Guardian 2, p.9
Guardian 2, page 9
Once I’d unpacked my gear, I sorted everything into groups and started mixing enough of the poultice to cover their wounds and stop the bleeding. When the mixtures were done, I went over to the felines and began placing the poultices on the wounds. The two were breathing heavily now and tensing every time I touched them.
I supposed they were in some shock, but I needed the wounds to stop leaking. I applied the mixtures to the many cuts, and a few minutes later, the poultices did their job, but the felines weren’t out of danger yet. I found when looking over the ingredients that I didn’t have everything I needed.
“Okay, the bleeding has stopped, but I need to go out and get some ingredients in the woods that I’m missing for a healing potion. Stay with them and try to make them comfortable.”
Ella shook her head. “No, I’m coming with you. Lexi and Callie are going to go pick up the three ladies back in that cave. We discussed it while you were working in the back of the wagon. They were hurt badly as well. Kat will stay with the two here.”
I grunted and agreed with her. It was a good enough plan.
“Do you have enough to help the three when we get back?” Lexi asked with concern.
I checked my ingredients on hand and shook my head. “No, but we can get most of them from the garden. I’ll also grab enough of what we need from the forest.”
They nodded and we went our separate ways. I was about to step out of the barn when Seamus stopped me.
I’ll stay as well.
That made me think about his fight with the troll. I strolled that way and looked him over.
I’m fine. Just bruised.
Okay, but you’ll take some of the healing potions as well. No arguing.
He growled his displeasure at that. He knew they tasted bad.
After nodding to Seamus, I ran with Ella to the forest in search of the healing ingredients: feverfew, sweet marjoram, greenthread, berry leaves, and sage. A mixture that Devon’s acquaintances taught me.
An hour later, after locating the plants needed, I arrived back at my barn. The two males were moody to say the least, but I shook off their attitudes and started on the healing mixture. I mean, I could understand them, they were in pain.
It took some time, but after getting the mixture right and into bottles, with the help of Ella, who made sure the panthers didn’t chomp my hand off, I poured the solution down their throats. She giggled at me when I flinched a couple times. I then tried to hand her the bottle to get her to do it, and she stopped laughing pretty quickly.
For a few minutes, I rested in a chair and watched as the two patients went to sleep. I could hear their breathing was getting better. That was good news. I then made Seamus take his potion. He didn’t like it, but Ella advised him to do it, otherwise, he would deal with her. He snorted and downed the potion without arguing further. In no time, Seamus went to sleep as well.
Kat brought me some water and leaned on me. “What a day.”
“You can say that again.”
I rubbed her back and drank my fill.
Ella came over and sat down beside me. “Will they live?” she asked in a low voice, trying not to disturb the snoring felines.
I thought about it and answered truthfully. “I’m not sure. They were wounded badly. Hopefully, we got the healing potion to them in time.”
She kissed my hand and was about to respond but we were interrupted by noise from outside.
“I think they’re back,” Kat stated and walked to the barn door.
I rose and went out as well. The others had returned, and I pointed at the cabin for them to stop there.
“What are you plans?” Ella asked as she walked beside me.
Not stopping, I answered. “We can put them in the guest room not being used. We will need to move stuff around to handle all three.”
Kat butted in, “I’ll work on that.”
She took off as we came up to the wagon. All three were lying down, and none of them looked up when we approached.
“They are sleeping,” Callie enlightened us. “It took us a bit because we lit the pile of bodies on fire for that farmer. He was an ass, by the way.”
I chuckled and agreed. “Okay, let’s move them into the cabin. Kat is making room for us.”
We moved the felines into the room. Kat had blankets on the floor, so we tried to make them as comfortable as possible. All woke up though, in pain. While the girls were doing that, I went and grabbed what I needed out of my garden for the poultices. And when we were in the woods looking for the healing items, I’d gotten more than enough plants so that I could have extra. We would need them anyway.
The girls helped me this time since they’d observed what I did to the others. We applied the poultices to the lady felines, who yowled in pain and displeasure. It couldn’t be helped, and I let them know that. Seamus was still outside, so I couldn’t hear their replies.
Huh, maybe I do need to practice my magic like Seamus said. Ugh, we will see.
When the healing potion was ready, everyone had a job to do since there were three of them. It didn’t take long before the three were asleep. Our little group went outside to the well behind the cabin, which a spring kept filled with water, to clean up.
Leaving the felines to rest, we went to the kitchen. The ladies whipped us up some sandwiches and fresh fruit. Our meal was eaten in silence for the most part. Except when they asked what we were going to do with five felines to deal with. I laughed and told them whatever we could. They rolled their eyes and began talking about other things.
We checked on the felines in the middle of the night, rousing them to clean the wounds thoroughly, and then reapplied the poultices. When we finished with one patient, I had the girls wrap the cuts in bandages so the panthers wouldn’t scratch the poultices off, and an hour later, the job was completed.
The felines fell back asleep as we went to clean up. After that, we were exhausted, so we went to our beds and slept almost instantly.
Light came through the window in our room, and it took me a moment to get my head straight. For some reason, my body hurt.
Oh, that’s right, I fought trolls yesterday.
At that moment I realized I wasn’t alone, moving my head to the right I found a big wolf staring at me. That was something that didn’t happen very often, so I wondered why he was in my room.
Thank you for saving those panthers. The Earth Mother thanks you for saving them as well. And for your concern for me. By the way, the potion helped. My body was in pain. Thank you.
Yawning, I asked, How are they doing?
He answered with a sigh. They’re sleeping at the moment, but their breathing is better. They will need care for at least a couple of weeks until they are better.
I nodded and got out of bed to get dressed. I figured. I’m assuming when they wake, they will be ravenous. So I’ll go hunting for some food. You going to come with?
Yeah, I feel better, so I’ll tag along.
I woke up Ella and kissed her head, letting her know that we were going hunting. She nodded and went back to sleep. I grabbed my bow and quiver before heading to the forest to hunt some stags. Hopefully, it wouldn’t take long to find some.
A couple hours of hunting became fruitful. I took down two stags and dragged them back to my place. I started a fire immediately with a spit. While waiting for the fire to be ready, I cleaned the deer with Callie’s help. She was happy to give me a hand.
We took the meat off that I wanted, and the only things I discarded were the skin and intestines. I figured the felines could chew on the leg bones after devouring the meat on them. An hour later, breakfast was served. I put up some meat for us to have at lunch and dinner and waited for the felines to wake. It wasn’t long after we were done that those in the house woke up.
The girls fed the lady felines, and I took food to the males in the barn. The two were awake and lifted their heads when I came in. They were certainly big cats. I set the stag legs in front of them, and they immediately devoured them.
I guess it’s a good thing that I brought them more.
I threw the others in their direction, and they savored them. While I was sitting in the chair from the previous night, I heard a voice in my head.
Thank you.
That surprised me a bit and I cleared my throat before answering. Sure, no problem.
The answer surprised them.
So, you can speak to us. Seamus said you could but you’re a lazy mage.
I scoffed, I don’t profess to be a mage.
Well, having Seamus as a companion makes you a powerful mage. You need to accept what the Earth Mother has given you.
I grunted and changed the subject as Seamus came in, having finished his breakfast.
Anyway, you’ll need rest and I’ll need to reapply those bandages after putting more healing poultices on you.
We appreciate your help. My name is Griffin, and the silent one beside me is Eron.
Well met, guys. They nodded. Griffin continued speaking to me.
We were ambushed by those cave trolls as we were about to begin mating season.
I cleared my throat at that statement. Like I needed to know that.
Seamus chuckled at me.
Uh, I’m sorry that happened.
It is unfortunate. The other male in our group was killed.
I sighed and shook my head but didn’t respond.
Were you able to heal the women?
I nodded. Yes, they are resting in my cabin.
The two seemed to relax then.
Their names are Keelie, Torinda, and Yalena.
I will remember that when I see them next. I’m Gage.
They chuckled and Griffin said they knew already.
If I may, I’d like to make a suggestion. You need to practice your magic. Things may happen and you’ll need that advantage. The Earth Mother gave it to you for a reason. Seamus said you can see through illusions and invisibility spells. That is powerful magic and needs to be trained.
I stopped my retort and cleared my throat. Well, Griffin, I may have that magic, but there is no teacher around, and I’m definitely not going to some academy. Mulling over those thoughts, I sighed. But I do know that it’s probably good if I begin to train with my magic. I’ll just need to find someone to help. Anyway, I’m going to check on the others. So, I’ll be back later.
They grunted as I walked out of the barn.
Chapter 15
As I came out of the barn, I saw that Lexi and Kat were out in the gardens, working. I sauntered over.
“How’s it going, ladies?”
The two looked over and smiled. Kat answered, “We were just tending the garden while Ella watches over the felines inside the cabin. Callie is getting the fresh eggs.”
“We were going to milk the cows, but we figured that we needed to wait a bit to let them rest,” Lexi added.
I nodded. “That’s considerate, but we will make noise regardless. And the felines in the barn are awake. So, we can do it anytime. Matter of fact, I’ll check on the patients and then handle that.”
They grunted and I made my way to the cabin. Walking in, I saw Ella wiping down the counters.
“Hello, honey,” Ella called out as she saw me.
I kissed her on the cheek and grabbed a cup of water before downing it. I filled the cup again and drank it in two gulps.
Man, I guess I was thirsty.
Placing the cup into the sink, I walked down the hall to where the patients were. They must have picked up my scent as I came near. The three roused immediately before putting their heads back down. I checked and changed the bandages and healing mixture. The cuts were healing rapidly, which must mean they had healing abilities. I was concentrating on the treatment and was surprised by the interruption.
Thank you, Gage. Your family has been very kind to us, one of the females commented.
I turned to see one of the panthers staring at me.
Ah, so you can hear us.
I grunted. When I clear my head from other things, I suppose. Though, Seamus told me that I should be able to hear you in any case. I guess that surprises me since we aren’t bonded.
Maybe it’s because you have an affinity for beast magic.
I thought about that statement. Did I have that kind of an affinity? Shit, I really needed to find out what affinities I had.
That’s a good assumption, I suppose.
I’m Torinda, by the way.
Well met, Torinda. How are you and the others feeling?
She moved and yipped in some discomfort. The pain is tolerable. Your woman known as Ella gave us food, so we are content.
I noticed the others were listening in on our conversation now.
That’s good. Is there anything that you need?
One of the other panthers answered. Some fish would be nice.
Torinda huffed. Keelie, stop with that. We can visit the lake when able.
Keelie huffed and put her head back on the floor. The other one butted in and spoke. I guessed she was Yalena.
Sorry about that. Keelie loves fish.
I snorted. Not a problem. I can see about making a detour to catch some fish. You’ll be here for some time before you’ll be able to leave.
That’s very nice of you, Yalena replied.
I stood up and bowed to them. Ladies, I’m at your service.
The three felines giggled, which caught me off guard. I mean, watching a human girl giggle is one thing, but three huge panthers were another. I shuddered.
While I was thinking about that, Torinda spoke in a husky voice.
Look, girls, we have a gentleman in our midst. He’s quite a looker too, well built by looking at his arms. We will have to let Tara and her weres know about this beefcake.
Yalena purred. I agree, Torinda. I’m not sure I want to leave his room, having him take care of us is heaven.
I shook my head and bid the ladies good day.
Keelie hollered at me as I left. Oh, don’t be that way, Gage. We were just messing with you, all except the Tara part.
I grunted and set out to the barn to milk the cows so we’d have fresh milk for the day. I would bet on the felines enjoying some. Callie had finished gathering the eggs and helped. After collecting the milk, I took the pails to the house and poured the milk into glass containers but not before giving some to the panthers.
Callie helped Ella with the ones inside, and I gave some to the ones in the barn. I was thanked numerous times for that.
When finished, I went out to help with the garden. Lexi worked on the spices and herbs, while Kat and I worked on the vegetables and pulling the weeds out. It didn’t take long before the weeding was done and for us to pick the ripe vegetables. Lexi put the herbs and spices into baskets and placed them on the side for us to work on when inside the cabin.
“Are we going to spar today?” Callie asked as she walked up.
I looked over and thought about it, then shrugged and answered, “I don’t see why not, but at least two of us need to check our lands for any intruders. Those cave trolls may have come through here.”
“That sounds logical,” Kat agreed. “I can go check with you.”
I grunted. “Lexi, you mind working with Callie today?”
Lexi grinned and glanced over at Callie. “Sounds fun.”
Callie snorted and said, “Just don’t go overboard. I don’t want to be in a bed beside the panthers.”
The three of us chuckled.
Kat and I grabbed our weapons before setting out. She told Ella what our plans were. Seamus joined us. We didn’t see anything until we were by the edges of my lands, where we discovered lots of footmarks.
Wonder if any are still around.
I don’t know.
I’ll check around and return shortly.
Seamus left as Kat was observing the ground.
“Seamus went and checked to see if any stragglers are still around.”
She grunted. “I’m assuming these were the ones we encountered. There are panther tracks as well.”
Kat pointed out where she saw those. They were indeed panther tracks. Or another feline, but I doubted any others would be around if cave trolls were about.
We checked other places, but nothing went through those areas except the normal animals. Seamus returned a while later.
I couldn’t see or smell any others around the area. I think those were the only ones.
I relaxed then. Good. We don’t need any of those causing more issues.
Agreed.
The three of us left and headed back to the cabin. When we arrived, I checked on the patients again. The rest of the day was uneventful. Besides taking care of the panthers, we piddled around the farm.
Over the next few days, we did our usual routine. Training, gardening, and tending to the animals. Oh, and the panthers started doing better. After moving around for a couple of days, they decided to take off.
They left after breakfast one morning. That day, I was working on different techniques with Callie when I heard some noise in the distance. I walked over and observed the front of the farm with Callie. The girls immediately came out too when they heard what was happening. Moments later, we saw a wagon come down the way with two horses in tow.
As they came up, I recognized them. They stopped near the barn and dismounted. I smiled as the old man came over.
“Gage.”
“Devon.”
I chuckled as we hugged. He let go and turned to my girls.
“Well, since we aren’t anywhere that others can hear, how about you introduce everyone?” Devon questioned me with a smirk.
I introduced Kat, Ella, Lexi, and Callie to Devon. He then told us who he had with him. The two that were at the inn in Nanrac before we left, I already knew, and the other two were evidently just helpers. Though, Devon did say that they could be trusted with my secrets, including the girls.
Callie was new, so he had questions, and I let her tell him why she was here. I was then surprised when she told Devon that her real reason for being there was to woo me, which I suppose was kind of the explanation she gave us at the beginning, but it was for training and such. Oh, who was I kidding? The girls wanted her to join the family. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking: Why would they want that? I asked the same question and never got a good answer.
