#fresias

Fresia's arms itched. She wanted to scratch them, but two hands prevented her from doing so, and instead, the owner of those hands touched her where she was itching. A sudden alarm woke up in her – she groped around for her spear, with no avail, and then she finally opened her eyes.

She pushed whoever was by her side away from her and her arms paid the price.

''Woman, you almost leave me one-eyed.''

Her arms bled uncontrollably. She hugged them as much as her hands allowed, but she couldn't even cover all her wounds.

She looked at her interlocutor.

Dhûl Fagâr was much less divine than they'd made her believe. He had a rugged face, dark eyes almost hidden among the folds of his eyelids and a shaggy stubble. All his face had traces of old scars or pocks.

The man was caressing the cheek she'd hit him. Beyond, Moro observed the scene with a little nervousness. At his feet, someone was attending to a green-haired man.

''Garth!''

''Stay still,'' Dhûl Fagâr pushed her back to the ground. Fresia threatened to bite his hand if he dared touch her again. ''Whoa, she bites.''

''Get off me! I want to see my brother!''

''You're wounded, woman. You can barely take a step.''

''Don't touch me!''

''Your brother will be fine,'' the man attending to him announced.

Fresia stretched her neck and she could only see an unconscious Garth, his chest going up and down with little frequency. At least he breathed.

A wet nose tickled her ear.

She turned around to see the profound eyes of Froilán. Red's dog snouted her face with fondness. Not even that made the hawk smile.

Dhûl Fagâr began to bandage one of her arms. The man's touch repelled her, and she could only think that he was doing it without her permission.

''I don't like being touched,'' she said, firm.

''I noticed.'' He kept on bandaging her.

''I'm not interested in your help.''

''You've been a great help back there. I want to return the favor.''

''You owe me nothing. Let me go.''

The man's dark eyes fell on her, judging. His blunt fingers pressed the knot of the bandage, still, measuring how far they could go.

I’VE HEARD ENOUGH OF YOUR HERETIC NOTIONS