<div class="floatright">(http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp340/daggeroflath/MarcusHedbrandh_zps7517f62e.jpg)<br/><div align="center"><strong>Saga</strong></div></div><br/>Saga glanced up at the miner, a little stunned and insulted by the man's implications. He was no rapist, to take advantage of a woman in a weakened state. With an annoyed shake of his head, he turned back to examining the woman but could see no obvious signs of injury.<br/><br/>He stepped back though at the instruction to stand clear, he wasn't sure exactly what the situation was, but the standing woman spoke with confidence and surety enough that he automatically did as she suggested. Standing a short way clear he looked off to the distance where he could see other figures approaching. There was something wrong looking about them, in their appearance and in the way they were moving.<br/><br/>Saga turned back when he heard the downed woman being slapped and rushed over when she was struck again, speaking rapidly in her defense.<br/><br/>"She is sick in the head, overcome with some grief or melancholy. Her mind is stuck in the fogs of Niflheim. She has sunk far to not respond to such a blow. If one slap does not rouse her, then a second will not do it. You risk sending her further away from the pain of the world with such brute force."<br/><br/>He grabbed for his supplies, aware that the other figures were approaching but not wishing to abandon this woman to whatever the attackers wanted. In her state she could not defend herself, but there was a way that may rouse her when danger did not. He pulled a small drinking horn from the supplies and began to powder dried leaves into the open top, filling it the rest of the way with water from his flask.<br/><br/>"These leaves are a powerful herb that energizes the mind and body, it is said to be effective in those overcome by dark moods, at least for a little while. It is no cure, but it might make her wakeful enough to respond again."<br/><br/>He gently tilted back the downed woman's head and raised the drinking horn to her lips. He very carefully poured the liquid into her mouth, making sure not to let it choke her. He could not be certain she was responsive enough to drink on her own so he watched carefully, helping her to bring it into her mouth and waiting for her to swallow before adding more.