Recovery

Kael doesn’t know how long he’s **** for, but when he awakens, he’s in a tent, on a small cot. His head throbs when he tries to sit up, and he lays back down with a groan. Instead, he turns his head to look around, and after a moment he recognizes that he’s in a medical tent, though it seems that he’s the only one here. Well, that’s not entirely correct, as he turns his head the other direction. Leaning against his cot, with her head against his shoulder, is Ria, who seems to be asleep.

His movement wakes her, and she smiles at him as she sees he’s awake. “There you are, big guy! You had us all worried out there. How are you feeling?”

Kael tries again to sit up, and this time he succeeds, though his head throbs painfully. He grimaces. “My head hurts a lot, but otherwise I seem whole.”

Ria nods, reaching out and taking his hand. “After what you did out there yesterday, I’m not surprised.”

Kael blinks. “Yesterday?”

Ria nods again. “You’ve been out for a whole day. The healer says you overstrained your mind, but that you should be fine.”

Kael shakes his head, and immediately regrets it, his head throbbing worse. “So…what happened? What did I do?”

Ria shrugs. “I’m not exactly sure how, but you pulsed a massive null field over the battlefield. I’ve never felt anything like that. It shut off all our powers for a while, and shattered all those strange collars.”

Just then, Koa and Orin step into the tent. Koa has to duck to avoid brushing his head on the ceiling, and he’s the first to speak. “It was impressive, and it turned the tide of battle.”

Orin nods. “Most of the slaves fled, disappearing into the woods. It seems like they were meant to stall us while the Karlian elite troops rolled up the rest of the army.”

Ria chuckles. “After what you did, their plan backfired. When the slaves fled, we were able to lead a flanking attack against them, and we shattered them. It was a rout!”

Kael looks at the others. “So, we won?”

Koa crosses his arms. “Rather easily, though some of us were annoyed by not having our powers.”

Orin rolls his eyes. “Look, I’m just saying that it would have been much easier to finish the fight if we had them!”

Ria laughs. “Never mind that if Kael hadn’t done it, we probably wouldn’t have been so successful.”

Kael looks to Ria. “And you said that the slaves ran off?”

She nods. “Mostly. A few joined us in our attack on the flank. They seemed eager to strike back at Karlia. After the battle they all disappeared into the woods as well. Well, all but one.”

Kael looks at her curiously. “What do you mean?”

Ria smiles. “The holstaur you were facing off against when your powers went crazy? She insisted on carrying you to the medics. And she has refused to leave. I think she feels like you saved her life. She’s waiting outside, if you want to see her.”

Kael thinks for a moment. “Okay. Yes, let’s meet her.”

Ria kisses his cheek. “She seems nice. I’ll send her in, big guy. She’s cute, too!”

Ria winks at him and laughs, before standing and heading for the tent door, followed by Orin and Koa. Kael can hear voices outside, and after a moment, the tent opens again, and the holstaur woman enters.

Kael hadn’t really had time to look at her before, but now, he has to agree with Ria’s parting comment. She really is cute! Tall, probably even taller than Kael, with white hair tied into a thick braid and a pair of cow’s horns and floppy cow ears, she steps into the tent with only a hint of nervousness. There’s a smile on her face as she sees Kael awake. Kael lets his eyes wander over her as she approaches. She’s muscular, but not overly so, clearly used to hard work. More obvious is her large chest, bouncing in the farmer’s clothes that she’s wearing. She’s not small, but her curviness is incredibly feminine.

She stops by the side of Kael’s cot, seeming to hesitate before speaking. Kael decides to speak first.

“I hear you’re the one who carried me here?”

She nods. “Yes sir. I figured it was the least I could do. I saw you fight, you could have easily killed me.”

Her voice is rough, but pleasant. There’s a blunt edge to her speech that makes Kael smile. “Well, I appreciate it. What’s your name?”

“I’m Gabrielle, sir, but everyone calls me Gabby. At least, people who care.”

Kael nods. “It’s a pleasure, Gabby. So, I have to ask…why are you still here? Why haven’t you escaped like the others?”

Gabby sighs. “It’s…complicated, sir.”

Kael smiles. “Most things are.”

She nods, looking at him directly. Her blue eyes show a hint of nervousness again. “Sir, I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

Gabby takes a deep breath. “Okay. So, you don’t need to answer right away, sir. I want to explain some things first. But I’ll ask you.”

She pauses, then speaks again. “Can I come live with you, sir?”

Kael blinks. “What?”

Gabby looks down, wringing her hands together. “I spoke with the woman who was with you, and she suggested it. She said that you were a kind master, sir.”

Kael shakes his head. “I think I’m going to need that explanation, Gabby…”

Gabby nods. “Yes sir.”

She looks up at the ceiling, clearly gathering her thoughts.