Healing Touch

"On normal hunts we would strip down the prey of all usefull parts, however the meat of fiends cannot be eaten and the tusks of those particular fiends wouldn't have proven too useful to the village at this point so I felt it was better that we return as is." Iniel explained when we had finally reached a safer part of the forest.

I hadn't even thought about it before but now that she said it I was surprised by the thought. We went out and killed two fiends but brought nothing back, we gained absolutely nothing from encounter. That being said the tribe didn't hunt fiends for food or materials for the most part. Sure some fiends had rare materials that could be harvested from their bodies but for the most part we hunted them because they were 100% aggressive to humanoids.

At this point the bleeding had completely stopped and I was able to move a lot easier than before. I started to match her pace and became level with her as we moved through the forest.

"I was too slow. My speed limited my ability to use the weapons you gave me" I stated simply seeking Iniel's advice.

She nodded her head in affirmation.

"Yes, it is good that you realized your limitation, your attacks contained plenty of strength behind them but you weren't able to accelerate your swings fast enough to make contact with your desired target.

Had you been able to do that then you would not have been injured."

Her words pretty much affirmed what I had suspected, I needed to grow in areas that weren't specifically the favored attributes of my species.

Curiously I used analyze on myself to see if I had achieved any progress.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mar

Race - Orc (Unevolved)

Class - Tribesman

Level - 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I looked at my status a little confused. I hadn't even leveled up once. What the hell?

I mean I wasn't expecting instant success but this is still a little ridiculous, I killed a Razortusk all by myself. How could I have achieved zero progress?

I looked at my fist and clenched it. Sure enough I felt no stronger than I had before the fight. Iniel looked at my frowning face.

"What's wrong Mar? You should be happy, you've done well today." Iniel remarked after seeing my face.

"I always thought that when we take down strong enemies we grow in strength but I was level 1 before this fight and I feel the exact same despite taking down a fairly difficult enemy all by myself." I replied.

Iniel raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you are worried about? Don't worry, I guess no one explained it to you but you don't level up immediately on the spot, you only level up once you go to sleep.

When you wake up tomorrow don't be surprised if you feel much stronger in many aspects compared to today."

I felt at ease once Iniel had explained that simple principal to me.

"I'm surprised though, you seemed especially focused on levels, in our village we can only check the status and level of someone after a powerful magical ritual that we perform infrequently.

Is it different among the orcs?" She asked.

"Not exactly, we have to activate the tribal totem to check the status of every one of the members and we don't do it often but I was just expecting to feel stronger and I don't, so that's why." I explained while keeping the secret of my ability from her. I liked Iniel and she had been nothing but helpful up to this point but that didn't mean I was going to reveal my ability to analyze people so easily.

That being said I shifted my focus to her for a moment.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Iniel Midnight - Midnight is the family name of one of the oldest and most revered families among the Lakeborn elves.

Race - Great Elf (2nd Evolution)

Level - 88

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was a little bit startled, she had a few more levels than my mother. Then again, I didn't really know how old Iniel was or how quickly elves mature compared to orcs. TO me it seemed that orcs were designed for quick growth early on before slowing down. At least that was true of the orc braves, my mother and grandmother seemed to be the exception to the rule due to their different evolutionary path.

Apparently I had only met pretty important elves if my analysis was to be believed. Midnight was her family name and Velari's was Twilight. I didn't know for sure but I felt like their had to be some sort of history there, both Iniel and Velari seemed to be completely alone despite the longevity of the elves and that really confused me.

Unfortunately I had no more time for my thoughts and musings as we reached the outskirts of the village. I looked up into the sky and realized that the afternoon had already escaped us and we were approaching evening already today.

I was excited to get back honestly, hunting my first fiend was great and all but what would be the purpose of fighting if you didn't have something to come back to.

In my case my head was already filled with the image of a few elven maidens.

Apparently word had already been spread that Iniel and I had been spotted approaching the village because several elves had stopped to watch our approach and a few came to edge of the village as a welcome party. I recognized Ossun at the head of the group.

I chuckled dryly on the inside. It would be nice to think that he was here to welcome me back but.....

"Welcome back to the village Lady Iniel and Mar, you were gone far longer than expected." Ossun greeted us both but his eyes did not leave Iniel's figure the whole time he spoke.

Well I couldn't exactly blame the guy, Iniel had almost managed to completely captivate me several times along the way of our journey. Still though.... This crush was getting out of hand,

"We decided to transition into a hunt after Mar made his selection, we encountered a duo of Razortusks and Mar succeeded in bringing one down." Iniel said in reply to Ossun's greeting.

I noticed that as soon as she come back into the village she seemed to have put up an invisible barrier between herself and the world. I hadn't noticed it before but she had been very open and talkative with me but it seemed that between her and the elves this kind of candor was impossible.

Inwardly I was really curious about this relationship. However, now was not the time nor place to uncover secrets.

I felt bad for Ossun though because it seemed that I had witnessed a side to Iniel that very few were privy too, if anyone at all.

The welcoming group looked at me with more respect than before after hearing that I had succeeded in my first hunt, a solo hunt to boot.

"Thank you for accompanying me the whole way Lady Iniel" I thanked Iniel as I figured she would want to part ways at this point being surrounded by adoring elves.

She eyed me with a cross look. "And when did you decide to be formal? Iniel suffices, besides I should make sure someone attends to your wound."

We were outside the hearing range of most of the elves when we had that conversation but I nodded in assent and continued with her toward the elves. Ossun eyed the two of us for a second longer than seemed correct and I could have sworn that a hint of suspicion flashed in his eyes but I must have imagined it because as wel drew close he clapped me on the back.

"Congratulations Mar on a successful hunt!" Ossun said

Truth be told he slapped me right on my injured shoulder and I wanted to wince but I held it in.

"Thanks Ossun, it was quite the exhilarating experience" I replied grateful for his comraderie.

"MAR!!!" suddenly a voice rang out from behind the welcoming party of elves and Youla came running through the group only to leap into my embrace.

I did my best but even I couldn't help but give a small grunt of pain after that. Being patted on the back by Ossun had hurt sure but it was no big deal. Unfortunately having a women throw themself into my arms was just a touch to much for my poor shoulder and the poultice that was holding my wound together ripped a little allowing blood to once again flow around the wound.

Thankfully only Youla, Iniel, and Ossun were close enough to recognize my discomfort.

Youla being right in my arms was quickly able to ascertain my situation. She looked quite distressed from my situation.

"Why didn't you tell me you were injured? I am a life mage after all you could have come to me for help right away." Youla whispered fiercely to me.

Those words made little sense to me at this point. She literally showed up five seconds ago so at what point was I supposed to inform her of my....

Nevermind, I'm just gonna roll with whatever level of crazy is being thrown at me at this moment.

"I guess you are in capable hands at this point Mar, I will leave you and make my report to the Elder Council." Iniel said after seeing Youla approach me so brazenly. "Make sure to recover from your wounds quickly." she added.

I nodded in agreement, I knew that the world would not wait for me to recover naturally, too many things were happening too quickly for that to happen. I needed to be back out there tomorrow.

Youla led me by the arm away from the welcoming group. I could tell that many were relieved that I had left, so that they could have more time with the goddess of their heart, Iniel. I waved to Ossun and her before heading off with Youla.

As I was walking away I also noticed Iniel with a blank expression making her way through through the throng of fans toward the Hall of the Elders.

Classic brush off I guess.

"Where are the others?" I asked Youla after we had created some distance between us and the rest of the group.

Youla made a pouting face and buried my arm between her breasts. "What, am I not enough for you?"

I looked at her petulant face and curvy body and shook my head. "Of course you are more than enough for any man." I assured her swiftly

She smirked at that reply, "We both know with your sex drive that may not necessarily be the case. I will do my best though." Youla said

I put my hand on her pert ass and grabbed it roughly.

"Aaaahh" Youla moaned softly.

"I'm just gad that I have such an incredibly beautiful and amazing woman willing to welcome me back after a hunt" I said reassuringly.

"Hmmph you're lucky it's just me, if Velari, Linor, and Ninor knew you went on a solo hunt and were injured then they would make sure their would be hell to pay.

After all they are all specialized in combat while I focused on life magic from a young age." Youla made sure I was aware of the dangers my actions had brought upon me.

"I made it out of my fight alright." I said reassuringly

Youla put a hand on my gored shoulder. "This doesn't exactly qualify as alright."

"We will just have to keep this a secret between me and you then I guess"

"You want me to betray my sisters so easily?" Youla looks at me incredulously.

I once again give her buttocks another grab and she leans into my embrace.

"How about I do something for you and this stays between the two of us?" I ask teasingly.

Youla's face is beet red at this point and she looks at me lustfully,

"You better be damn persuasive"