Archie
It's a quiet morning by the riverside town. The birds chirp excitedly, the flowers bloom, and the leaves blow by, carried by the wind in a refreshing breeze. The sunlight is gentle, and it encompasses all: those who share their hearty laughs at the street corner and at the taverns; as well as those who seek their comfort underneath the nice shade of a tall tree, to lie down with their hands behind their backs and their hats atop their faces.

In that quiet morning by the riverside town, there is calm. There is peace... And then there is the loud galloping of a horse.

A man with fiery red hair rides in horseback, galloping through the streets in a beautiful white steed, leaving a cloud of dust behind at their passing. Tied down to the seat behind him is yet another man, older in looks, and lying unconscious as they rush through laid paths of cobblestone.

With a loud neigh, the horse kicks up its front legs and grinds to a sudden stop. The red-haired boy quickly leaps from his seat, jumping down onto the floor below and running without hesitation for the nearmost building.

A set of loud and anxious knocks suddenly echo out in a hurry. Someone is at Eloise's doorstep.
Alice
*After her encounter at Lerwick, she was rather shaken up. Eloise had been pacing about in her kitchen, unable to sit still. She had tried to bake earlier to calm her nerves.. But it was obviously not very successful. With a swift 'ding!' Eloise flinched, crouching down to open the stove. The smell of apple pie filled her senses, her shoulders dropping comfortably. **"Much better."** Sliding her hands into mittens, she took out the pie and placed it on the counter.*

*Everything was well, she was able to relax now. Just her and her apple pie. Along with loud knocking. Her body jerked upright, a loud clatter coming from her metal spoon hitting the porcelain plate. Eloise huffed, pushing herself out of her comfortable chair. 'Maybe it was one of the kids.' Her concern for others clouded her need for some self enjoyment. A healer had no time for themselves, their ability is meant for others after all.*

*Putting on a brave face, Eloise walked up to the door. Opening it, she greeted the person with a gentle smile. **"Hi, it's currently just me in this house. I'm Eloise."** She offered a polite hand, before quickly noticing the man's distressed state. She stepped out of the way for him. **"Living room is on your left."***
Archie
Kaleb did indeed look distressed. The boy's breathing was heavy, his hair was ruffled and fell over his face, between a set of bright red eyes—like two rubies atop his orbits—widened and panicky as they locked with Eloise's own.

**"Not me,"** The boy breathed out rather quickly, stepping back to reveal the man lying across the back of the horse.

On top of a silvery white and well-groomed horse, stationed about a dozen feet away, lied a man dressed in what seemed like hunting gear. Even from afar, Eloise could see the large gash across his back, tainting the navy blue of his clothes with blood. 

**"You're a healer, aren't you?"** His question seemed more like an affirmation than anything. **"I'll untie him. Heal him... *Please*."** 

He did as he said, quickly moving towards his steed and tying the injured man down from his place on top of it. He carried the man in his arms—with relative ease—and brought him into the living room.

...For whatever reason, that boy really seemed to have really struggled to just say *'please'* Back there...
Mary
*Eloise felt her body move on its own, blinded by sympathy as she followed him onto the living room. **"I am, a good one at that."** She assured him, not sure of it herself, but he needed to hear it. She laid the man on his stomach as she lifted his armour, inspecting the wound. **"You'll be okay, I'm here."** She spoke with a kindness, a smile on apparent in her voice as she carefully placed her hands above the gnash. Despite the fact the knight seeking help could barely manage a please, it was appreciated. And just for that, she had decided to ease the man. (Although she would've done it nonetheless.) Using a cheap trick, she hummed a childhood lullaby native to the Bromwich. It was a way for her to disguise her slow enchantment to calm the patient, it was a small easy to do spell. It wasn't necessary, but she had always done it to ensure comfort.*

*Slowly, the gnash closed. It began from the inside. Its torn apart muscles slowly closing in on itself as the skin stitched itself back together in a steady rhythm. It was a rather hefty task, considering she hadn't even eaten her snack made it even harder. But luckily, she pulled through. Soon, the man was alright.*

***"I am done."** She spoke quietly, in case the man had fallen asleep. Her gentle azure eyes darted to meet his ambers, a stark contrast to his. A soft smile grew on her face. **"If it's not too much, may I ask who you are?"** She seemed unfamiliar with his crest, unable to recognise the striking red head that sat ever so impatiently. Her hand was still soaked in blood, so she pulled a handkerchief out to wipe herself.*
Archie
As she worked, Kaleb would resign himself to making sure his ride was properly tied up. He calmed himself down, taking deep breaths and slowly regaining his composure and his regal and insufferable-looking posture. 

By the time he waltzed back into the living room, he was met with the sight of his seemingly healed friend, lying down peacefully, with only the tear in his clothes and the dried bloodstain against navy blue as the reminders of his injury. Whoever this lady was, she seemed to have finished, already.

**"I'd rather save the introductions until I can attest that my friend is alright."** Kaleb's voice echoed out in a commanding tone. He stared down at the woman in front of him with a sudden bout of contempt, glaring at her, like a cornered creature lashing out against its pursuer. Though his hair was somewhat tousled, and his dress shirt dirtied with subtle stains and small blades of grass stuck to its fabric, the fiery-haired boy still managed to look rather imposing.

...The act fell quickly, however. Kaleb looked away, smacking his lips as he shook his head. **"...My apologies. It's a bad habit."** Necessary, maybe, where he was from; but bad nonetheless.

**"My name is Kaleb,"** He said. **"Youngest-born of House Löwe, in the nation of Gantrick—not that it would be of any difference to *You*."**
Mary
***"It doesnt."** She affirmed, taking in the man. **"I apologise, may I offer you a drink?"** Despite the fact she was drained, she still had some hospitality in her. She walked to her kitchen, reaching up for the cupboards and filling it with the warm freshwater. **"Feel free to take a slice."** The pie sat comfortably on the counter. The plate and fork that was once meant to be hers was offered to him.*

***"Kaleb, your friend here will need a few days here.."** She seemed hesitant to tell him, her head adverted from his gaze. **"..I promise you I'll take care of him. In the meantime, I have some spare clothes. I wouldn't want another patient and my couch might get further stained."** Eloise walked off, entering her fathers room and taking out some fresh clothes. Placing it on the sofa beside the man.*

***"If it doesn't pry, who is this man to you?"** Eloise had figured he was important, however, why would he have gone to her? She wasnt the best choice, but she wasn't the worst either. Perhaps it was desperation. There was no way he was her first choice, it was simply unbelievable.*
Archie
Kaleb grunted a little as he moved, feeling his own chest tightening a little. The blows he'd taken would have taught pretty much anyone else to stay far away from hunting Big Game, but Kaleb Löwe was a creature born of and fueled by his endless stubbornness.

As he looked towards the woman and listened to all the things she'd offered, the boy found himself caught completely off-guard. Accustomed to the unruly company of the hateful Beastwalkers, and the generally rough surroundings back at his home nation, he never could've imagined that a stranger would display such... Kindness. Let alone to someone such as him. A part of him felt almost... Undeserving. 

He shook his head and looked away. **"I'll... Handle him, I suppose. But it's fine. Really. We were probably going to settle down somewhere around here, anyway..."**

Kaleb looked back to her as she asked that last question. He'd normally cuss someone off for prying like that, but... She'd kind of saved that man's life just now. He held his tongue.

**"His name is Vaarus,"** Began Kaleb. **"Old friend of dad's. He heard I was heading down towards Bromwich and wanted to come along—thought we could maybe hunt something fun along the way."**

Kaleb let out a tired sigh before chuckling to himself. **"You can guess how *That* Turned out."**
Mary
*Her eyes darted towards him the moment a grunt escaped him. Deciding not to pry further, she politely chuckled to his small remark. **"I insist on you two staying, it's going to take quite a while for you and him to recover."** If he wasn't going to admit he was hurt, she would just heal him when he was sleeping. Eloise figured he was the stubborn type. **"I assure you, I won't charge."** The cheeky remark felt out of character for her, a small giggle escaping the elf.*

*She began to explain her small abode, **"I live here with my father, he's quite the gentle giant so I can assure you you'll be safe for the most part. We have a guest room which the two of you can fit comfortably in, I usually snack for breakfast in the morning with the berries I grow. So we usually have a big lunch."** Eloise seemed proud that her day seemed so active. **"Ill be sleeping from across the two of you, so in case anything happens you can just drag him into my room."** Her eyes lit up, **"Oh and, there's a bathroom inside of your bedroom. So do use that to your advantage."** She smiled warmly. **"We have a library for an attic, you gotta lower the stairs though. So please don't be shy to use it."** Since, usually she had trouble adjusting into people's homes, she was trying to be considerate for him.*

*Then, a knock came from the door. With a pep in her step, she skipped over. A bright smile on her face as the large man with pointed ears entered. "Ellie!" A booming voice stated, completely engulfing and crushing the ginger with his muscular grip. **"Papa."** A infectious laugh breaking out, wriggling about as she couldn't move. **"Please let me go- we have guests!"** The man seemed like some big teddy bear, melting the more he held his daughter close. "Guests?" He seemed to let go of her, gently slinging an arm around her as he entered the living room.*