The Unexpected Companion

I heaved a deep sigh and got up from the fire. I quickly removed the pan so the steak wouldn’t burn and kicked some dirt over the remaining flames to smother the fire. Once I was satisfied that it was properly extinguished, I proceeded to the still child.

I placed a finger under her nose and felt the gentle breath of life emitting from her. Well, she wasn’t dead, yet. After another deep sigh, I began to gingerly test her neck and spine for any signs of damage. She appeared to be fine, just out cold. I replaced her arms on her chest and sat down to finish my steak. She had until I was done eating and then I would be on my way again.

As I sat there eating my bloody steak, periodically licking the trails of blood from my fingers. I looked over the child once more. She was definitely human. There was no dwarven or elven features to speak of, and she was far to small to be of orc descent. Her cloths were worn in and patched. Coming up short on her legs and arms. Her hair was matted and dusty, hanging limply around her face. Someone had been taking care of this child, but it looked as though her luck had run out as of late. She was skinny but not starved. She had no shoes and her feet looked as though they didn’t even know the definition of clean. Yes, she was used to living off the land. As to why she fell from the tree was a mystery still, however.

As I finished my last bite and got up to leave, she finally began to stir. I walked over to her and gave her a gentle nudge with the tip of my boot.

“Girl.” I grunted “You still livin’?”

“hmmmnnnnnn” she groaned back. Her eyes wildly flickering about until they landed fixedly upon my face. They widened in fear, and she made a small squeak as she scrambled into a sitting position.

I sighed heavily again. “Now, now. Just take it easy. You knocked yourself a good one fallin’ from that there tree. You been out for about a good ten minutes now.” I grumbled, it irritated me that my dark complexion was always met with either fear or distrust. Bloody scabs.

She gingerly nodded her head and then winced, rising a hand to her tender head she winced again and pulled her hand back. There was a little bit of blood and she seemed to go pale at the sight of it.

“Easy now lassy. Big easy breaths. In through your nose out through your mouth. If you find yourself becoming dizzy put your head between your knees.” I instructed as I dug through my bag for my spare loaf of bread.

“What are you, a damned doctor?” she muttered so quiet it was probably just to herself.

I gave a good chuckle at that and tossed her the wrapped loaf.

“Now, why would a doctor be up on Witch Mountain?” I chuckled into the wind. Not really expecting an answer. I turned back to the path and started back on my way.

“Wait!” she hollered as she scrambled up, wincing again as the sudden movement brought a fresh wave of pain. “Where are you going? Nobody goes up Witch Mountain for the night. Shouldn’t you be headed back down to town?” she questioned as sped after me.

“No. But you should be.” I stated as I turned on my heel to face the child.

She took a step back at my sudden movement and I sighed deeply again. This was getting tedious.

“Go home child. You have no business being in the woods. I do not know why you have chosen to follow me, but I have no use for an orphan.” I sighed as I turn back around and start heading back up the path again.

“Why do you want to become a wizard?” she called after me as I rounded the first bend in the road.

How on earth would she know THAT? I stopped walking and turned around to look at her. She was already walking towards me. A little cocky as she approached me and stopped.

“What’s it too ya?” I ask as I lean back on my heal and cross my arms. “And why would you know somethin’ like that?”

She huffed a sigh of exasperation. Mimicked my pose and started ticking a list off her fingers. “You’re wearing a cloak, you reek of sulfur and decomposition, you’re emitting an unchecked powerful aura, and you are coming up Witch Mountain in time to reach the summit by night fall.”

I nodded my head. “These things are all true.” I say with a slight smile. Perceptive little thing. Maybe she’s the wizards charge. She seemed knowledge enough. “But you still haven’t answered me as to why someone would know somethin’ like that. Most people around here don’t know half the things you’ve said. And you can’t be more then a decade old. Though a long ten years, I am sure it has been.” I questioned as I glared at the child. I didn’t have time for this. I needed to be moving on.

“He sent me down here to observe you. I was to mingle with the children and try to gain some favor among them. But it was proving to be more difficult then anticipated. I have been through several Runs and I have yet to be accepted.” She stated matter of factly. “I didn’t anticipate seeing you through the run and I lost my footing. I appreciate you catching me. I would have hurt myself pretty bad if I had taken that fall.”

“And the tree?” I inquired after she paused for a breath.

“I fell. I tested the branch but when the sizzling stopped, I wanted to know what it looked like so I could visual eating it in my mind.” She confessed. “I went out too far on the branch and it snapped.” She said with a pained shrug. “You know the rest, I’m sure.”

“Indeed, I do.” I stated firmly. “Come let’s be on our way then. We have little time and I despise being late.” I quipped as I turned on my heal again and began walking back up the damned mountain. I had lost precious time and I doubted I would have time for dinner as the hill became profoundly steeper.