Tilly had never seen a Shaden up so close before and yet here she was, mere yards away from a monstrous bear who had gotten Callum between its jaws and was shaking him around like a child with a ragdoll until he went flying through the air and into a tree, much like Callum had done to that man from earlier.
What did she do? The sole dagger she had on her would have been as effective as whacking the Shaden on the snout with a stick. Tilly barely had any time to process that the Shaden now had its attention on her. It charged and her horse reared, Tilly’s grip on the reigns yanking its head back. Before the Shaden could make contact, a metallic screech filled the air as a shadowy spike plunged upwards from the earth and impaled the massive monster, the tip shooting right out from between its shoulder blades.
The spike dissipated and the Shaden slumped lifelessly to the ground, the red fire of its eyes winking out, leaving behind a deformed mess of black fur.
“Should have minded your own business you…” Tilly’s scolding trailed off as she noticed Callum standing behind the dead Shaden. He was shaking, and not because of fear or the sudden loss of adrenaline. The kind of shaking Tilly was seeing was a body on the verge of collapse and sure enough, Callum tilted backwards as his legs buckled, knees giving out on him.
Tilly hopped off the horse and approached slowly, eyes narrowing as she watched the shadows around him vanish into the night, his eyes reverting back to a normal color. While she didn't understand what being a shadow mage entailed, he had fought the Shaden so that must have meant he wasn't one himself.
She reached him and peered down, hands on hips and mouth pulling into a worried frown. That’s a lot of blood. Callum looked barely conscious, which meant he wasn't going to be walking anywhere. Tilly knew she wouldn't be able to lift him onto the horse either.
“Listen here, stormy eyes. You can't go dying on me because you need to tell me what a shadow mage is,” she said, trying to keep her voice light, but she couldn't hide her concern. He looked pretty bad and she wasn't sure what to do. Tilly crouched down next to him and removed her tattered cloak and the dagger she kept in her right boot. She cut the cloak into strips, movements awkward and clumsy with a blade she wasn't used to handling.
“I'm no doctor, but everyone knows you have to stop the bleeding first, right?” Not expecting an answer, Tilly took the strips of rough wool and bound his bleeding torso as best she could, trying to be gentle when she had to roll him over so she could tie the strips in a knot at his back to secure her homemade bandages.
“Sorry in advance, but this is probably going to hurt.” Tilly stood and moved to his head and bent so she could get her hands beneath his arms. She let out a grunt, hauling him up as she stood. Tilly didn’t fancy spending the night in the forest, but what if more people came looking for them?
With Callum’s heels trailing in the dirt, she slowly managed to drag him, walking backwards, into the trees. Tilly didn’t go far, afraid of running into another Shaden and her arms were aching from dragging him the small distance between the road and the shelter of the forest. The air was cool, but she didn’t dare start a fire for the same reasons she hadn’t wanted to stay on the road or move deeper into the woods.
Carefully easing Callum down, Tilly plopped onto the ground with a tired huff, running a dirty hand through her ragged strands of sand colored hair. “Still there, stormy eyes, or did I just waste my time?” She asked, reaching over to lightly poke him in the head with a finger.
Tilly had never seen a Shaden up so close before and yet here she was, mere yards away from a monstrous bear who had gotten Callum between its jaws and was shaking him around like a child with a ragdoll until he went flying through the air and into a tree, much like Callum had done to that man from earlier.
What did she do? The sole dagger she had on her would have been as effective as whacking the Shaden on the snout with a stick. Tilly barely had any time to process that the Shaden now had its attention on her. It charged and her horse reared, Tilly’s grip on the reigns yanking its head back. Before the Shaden could make contact, a metallic screech filled the air as a shadowy spike plunged upwards from the earth and impaled the massive monster, the tip shooting right out from between its shoulder blades.
The spike dissipated and the Shaden slumped lifelessly to the ground, the red fire of its eyes winking out, leaving behind a deformed mess of black fur.
“Should have minded your own business you…” Tilly’s scolding trailed off as she noticed Callum standing behind the dead Shaden. He was shaking, and not because of fear or the sudden loss of adrenaline. The kind of shaking Tilly was seeing was a body on the verge of collapse and sure enough, Callum tilted backwards as his legs buckled, knees giving out on him.
Tilly hopped off the horse and approached slowly, eyes narrowing as she watched the shadows around him vanish into the night, his eyes reverting back to a normal color. While she didn't understand what being a shadow mage entailed, he had fought the Shaden so that must have meant he wasn't one himself.
She reached him and peered down, hands on hips and mouth pulling into a worried frown. That’s a lot of blood. Callum looked barely conscious, which meant he wasn't going to be walking anywhere. Tilly knew she wouldn't be able to lift him onto the horse either.
“Listen here, stormy eyes. You can't go dying on me because you need to tell me what a shadow mage is,” she said, trying to keep her voice light, but she couldn't hide her concern. He looked pretty bad and she wasn't sure what to do. Tilly crouched down next to him and removed her tattered cloak and the dagger she kept in her right boot. She cut the cloak into strips, movements awkward and clumsy with a blade she wasn't used to handling.
“I'm no doctor, but everyone knows you have to stop the bleeding first, right?” Not expecting an answer, Tilly took the strips of rough wool and bound his bleeding torso as best she could, trying to be gentle when she had to roll him over so she could tie the strips in a knot at his back to secure her homemade bandages.
“Sorry in advance, but this is probably going to hurt.” Tilly stood and moved to his head and bent so she could get her hands beneath his arms. She let out a grunt, hauling him up as she stood. Tilly didn’t fancy spending the night in the forest, but what if more people came looking for them?
With Callum’s heels trailing in the dirt, she slowly managed to drag him, walking backwards, into the trees. Tilly didn’t go far, afraid of running into another Shaden and her arms were aching from dragging him the small distance between the road and the shelter of the forest. The air was cool, but she didn’t dare start a fire for the same reasons she hadn’t wanted to stay on the road or move deeper into the woods.
Carefully easing Callum down, Tilly plopped onto the ground with a tired huff, running a dirty hand through her ragged strands of sand colored hair. “Still there, stormy eyes, or did I just waste my time?” She asked, reaching over to lightly poke him in the head with a finger.
((So, so, sooo sorry this is late! I must not have seen the notification for the rp swimming in the other 20+ notifications, again, I'm sorry! Don't worry, I haven't abandoned you ^^;))
Callum could hear blood pounding in his ears as he noticed Tilly dismounting her horse and approaching his dying form. He wanted to ask her if she was okay, but the words wouldn't come to him. He would probably be wasting his breath trying to talk. God, it hurts so much... everything hurts... is this how I'm going to die?...Well, at least I won't die alone...
He could barely hear Tilly, yet he understood what she was saying. She didn't seem to believe he was a Shaden anymore, otherwise she would've left him for dead. He watched as she removed her cloak and her dagger, which he didn't even know she owned. He stiffened when she began to cut it, wanting to tell her that she didn't need to do that. He didn't want her to have to rip up her clothes just to help him, but then he realized something. He would've done the same thing if she were in his position.
As she talked to him, a small yet pained smile formed on his face. He did his best to cooperate with her as she bound his torso in the cloth she had cut from her cloak, sucking air through his teeth when she had to flip him over. Searing agony blazed through his torso, causing tears of pain to form in his eyes.
His eyes widened slightly when Tilly warned him about the potential pain he was going to have to deal with in a little bit. He nodded stiffly and weakly; he was already in enough pain. He was convinced he could take it. However, when Tilly finally hauled him off of the ground, he screamed hoarsely, feeling like his torso was being crushed and torn apart by pure agony. He immediately locked his jaw as to not make anymore noise, as the worst thing that could happen after an attack like that was being attacked by another Shaden or hostile people.
He closed his eyes and followed the rhythm of the headache that had blossomed as he was dragged by Tilly to the shelter of the forest, sitting at the edge of the road. The air was cool, allowing a soft breeze to blow through the area. The wind brushed past his bleeding torso, sending what felt like sharp, prickly needles into the wound. He felt cold... very cold. Cold from the amount of blood he had lost and cold from the wind blowing past them. However, making a fire wasn't the smartest decision. Sure, it would warm them up, but it would also served as an attraction for more danger.
Callum slowly opened his eyes as he was set down on the ground, wincing. The pain was numbing at this point, but he wasn't overjoyed by that. In fact, he was panicking on the inside. Didn't that usually happen when...? No, I'm not going to die. I will not die. He tried to move his arms, seeing that he was getting somewhere when they moved forward, albeit not too far. He pressed his palms on the ground and tried to push himself up, but his arms quickly gave out and caused him to plop right back in a laying position again.
He sighed raggedly, looking up. His life had been saved by Tilly. He was right about her; just because she was a professional appropriating liberator, or what other people would call her, a thief, didn't mean she was the same as every other thief out there. She had cared enough to tear up her own cloak to bandage him up. That had to count for something. Even though she had believed he was a Shaden at first, the reaction made a lot of sense. The Shaden were associated with the shadows, hence the name originating from the root word "shade", so him using shadow magic would make anyone believe the same thing Tilly had before the Shaden decided to attack them.
Callum twitched when he felt Tilly poking his head. He groggily looked over at her, feeling as though he would fall asleep at any given moment. He wanted to say something to her... anything. "...You... okay...?" he asked quietly. "Still... here... thanks to... you......"
((So, so, sooo sorry this is late! I must not have seen the notification for the rp swimming in the other 20+ notifications, again, I'm sorry! Don't worry, I haven't abandoned you ^^;))
Callum could hear blood pounding in his ears as he noticed Tilly dismounting her horse and approaching his dying form. He wanted to ask her if she was okay, but the words wouldn't come to him. He would probably be wasting his breath trying to talk. God, it hurts so much... everything hurts... is this how I'm going to die?...Well, at least I won't die alone...
He could barely hear Tilly, yet he understood what she was saying. She didn't seem to believe he was a Shaden anymore, otherwise she would've left him for dead. He watched as she removed her cloak and her dagger, which he didn't even know she owned. He stiffened when she began to cut it, wanting to tell her that she didn't need to do that. He didn't want her to have to rip up her clothes just to help him, but then he realized something. He would've done the same thing if she were in his position.
As she talked to him, a small yet pained smile formed on his face. He did his best to cooperate with her as she bound his torso in the cloth she had cut from her cloak, sucking air through his teeth when she had to flip him over. Searing agony blazed through his torso, causing tears of pain to form in his eyes.
His eyes widened slightly when Tilly warned him about the potential pain he was going to have to deal with in a little bit. He nodded stiffly and weakly; he was already in enough pain. He was convinced he could take it. However, when Tilly finally hauled him off of the ground, he screamed hoarsely, feeling like his torso was being crushed and torn apart by pure agony. He immediately locked his jaw as to not make anymore noise, as the worst thing that could happen after an attack like that was being attacked by another Shaden or hostile people.
He closed his eyes and followed the rhythm of the headache that had blossomed as he was dragged by Tilly to the shelter of the forest, sitting at the edge of the road. The air was cool, allowing a soft breeze to blow through the area. The wind brushed past his bleeding torso, sending what felt like sharp, prickly needles into the wound. He felt cold... very cold. Cold from the amount of blood he had lost and cold from the wind blowing past them. However, making a fire wasn't the smartest decision. Sure, it would warm them up, but it would also served as an attraction for more danger.
Callum slowly opened his eyes as he was set down on the ground, wincing. The pain was numbing at this point, but he wasn't overjoyed by that. In fact, he was panicking on the inside. Didn't that usually happen when...? No, I'm not going to die. I will not die. He tried to move his arms, seeing that he was getting somewhere when they moved forward, albeit not too far. He pressed his palms on the ground and tried to push himself up, but his arms quickly gave out and caused him to plop right back in a laying position again.
He sighed raggedly, looking up. His life had been saved by Tilly. He was right about her; just because she was a professional appropriating liberator, or what other people would call her, a thief, didn't mean she was the same as every other thief out there. She had cared enough to tear up her own cloak to bandage him up. That had to count for something. Even though she had believed he was a Shaden at first, the reaction made a lot of sense. The Shaden were associated with the shadows, hence the name originating from the root word "shade", so him using shadow magic would make anyone believe the same thing Tilly had before the Shaden decided to attack them.
Callum twitched when he felt Tilly poking his head. He groggily looked over at her, feeling as though he would fall asleep at any given moment. He wanted to say something to her... anything. "...You... okay...?" he asked quietly. "Still... here... thanks to... you......"
((It happens (: ))
Tilly didn’t much like the shaky lilt to Callum’s quiet voice. She may not have known him, but he had kicked some Shaden butt and didn’t deserve to die. “I didn’t turn into some ghost man, stormy eyes.” Tilly sighed and scooted closer, not super thrilled about what she was about to do, but he looked so miserable. “I’m fine.”
She drew his head into her lap, a finger idly playing with his hair, a frown tugging the corners of her mouth. It was really dark out in the woods at night. No firelight spilling out from windows, no torches to push back the shadows. The thick cover of the trees warded off the moonlight, leaving darkness.
At least it wasn’t silent. The night creatures of the woods rustled in the undergrowth, crickets chirped sleepily at one another, an owl hooted softly nearby. Tilly would take the darkness over silence. It was only when things went quiet they you needed to start worrying.
“Why don’t you get some sleep?” Tilly hummed. “Not the dead kind,” she quickly added on. “Just good old sleep and I’ll keep watch.”
She didn’t know what morning would bring. The other horse had probably taken off and Tilly had no idea where they were unless she followed the road back to the trading post, which would just put her back where she started. And then there was Callum, who may or may not have been dying and there wasn’t really a thing to could do about it.
Tilly sighed and removed her fingers from Callum’s hair to lean back on her hands, the grass cool between her fingers.
((It happens (: ))
Tilly didn’t much like the shaky lilt to Callum’s quiet voice. She may not have known him, but he had kicked some Shaden butt and didn’t deserve to die. “I didn’t turn into some ghost man, stormy eyes.” Tilly sighed and scooted closer, not super thrilled about what she was about to do, but he looked so miserable. “I’m fine.”
She drew his head into her lap, a finger idly playing with his hair, a frown tugging the corners of her mouth. It was really dark out in the woods at night. No firelight spilling out from windows, no torches to push back the shadows. The thick cover of the trees warded off the moonlight, leaving darkness.
At least it wasn’t silent. The night creatures of the woods rustled in the undergrowth, crickets chirped sleepily at one another, an owl hooted softly nearby. Tilly would take the darkness over silence. It was only when things went quiet they you needed to start worrying.
“Why don’t you get some sleep?” Tilly hummed. “Not the dead kind,” she quickly added on. “Just good old sleep and I’ll keep watch.”
She didn’t know what morning would bring. The other horse had probably taken off and Tilly had no idea where they were unless she followed the road back to the trading post, which would just put her back where she started. And then there was Callum, who may or may not have been dying and there wasn’t really a thing to could do about it.
Tilly sighed and removed her fingers from Callum’s hair to lean back on her hands, the grass cool between her fingers.
Callum's brow furrowed in confusion after Tilly's remark about a ghost man. He didn't know what she could be referencing at first. He then realized that she might've been talking about the transformation he went through before fighting the Shaden. Did I look like a ghost...? he asked himself. He never saw what he looked like when he used his magic to merge with the shadows, so he didn't have the answer. Besides, he didn't have the energy to question her comment.
He couldn't help but smile when she informed him of her condition. Well, at least she was unharmed. If she was injured, he would've been severely disappointed in himself. The reason he fought so hard was to prevent any innocent people from dying at the claws of the Shaden, and that included Tilly. He remembered to take deep breaths, however, he had to make sure they weren't too deep and drawn out. If he did, he would hyperventilate, and he surely didn't need that happening.
What happened next was something he honestly wasn't expecting. His head now rested in Tilly's lap. He felt her playing with his hair, and he let her continue to do so as he relaxed within the darkness of the forest. The moonlight was being blocked by the trees surrounding them, yet the night was alive, teeming with nocturnal creatures. The owl's hoot in particular helped him settle down. There was a reason he enjoyed being outside at night rather than the daytime. He felt more comfortable here, more at home whenever he stepped out into the dusky darkness. The light burned and ate away at his shadow-imbued body, especially the rays of light shining down from the heavens above during the day. Well, cloudy days didn't bother him that much; in fact, he loved those just as much as the nighttime. They both just gave off a calm vibe that appealed to him.
Callum yawned quietly, yet weakly, listening to Tilly and letting out a small, almost strangled chuckle. "Heh... no, not the dead kind..." he commented, feeling a little better. He hid his fear of falling asleep. After all, if he lost consciousness now, he might never wake up. Ever. He was afraid just by the prospect of dying in his sleep. It was supposed to be peaceful, yet it was unexpected, which made it all the more depressing when it happened. Come on Callum... you need sleep. You... you aren't going to die in your sleep, okay? Just have confidence. You'll live to see another day, don't worry.
But Tilly... I have to make sure she's safe...
Yeah, sure, you're in the perfect condition to do that, his thoughts spat sarcastically within his mind. You can't be the protector all the time. It's her turn to look after you now. He sighed internally, giving in to the voice telling him to sleep. He would get some sleep, some actual sleep, and then he would be energized for the morning... or at least, somewhat energized. He would still be sluggish and too injured to really move around on his own, but it would be better than how he was feeling right now. What awaited them in the morning, God only knew. He hoped they wouldn't be attacked again... that would be the worst possible thing to happen.
"Tilly..." he murmured, brushing the soft blades of grass with his fingers. His mind became more sluggish and hazy as he began to drift off. He wasn't even fighting sleep anymore. He had to let it happen if he was going to have any hope of surviving whatever amount of days it would take for him to fully recover. His eyes flicked to look at her. He put a small smile on his face... a thankful one. "...Thank... you..." he whispered gently, soon fully relaxing his body. It definitely allowed for more throbbing, but the pain was lessening now. It was almost a relief.
Tomorrow will be better, he told himself as his consciousness was swallowed up by the void of sleep, hoping he would actually wake up in the morning. Just a few minutes after he completely lost consciousness, he started humming softly in his sleep. It was a calm, pleasant tune, sung to him when he was younger. It was hard to tell if it was from a song that already existed or if it wasn't exactly known across all of the land.
Something else could be seen as well. Callum’s scarf had slipped a little, revealing half of a long scar curving diagonally around his neck. If he were awake, with more energy than what he had, he would’ve taken the time to adjust it. He didn’t want anyone seeing that scar, but he couldn’t exactly help that while he was asleep.
Callum's brow furrowed in confusion after Tilly's remark about a ghost man. He didn't know what she could be referencing at first. He then realized that she might've been talking about the transformation he went through before fighting the Shaden. Did I look like a ghost...? he asked himself. He never saw what he looked like when he used his magic to merge with the shadows, so he didn't have the answer. Besides, he didn't have the energy to question her comment.
He couldn't help but smile when she informed him of her condition. Well, at least she was unharmed. If she was injured, he would've been severely disappointed in himself. The reason he fought so hard was to prevent any innocent people from dying at the claws of the Shaden, and that included Tilly. He remembered to take deep breaths, however, he had to make sure they weren't too deep and drawn out. If he did, he would hyperventilate, and he surely didn't need that happening.
What happened next was something he honestly wasn't expecting. His head now rested in Tilly's lap. He felt her playing with his hair, and he let her continue to do so as he relaxed within the darkness of the forest. The moonlight was being blocked by the trees surrounding them, yet the night was alive, teeming with nocturnal creatures. The owl's hoot in particular helped him settle down. There was a reason he enjoyed being outside at night rather than the daytime. He felt more comfortable here, more at home whenever he stepped out into the dusky darkness. The light burned and ate away at his shadow-imbued body, especially the rays of light shining down from the heavens above during the day. Well, cloudy days didn't bother him that much; in fact, he loved those just as much as the nighttime. They both just gave off a calm vibe that appealed to him.
Callum yawned quietly, yet weakly, listening to Tilly and letting out a small, almost strangled chuckle. "Heh... no, not the dead kind..." he commented, feeling a little better. He hid his fear of falling asleep. After all, if he lost consciousness now, he might never wake up. Ever. He was afraid just by the prospect of dying in his sleep. It was supposed to be peaceful, yet it was unexpected, which made it all the more depressing when it happened. Come on Callum... you need sleep. You... you aren't going to die in your sleep, okay? Just have confidence. You'll live to see another day, don't worry.
But Tilly... I have to make sure she's safe...
Yeah, sure, you're in the perfect condition to do that, his thoughts spat sarcastically within his mind. You can't be the protector all the time. It's her turn to look after you now. He sighed internally, giving in to the voice telling him to sleep. He would get some sleep, some actual sleep, and then he would be energized for the morning... or at least, somewhat energized. He would still be sluggish and too injured to really move around on his own, but it would be better than how he was feeling right now. What awaited them in the morning, God only knew. He hoped they wouldn't be attacked again... that would be the worst possible thing to happen.
"Tilly..." he murmured, brushing the soft blades of grass with his fingers. His mind became more sluggish and hazy as he began to drift off. He wasn't even fighting sleep anymore. He had to let it happen if he was going to have any hope of surviving whatever amount of days it would take for him to fully recover. His eyes flicked to look at her. He put a small smile on his face... a thankful one. "...Thank... you..." he whispered gently, soon fully relaxing his body. It definitely allowed for more throbbing, but the pain was lessening now. It was almost a relief.
Tomorrow will be better, he told himself as his consciousness was swallowed up by the void of sleep, hoping he would actually wake up in the morning. Just a few minutes after he completely lost consciousness, he started humming softly in his sleep. It was a calm, pleasant tune, sung to him when he was younger. It was hard to tell if it was from a song that already existed or if it wasn't exactly known across all of the land.
Something else could be seen as well. Callum’s scarf had slipped a little, revealing half of a long scar curving diagonally around his neck. If he were awake, with more energy than what he had, he would’ve taken the time to adjust it. He didn’t want anyone seeing that scar, but he couldn’t exactly help that while he was asleep.
Tilly was taken aback by Callum’s gratitude. She hadn’t really done much except lead the Shaden straight to him, which meant him being injured was partly her fault. She could have outran it on her horse, could have gone the other direction instead of chasing after a man that could have been a Shaden himself, but after witnessing him being attacked by that magic, she had wanted to see why he hadn’t fought back, hadn’t defended himself and destroyed the man hurting him.
The Shaden had just tagged along.
Callum’s humming had Tilly searching his face for a sign that he was still awake, but he looked to be asleep, his body slack. Her eyes drifted down to his scarf. It had come loose, revealing part of a scar that followed the curve of his neck. It explained why he was wearing one in the spring, to hide the scar either from himself or from those around him. Perhaps both.
Tilly reached down to pull it back up when she suddenly remembered the emerald pendant tucked somewhere within those folds of cloth. She worked it out, the metal cool against her palm as she examined the stone.
She let it drop back down with a small sigh. As good as it would look with the rest of her jewelry collection, she couldn’t just up and take it. Not after what Callum had done. There were just some lines Tilly couldn’t bring herself to cross when it came to liberating other people’s things.
This was why she hated being called a thief. A thief would have snatched the pendant and left Callum in the woods without a backward glance, gloating over his misfortune and revealing in their new found wealth. Tilly was not a thief and so didn’t touch the pendant again, instead turning her attention to the woods around them. She needed to keep watch, despite knowing if anyone or anything snuck up on them, there wouldn’t be much she could do other than shout at them, maybe try and wave her dagger around in a threatening manner.
When the sky began to turn grey with predawn light, Tilly was still awake, sitting unusually silent, watching the forest lighten around her and the shadows soften until sunlight was starting to work its way through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.
“Callum?” She asked softly, poking him carefully on the forehead.
Tilly was taken aback by Callum’s gratitude. She hadn’t really done much except lead the Shaden straight to him, which meant him being injured was partly her fault. She could have outran it on her horse, could have gone the other direction instead of chasing after a man that could have been a Shaden himself, but after witnessing him being attacked by that magic, she had wanted to see why he hadn’t fought back, hadn’t defended himself and destroyed the man hurting him.
The Shaden had just tagged along.
Callum’s humming had Tilly searching his face for a sign that he was still awake, but he looked to be asleep, his body slack. Her eyes drifted down to his scarf. It had come loose, revealing part of a scar that followed the curve of his neck. It explained why he was wearing one in the spring, to hide the scar either from himself or from those around him. Perhaps both.
Tilly reached down to pull it back up when she suddenly remembered the emerald pendant tucked somewhere within those folds of cloth. She worked it out, the metal cool against her palm as she examined the stone.
She let it drop back down with a small sigh. As good as it would look with the rest of her jewelry collection, she couldn’t just up and take it. Not after what Callum had done. There were just some lines Tilly couldn’t bring herself to cross when it came to liberating other people’s things.
This was why she hated being called a thief. A thief would have snatched the pendant and left Callum in the woods without a backward glance, gloating over his misfortune and revealing in their new found wealth. Tilly was not a thief and so didn’t touch the pendant again, instead turning her attention to the woods around them. She needed to keep watch, despite knowing if anyone or anything snuck up on them, there wouldn’t be much she could do other than shout at them, maybe try and wave her dagger around in a threatening manner.
When the sky began to turn grey with predawn light, Tilly was still awake, sitting unusually silent, watching the forest lighten around her and the shadows soften until sunlight was starting to work its way through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.
“Callum?” She asked softly, poking him carefully on the forehead.
As the night carried on, Callum continued to hum softly, looking rather content. It was rather odd for someone who was dying not too long ago. There were times when he slept during the day and came out during the night, and vice versa. He mainly fell asleep while the sun was still out, but sleeping at night would have to do. He sank further into a deep sleep, becoming unaware of anything that was going on around him and Tilly. Later in the night, while the shadows still coated the forest, he began murmuring something in his sleep, something incomprehensible.
His breaths became short and shallow when the morning began to creep up on them, rays of sunlight traveling along the canopy. His closed eyes squeezed a little tighter as he fought his way through a nightmare that had formed in his subconscious. His muscles stiffened as the nightmare progressed, not even twitching once. Once the nightmare ended, he relaxed, his breathing returning to normal. One of his hands slowly moved to his neck, gently hovering over where his scar was while he was still asleep.
Callum groaned as he slowly came to, feeling someone poking his forehead and hearing his name being spoken. The first thing that registered in him was the pain. His torso was radiating with pain, as well as his cut cheek, which had stopped bleeding on its own. He felt a little better this morning, mainly because he had generated more energy overnight, but he still somehow felt awful. He groaned again as he cracked an eye open, his vision blurry. He was seeing two of everything, making it seem as though there were too many trees in the area.
He closed his open eye and squeezed it shut before opening both eyes, closing them once more when the morning light stung them. He kept them closed for a few seconds before he opened them again, his double vision merging. Once most of the blurriness cleared away, he could see Tilly there; she was the one who poked him in the head. "Morning..." he murmured, feeling the urge to shift a little, yet he kept himself from doing so. It would only bring him more pain.
Callum soon realized that Tilly probably didn't get any sleep the night before. He felt bad for her, wanting to urge her to get some sleep, however, he didn't have the energy to do so, and besides, if anyone attacked them while she was sleeping, it wasn't like he was going to be able to defend them or anything. The sunlight wouldn't help anything either. "...You okay...?" he asked Tilly quietly. The aftertaste of metallic blood painted the roof of his mouth, making him want to gag. He coughed a few times, wheezing after each cough. He had no idea what today would bring, but he hoped it wouldn't be terrible... or at least, as terrible as the day before.
Callum didn't feel the cold chain of his pendant as much as he did before, and that was because it was no longer tucked within the folds of his scarf. He soon felt the air brushing at least half of his scar, realizing that the scarf had slipped a little. He wanted to adjust it, but he didn't have the energy to care about that. He wondered what Tilly had been thinking about while he had been asleep. She hadn't stolen his pendant. Proof that she wasn't a thief in the least. What would a thief have done? he asked himself hazily. A thief would've taken advantage of his weak state, stolen his pendant, and left him to lay there until a Shaden or more of those humans working for the lady who had her ring liberated by Tilly found him.
With that, he began thinking about that rich-looking lady. Would she send guards to find them in the woods? What about that wagon they left behind? Would someone find it and track them down. What about the puddle of blood he left on the road? What would that lady do to them if she did manage to find them? What would she do to Tilly? What would happen to Tilly?
Calm down... please calm down. Everything is going to be just fine. Just... calm... down...
As the night carried on, Callum continued to hum softly, looking rather content. It was rather odd for someone who was dying not too long ago. There were times when he slept during the day and came out during the night, and vice versa. He mainly fell asleep while the sun was still out, but sleeping at night would have to do. He sank further into a deep sleep, becoming unaware of anything that was going on around him and Tilly. Later in the night, while the shadows still coated the forest, he began murmuring something in his sleep, something incomprehensible.
His breaths became short and shallow when the morning began to creep up on them, rays of sunlight traveling along the canopy. His closed eyes squeezed a little tighter as he fought his way through a nightmare that had formed in his subconscious. His muscles stiffened as the nightmare progressed, not even twitching once. Once the nightmare ended, he relaxed, his breathing returning to normal. One of his hands slowly moved to his neck, gently hovering over where his scar was while he was still asleep.
Callum groaned as he slowly came to, feeling someone poking his forehead and hearing his name being spoken. The first thing that registered in him was the pain. His torso was radiating with pain, as well as his cut cheek, which had stopped bleeding on its own. He felt a little better this morning, mainly because he had generated more energy overnight, but he still somehow felt awful. He groaned again as he cracked an eye open, his vision blurry. He was seeing two of everything, making it seem as though there were too many trees in the area.
He closed his open eye and squeezed it shut before opening both eyes, closing them once more when the morning light stung them. He kept them closed for a few seconds before he opened them again, his double vision merging. Once most of the blurriness cleared away, he could see Tilly there; she was the one who poked him in the head. "Morning..." he murmured, feeling the urge to shift a little, yet he kept himself from doing so. It would only bring him more pain.
Callum soon realized that Tilly probably didn't get any sleep the night before. He felt bad for her, wanting to urge her to get some sleep, however, he didn't have the energy to do so, and besides, if anyone attacked them while she was sleeping, it wasn't like he was going to be able to defend them or anything. The sunlight wouldn't help anything either. "...You okay...?" he asked Tilly quietly. The aftertaste of metallic blood painted the roof of his mouth, making him want to gag. He coughed a few times, wheezing after each cough. He had no idea what today would bring, but he hoped it wouldn't be terrible... or at least, as terrible as the day before.
Callum didn't feel the cold chain of his pendant as much as he did before, and that was because it was no longer tucked within the folds of his scarf. He soon felt the air brushing at least half of his scar, realizing that the scarf had slipped a little. He wanted to adjust it, but he didn't have the energy to care about that. He wondered what Tilly had been thinking about while he had been asleep. She hadn't stolen his pendant. Proof that she wasn't a thief in the least. What would a thief have done? he asked himself hazily. A thief would've taken advantage of his weak state, stolen his pendant, and left him to lay there until a Shaden or more of those humans working for the lady who had her ring liberated by Tilly found him.
With that, he began thinking about that rich-looking lady. Would she send guards to find them in the woods? What about that wagon they left behind? Would someone find it and track them down. What about the puddle of blood he left on the road? What would that lady do to them if she did manage to find them? What would she do to Tilly? What would happen to Tilly?
Calm down... please calm down. Everything is going to be just fine. Just... calm... down...
Tilly watched Callum struggle to open his eyes, apparently having issues with the morning sunlight creeping down through the trees. That he was even opening them sent a small wave of relief through her. She didn’t know what she would do if he hadn’t woken up. She shifted on the ground, trying to loosen her stiff legs from sitting in the same position so long, while trying not to jostle Callum’s head in her lap.
“Why are you so worried about me, huh?” Tilly flicked a piece of Callum’s hair out of his face. “I didn’t bleed all over the road.” She hid a yawn behind a raised hand. When she looked back down at Callum, his face was set into worried lines and he looked like he was thinking about something. Tilly knew they had plenty to worry about, but dwelling on it wasn’t going to make it go away.
She gently removed his head from her lap so she could stand, dusting the dirt off her pants. “I’ll be right back, going to go check the road.” Not waiting to hear any protests, Tilly slipped away into the trees, walking the short distance to the road.
Tilly didn’t venture out all the way, but peeked out from behind the thick, gnarled, trunk of a large oak to glance in both directions down the road. The Shaden’s corpse was still there, smoky tendrils wafting off its back, a faint hissing sound filling the air as the sunlight ate away at the dark creature.
The horse was gone and while Tilly wanted to see if it had wandered far, she knew Callum would worry more if she was gone too long. There were no signs of travelers, no sounds of wagon wheels in the distance, just the beginning of sleepy birds chirping to one another. Tilly sighed and turned back into the woods.
“Nothing going on out there,” she said, sitting down beside Callum. Tilly snagged one of her pouches and pulled out a few strips of tough jerky. “Hungry?” She placed one on top of his chest and stuck the other in her mouth, ripping off a piece.
Tilly watched Callum struggle to open his eyes, apparently having issues with the morning sunlight creeping down through the trees. That he was even opening them sent a small wave of relief through her. She didn’t know what she would do if he hadn’t woken up. She shifted on the ground, trying to loosen her stiff legs from sitting in the same position so long, while trying not to jostle Callum’s head in her lap.
“Why are you so worried about me, huh?” Tilly flicked a piece of Callum’s hair out of his face. “I didn’t bleed all over the road.” She hid a yawn behind a raised hand. When she looked back down at Callum, his face was set into worried lines and he looked like he was thinking about something. Tilly knew they had plenty to worry about, but dwelling on it wasn’t going to make it go away.
She gently removed his head from her lap so she could stand, dusting the dirt off her pants. “I’ll be right back, going to go check the road.” Not waiting to hear any protests, Tilly slipped away into the trees, walking the short distance to the road.
Tilly didn’t venture out all the way, but peeked out from behind the thick, gnarled, trunk of a large oak to glance in both directions down the road. The Shaden’s corpse was still there, smoky tendrils wafting off its back, a faint hissing sound filling the air as the sunlight ate away at the dark creature.
The horse was gone and while Tilly wanted to see if it had wandered far, she knew Callum would worry more if she was gone too long. There were no signs of travelers, no sounds of wagon wheels in the distance, just the beginning of sleepy birds chirping to one another. Tilly sighed and turned back into the woods.
“Nothing going on out there,” she said, sitting down beside Callum. Tilly snagged one of her pouches and pulled out a few strips of tough jerky. “Hungry?” She placed one on top of his chest and stuck the other in her mouth, ripping off a piece.
Callum's expression slowly relaxed as Tilly spoke to him. They had a lot to think and worry about. Dwelling on those worries wasn't going to make it disappear. He closed his eyes and sighed quietly as she brushed a lock of his hair away from his face. She had asked him why he was so worried about her, when he was the one who bled on the road the night before. He moaned softly, trying to find the energy to answer her. He just smiled weakly and kept his eyes closed. "Heh... well... I didn't... stay up all... night..." he croaked, coughing. He was concerned for her. He didn't know how to express that beyond what he could manage. He felt like he couldn't talk without sending himself into a coughing spree.
He grunted as his head was moved from Tilly's lap, looking up at her. When she told him what she was going to do, he didn't even feel the urge to protest. She would be back. He had to believe that. Even then, he didn't have enough time to utter a word, for she disappeared in the trees, going to check the road he had bled onto when the night had blanketed the land.
He was left alone for a while, left with his empty mind. No thoughts invaded it this time. Sleepy birds chittered and chattered around him while blood dully pounded in his ears. He had shifted a little, which was a huge mistake. He bit down on his lip hard to keep a scream from leaving him. Spikes of pulsing pain stabbed his torso repeatedly; he settled back down and stared up at the sky, which was somewhat covered by the trees surrounding him. He let out a long, tired sigh, the world beginning to spin around him. He tilted his head a little in silence, counting the seconds that passed. One, two, three... four, five six...... thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two...
Call felt relief surge through him as he saw Tilly emerge back into the area again, informing him that there was nothing going on outside of where they were. He didn't know how to feel about that. There was no danger, but there was also no rescue. They were on their own out here. He supposed that was better than being a Shaden's meal. He kept his eyes on her as she set something on his chest. His head was too heavy to take a look at it, but from what he could gather, it was most likely food.
Call hadn't realized how hungry he was until right this second. He had a small stomach; he couldn't eat a lot, and he felt full most of the time. That meant he could never have seconds, which sucked, but it also helped him survive the entire time he was away from the Capitol. He slowly and with difficulty moved his hand to pinch the object on his chest. It felt like tough jerky. He didn't mind those strips of jerky too much. He removed it from his chest and nibbled at it, taking small bites. He knew he should probably sit up while eating, lest he have a higher chance of choking, but he didn't have the energy or pain tolerance to move.
He swallowed the jerky he was chewing and looked at Tilly again, a corner of his mouth curving upwards in a small grin. "Thanks..." he murmured, coughing again. He lifted his fist to cover his mouth as he coughed. It seemed as though he bothered with using manners, even if he was severely injured, yet he didn't care to get more comfortable. He let his arm drop back to the ground, laying limply by his side. He felt woozy and dazed as he continued to slowly consume his strip of jerky. He wondered if this was what it was like to be drunk. It was a silly thought, but then again, his father was always drunk, so he knew what it was like to be around someone who didn't really have control over themselves. He gently brushed the grass with his empty hand, finding the feeling rather soothing.
"Do you... need rest...?" he managed to ask, hiccuping when he tried to hold back more coughs. "Rest... Tilly..."
Callum's expression slowly relaxed as Tilly spoke to him. They had a lot to think and worry about. Dwelling on those worries wasn't going to make it disappear. He closed his eyes and sighed quietly as she brushed a lock of his hair away from his face. She had asked him why he was so worried about her, when he was the one who bled on the road the night before. He moaned softly, trying to find the energy to answer her. He just smiled weakly and kept his eyes closed. "Heh... well... I didn't... stay up all... night..." he croaked, coughing. He was concerned for her. He didn't know how to express that beyond what he could manage. He felt like he couldn't talk without sending himself into a coughing spree.
He grunted as his head was moved from Tilly's lap, looking up at her. When she told him what she was going to do, he didn't even feel the urge to protest. She would be back. He had to believe that. Even then, he didn't have enough time to utter a word, for she disappeared in the trees, going to check the road he had bled onto when the night had blanketed the land.
He was left alone for a while, left with his empty mind. No thoughts invaded it this time. Sleepy birds chittered and chattered around him while blood dully pounded in his ears. He had shifted a little, which was a huge mistake. He bit down on his lip hard to keep a scream from leaving him. Spikes of pulsing pain stabbed his torso repeatedly; he settled back down and stared up at the sky, which was somewhat covered by the trees surrounding him. He let out a long, tired sigh, the world beginning to spin around him. He tilted his head a little in silence, counting the seconds that passed. One, two, three... four, five six...... thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two...
Call felt relief surge through him as he saw Tilly emerge back into the area again, informing him that there was nothing going on outside of where they were. He didn't know how to feel about that. There was no danger, but there was also no rescue. They were on their own out here. He supposed that was better than being a Shaden's meal. He kept his eyes on her as she set something on his chest. His head was too heavy to take a look at it, but from what he could gather, it was most likely food.
Call hadn't realized how hungry he was until right this second. He had a small stomach; he couldn't eat a lot, and he felt full most of the time. That meant he could never have seconds, which sucked, but it also helped him survive the entire time he was away from the Capitol. He slowly and with difficulty moved his hand to pinch the object on his chest. It felt like tough jerky. He didn't mind those strips of jerky too much. He removed it from his chest and nibbled at it, taking small bites. He knew he should probably sit up while eating, lest he have a higher chance of choking, but he didn't have the energy or pain tolerance to move.
He swallowed the jerky he was chewing and looked at Tilly again, a corner of his mouth curving upwards in a small grin. "Thanks..." he murmured, coughing again. He lifted his fist to cover his mouth as he coughed. It seemed as though he bothered with using manners, even if he was severely injured, yet he didn't care to get more comfortable. He let his arm drop back to the ground, laying limply by his side. He felt woozy and dazed as he continued to slowly consume his strip of jerky. He wondered if this was what it was like to be drunk. It was a silly thought, but then again, his father was always drunk, so he knew what it was like to be around someone who didn't really have control over themselves. He gently brushed the grass with his empty hand, finding the feeling rather soothing.
"Do you... need rest...?" he managed to ask, hiccuping when he tried to hold back more coughs. "Rest... Tilly..."
Tilly frowned around her mouthful of jerky, Callum’s coughs rattling in her ears. He was attempting to eat the food, so that was a plus wasn’t it? He still looked terrible and Tilly doubted her shoddy bandage job was helping. She hummed in response to his gratitude, unable to speak through the tough meat she was chewing on.
“Seriously, stop,” she said once she swallowed. “Stop talking, stop worrying about me. You don’t even know me.” A bit of frustration leaked into her voice. Tilly didn’t know what to do. They were alone out in the woods where a Shaden could stumble upon them at any moment, and if that wasn’t enough, there were people after Callum and apparently her because that dumb lady wanted something she didn’t need back.
She closed her eyes, inhaling slowly. Opening them, she tried to soften her voice. “Look, we can’t stay here, but you can’t walk, can you?” Tilly glanced in the direction of the road, where it lay hidden by the trees. “Don’t have the horse either.”
Tilly looked to Callum. “I could drag you back to that trading post, but it’d take awhile and we don’t know if that lady’s still there…” She sighed, reaching up to rub at her eyes. She should have just stayed at the capitol. Sure, pickings had been getting a bit stale, but at least she knew her way around, knew all the safe places, and the parts of town to be avoided.
Tilly rested her elbow on her knee and put her chin in her palm, eyes going to the forest. What on earth was she supposed to do?
Tilly frowned around her mouthful of jerky, Callum’s coughs rattling in her ears. He was attempting to eat the food, so that was a plus wasn’t it? He still looked terrible and Tilly doubted her shoddy bandage job was helping. She hummed in response to his gratitude, unable to speak through the tough meat she was chewing on.
“Seriously, stop,” she said once she swallowed. “Stop talking, stop worrying about me. You don’t even know me.” A bit of frustration leaked into her voice. Tilly didn’t know what to do. They were alone out in the woods where a Shaden could stumble upon them at any moment, and if that wasn’t enough, there were people after Callum and apparently her because that dumb lady wanted something she didn’t need back.
She closed her eyes, inhaling slowly. Opening them, she tried to soften her voice. “Look, we can’t stay here, but you can’t walk, can you?” Tilly glanced in the direction of the road, where it lay hidden by the trees. “Don’t have the horse either.”
Tilly looked to Callum. “I could drag you back to that trading post, but it’d take awhile and we don’t know if that lady’s still there…” She sighed, reaching up to rub at her eyes. She should have just stayed at the capitol. Sure, pickings had been getting a bit stale, but at least she knew her way around, knew all the safe places, and the parts of town to be avoided.
Tilly rested her elbow on her knee and put her chin in her palm, eyes going to the forest. What on earth was she supposed to do?
Callum flinched a little when Tilly told him to stop worrying about her. He could hear the frustration in her voice, which was what caused him to wince in the first place. He wanted to protest, yet he didn't speak. He obeyed Tilly, not saying another word. He was almost done with his jerky at this point, his arm feeling heavy. He felt useless, and in turn, it made him feel irritated. He wanted to be able to walk to make things easier for the two of them. If they didn't leave soon, another Shaden could find them and kill both of them. It was either that or hostile people would find them and get them thrown in jail.
He sighed raggedly, hiccuping again. He listened to Tilly as she spoke, hopelessness starting to creep up on him. They didn't really know where to go. "Can't walk..." he murmured, cursing himself. He looked up at Tilly as she went over the options they had. They didn't have many options. He continued to brush the grass with his fingers, wracking his brain for an answer as to where they were supposed to go now. Going back to the trading post was a gamble. They would either get help or get arrested.
Callum took deep breaths, shivering. He couldn't do much to help Tilly now. God, I'm so useless... he thought, sighing heavily. He grit his teeth and decided to make an attempt to stand. He planted his palms on the ground, applying pressure. As soon as he was sitting up, he let out a muffled cry, as he had bitten his tongue to try and hold it back. He slumped back to the ground, ending up laying on his back again. He wanted to keep trying to stand. His stubborn side was starting to surface.
He didn't know what to do, which left him in a confused, dazed state. There had to be something that could help them. Perhaps they could find someone. Maybe they could call out for someone to help them... no... that would be stupid. They could attract the attention of the wrong people. Frustration settled within him as he thought more and more about their situation. "Tilly..." he murmured, groaning.
Callum flinched a little when Tilly told him to stop worrying about her. He could hear the frustration in her voice, which was what caused him to wince in the first place. He wanted to protest, yet he didn't speak. He obeyed Tilly, not saying another word. He was almost done with his jerky at this point, his arm feeling heavy. He felt useless, and in turn, it made him feel irritated. He wanted to be able to walk to make things easier for the two of them. If they didn't leave soon, another Shaden could find them and kill both of them. It was either that or hostile people would find them and get them thrown in jail.
He sighed raggedly, hiccuping again. He listened to Tilly as she spoke, hopelessness starting to creep up on him. They didn't really know where to go. "Can't walk..." he murmured, cursing himself. He looked up at Tilly as she went over the options they had. They didn't have many options. He continued to brush the grass with his fingers, wracking his brain for an answer as to where they were supposed to go now. Going back to the trading post was a gamble. They would either get help or get arrested.
Callum took deep breaths, shivering. He couldn't do much to help Tilly now. God, I'm so useless... he thought, sighing heavily. He grit his teeth and decided to make an attempt to stand. He planted his palms on the ground, applying pressure. As soon as he was sitting up, he let out a muffled cry, as he had bitten his tongue to try and hold it back. He slumped back to the ground, ending up laying on his back again. He wanted to keep trying to stand. His stubborn side was starting to surface.
He didn't know what to do, which left him in a confused, dazed state. There had to be something that could help them. Perhaps they could find someone. Maybe they could call out for someone to help them... no... that would be stupid. They could attract the attention of the wrong people. Frustration settled within him as he thought more and more about their situation. "Tilly..." he murmured, groaning.