Help Dalia with Janno

"Maybe it would be best to help," Kassi said.

Dalia nodded and gathered the herbal medicines she had selected from her pack. Kassi followed the white-haired druidess back to where Janno was resting beside the low-burning fire.

Janno flinched when he met Kassi's eyes, but Dalia soothed him. "I need Kassi to help me check your wounds," she said.

"And we need you," Kassi said. The young blonde ranger laid a gentle hand on his knee. "You are still our ablest man, if the fighting goes toe to toe."

Janno nodded gingerly, his throbbing head restraining the motion.

"Rest easy for now," Dalia said.

Dalia used Kassi's extra hands to help in binding Janno's ribs. They didn't seem to be broken, but the binding helped stabilize them and reduced the pain. Janno had had worse wounds, but was happy for the attention.

Dalia took special care examining his head. "Well, I'm glad to see that you're as hard-headed as I thought," Dalia said. "You may not feel well tonight, but you should mend quickly," she added in a satisfied tone. She mixed up an herbal infusion in warm water and gave it to Janno to drink. It had a sweet hay scent and a slight bitter aftertaste.

Janno shook off his ill humor and looked up at Kassi. He asked, "Did Glennon check on the ogres? Were they living here or just passing through? Was there any sign that more were around and might return here?"

Kassi raised her eyebrows. "No, he went on ahead scouting to see if we could get through the back of the cave. You're right, we should check that out right away." She smiled at Janno. "That is, I should." She rose and surveyed the immediate area.

"That's the Janno we need," Dalia said. She went over his minor cuts and bruises and completed her ministrations. "That should hold you for tonight," she said. She patted his thigh and rubbed her fingertips delicately along the sensitive skin. "But I'll make sure to check on you at the change of watches to make sure you're resting easy."

Janno's manhood rose at Dalia's unexpected teasing. The tip sprouted out of his loosened breeches. He held back any sudden moves or verbal retort, hoping no one else had noticed.

Kassi quietly caught her breath. Her heart thumped. She had just turned back after a quick check of the cave when she saw what Dalia was doing to Janno. She was surprised at Dalia's bold move. Was it a good idea? She had caught Janno looking at her when they were standing watch together, and thought he might have his eye on her. Should she do something about it before Dalia got too far ahead? Did she want to?

Glennon cheerfully announced his return. "Good news!" he said. "We may pass through, and the other side is out of sight of the tower."

Kassi pretended to have just returned from her survey. "I only see signs of two ogres here, and not long habitation. Perhaps these two were merely traveling someplace."

"Very good," Janno said. "Is there anything else we should settle before resting tonight?"