Something was very wrong. There was bad feeling in the air and Aryion looked to the sky with worry written in his young face.
He was in a hurry but the ill feeling stayed. Had something terrible happened at home?
Be that as it may, there was no way to find it out now. He had to keep going and hope that everything would be all right at the time he got back home.
Aryion gazed to the road ahead. About half day journey and he would arrive to the Zandars when the blue moon Arren was rising to the sky.
Huge tiger beside him purred and rubbed her head against his side anxious to move on.
He petted the soft hair of the tiger’s head and climbed to her back. She was his loyal mount and had been with him since the cub as Aryion had nursed her to health when her mother had abandoned her.
At first the tiger only walked but then she started to run along the road. She wanted to get off the road before the night would come.
***
The journey went uneventfully and Aryion sighed from relief when he saw the lights of the village where the Zandars lived. Someone stood at the village gate and Aryion could guess it was Xardor, the scout of the village and an old friend of his.
Xardor watched the huge tiger and the young man in her back with warmth: “Good to see you my friend. How was the journey?”
Aryion dismounted the tiger and stretched smiling: “It’s good to see you too Xardor. The journey was peaceful. But how fare everybody?”
Xardor nodded towards inner village: “Others are fine but one of our fishers got bitten by shark. Think you can do something?”
Aryion’s brows dipped in concern: “When the shark bit him?”
“Last night, it’s been a day already. We got the bleeding stopped but he’s suffering from high fever.”
Aryion nodded thoughtful expression on his face: “An infection. Let me see to it.”
Xardor smiled: “I knew you would. He’s here...”
The Scout led the young healer through the village to large cottage. It had many rooms and well lit larger space where healers could do minor surgery.
Once inside Xardor showed his friend to the room in which Aryion’s new patient was.
“I take care of your tiger and if you need anything don’t hesitate to ask for it.”
With that Xardor left and Aryion took in the dimly-lit room and middle-aged man on the bed.
The man was asleep and there was a wet towel on his forehead. On the table beside the bed were basin full of cold water and several rolls of clean bandages. His patient seemed to have all his limbs intact so the shark hadn’t done too bad damage.
Aryion put down his back bag and opened it. He would need his own instruments and herbs to tame the infection in man’s leg.
A weak moan got Aryion to turn towards his patient.
“Good evening. I’m Aryion, a healer from Shayan village. I was asked to heal your fever.”
The man nodded once in acknowledgement and shuddered when chills ran through his body.
“Thank you for coming. I’m Xoza..”
Aryion smiled friendly at the man on the bed and turned towards his bag again speaking in quiet voice. “Let me have a look...”
He took some fresh herbs from his bag and returned to the bed side.
Xoza pushed the blanket away and revealed his right leg.
All bandages were soaked by now already dried blood and it took a long while from Aryion to get them off. The wound was big and deep but no bones were broken. The shredded edges of the wound were only pressed close and Aryion knew he would have to sew it.
“It doesn’t bleed anymore, but from the look of the wound and your paleness you have lost quite a lot of blood. First I have to clean the wound and then stitch it close. I’ll make you some tea which will lower your fever and fight the infection. I also put some herb paste over the wound to prevent future infections before I dress the wound.”
Aryion looked up from the cuts now and voice steady questioned: “Do you want something to the pain right now? The cleaning of the wound will hurt, that I won’t deny.”
Xoza shook his head: “No need for that.”
Aryion raised his brow in disbelief: “Are you sure?”
The man only nodded for an affirmative and the young healer smiled gently: “Alright. I get some hot water and then we can start.”
Aryion walked to the door and opened it only to find Xardor with bowl of steaming water right behind the door.
“You must have been eavesdropping or mindreading me. Thank you for the water but I need one more thing from you.”
Aryion took the bowl and walked back to the bed side.
Xardor followed few steps behind and greeted the wounded man with a nod.
“How can I help you?” He questioned from the young man next to him.
Aryion started to clean his hands by herbs and hot water and motioned Xardor to do the same: “I need you to assist me while cleaning and stitching. And we need more hot water and an empty basin.”
Xardor nodded and after cleaning his hands left the room for more water.
***
Aryion was surprised. In the whole time what to cleaning and sewing the wound had taken Xoza had only grunted few times. The man had kept his eyes closed and his leg completely still making healer’s work so very much easier.
Now the wound was bandaged and Xardor had left to boil some water for herb tea. Aryion packed away all his instruments and herbs save those he needed for tea making.
“Now you need rest. You are not allowed to use your right leg for two weeks. If the wound has not healed enough by the time you will rest another week. No wetting the wound before it’s closed and the wound have to be cleaned at least twice a day. Fresh bandages every time it is cleaned.”
Xoza nodded his eyes a little tired: “Thank you.”
Aryion smiled gladly: “No problem at all. Just remember to keep it dry and clean.”
The door opened and both males turned to see who it was.
As Aryion had guessed it was Xardor with a tea pot.
“Here it is Aryion. Do you need anything else?”
Aryion shook his head and took the pot from the scout. “This is all I need for now.”
He started to rip of the leaves of various herbs and put them in to the pot. He sat the pot onto the bedside table and turned to his patient: “Let this be for few minutes and then drink at least a cup of it. The more you drink the better. “
The man nodded and shuddered from cold shivers: “If it makes these to stop I drink the whole of it even if it tasted like shit..”
Aryion laughed merrily at this: “It tastes much better than that. I put some mint in it for flavor.”
The healer packed the rest of his things and took his bag: “I’ll come to see you tomorrow. The tea will make you little sleepy and numb the pain a little so just relax and sleep. Good night.”
Xoza smiled faintly and nodded once again: “Good night and thank you once more.”
Xardor had been waiting at the door and opened it for Aryion: “Let me show you the place where you can rest, my friend.” He nodded to the wounded man and let the young healer out of the room.
Xoza sighed and closed his eyes as the door closed.
Chieftain Xaher’s youngest son was so quiet and sullen, while the healer had been vocal and open. How they had befriended was a mystery to the man.
***
Aryion smiled when he noticed that Xardor was leading him to his private quarters. Was the scout about to make his move tonight?
He had noticed that Xardor had eyed him for a while now whenever they had met somewhere. He wasn’t as easygoing as he let people to think and he noticed lots of things going on around him. He knew that Xardor didn’t know that he had noticed where they were going and so he decided to play innocent.
“So where I shall rest this night, my friend?” He put an extra tone to the ‘my friend’ part and continued. “I have to be near my patient and ready to go his aid if he needs me.”
Xardor nearly groaned when hearing the healer’s words. “He will be fine. You don’t have to worry over him.”
Aryion grinned behind Xardor’s back and make his voice sound worried. “Is something wrong my friend?” Again the extra tone was there. “You sound angry.”
Xardor sighed and stopped. He had no idea what to answer to the oblivious healer. “I’m fine. You can rest in my quarters.”
Aryion smirked at this. Xardor hadn’t looked at him while speaking. “That’s really kind of you but only if it isn’t too much trouble.”
Now the scout really groaned. How ignorant one can be! There was a room for healers in the little hospital building. Aryion even had spent many nights in there. Why he kept teasing him so much..?
At this thought Xardor realized it. Aryion really was teasing him.
He turned around to see an innocent smile over the healers face. “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”
Xardor smiled reassured and shook his head. “You wicked little pixie, just keep teasing me and I make sure you don’t sleep at all tonight.”
Aryion started to laugh: “It really took you some time to realize that, ‘my friend’.”
Suddenly there was a low growl behind the bushes nearby and Xardor tensed ready to protect his chosen mate-to-be. But to his horror the easy-going healer just started to walk towards the noise.
“What are you doing Aryion?” He asked aghast.
There was a serene smile on the young man’s lips as he reached his hand and spoke in soothing voice: “Come here little one… No reason to be afraid…”
There was some rustling and then a large creature resembling a wolf stepped to the open.
Xardor looked mesmerized as Aryion hold out his hand to the creature to sniff it and then the large dog pressed his head onto his palm.
“This fenghir is upset and afraid. Something has happened to its pack. He’s all alone now and as the pack animal he can’t survive without the others.”
Xardor relaxed a little and came slowly closer but stopped when the wolf growled again.
Aryion petted the rough mane soothingly. “Shhh.. He’s a friend. Let us help you.”
The fenghir whined a little and licked the palm on the side of its head.
The healer turned to look at Xardor: “It’s safe now to come closer.”
Xardor nodded and stepped right next to Aryion still a bit vary.
“Is it hurt?” The scout watched the four foot high wolf with four fuzzy tails and a short horn on its forehead.
Aryion shook his head. “I don’t think so. It seems to be fine.”
Xardor nodded to this: “What should we do with it? If it can’t survive alone we can’t send it off out in the wild.”
Aryion smiled brightly. “You could keep him. He’s strong and healthy. He would be great companion on your trips.”
The scout gaped at the man next to him. His voice was low but intent: “Keep him?! He’s four foot high wolf! Don’t you think it would be little too much?”
There was low rumble behind them and both men turned around to see Aryion’s giant tiger. She seemed interested of the newcomer.
Aryion motioned her to come closer and grinned widely answering joyfully “Nope, not at all!”
Xardor made a face. “Of course you say so. You have a man eating kitty cat as your pet!”
“And what a wonderful companion she is!” The healer pressed his face against the soft fur of the tiger’s neck whispering to her: “Take good care of this poor fenghir, my darling. He’s going to be a part of the family.”
A soft growl and the tiger licked her master’s cheek.
The scout watched all this in amazement. The healer was so natural with all forms of the nature.
***
Only a single candle and the flames in the fireplace illuminated the small central room of the cottage. Aryion watched the flames licking the dry wood and tried to calm his nerves. He had waited for a while now when Xardor would make his move but he wasn’t still ready.
The healer had never been with anyone. He had dedicated his young life to learning how to use his knowledge and skills. He was a novice in relationships and in… Oh, that’s going to be awkward… How could he do it, to have sex with his friend?
He nearly jumped when a hand came to his shoulder and after calming his raging heart he turned to look at Xardor with a nervous smile on his lips.
The scout saw the nervousness and motioned a fur on the floor near the fireplace. “Let’s sit down. We have quite a lot to talk.” He knew he would have to ease Aryion’s anxiousness first or else he might run away.
Aryion sat on the soft fur and gazed at the fire. His eyes reflected the red and orange flames like they were really burning.
Xardor sat beside the other man and reached for two cups holding steaming liquid. “This will keep the chill away.” He offered the cup to Aryion who took it with slight nod.
“Thank you.” The healer sipped his drink in such an unhurried way it made Xardor wish he was the cup.
The drink tasted of sweet wild berries and there was a hint of oak flavor in it. Aryion knew the drink had quite a bit of alcohol in it but it didn’t taste bitter. “Do you really think I need dashir to keep the chills away?”
Xardor smiled a little. He had known the healer would recognize the strong wine as they had drunk it together few times before. “It might be a little more than you need, I admit, but it brings back some memories..”
Aryion took another sip of his steaming wine shaking his head. “And what might those memories be?“ He set the cup on the floor and looked the man next to him noticing Xardor’s intense gaze. “What is it?”
The scout hesitated a moment and then he reached and caressed his friend’s cheek. “You’re so beautiful Aryoin…”
This is it… The healer took a breath and smiled charmingly to the other man. “Thank you… But I recall that you said we have matters to discuss…”
Xardor steeled himself. Now was the time. He had prolonged this too much.
“You’re right. I said that. I have an important question to you and I hope you take your time to consider it.”
Aryion smiled a little and took a sip once again. He needed the wine to make his heart to stop beating like the wings of the hummingbird. “And this question is..?”
The scout reached to take the wine away from the healer and took the other man’s hands on his. “Aryion, we have known each other a long time now and…” Xardor took a deep breath and continued gazing intently to other man’s eyes. ,,I love you Aryoin. I’ve loved you for a long time now.” Now the scout hesitated for a while. Just ask, you coward!
Aryion couldn’t believe it when he heard the words. Xardor loved him?! He had known that the other man desired his body but that he wanted even more… He had wanted the scout ever since they had first met.
The healer saw that Xardor had more to say and forced himself to calm down without saying a word.
Aryion’s silence made the scout nervous and he licked his suddenly dry lips. Say something, please.
“Aryion… What I wanted to ask… Um…” Another deep breath and then Xardor forced the words out of his mouth. “Would you be my bonded mate Aryion?”
***
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