head, a part of her deep inside wanted to smile but this wasn't the place or time. She lifted the cloak and did another quick survey of the damage done. What concerned her most was the pool of blood and just how much had gathered. Not because it was practically acidic to her vampiric skin, but because that much was enough to kill someone. She could already feel it seeping through her clothes, it felt like boiling hot water was being pressed up against her. She did her best to ignore it, but for how long? Dami eyed the sword sticking out of her leg and reached for the hilt.
“You're going to hate me for this, but hold your breath.” Inflicting any sort of pain on the knight killed her inside, but she knew it was with good intention. She'd be as quick as she could about pulling Oathkeeper out before tearing a strip of her coat off and using its thick, cotton padding to tie off the wound. She desperately hoped a traveler would happen along this bridge.
Aela stands near the eastern border of Frostmaw, wrapped tightly in her cloak to ward of the freeze that threatens to enter her bones. Lines of worry crease the girl's forehead as she tries to stare through the rolling snow banks and the fog of snow that the wind had created. Silently she berates Hilde for leaving on a mission without telling her. The strange mix of worry and anger mill about in her gut as she waits for some sort of sign of the dragon's return. A screech fills the air above her and the paladin casts her gaze heavenward to see the wyvern circling out of the sky toward her. Instant recognition of the beast elicits a gasp from the girl as it settles on the ground before her. There is no doubting the creature's intent and Aela rushes forward to take wyvern's back. Pulling her cloak even tighter, she hunches down and holds on for dear life as it takes to the sky, flying toward Hilde. The sound of prayers exiting the paladin's lips is torn away by the rushing wind and in a matter of moments, the wyvern descends to the ground next near the two other women. Squinting her eyes against the wind, Aela calls out... "Hilde! Are you out here?!"
Hildegarde knew all too well how acidic her blood was to Dami, it made her feel a terrible guilt as the woman tried to help her because she would only end up inflicting pain upon herself. But the knight did as she was bid, taking in what breath she could and doing her best to hold it as the woman drew Oathkeeper from her leg. However, holding her breath did not last long and the dragon bellowed out a pained roar, part human sounding and part draconian. “Hate’s… a strong word,” she laughed out, exhausted and pained. “My… my armour?” she enquired meekly. She knew she didn’t have it on, but she was wondering if it was perhaps lying around. Little did she know the giants had taken it to melt down for scraps or to forge weapons to use against the City of War.
Dami let the sword clatter against the bridge, keeping both hands pressed firmly against the leg. If they wyvern didn't return soon, she was going to prepare the knight so she could carry her to safety. It might have been wise, but what other options did she have right now? “Shh.. we'll worry about that later, just stay with me.” Stay with me. What did that even mean right now? It's what a frantic half-elf spouted while racking her brain for solutions. Dami glanced up and looked for the wyvern, he was near. The two shared a connection, the same wraithen essence that was found in the body, stolen from Satoshi to start this war. She'd watch while the winged beast landed at the end of the bridge and lowered its head to deliver the paladin. Hallowed, the black halberd was called into existence by the sound of ripped fabric, the weapon exploded from the tattoo on her spine, only to manifest in her right hand. She held it threateningly for a brief moment before slamming the butt of the staff into the obsidian stonework. “Help.. please.”
Aela turns quickly at the sound of Dami's voice. The sound is unfamiliar, and definitely not Hilde's. "Who's there?" The girl calls as she draws her sword forth and steps closer to the sound. Out of the flurrying snow, a figure begins to take shape, standing armed in front of Hilde who has the look of death upon her. Dami's words, however, speak a different tale and do much to ease the instinct to fight in the paladin. Ultimately, her concern for Hilde overrides anything else and she steps forward. Forcing the quaver of concern from her voice she calls out as she approaches. "Is...is she alive? What's happened?"
Hildegarde didn’t have the energy to pursue further questions about her armour or even her weapons, so all she could do was exactly what Dami said: worry about it later. But then she heard Aela’s voice, a familiar voice, a trusted voice. The knight was known for being reckless in battle, having poor defences and a fearless attitude, but her next words undid all that: “Am… Am I g-going to die?” she asked Dami tiredly and so fearfully. If she hadn’t been tearful from the pain before, she may well have been tearful from her impending fear of dying too soon! But then she realised she had a far more important message to pass on; one that had to be relayed whether she lived or died: “Dami, S-Satoshi has to know. H-Hakkon – he t-took my eye – is und-dead.” The Silver hardly believed it herself when the giant had simply swaggered up to her and beat the living daylights out of her.
The halberd had only been drawn to show the other, whoever it might have been, she was willing to to deadly lengths to keep the woman safe. From the looks of things, she'd not have to worry about that. When Hildegarde asked that depression question, she couldn't help but feel her heart break. It was the same question she'd asked herself, right before Kasyr found her disemboweled corpse in the Nameless. Fortunately, the dragon wasn't going to end up like her, in the sense that she still died that day. “I found her like this.. Please tell me you can do something?” For as strong as he tried to seem, there was a slight crack in her voice. The hiss of burnt flesh filled her nose and brought her mind back to the reality that was her flesh literally sizzling away. It was getting intense now, blood soaked through the pants, her shirt, and the exposed parts of her body were covered; how did she get so much on her already? Dami pushed the pain to the back of her mind, with Hallowed present. It gave a naturally increased tolerance to pain.
Aela nods, slipping her sword back in its sheath at her side. Rushing forward and past Dami, the paladin sinks to her knees in front of the dragon. "Hilde?" She reaches up to take the knight's cheeks in her hands. The dazed look on Hilde's face brings about a tight clench to Aela's jaw. Turning her face toward Dami, the paladin says, "She's lost a lot of blood. I'm going to try to heal her, but it'll leave us both vulnerable... Can you keep us safe for awhile?" A lot rides on the question, if the vampire cannot, then Aela will be forced to try to get Hilde back to the shaman, but with the amount of blood already lost, she is not sure that they will be able to make it.
Hildegarde was well aware that her toxic blood would harm Dami, so she meekly urged her, “Dami, the blood…” she didn’t want her good friend to come to harm on her account. The only reason the woman was still alive was due to her hardy nature as a dragon, they could take far more punishment than most races. As Aela mentioned healing, she groaned in protest, moving her head to try and get a better look at her, “C-Careful,” she cautioned her, knowing full well how the paladin liked to heal others.
“I'll be fine, don't worry. You just need to relax and let her do her thing.” To the paladin she'd simply nod and stand up. The halberd that had been stuck vertically into the stone bridge was once more reclaimed and held at the ready. It was because of slamming it down, she realized the integrity of the bridge's strength, and whistled for the wyvern to come. “You just make sure she lives, alright?” It almost sounded more like a threat, than a question but Dami had good intentions. She just wasn't in the clearest of minds right now. The blood was starting to ware on her, despite her little white lie to Hilde. The wyvern moved to one side so that the trio were shielded from Frostmaw's harsh winds. She dared anyone, or anything to try and interfere.
Aela nods as the vampire moves into a protective position, also offering a smile of thanks to the wyvern before turning back to the dragon. Hilde's words elicit a short grin from the woman followed by teasing words. "Shut up, Hilde! You're already in trouble for coming out here without me!" Closing her eyes, Aela begins muttering softly, her voice moving into a slow chant in an archaic language. The harsh light of the sun reflecting off the snow nearly hides the soft flow of white light that begins from the paladin to the knight. This flow continues for some time before it slowly begins to reverse and the wounds upon the knight begin to transfer back to the paladin. Gritting her teeth against the sudden onset of pain, Aela continues to chant those words of healing as her body begins ripping open in the exact areas that Hilde's wounds are.
Hildegarde was often far too trusting for her own good, believing that Dami spoke truly and honestly when she said she would be ‘just fine’. Perhaps once she was back into good shape, she’d be asking Dami for some training with a halberd, but who knew how long that would take? “Yes, ma’am,” she replied dutifully, so weak and tired she couldn’t quite determine whether Aela’s words were truly a joking tease or actually very serious. But the knight could feel some of her strength return as Aela’s archaic chant started up, wounds from her back, legs and arms transferring to the paladin. Her wounds were grave and there were many, though, perhaps too many for a mortal human to take. The knight, however, could not bear to watch the paladin in pain or to see those wounds blossom on her form: “Aela, enough,” she said, her voice regaining some strength thanks to Aela, “please.”
Dami was a statue of fortification, standing firm in the whipping winds at chilled their bones. The unliving aspect of being a vampire had its perks, and coupled with the halberds traits, Dami was able to stand far more than anyone should have been allowed. Even still.. this hurt her; physically and mentally. Her skin was burning away, and the pain of the knight's condition tore at her heart. What made it worse was the confusion she'd had just the previous night. Dami glanced back to see how they were doing and she frowned. “If you can keep her stable, and you alive.. I can carry you both back to safety.” The wyvern stood there obediently, covering the three; one protector after another
Aela nods at the vampire's words, the chants coming out in gasps between gritted teeth now. She will not be able to heal all of Hilde's wounds, she doesn't have the constitution for that, but once Hilde speaks, Aela rips her hands away from the dragon's cheeks and ceases her chanting. Blood oozes from the deep wounds that have opened on her body and she sinks to the ground in weariness. Breathing deeply, the woman closes her eyes, slipping into unconsciousness.
Although her shoulders had been dislocated, she could still move her arms even though it caused a great deal of pain. So as the paladin sank to the ground and fell unconscious, the knight growled with effort as she leaned forward as forcibly as she could from the post; arms straining against their bonds. The movement only made the knight growl more, though, through pain and sheer determination to help the paladin. She couldn’t ask Dami to unbind her, given that it would only harm the vampire further. She snarled loudly as the post began to creak with strain, unable to stand much longer against her might; rope bonds breaking and allowing her to fall onto the snowy ground with a ‘thump’. The Silver could – and would – pretend it didn’t hurt. She knelt by Aela and checked for vital signs, relieved to see she was still alive, unlike the last time! “We have to get her help,” she told Dami, uncaring about whatever wounds were still left to her. Should Dami come closer, the knight would say quietly to her, “Thank you. For finding me, helping me. I… I owe you much.”
Dami felt sick, an exhausting type of sick. The kind of sick only a vampire could experience when coated in dragons blood. Much like the dragon, she was able to take on more than one could chew, but she was pushing it now. This was the stuff that killed vampires without effort. Dami looked at the two and let out a soft sigh; one was unconscious, and the other most likely couldn't walk. Dami looked up at the wyvern and the specialized saddle strapped to its back. She snickered somewhere quietly in her head, thinking of the little girl she'd modified it for. “Stay alive and make it through this, and you'll have payed me back.” That said, she dropped the weapon which turned into a blackened miasma before it even hit the ground. A tattoo hissed its etching into her spine while she scooped the paladin up in her arms. Rocky, the wyvern, knelt down instinctively so that the elf could latch and fasten the unconscious paladin in. The thing was intended for a six year old to be safe on long flights, even when falling asleep. Yes, falling asleep mid air- they did that. “Where is the safest, closest place you think? If it's close, we can walk- otherwise flying might injure her more. If you can't walk, I'm carrying you, no questions. Either in my arms or on my back; you pick.” Dami seemed pretty intent on that. She was going to earn permanent scars for this, that was for sure.
Aela groans softly with each movement. The wounds that she had taken from Hilde had been the dragon's most severe, but would heal quickly by the Divine grace afforded the paladin. Already, the flow of blood has stopped and the wounds are scabbed over. This did little to alleviate the pain, however and brings the woman to the edge of consciousness several times. Within her mind, Aela reaches for the white light within, seeking sustenance in the touch of the Divine. She can only continue praying that her healing is enough that Hilde can function and find safety once more. Had she been more aware, she would have been worried about the vampire's wounds, but Aela knows that holy power often has the wrong effect on creatures of the night.
Hildegarde watched as Dami lifted Aela and secured her to the wyvern, attempting to rise to her feet with a groan as she felt the weight on her legs. Even with the quarrels and tatters of her cloak still embedded in her flesh, she stood tall and looked between Dami and Aela. “Get beyond the gates and we’ll be safe,” she said, knowing full well that the exiles did not yet have the strength to go beyond the gates. The walk would not be too far, but there was a chance of ambush from Ice Devil and giant alike. “If…” she frowned, looking to Dami, “Can you take her to the City? You, Rocky and her?” the knight still had strength; she could walk that distance.
Dami was honestly confused. “Of course I'm going to take her to the city..” she paused to shift her weight from one leg to the other. She was looking unusually pale, at least pale for a vampire. “You're coming, too.” Hildegarde wasn't going to- damn that blasted dragon, she was. “If you think I'm going to let you walk, you're sadly mistaken.” Dami admired her strong will and pride, often gave inspiration to her own. “If it's the blood, I'll be fine. I promise. At least come here so you can lean on me, if you're going to fight me.” Dami glanced back up to the paladin and frowned. “We don't have a lot of time.”
Unfortunately for Hilde, Aela is near consciousness when the dragon begins talking about being left. She groans louder and pulls against the straps that are holding her to the wyvern. The strain of the movement wears her out quickly, however and she slumps back into full unconsciousness after only a few moments. Hopefully she has made it clear that she is not happy with the idea.
Hildegarde is lucky that she has people who genuinely care about her, truly. “Don’t touch me, Dami,” she said with care, “I don’t want you to be hurt, you know that.” She leaned down with a groan, fingers curling around her halberd and Oathkeeper alike; halberd used to support her as she began to walk. “We had best move then,” she said, knowing she could last a little while before the weariness crept back up on her.
Dami shook her head and looked away while the signs of a guilty smile crept along her features. It was gone just as quickly as it came. “If you won't let me carry you, at least lean up against me. You're not going to make it far on that weapon. Whether Hilde wanted her to or not, Dami swung in and around the knight so that she at least had a shoulder offered. “Please trust me when I say, I will be fine.” She offered a weak smile, “I promise. Now lets go.” And with that, she'd lead the way while the wyvern trailed off at the side.
The wounds on the paladin have receded to a level that the pain is no longer overbearing allowing Aela to fall into a more restful slumber. When she wakes, she will not be happy that she passed out, but there is nothing to be done about it now. Instead, her head lolls to either side with the wyvern's walk
Hildegarde leaned reluctantly against Dami with a barely audiable groan, but perhaps those vampiric ears would pick it up. “I said I’d be your shield before death, not the cause or the other way about,” she said softly, smiling slightly so Dami knew it was only a semi-serious statement. The walk to the city was relatively quiet, peaceful given that the Exiles had left to recuperate their strength; to celebrate their victory over the Silver and to make ready for war. The knight could barely think about them without becoming intensely angry, though. She glances back to check all is well with Aela, but the woman looked as though she was very peacefully asleep. Once they reached the Western Gate, the knight would gesture north, “We’d be better to go to the Colosseum. They have healers there, to tend to the warriors.”
A short time later..
The small group had made it well past the small town, and deep into the depths of the mountain. Dami followed those familiar steps through the tunnels past her hidden abode, though the cave of flowers, and across the middle of the arena. She'd lead the trio down into the main underground passage, leaving the wyvern at the opening while she carried Aela the rest of the way. In doing so, Hilde was finally given the privilege of walking on her own which must have taken a great deal of stress of her shoulders (and Dami's too)! “Hey, friend.. wake up. We're here.” She whispered quietly to the paladin while they as they were greeted by the healers just south of the barracks. “Hilde.. you know this area better than I, no? Lead on?”
Aela's eyes flicker briefly as she is roused from her sleep. Waking to find herself in Dami's arms she starts and wriggles herself free. To her credit, she only grinds her teeth briefly at the residual pain from taking Hilde's wounds upon herself. "Wha... where are we?" Cerulean eyes swivel quickly about the area, finally coming to rest on Hilde. "Ah, Hilde... You're alright! I wasn't sure that I'd taken enough from you..."
Hildegarde had fought plenty of times in the Colosseum for training purposes, so she had most definitely knew where the healers were located. The knight gestured to two cots, speaking in her ‘knight-captain’ voice, “You had best sit,” she was evidently addressing the two women. “I’ll live,” she smiled reassuringly to Aela. She knew she would live! She simply had to, even if she walked away with numerous fresh scars. But she wanted to see the people she cared for tended to first; she knew she could stand to wait a little longer.
Hilde might have known she could stand a little longer, but Dami would be damned if she let her. She'd let the wriggling paladin fight her way out of her arms, but not before depositing her on the cot. Whether she cared to stay there or not was her own doing. “I can't sit, I need to get this blood off me. You-” she called out, intercepting a young, passing priest. She'd whisper in their ear and let them leave with a nod. “Hilde..” She was about to start arguing with the knight, demanding she take the cot in place of her instead, but she stopped herself. Watching her lead the way, putting others before her even in her state sent a message. She'd leave the dragon to be, she could fight with her another time. For now, she needed to get this blood off her, and fast.
Aela allows herself to be deposited on the cot. Silently, she curses her weak ability to heal as she watches the exchange between the two ladies. Once Dami has stopped, however, Aela takes over. "Hilde! I know what I took from you and I know that it was not half of what you sustained... You know I love your honorable way, but I swear if you don't sit down and let the healers tend to you..." What? She didn't know what she'd do, and so let the threat die idle upon her lips. Instead, she reaches up a hand to quickly swipe a tear from her cheek. "Please..."
Hildegarde wouldn’t win against the two women, but she still needed to know that they would both be all right. She could not have more blood on her hands, not tonight, not since she lost more of her squad. So she raised her hands with teeth gritting against one another, “I shall sit,” she told them in an effort to placate them. The woman looked to the nearest cot and sat down with a groan, looking to Dami, “Will you be all right?” she asked, her eye full of worry and concern for her friend. “You had better be fine, Dami,” she warned, just as Aela had warned her. The knight turned her gaze to Aela and smiled faintly, “You’re already going to beat me up in training. Surely, you will not beat an injured woman?” she said lightly, attempting to be funny.
Dami was brought several items from two different healers. Mostly a clean set of robes, a bucket of water, and a pile of rags. “You'll have excuse my rudeness.. but you have no idea how badly this burns.” With that she'd take a seat on the floor a close distance to the cot, and remove her shirt. It was tossed to the side while her burnt and half melted away flesh as exposed. She never understood why it was a dragon's blood was so toxic, she just made it a point to avoid it at all costs. Sometimes though, that wasn't always possible; especially when you made great friends with a dragon. Anywhere the blood had soaked through, large patches of skin pulled away, almost like a boiling hot liquid had been poured on her. “I promised I'd be fine. I just.. I'll need a while to fix this. That's all. How are the both of you?”
Aela offers the dragon a fond smile as she complies with the request. Dami's burnt skin, however, brings a soft gasp from her lips. "I hope that is able to be healed... It looks painful." In response to Dami's question, she lifts a hand to her forehead and rubs it soothingly. "I'll be fine tomorrow. We take on the wounds of others, but we are not expected to endure for long. Hilde, on the other hand, is not going to be fine when training time comes." Turning her eyes upon the dragon she narrows her gaze. "What were you thinking going out there without me... again?! You could have at least told me where you were going? I didn't even know where to look!"
Hildegarde turns her gaze when Dami removes her shirt, as if to be respectful while Dami tended to her own wounds, even though she still felt intense guilt for having caused them. Indeed, she could hardly stand to think she had hurt either woman just so. It seemed to her that she only seemed to hurt and cause pain to those who got close to her, which was a thought strong enough to bring her to tears. The knight looked to the floor in order to hide it, hand wrapping around a quarrel and pulling on it with a grunt; disguising any tears for ones purely out of pain. “I’ll live,” she promised, before addressing Aela, “I’m sorry. Onjar… Onjar came to me and needed my help. He had picked up the trail and needed to avenge his brother, it is the way of Frostmaw,” she said truthfully. “But I could not avenge his brother. Nor him,” she said it sadly, hand curling around another quarrel and pulling it much more forcefully from her chest; almost as if she was punishing herself for her own failure but this quarrel had been accompanied with a small cry of pain. Her arms were aching, joints rubbing against each other awkwardly as it was not properly in the shallow socket that it needed to be in. “I am glad you will both recover. I am sorry that you felt pain on my behalf,” she said quietly.
As much as Hilde tried to hide those tears, Dami could see right through her ruse. She was no fool to sorrow, she knew its bitter taste and cold caress all too well. She listened to the conversation between paladin and knight, and figured there was a good deal of familiarity. She knew not off the paladin, but knew she was a friend and that alone was enough to ease the tension at her mind. Because.. that was one hell of a stranger for the vernier to have picked up, she still couldn't shake the uneasiness in her stomach the moment her silhouette came into view, back there on the bridge. It was a feeling of vulnerability. Her friend was injured, she couldn't help, and a stranger came along. She shook the through from her mind again, and moved to wipe down her arms and cheek. The blood might have been gone, but the burn was still there. “Just as I would anyone else in my Coterie, I'd lay my life down on the line, much like you would yours for me. These scars are just another memory of a tale to tell.” She tried her best to lift the knight's spirits.
Aela pushes herself to her feet and holds a hand out to Dami. "We have not been properly introduced. I owe you everything for helping the one dearest to me. I am Aela and my sword will always be at your service."
Hildegarde smiled slightly at Dami’s remark, but she didn’t comment on it. She could feel that her voice would break at any given moment and she couldn’t risk that. Soon enough, she’d end up being called the ‘crying knight’, she was sure of it! She was always crying for some reason or other. That said, her fingers curled around the last quarrel and she tugged it out with a groan, eyeing the note that was attached to it. It was the first time she had read it and it stung her deeply. With a sigh, she set that particular quarrel on the cot beside her with the intent of keeping it for Satoshi.
Dami felt her stomach tumble when she turned acquaint herself with the paladin. It was strange, Hildegarde's loss of blood left her feeling perhaps dizzier than she did herself. Then again, her blood didn't leave an acid like burning sensation when applied to the skin. Where the blood had been, looked raw and fresh. Like a terrible case of road rash, only without the road. She at least finished wiping down her entire torso when she reached for the offered hand, and shook it firmly. “I am Dami, and thank you- for saving a great friend of mine. A friend of Hildegarde's is a friend of mine.” She turned away to cover herself with the fresh robes before doing away with her pants. From there she went about cleaning up her legs, where the blood had seeped through. “Hilde.. when I finish here, I'm going to go find Satoshi. Did you have anything else I needed to inform her about?”
Aela is no stranger to the sight of burn victims, though Dami's burns cause her to shake her head. "I wish I could do something to help heal you. But I'm afraid that my healing may have a reverse effect on you." Turning, she steps up and reaches out to take Hilde's hand. "We will talk more later, Hilde. Promise me you won't go wandering off again..." Lifting a hand she softly caresses the dragon's cheek and lowers her voice. "You have to let yourself feel. There's no dishonor in grieving." Letting her hand drop, she sighs. "I need to speak to my brother... He was looking for his friend that was lost in the ice."
Hildegarde listened to Aela and Dami introduce one another, before lifting her head at Dami’s question. “I need you to take that arrow to her, the one with the note. Wrap it in something, though, I don’t want you to touch it,” she said, not wishing the woman to gain any more burns on her account. “Inform her that there are three dead giants and that I must speak with her soon. Whether you tell her of what condition you found me in is at your discretion,” she said, speaking like a proper commander in the field. The woman didn’t intend to, she just sort of fell into that way of speaking as if it might help her deal with the situation and the events that had happened. At Aela’s words, she nodded almost obediently, “I doubt I shall be wandering for a little while,” she confessed. But at the mention of dishonour, she fell quiet. It was unclear if she agreed or disagreed: the woman had lost her men and that, to her, was dishonour enough. “I hope he finds his friend.”
Dami kept her back to the two, focused on wiping down the blood on her legs. She had to turn one of the priest away who was concerned for the amount of blood washed away, vs the burn wound left behind. Dami may have built this arena, but she'd never fought in it. She was a fresh face to the staff present. “I'll make sure the message gets to her. I'm almost done here, when I find her I'll be sure to relay the message.”