(BEST VIEWED FULL SIZE!) Galen quickly got over her practical joke, and soon he and Aranée were busily preparing for their long trek to Jobil lands. He selected a good horse for her from a string he had liberated from Greeners. She had never ridden before - and he was amazed at how quickly she learned this essential skill. He suspected that she communicated with animals at some unseen level for she and the horse soon bonded and worked as if they had been together for years. He was impressed by her self-discipline and knowledge. Every night she carefully studied The Book. She knew the terrain and countryside well, and they never rode into a blind canyon or had cause to backtrack. She was a competent hunter and their camp never lacked for game. She was curious about her Elvish sword, so he tutored her. She had both sword and dagger, so he showed her his own style of two-blade fighting. She was a quick study and her unsettling Elvish speed soon became an integral part of her own unique and deadly fighting style. But on their fifth day together, something was terribly amiss. She usually arose before he did, scouting near their camp, sometimes bringing back breakfast. Today she lay still in her bedroll, silent and unmoving. He called to her twice - no response. He knelt at her side and was alarmed at her pale skin and shallow breathing. Placing his hand to her cheek, he discovered she was burning with fever. Gently rolling her onto her side, he lightly sniffed at her still-bandaged wounds. The unmistakable sharp odor assailed him - sepsis. He gently rolled her onto her stomach and loosened her top and the bandages on her back. The angry red and blue flesh chilled him to the core. Franticly adding kindling to the still-glowing embers of the campfire, he cast about for just the right tool for the task at hand and his eyes settled on her dagger. He marveled at the exquisite weapon and regretted it would undoubtedly be wrecked. Thrusting it into the coals, he heated it until the blade radiated a yellow glow. Cupping her head, gently smoothing her hair with his hands, he whispered into her ear, "I don't know if you can hear me, I'm sorry Aranée this will hurt." Taking a deep breath, he used the glowing blade to open, drain, and cauterize a wound. He reheated the blade and repeated the process over and over again until he had sealed every festering wound on her back. Exhausted, he threw the surprisingly unharmed blade to the ground near the fire and then mopped her brow with a damp cloth. Three days later, he awoke mid-morning sprawled on the ground next to her - and with alert crystal-green eyes gazing intently back into his own. He quickly rose and examined her wounds. Satisfied, he wiped her brow and said, "Welcome back, I thought I had lost you." Unable to speak right away, she merely nodded. Then with an effort, "Kuila?" "I took care of him, we're the best of friends." Hearing his name, the cub came and clumsily flopped across Galen's boot with an audible plop. She shut her eyes and laughed weakly. He thought it the most wonderful sound he had ever heard. --- TO BE CONTINUED! View the series in numbered sequence to get the entire story, helpful links below. Still retexturing the remaining two characters (any guesses?) but didn't want you to wait for the next episode... PLEASE leave a comment, praise or constructive criticism, your opinions mean a great deal to me! Image and story © 2009 Larry Hodge