Alianor reclined in a hard wooden chair and stared at the cracked wooden rafters above. The only sound in the room was the labored breathing from the bed next to her. The cloying smell of stale wood smoke and the astringent odor from the biloba cream. "Otean, hic dolorem subleva et sana eum, si voluntas tua est." In one hand, Ali clutched a carved jade figurine of a man in prayer while the other rested on Dravin's abdomen.<br/><br/>A moment of peace and clarity pushed away the sadness and anger that coiled in tightly around Ali's heart. Like the sun shining through an overhead canopy, a sputtering green light originated from Ali's hand during the clarity. The effect faded quickly, too much for Ali's comfort; she lifted the edge of the sheet. Then pulled on the bandage encompassing his abdomen; the gaping slash remained, along with the green ooze leaking from it. The black tendrils surrounding the edges had retreated ever so slightly.<br/><br/>Otean had heard her, but it was their will that this path was correct. A single tear trailed down her cheek that she quickly used her shoulder to wipe away. She could have forced the ruling in extreme circumstances, but that path had consequences. 'A life not meant to be saved will cut another short before their time. Otean can see further than our minds can reach,'  it was a lesson emphasized a hundred times over to anyone of the blessed. Ali tucked straightened the bandage and folded the sheet back around Dravin. Before standing, she tucked a stray tendril of golden hair behind his partially pointed ear and used a damp cloth to dab at his forehead.<br/><br/>"I'm sorry, my friend, but I will continue to watch over you." Ali tucked the figurine into a leather pouch on her belt. From the end table, she retrieved a bottle and took the dropper out; with steady hands, she placed two drops of papaver oil into his mouth. Within a couple of minutes, his breathing eased and some tension melted from his shoulders. Ali moved to the washbin and quickly scrubbed her hands. She hardly recognized the woman when she looked into the mirror hanging above. Auburn hair fell past her shoulders, woven with a handful of braids decorated with beads and a couple of feathers. The dark circles lined her eyes, exaggerating the green-grey hue of her eyes and dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks. The top lace of her linen tunic was open to reveal the top of blue and gold flower etched in ink over her sternum just below her collarbone surrounded by clouds.<br/><br/>The ink was a rite of passage at the monastery to signify coming of age and rising above any physical pain in your service to Otean. For now, Galnaek wanted them to keep a low profile, and Ali couldn't blame him. Ali quickly pulled the laces on the front of her tunic, tucked a dagger into the top of her boot, and grabbed her cloak. She glanced over her shoulder one last time at her sleeping companion before heading out. In the hallway, Galnaek leaned against the wall and stared into nothing. When he turned his head, he pressed his lips into a flat line and regarded her with almost translucent blue eyes. A mostly silver beard covered his face and concealed some age lines. Despite knowing Galnaek most of her life, she still couldn't read him; it was like staring into a motionless pond on a winter's night.<br/><br/>To his credit, Ali had seen numerous women fumble over themselves in an attempt to pierce those icy waters. While they warmed his bed, they never seemed to warm his heart; he was the perfect weapon for Otean. "Any change?"<br/><br/>"It's not spreading, and I will continue to pray. Are you certain that we can't stay here longer?" Ali stepped next to him and realized that the top of her head barely cleared his shoulder.<br/><br/>"We need to get our information back to the monastery, and its to dangerous to send via raven. The longer we stay in one place, the longer it gives them to organize. Time isn't on our side. I've sent requests to some of the reputable local mercenary guilds I know. This afternoon I shall test those that arrive and select one to accompany us. I'd like your intuition there and the guidance of Otean." Galneak took the lead down the stairs; the lower level consisted of a small sitting area and a kitchen area.<br/><br/>It was sparse but cozy; a woman paused at the sink and wiped her hands on an apron. "Sir Galneak, Ms Alianor. How is your companion?"<br/><br/>"Not a lot of improvement, I fear, " Ali was about to continue when Galneak overrode and physically blocked the woman from her view.<br/><br/>"We must step out and attend to business with your husband. Can you keep an ear out for our friend? We won't be long." Galneak was straight to business as always, as it should be, Ali told herself. A soft sigh escaped her lips before Ali turned to see herself out of the front door. The sun was a welcome touch on her skin after the cold weeks in the north. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes. At this point, she felt lucky to be alive but chose not to dwell on those dark thoughts.<br/><br/>"Let's go." Glaneak's gruff tone broke her reverie; she stuck her tongue out at his back as she followed him along the cobbled streets. The people on the street moved to the side or crossed the road for Galneak. That ominous dark cloud that challenged others silently wasn't a trick that Ali had ever learned. At least she benefited from having a clear path to walk without being jostled. Ahead of Galneak, she could see the general goods store. Galneak hadn't told her how he knew the owner, but it seemed they went back.<br/><br/>~~~~~~<br/><br/>The merchant nodded a couple of times. Galneak had warned him that a handful of men would be showing up during the day, and just to have them hold tight until he collected them. "Ah yes, he should be along shortly." Before he could finish his sentence, two more gentlemen barged through the door. "We were told to come here for a, um, galto, Galvin?"<br/><br/>"Galneak," the smaller weasely looking man standing next to his larger hulking friend correct. Behind the duo entered a fourth man in well-made leather armor with no embellishment; he had glossy brunette hair, tanned skin, and pouty lips. "Okay, if you're here to meet with Galneak, he will be along shortly. Feel free to look around while you wait; if you read, I've got a couple of books over by the fire."<br/><br/>Lancolm immediately bit his tongue when he realized the group he was speaking to. These men were a different clientele than his normal lot, Lancolm let out a deep breath when Galneak arrived silently through the front door.<br/>"Gentlemen, if you're here to meet Galneak, please follow me." Galneak exchanged a nod with Lancolm and eyed each man in turn as he took a silent tally. "Before any of you are hired, I'm going to test you. It's going to be a long trek to shrieking mountains, and you're not getting paid until the end.  Each of you a here because I've done business with your guild before. Which means you won't walk away empty-handed for your efforts." The pretty one sneered and stepped forward.<br/><br/>"Bring on your test old man." The young man paused to eye Alianor who simply arched an eyebrow at him and did her best to imitate Galneak's 'you interest as much as rock' look. On the one hand, she felt terrible for the young man, he'd be eating dirt soon, but on the other, life was about learning sometimes painful lessons. The duo exchanged a look before blessing Galneak with oily grins that hinted at their longing for a challenge.<br/><br/>The fourth man interested Alianor the most; within her pouch, she felt the figurine warm against her hip and thigh. It gave her pause as her hand subconsciously moved to the concealed figurine, as she forced her eyes away from him and up to Galneak. "This way gentlemen."<br/><br/>As Galneak turned towards the door, Ali glanced again at the tall, dark stranger, her heart fluttering within her chest as she locked eyes with him. His eyes were dark molten tiger's eye gems that pulled her in; the beard emphasized a strong jawline. Otean help her, she hadn't been prepared for this test today. With a shake of her head, she broke eye contact and turned on the heels of her boot to follow Galneak. The figurine continued to radiate a warmth rivaling her body but began to subside once she was walking.