Thread: The Diverted Path (DareToDream & Hahvy)

When her words reached his ears, Caleb paused and turned more fully on the path, letting his gaze sweep over her body and take in her condition. She had asked for a moment to rest and he saw why immediately. Weariness was stamped on her frame plain as day from the drawn look in her face to the slump of her body against the walking stick, he knew her injuries were taking their toll. Smiling slightly, he watched as she slid down to sit on a moss covered rock and began to fuss with her hair, which looked wild and tangled, no doubt a result of whatever befell her out on the shores of the river where he found her. To a woman of her caliber no doubt it was an irritant, one made worse by the hike into the mountains, but he had nothing to offer her and was glad that he had always kept his hair cropped short. Leaving her to sit for a moment, he turned and walked up the path a bit, making sure it was clear before moving back down. By the time he got there, she had begun coughing and his eyes narrowed, watching her body shake from the effort. She was worse off than shed been willing to admit and worse than even he had suspected, that much was clear. When she wiped her hand on the rock, he watched but didnt say anything, letting her keep her quiet dignity for as long as possible. Squatting down in the dirt, he kept himself upright by his legs alone, his body as still as the rock she was sitting on. His gaze stayed on her as he was concerned but his respect for her had grown to a point that he would not comment. She deserved that at least. He could feel the breeze coming down the trail and it caused a small shiver as it brushed over the sweat glistening on his bare skin. When hed taken his shirt off and used it to create her sling, he hadnt given it much thought but now he felt the cool night air more. Ignoring the sensation, he continued to focus on her, listening intently as she spoke again. As soon as she was done, his eyes moved to where she motioned and narrowed again. Uncoiling from his position, he moved with the grace of a cat to the spot in question and carefully picked the flowers and brought them to her. As he did it, a small thought flashed through his mind that this was the first time hed ever given a woman other than his mother flowers and it brought a smile to his lips for a moment before his gaze grew serious again. You know of ravenwort he said, his words a statement instead of a question. The small flowers were common to his mountains and his mother had taught him at an early age about their restorative qualities. He often chewed the small healing herb when out hunting because it gave him an extra spring to his step. She was an outsider though, who should not have been knowledgeable of the local plants in the mountains, and it made him study her some more. Finally, he gave his head a short shake, pushing his doubts away for now. She had asked for his help and he would give it. Moving back to his pack after setting the flowers at her feet, he carefully rummaged through it until he found his aid kit. Pulling it out, he moved back to her side, bringing the bottle of water and a scrap of rag with him. As he poured water onto the rag, he glanced up and noticed her slight blush and smile and found himself returning it. Finally ready, he set the rag on his shoulder and opened the kit, pulling out a rough needle and some thread. Hunting in the back country for days on end often put him in dangerous situations and he had long ago learned to come prepared to deal with any injury he might incur. Many a time he had sewn up a bad cut and he would do that for her also. When he was ready, he met her gaze. This will hurt he said matter-of-factly. Reaching out, he slowly unwound the bandage that was on her arm, noticing how wet it felt shed clearly bled quite a bit during the hike. Once he had it off, he carefully washed the wounds clean and then set to work, stitching them closed slowly and methodically. That done, he pulled clean wrap from his kit and wrapped it back up, then gently set her arm back into her sling. Looking at her, he motioned to her back. To take care of the injuries to your back, I will need access to your skin he said, a slight blush rising to his cheeks at the thought. He had no desire to violate her privacy but to meet her request, it had to be done.