<strong><em>Island of Crete, Antheia (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=96661.msg4202624#msg4202624) seeing a little one apparently hurt outside her home/weapons shop.</em></strong><br/><hr/><hr/><br/><div class="floatright">(http://www.blackpowdermag.com/gallery/connors-prairie-2006/Forge-01.jpg)</div>Antheia was<em>this</em>close in missing the little child hurt and she would always (always) be angry with herself for that. She had entered her forgery a few seconds after leaving it, remembering that she had to throw away the bucket of used water first before going off to pack her things and leave. The last thing she wanted was mosquitoes in her forgery when she returned from this trip of hers.<br/><br/>She dropped her accumulated things next to the door, deciding that the items in it will survive the ground while she quickly tends to this one task of hers. Spotting the bucket, she quickly went over to it as she wanted to finish all tasks that needed to be done no matter how small it seemed to others.<br/><br/>If she hadn't, she wouldn't have seen the little girl. She would have simply gathered her things and rush off, leaving behind the area a few minutes later and not looked back due to her believed sense of urgency in Hephaestus' message in her dreams.<br/><br/>She wouldn't have known what happened outside her forgery. Only the Gods and Goddesses themselves would have only known what happened to her if she decided to leave the bucket for later, and that was what filled her with so much dread whenever she thought about it.<br/><br/>So she calmly walked towards the window. looked out to see if there way anyone or anything that she avoid hitting...<br/><br/>... and quickly swore in her island's tongue at the sight of a little one hurt, her maternal instincts coming to life.<br/><br/>She had no interest in child rearing in her future or children in general, true, but! It didn't meant she did not have a soft spot for the little ones that lived on the island here. Most people thought she would despise them for not only her choice in her job but also because her relative was a famous grump and was known for dislike of the noisy little 'monsters' if they ever came by. The woman, contrary to popular belief, liked the children and had some sweets to share with them nearby if they wandered by her shop. Seeing one apparently hurt and in obvious discomfort made her feel like she was in pain as well.<br/><br/>There was no way on earth she'll stand and watch that child be in any more pain. Just no way! Quickly dropping the bucket, letting the clammy and lukewarm bucket wash over her sandal clad feet, she hurried out of the window as it was large enough and wide enough for her frame. She ran towards the girl at breakneck speed, hoping she'll get there before... before<em>anything</em>else happened to the unfortunate child.<br/><br/>The young girl feel to her knees, her wobbling legs giving into the pain she must have felt, while clutching to her side in a death grip. She did not cry though. Tears were escaping from her large, doe-like eyes and her frame was shaking from the effort of maintaining herself but she did not make a noise or fuss as Antheia rushed to her side to see if the child was fine. The child made a sound or two but it wasn't a whimper or hiss, instead a grunt or inhale of breath while she restrained herself from showing too much pain.<br/><br/>The older woman felt pride, for some reason, in the child's courage to not cry or wail as she gathered the child up in her arms and cradled her. The girl was strong and will survive, hopefully, from whatever had hurt her. Antheia wanted to check on the girl's wounds now but her hands were soiled from her work and from picking things up and did not want to possibly infect the child. They'll have to get back to her home before she could take a look at the possibly injuries the child had.<br/><br/>She stood up, holding the child completely in her arms and was surprised by how small the girl was. She fitted easily, even more, in her arms and was very light. Was she this small, this fragile in her youth?<br/><br/>"Little one," she said, her voice loud and firm to catch the child's attention. Her tone was gentle and assuring though, not wanting to scare her in case she was jittery. She hurried back to her home, remembering the kit she kept in her den or in the forgery at all times in case she injured herself. The child she held in her arms was from the village, she knew of it. Antheia dimly recalled this girl to be one of the few children who accepted her sweets. "Little one, what is the matter? Why did you come to see me for a wound? Are the doctors busy or... or did something happen? No... save your strength. We must get you checked and taken care of at once."