#cibor

Plant man vs Cyborg man

24 hours.

She never suspected for a moment how much the small cub ate though the Shiverflame household obliged at every whim of their Lady when she asked for more food for the small tiger cub. Cibor didn’t play fetch no matter how long Nyllae had sat there with a ball but he certainly liked the tail end of her cloak when she’d take him out for a small walk in the evening. By the time night came and she was settled into her bed, with Cibor along the floor in the large, plush bed she had bought especially for him and his stay.

Candles were lit along the nightstand for ample light to read by and even the hearth held a collection of candles. Some were well past their prime but still lit fairly well and newer ones that were added to the collective over time. As time went on and the pages in her book turned, Cibor seemed to grow all the more restless until he crawled up along the side of her blanket and padded along the large bed and with a defeated ‘hmph’ he plopped down along the side of Nyllae’s ribs and began to nestle in.

“Oh. No no, tigers sleep in the big tiger bed.” she paused her page along her finger and then point down to the bed at the floor. Cibor lifted his head enough to glance over his shoulder at the Mage and offered a yawn.

“Don’t ignore me. I’m the boss here, remember? What would your father say if he were here now? He’d tell you to mind your manners, yes?”

Cibor blinked once and then listed forward to settle his chin between his massive paws. It was enough for Nyllae to furrow her brow and gently shove at the rump of the feline, “At least…. Move over then!” she exclaimed gently all while trying to shimmy and shove the tiger over to the other side, “I need to sleep here too.”

With reluctance the tiger moved and eventually situated himself to finally sleep, which in some sense or another, brought Nyllae some semblance of joy since it seemed as if though Cibor was disliking his little bed along the floor beside her nightstand. Perhaps for a dog, it was more than enough. Nyllae cracked her book once more to begin reading but simply paused to look at Cibor as he began his sleep. Every so often he would chuff and roll around in his slumber which caused Nyllae a moment’s pause from her book.

A collaboration piece between myself and @amorthonblackwood . Part one can be found here!

Nyllae’s heart nearly exploded at the mention of traps. Of course she wasn’t about to admit it but the thought of the two animals maybe -- right away her attention snapped from the two felines to Amorthon and she lowered at his physical command, “We can just….fix them.” she added and her thumb and index finger made a pinching motion where a violet spark of arcane licked at her fingers in a gentle hum and glow, “How many do you gather?”

He held a finger to his lips and motioned for her to shush as he glanced over at Savage. The tiger’s ears were twitching before his attention finally settled to the west of them. “...I’m sorry. I’d just rather not alert them to our presence if I can help it. There are likely to be at least two. This isn’t their camp, just a small ‘hunting ground’.” He quirked an eye at the spark of arcane, “Let me scout ahead a bit, figure out exactly what we’re dealing with before you unleash your fury on them, hm? Cibor, you stay with her.” He turned to the cub, whose posture mirrored that of the larger tiger. “Nothing past you.” He set a hand on the cubs head before motioning back towards the mage.

“If you hear shouting, or if I’m not back in ten minutes, tell him to ‘search’ and he’ll lead you to us.” He pulled an arrow from his quiver, offering a small - and yet still tense - grin before looking over at Savage once again. “Let’s go...quiet.” He notched the arrow as the pair quietly slipped into the bushes and out of sight.

Nyllae frowned as she watched Amorthon ready an arrow. There was something bad in her gut about this -- never mind the fact he just told her to fuckin’ shush. Something roiled within her and she was aching to take out her little pit of rage on those on the other side of the bushes. She worried for the animals, even for Amorthon to a degree. Pursing her lips the Mage offered a nod and she stayed low, her finger pointed to the ground as she regarded Cibor. Ultimately she was responsible for him now if anything were to happen abroad to Savage and Amorthon. They stayed hidden, ears alert and ready though she wasn’t exactly sure the plan of action here, she was no huntress but she was at the beck of Amorthon’s lead.

Her nerves chewed at her and slowly her hand lifted to place along Cibors back to comfort him. Who was she kidding? Clearly it was more of a comfort motion for herself than the small tiger.

The cub plopped down, occasionally glancing from the mage, to the direction Savage and Amorthon had wandered off in, and back. After several minutes, Cibor’s ears perked up - similar to how Savage’s had - picking up distant sounds of fighting, and he turned to attempt to nudge the hand on his back before moving towards the bushes. He paused and glanced back at Nyllae, waiting for her to follow - his head tilting in curiosity as he waited.

Nyllae’s ears pinned back a little at the sounds nearby and her attention drifted to Cibor and his movements. Gosh, she had a terrible feeling about this. Shouldn’t she have been the one giving the suggestions? Amorthon -DID- say only to intervene if she heard shouting or if ten minutes had lapsed.

Fighting is not shouting….he knows what he’s doing. Follow the cat. 

She told herself a lot of things and for the most part, Nyllae had great intuition.

With a grimace she ducked slowly under some brush from the trees and bushes all around, trying to stay low and out of sight she followed after Cibor. Cats did have better senses; after all, “Don’t get us killed…”she hushed out ever so lowly.

The cub snorted before quietly moving through the brush, making sure the mage was following him before continuing ahead. It wasn’t rough terrain, but it still took several minutes to follow the slight path left by the ranger and Savage. Cibor slowed as the pair reached the edge of the brush, his ears perking up  - the sound of a rather angry large cat easily discernible from the clanking of metal being thrown around.

“I think we’ve had this talk before...haven’t we?” There was a pause, followed by a muffled voice - someone clearly trying to talk, but unable to - followed by a low growl. “Oh that’s RIGHT.” Clank “We did. The last time I broke all your traps….Oops.” The ranger tossed the trap he’d been disassembling on to the pile of broken metal with a wince, as he gave his side an irritated look. “And honestly, it’s only fair. You graze me with an arrow, I break all your traps and let Savage pounce on you. At least he hasn’t tried to bite you...yet.”

One of the poachers appeared to have been gagged, and was currently pinned down under the large white tiger. The other was unconscious - still on his bedroll, also bound. Cibor moved to take a step forward, his paw landing on a brittle branch, which drew the ranger’s attention. “So much for following orders...it’s safe. Well, now it is anyway.”

Nyllae popped up from the trees and as she did she snatched up Cibor to ensure he wasn’t about to tippy-toe on any remaining traps Amorthon might have missed. She stood there with the small cub smushed to her front and her arms cradling him just under his armpits, “You got them. How do you plan on killing them? I can think of some really interesting ways -- I have this sword that crackles arcane an…” her words clipped as Cibor did a bit of a wiggle and she finally let him down in a bit of a clear spot that looked free from traps.

Amorthon quirked an eyebrow as Cibor hopped down and wandered over to the poacher Savage had pinned. The cub wandered around before following the larger tiger’s example and pouncing on the man, his front paws landing on the man’s groin. The ranger winced in sympathy before snorting as he ripped a piece of cloth from the shirt he had on under the leather armor, slipping it into the whole left by whatever arrow had grazed him. He then turned his attention to Nyllae. “Killing them? I wasn’t planning on killing them. My initial thought was to inform the Farstriders where they are, leave them all nice and tied up, and be done with it. But it seems as though you have other ideas?” He tried to cover a laugh as Cibor pounced again, trying to see if he could make the man make the same noise twice.

“Could take a few fingers. It’ll certainly keep them from laying another trap again.” she muttered and her boot pulled back before connecting with the man in his ribs, “At least if he wiggles free he won’t get far--” the Mage paused and then straightened to her full height upon seeing Amorthon clotting his wound, “...They got you...huh?” she didn’t wanna draw too much attention to it as well, perhaps a wounded pride was far more terrible than a wounded side, “How bad is it?”

The ranger shrugged. “I won’t really know until I get the armor off and take a good look at it. It’s enough where it’s uncomfortable, but not unmanageable. Cibor, stop.” The cub looked up and huffed, but moved off the prone poacher and plopped down.

Satisfied that he wasn’t going to bleed all over everything, Amorthon sighed as he looked between the unconscious figure and the one Savage had pinned. “I’m generally not one to inflict that type of punishment on anyone. Besides, I don’t think - if they’re hog-tied well enough - that they’ll be able to escape, and they’ll be left to the mercy of the very animals they planned to trap. And it could take...oh, a few days or so for a message to get to the Farstriders that are supposed to patrol this area.” He reached down and picked up one of their half-assembled traps. “And even if we were to take a hand, they’d still manage to create more traps. Maybe not the same type, but traps nonetheless.” He glanced over at the mage. “I’m sorry. This wasn’t how I planned for this morning to go.”

Nyllae didn’t look too convinced as she gazed down to the two who were bound and gagged. It sounded as if thought Amorthon had run in to them before which if there was a chance of this happening, there would be more in the future. The Mage blinked and her attention returned to the hunter and his Tigers, “We should raincheck for another day, we need to see to that wound before it gets worse. Unfortunately I am far from a medic but I know enough to get by on a battlefield. Cibor at least was very aware of where you both were -- risky little thing.”

“He was supposed to keep an ear out for where we were. He wasn’t supposed to follow unless you told him to.” He narrowed his eyes at the cub, who moved to hide behind Savage. “Regardless, best I finish getting these two situated and then we can head back. Savage, off.” The larger tiger continued to growl as he stepped to the side, allowing Amorthon to get a grip on the prone man’s arm and hoist him up, not bothering to be gentle. He dragged the man over next to his unconscious partner, propping them both up against a tree before going to work and tying the pair up. He ignored the muffled jabberings, focusing on the fixing the knot  - and once he was finished he set the poacher’s canteens within the men’s shirts, within reach. “So you two don’t go and die of dehydration before the Farstriders get here, hm?” He turned to face Nyllae once again, ignoring the muffled noises from behind him. “So...shall we?”

The Mage looked back to the two at the tree and she nodded ever so slowly to Amorthon, “Cibor, come!” she lowly called for him knowing full well it was time to put everything in to practice. Unfortunately the pair mucked up but it was a good thing that today was a trial run -- dedicated to such fupas as they tended to go.

Nyllae kept a watchful eye around their surrounding area scanning for traps as they walked to their destination, “Are you sure….you are okay?” she asked, breaking the silence and the focused crunching of the dirt and leaves under foot and the occasional twig that would find a heel.

The cub hopped up and wandered over to the mage, following her as the group turned to head back in the direction they’d come from. Savage fell into step with Amorthon, glancing up at the ranger as he held a hand over the rather hastily put together bandage. “Well, I didn’t almost lose a shoulder to a felhound this time, and I don’t have any arrows stuck where they shouldn’t be, so I think I’ll be fine.”

He pulled his hand away from a moment with a grimace and a sigh. “Well, I might need to get a decent bandage on it after I get it washed out, but THEN I’ll be fine. It’s not the worst injury I’ve ever experienced, and I doubt it will be the last.”

“It is still an injury none the less, Amorthon.” she gently chided while making sure to keep up, “Is there a clinic you know of? Do you dress your own wounds? Should I get something.”

Nyllae nearly grimaced at herself and all her questions. She wasn’t sure what type of care he often preferred or what he had in mind. Typically on the battlefield they had pre-established physicians and tents for such things but they were far from any battlefield and a physician’s tent. Then it dawned on her….was this trip and his wound bound to keep him from doing his job and being able to Travel to whatever destination the Rangers had in store for him?

Quietly, Nyllae’s hand reached for his arm of his wounded side and she lofted it over her shoulder for extra balance. Sure he might not have needed it but she wasn’t about to let him have that chance at a tumble and wound himself further before being scripted to set out. It was bad enough he was likely to set out in any condition that was less than stellar and something told her he had a stubborn streak. She hadn’t known him long but it was easy to see with how he pushed himself forward without so much as a break. She’d hold her silence and follow in step to where he decided to lead them back along the trail in which they came from. Her eyes pinioned ahead along the trail, fearing any questions that might have come her way while she walked with her company and held his arm along her shoulder’s length for support if and when it was needed.

He quirked an eyebrow, but didn’t resist when she moved to place his arm over her shoulders. “Um...to answer your question, I don’t usually go to the clinics in town unless I have to...one of the individuals there has dealt with one of my injuries before. Usually I’ll treat my own wounds. A little salve and a dry bandage does wonders.” He motioned with his free hand for the two tigers to scout ahead.

“All I need really is a place to wash up and clean out the wound, but I wouldn’t mind some help bandaging it. I might need an extra hand….”

Nyllae looked up to her company and offered a small smile, “Lucky for you, I have two readily available and I make a pretty great salve. I was quite the quiz-kid in my classes in potion and elixirs.”

“I gathered as much from the last potion you loaned me...in case I was ever set on fire.” He glanced up at the tigers trotting ahead of them before focusing on her once again, trying to make sure not to lean too heavily on her.  “I’m fairly certain it’ll be nothing when I get a good look at it. Just stings at the moment. Sure I’ll be up and ready to go in no time.”

Her lips twitched and she was quiet for a few seconds before she could no longer stand it, “Don’t push yourself because that will be a recipe for disaster. You need to take care of yourself first and foremost or you’ll end up in hot water and could very well endanger others around you.” of course -- she couldn’t help but nag a little.

“Why, Lady Shiverflame, that sounded a bit like concern.” He chuckled for a moment before it faded into a groan and he leaned forward just slightly. “Shouldn’t have done that.” He took a moment before straightening up. “On a more serious note, I know what my limits are, and just how far I can push. I make it a point not to endanger the people around me, or those that are in my care.”

“Should I not be?” she asked, adjusting herself under his arm enough to move and freely wave her right hand in front of them. Arcane sprang to life between her fingers and with a small splay, the energy grew until she summoned forth a portal.

It was spur of the moment and she knew they had to speak with the Farstriders yet regarding the incident but, Amorthon’s fumble was enough for her to rear some concern, “We’ll see to your injury first. We can send word however you wish regarding the poachers but the mortal shell has limits.” she reminded him in a cool tone.

The portal gleamed, fully formed and glittering before them as a well lit room came into view just beyond the rippling bubble and haze of the portal before them. Nyllae adjusted Amorthon’s arm around her shoulder and she guided them forward, hoping that the tigers would follow without hesitation now that their master was being aided through the portal.

It didn’t take long and the instantaneous trip was rather short -- a snap of one's fingers. It was as if they walked from one reality into another. The trees and branches along with paths and shrubs were replaced with a cozy interior of what looked to be someone’s house. They had been placed into the middle of a room which was clean, bright with natural light from the drawn curtains and a theme of red and creams were decorated throughout along the seating area, bed makings and even the walls held an array of well casted pictures, none of which would have been familiar to the Hunter. It wasn’t long after that the hum of the portal came to a close with a resounding and gentle crackle behind them.

“A guest room.” Nyllae spoke, allowing herself to ease Amorthon’s arm from her shoulder and she guided him to a place to sit which just so happened to be a chaise stretched along the front of the empty fireplace, “I’ll have Tenj’la gather some things.”

He sat down as directed, Savage and Cibor - who had obediently followed along- settling down nearby. “I can’t say whether one should or should not be concerned, I’m simply not used to being on the receiving end of it.” He exhaled as he reached up to unhook the clasps holding the leather pieces together on his injured side first, and then the other, managing to get the chest piece off without many issues, revealing the white shirt he’d had on underneath. Well, the once white undershirt, which now had a noticeable hole and a reddish-brown stain. He sighed as he turned to try and get a better look, and promptly huffed. “Sonofabitch had better aim than I gave him credit for...doesn’t look like it’ll need stitches though, so that’s good.”

He started to pull the ruined shirt over his head, but paused, looking at his company in the room, and thought better of it. “...I’ll send a letter to the Farstriders once I’m bandaged up. What they do with those two is up to them, I’ve done my part.” He cleared his throat gently. “...Um, so who is this ‘Tenj’la’ you just mentioned?”

Nyllae had already called down the hall and she was popping her head in and out every now and then as Amorthon spoke, “What did they get you with?” she asked and then came back around the corner with a tray of what looked to be a basin with hot water, fresh clothes and even a small suture kit and scissors. The Mage didn’t look too offput when Amorthon raised his shirt, if anything she looked quite unfrazzled as if though it was just the run-of-the-mill every day sort of stuff.

Kneeling down before him she settled the tray at her side, “Tenj’la is -- well, she runs the household when I am not present. She was the longest hired staff my mother had before she died so I decided to keep her on. I suppose…” nyllae began before her words clipped and she focused on dipping the cloth in the water and applying it to Amorthons wound a moment while thinking and before speaking again, “ -- I suppose she is the closest thing I have to a friend. Besides you if you consider our company to one another to be that.” she looked up for a brief moment and continued to gently dab the wound as lightly as she could while still applying enough attention to clean it, “ I have a few acquaintances but not enough people I can truly call a friend. People generally want something more than just being in it for the sake of the company. Perhaps it is true what they say: good company is hard to find.”

The ranger hesitated before sighing and pulling his tattered shirt over his head, giving her better access to the wound. “Just a run of the mill arrow, thankfully. I don’t think it had anything on it...or else I would be feeling it about now.” He glanced at her for a moment before focusing on Savage and letting her work.

“Friends are a...rare thing, or that’s certainly how it seems. I keep to myself, it’s just easier that way, and Savage and Cibor - as difficult as they can be at times, they’re not going to use me for anything. It’s good that you have someone you can rely on. I hear stability is quite nice.” He tilted his head before glancing back at her again. “...and I’m sitting here shirtless trusting you not to stab me with those scissors, I don’t do that with just anyone.”

“Unless it’s food, I’m sure.” she paused to flash a small smirk upwards at him in regards to Cibor and Savage not wanting anything from him. It didn’t take long until her attention drew back to the wound, “I’m no physician but it looks like your body has worked quite fast and clots well. But just to be sure…” her words ceased for a moment and she settled the cloth down to rummage through a small leather pouch at her side looking for a small vial of salve she often kept on her for situations such as these.

There was a glint of hesitation in her eyes when she made eye contact once more and she then focused on uncapping the vial, “I think being in my position, I am forced to rely on people who came before me even though my pride says to boot everyone out and let me handle things solo. My logic knows otherwise.” she added and she blotted the salve to Amorthon’s wound, coating it in the cool mixture, “Also the scissors…” she added and then took them up with a large roll of bandage, “Is for trimming.” she opened and closed them several times as they made their snipping noises and she couldn’t help but cast a devious grin couple with a daunting chuckle.

“I’m kidding…”

Shaking her head, Nyllae reached in and around to try and wrap the bandage around her company without accidentally smushing her cheek to his rib cage. In comparison, she was a little smaller with a shorter reach. It took her a little longer than she had wished but there was an art and science to bandaging people correctly and making sure it was tight enough without truly corset-ing someone from their air supply, “I’m… not sure how long you should leave this on for but I imagine you will see a physician when you can? At least before you leave to tend to your work.” She asked while adjusting the linen and cutting off the stray pieces beyond the small knot she made. Nyllae settled back along her calves and inspected the work to ensure nothing was going to escape the moment he dared to move.

He turned from side to side, testing the bandage. “It wasn’t that deep of a cut, was it? I don’t imagine it’ll take too terribly long to heal. I just might be a little sore. And you may be no physician, but you certainly did a good job.” He stood, stretching a bit more - though he did so carefully. Satisfied that the bandage wasn’t going to go anywhere, he offered her a hand to help her back up.

Collaborative writing with @amorthonblackwood that I have been thoroughly enjoying!

Nyllae hadn’t taken the time in years to walk through the woods as she did this day. Amorthon suggested for her to meet him bright and early at the gates. It was almost like a early morning fishing trip that Nyllae never got to experience expect with woodland creatures, a teacher and two social tigers. She could hardly see them as free roaming beasts from time to time with the urge to hunt, even more that Amorthon encouraged their natural behavior nature set on their course.

It made her smile. Perhaps Amorthon and his companions were far too precious for this world. Through it all they still managed to keep it all relatively simple and well put together.

She opted for slacks and linen this day with a cropped cloak and hood and as per usual her hair had been pinned and braided from the frame of her face and tightly wound into a bun. If there was anything she had learned from her time abroad and relic hunting, it was to ensure all items were without of reach to be grabbed or caught on something. This of course included jewelry which was another thing she had been without this morning.

The Warmage rounded off the wooded trail on upon the road that lead her towards the main gates of Silvermoon and her twin looping sets of stairs. At the very top it was the same familiar face she had come to befriend and his companions, “Bal'a dash Amorthon. Savage and Cibor.” she nodded to each of the tigers, “I trust you all slept well?”

“As well as one can with two space heaters sleeping nearby, Lady Shiverflame.” The ranger glanced up from what appeared to be a rather serious conversation he’d been having with the smaller of the two cats, adjusting his leather armor as he reached his full height. While he would usually wear mail when working, leather was (comparatively) a much more quiet, and much lighter material - it was much easier to sneak around the forest in. He offered the mage a slight tilt of his head before motioning towards Cibor, who promptly trotted over and plopped down into a sitting position.

“I generally don’t need to talk when I’m giving them directions - but, most people need to learn commands, or at the very least hand signals. I thought it might be best to go over a few of those before wandering out for your hunting lesson.” He reached down to run his fingers over the top of Savage’s head. “Unless you’d rather jump right into things, which might be more exciting or utter chaos. It’s a toss up.”

Nyllae blinked and her eyes settled upon the cub, “You are the expert. I believe the best course would be to learn what I can before hand and hope that it sticks during everything else?” her tone seemed to be more of a question which hinted ever so slightly at her uncertainty. Animals and children were the furthest from her area of expertise.

“A fair point.” He moved to stand just behind the cub. “So, a few of the basic verbal cues first. Important thing to note, he’ll respond to how you’re feeling. So if you’re anxious, he’ll be wary. If you’re angry, he might hide. A big thing with working with one his size is to present calm, even if you don’t feel it. So, with that out of the way...his name should get his attention. He’s still young, and easily distracted, but given in a firm enough voice and he responds.” He glanced down at the cub, saying the animals name with a firm voice, “Cibor.” He waited for the cub to turn and face him before moving on.

“If you want him to wait you can say just that, ‘wait’ or you can hold out your hand palm facing him, same as you might do to stop someone from approaching, and it should have the same effect. Watch, and then you’ll try.” He took a few steps back. “Cibor, come.” He waited as the cub took several steps towards him before he held up his hand. “Wait.” Cibor paused, before plopping down once again. “Now...your turn, Lady Shiverflame.”