The mage was strong for her small stature. She kept pace with him and held his waist. In the sunlight, she covered his eyes with the hood of her cloak. She shaded his blackened eyed with her hand. The girl called to her driver, that was standing by a carriage with door opened. Peel, looked human, wore a footman's red uniform; he was middle age with graying hair at his temples.<br/><br/>"Peel, make a bed for him and cover the seats with a quilt." The man quickly obeyed. She spoke with a breathless voice. The mage and Peel as assisted him inside. "Please lie down." Kate pulled down two quilts from a rack over the bulkhead. She covered him before covering herself. The mage reached for a picnic basket beside her. She handed him warm bread, sliced roast, and flask of cider. "I am Katheryne Lyons you may call me Kate or Katie."<br/><br/>Kate looked him over in the sunlight in the carriage. She checked his limbs. He was covered with dried blood that masked deep wounds. Some of the wounds revealed bone.  She pored witchhazel of cloth and dabbed his body; wincing. "Sorry. I know this hurts. Gahh what provoked Malora to do this? How you suffered. Hold on to Peel if you need to."<br/><br/>Peel was knelt next to him. "Easy lad. Your in good hands. Katie, I mean Lady Katherine, is the best healer mage in the shire. Top of her class."<br/><br/>Kate tried to hide her face. She blushed,"Nah Peel, Grand Mastermage Allen is by far the best healer." She wrapped his bloody wrists with gauze bandages. Lets see your chest please. Kate cleaned a gaping wound on his right side. "What she hit you with an an axe?"<br/>It was at that moment she suspected he was a pit fighter. A slave used merely for sport and coin. Kate cleaned his lacerated thighs and legs. Some cuts from a bladed weapon others from a whip. She would wait to work on his back after he ate.<br/><br/>Kate hope talking to him helped. It helped ease her nerves. Tears filled her doe shaped, green eyes.  She hastily wiped them."I know you starving want more roast? I hope you will know why Aunt Malora gave you to me? She never gives away her pets as she calls them."<br/>Kate holds the flask for him.<br/><br/>"Papa  has taken in former pit fighters and other slaves. He has helped them by having them work in the town and shire. You are the first that has been given to me. I usually obey protocol in society. When it comes to lower classes. I have broken a few rules."<br/><br/>Kate sees he gobbled the food hungrily. She handed him more. "There is enough for an army. Ann fixed a lot of food. You will love her cooking. She is the best cook in the kingdom.  Forgive me if I sound nervous, I am. Your the fist person I healed that was so close to dying" Kate looked him over again " Oh, You need clothes. Peel,please stop bey Mrs. Sneads shop first. My um..gift needs underclothes, shirt, warm pants, and coat please. Oh get him a pair of wool socks and gloves too. We will go to the cobblers later and get you boots."<br/><br/>Peel  saw he was no longer needed. He hastily exited, close the carrige door and cimbed up to the driver seat. He hurried the team to the fine shops in town. He stopped the carriage by the shop and ran inside. He returned with a bundle and opened the carriage door. The compartment was flooded by a gust of cold wind and a flurry of snow. Kate slammed the door shut. "I have clothes for you."