A Moment

As the events of Ironstone unfolded, somewhere at the border between the two kingdoms, in a worn-out tent, Iris slept her pain away, trying to get a breather from her own harrowing experiences.

The loud din outside of the decrepit tent arose Iris from her slumber. A loud clatter startled her, and she pushed herself off the sleeping mat as if it was hot coal. Iris pulled the stone from under the bundled-up clothes she'd used as a pillow and nodded to herself. It was time for her to continue her journey. Pushing herself off the mat, grimacing and hissing at the dull pain in her ribs, and eventually managed to stand up on her own two feet.

She picked up the sword off the crate at the tent's entrance and stepped outside the tent. To her surprise, the dusky light had become a little brighter, and much more of the surrounding scenery was visible. It was day, but hard to tell which part of the day it was.

" You're awake" Corvin's gruff voice rang behind her, stating the obvious, and Iris turned to look at the man.

" Yes. Thank you for lending me your tent." Iris nodded and placed her sword in the makeshift holder on her waist.

" No problem. Lord Vamadar has been a good Lord over the years, just like his father. Any friend of his deserves to be treated with the same kindness that he had shown us." Corvin seemed more gregarious than when she'd arrived at the camp. What changed?

Iris nodded " Thank you, nonetheless. I'll be on my way ." she curled her arm around her chest and looked around, hoping to spot a horse, but she wasn't sure she was in any condition to ride a horse.

" How bad is it?" Corvin suddenly asked as he began dismantling the tent she'd just slept in.

" Hm?" Iris absently asked, unsure what he was referring to.

" Your ribs? How badly are you hurt? We still have some cures and ointments that you could use, and you should dress your wounds before it gets infected." Corvin folded the tent and placed it in a sack with other belongings in a pile on the ground.

" I don't know. I've been thrown against a tree, so I'm guessing pretty bad." Iris answered with her eyes on Corvin. The man seemed genuinely concerned about her well-being.

" Sit" Corvin pointed at a boulder with an unwavering gaze, and Iris nodded and sat down. Despite their differences, Corvin seems to have softened up a bit.

" Lift your shirt." Corvin lowered himself on his heels as she slowly pulled on the tunic to reveal her bruised ribs. With no clue how bad it was as Corvin moved to the side to let the dying fire provide him with a better look. Iris craned as her gaze travelled from Corvin's frowning face to her purple-brackish chest. It was worse than she'd expected. Without her link to Arkathira, she'd become as fragile as the humans living in the Seven Seas.

Corvin clicked his tongue " It's badly bruised ", he said as he lightly ran his fingers over her ribs, pressing here and there, making Iris recoil and hiss at the stabbing pain " I don't think they are broken, but I'm no healer. Ours left for Ironstone earlier. " Corvin said as he stood up, picked up a bag and rummaged through it, pulling out some metal containers and a clean strip of cloth.

" This salve should help with the little scrapes and cuts" Corvin put the small box next to her on the rock " As for your ribs, I'll just dress it and ...lift your arms. A healer would have to look at it once you reach Ironstone, but you must stop using your arm." Corvin said as he wrapped the cloth around her torso while Iris just nodded, fully aware that he was right. But she found herself without a choice. She had to pull through, but Corvin had surprised her with his knowledge and skill.

" Lower your arms...I'm done." Corvin stood up and packed the remaining container in his bag while Iris followed him with her eyes stupefied at the man's behaviour. If wouldn't for his solid build, Corvin reminded her of Ian. Caring and protective, and for a moment, her mind drifted back to the early days when she and Ian had met for the first time. It seemed a lifetime away.

" Thank you ", Iris stammered, sobering from her daze, absently blinking a few times, trying to chase away the memories that rushed and threw her back into the past.

" No problem." Corvin tied the sack and looked around the camp.

" Will be ready to leave soon. You could wait and join us. It would be easier to travel with us than alone." Corvin suggested and pushed a cup of water to her nose. At least that hadn't changed. Iris took the proffered cup, still trying to understand what was happening to Corvin.

" There's still some salted meat and a stale piece of bread if you're hungry. But I'd skip on the bread if I were you." the corner of his mouth quirked up in half a smile as he pushed the plate with food closer to her.

" That's very kind of you, Corvin." Iris took the meat while Corvin just nodded and turned to look the other way as if someone had called his name.

" Let me know," Corvin said over his shoulder as he walked to where he'd been called.

By the looks of it, they were almost ready to leave, and with her injuries, she could use someone with her. Corvin seemed kind enough, and so far, he'd shown no signs of malevolent intentions.

" You're awake" Malachi's voice rang behind her, and Iris choked on a piece of meat.

" Is that obvious " Iris croaked and coughed to dislodge the piece of meat stuck in her throat.

" You have a smart mouth. So what business do you have with our lord? You don't seem to be from around here." Malachi poked for answers while he walked around and plopped himself on a rock in front of her.

" Why would I tell you?" Iris's reticence to share her motives irritates the heck out of Malachi since he pulled a face at her.

" I don't know who you are, and before I let you join, I want to make sure you're trustworthy. " Malachi reasoned with a tongue-in-cheek attitude as Corvin loomed behind him with his arms crossed over his chest, boring holes with his eyes in his head.

" You little shit. You're in charge of the meals, and you can't even do that right."Corvin scoffed, scowling, while Malachi's head snapped, and he looked up at Corvin with a nervous chuckle.

" Corvin", Malachi called in a sing-song voice, trying to placate the mountain of a man standing behind him.

" I was just trying to figure out her intentions." he tried to justify his inquisitive spurr, but Corvin didn't seem too impressed by his attempt.

" Don't tell me you're afraid of an injured woman that's half your size." Corvin mocked with a straight face while Malachi turned to her and measured her from head to toe.

" First, you tried to bed her, and now you're cussing her of malevolent intentions. Which is it, Malachi? Choose wisely. " Corvin bent closer to Malachi, almost nose to nose, looking rather displeased.

Malachi opened his mouth several times, but nothing came out. He looked shocked. Corvin didn't seem like someone one would want to meddle with, and for the first time, Iris understood that there were some good ones among the bad ones.