Chapter Text
“It was just an impulse...”
Come to think of it, many things that happened since I met him could be described with that simple phrase...
“Impulse...?” the masked man held his wounded shoulder. “You saved someone who attacked your Archon on an impulse?”
“Every life is precious...” quickly grabbing a vial from my waist pouch, I drenched a clean cloth with its contents. For once, I didn’t feel bad about the fact that Granny thought of me as of an incautious little brat and always made sure I carried some herb extracts with me... “Sorry, but I need to...”
He snatched my wrist when I reached out to the buttons of his jacket. The metal of his gloves sank into my skin a little, but didn’t cross the line of pain. “Just put it on like it is...”
“But then it won’t work as well.”
“Just do it.”
Reluctantly, I adjusted the fabric of his uniform to align the hole with the wound as best as possible before pressing the cloth against it. I’m sure no ears but mine would have been able to pick up the almost inaudible hiss.
“I trust you know what you did,” he said slowly once the first pain passed. “That stunt will have people assuming you’re helping us.”
“I know...” trailing off, I pulled my hood back to free my other ear and looked over my shoulder, listening.
Voices. Heavy steps led by a single set of lighter ones. Probably Kinich. The clang of weapons. We both held our breath as they approached...
... but then passed by the fissure in the cliff and continued onwards, growing more distant again. Kinich was excellent at tracking... so did he recognize my illusion and tried to help? Or was it not Kinich who led the group...?
“You’re playing a dangerous game here...” muttered the masked man, probably when the sounds became inaudible to him.
“Aren’t we all...?”
“Indeed. Well... if that’s the side you choose for the moment, I won’t mind if you stay. Maybe you could help me with my idea.”
“What idea?”
He seemed to glance towards the opening in the cliff, but I wasn’t sure. I couldn’t see his eyes. “Not here. Let’s find a safer place first.”
“I know one. Can you walk?”
“I can. Lead the way.”