#moonfallmerchant

Haeyin had just gotten his fire-pit together, taking care not to let any of the flames jump to the rest of the building. His coat draped over a nearby chair, he began to unbutton his shirt to allow it to dry. What had started off as an evening walk had quickly taken a turn for the worse. But then again, things rarely turned out for the better on the day of Harrowing. It had somehow slipped his mind to not take a walk on the most accursed day of the year. How he’d gotten there aside, there were more pressing matters at hand. Despite the shelter the windmill provided from the elements, Haeyin still felt ill at ease as the dilapidated walls did nothing to dampen the cries that echoed from the forests. Tossing his wet shirt over a barrel, he dragged a hand through his hair, pushing aside the red strands the rain had loosened.

Moving to sit, he heard the door to his temporary shelter fling open. Back on his feet in a flash, he quickly moved closer to the entrance and hid behind a few old shelves, magic flowing into his hands. Rovell slammed the door shut as quickly as he’d opened and quickly moved an old crate to block it from opening again. Not that it would do much good against those things. Making his way a little further inside, he set his back to a barrel and slid into a seated position. A sudden pain at his side reminded him of his injury. Gingerly, he peeled his blood-stained hand away to reveal a gash. He grimaced as the cold bit into his open wound. At that moment, Haeyin dashed out from his position, a ball of flame primed in his hand. The sudden burst of light forced Rovell to shield his eyes.

The disheveled priest was not what Haeyin had expected to see. He expected a beast, fangs bared and claws at the ready. Instead he came face to face with a pale, long-haired human. An injured one at that. A quick glance and Haeyin surmised the stranger was a priestess. The tattered robes and golden amulet were fairly dead giveaways. Then he noticed the blood and the labored breath.

“He-help…” The stranger whispered, “Please.” Without the adrenaline pumping through his veins, Rovell felt incredibly weak.

“The beasts?” Haeyin frowned. His new companion nodded. The fireball dissipated as Haeyin knelt beside Rovell. He trusted a woman of faith enough to heal them at least. Despite the situation, Rovell found himself distracted. The man at his side was rather fetching, especially shirtless. The stranger reminded him of an old friend. It almost took his mind off the pain. Almost.

His wound throbbed, and Rovell found himself back in the moment.“Heh, you wouldn’t happen to be a healer too, would you?” He nodded at Haeyin’s hands and chuckled, but it soon devolved into a cough. Even his gentle laugh caused a pain in his side. “I used…I used all my magic just to get here.” Rovell smiled weakly.

“You’re in luck.” The blonde’s smile brought his own trademark grin back. “As it turns out, I do have healing experience. If…I may?” He gestured to Rovell’s side. The blonde nodded slowly, gently peeling his hand away and parting his blood-stained robes.

Haeyin gingerly laid his hands over the wound and green magic began to glow around his hands. After the initial sting, Rovell could feel the pain numbing. He laid his head back against the barrel and closed his eyes in relief. As Haeyin healed, he studied the stranger’s face, the color of her hair and the way it fell. He suddenly became all too aware of how smooth the skin of her stomach was under his touch.

“I’m Rovell.” The priest opened his golden eyes and smiled at him. Healing completed, Haeyin paused. “…you’re what?” “Rovell. My name.” The blonde repeated. “Ah, right.” Haeyin returned the smile. “My name is Haeyin.”

Suddenly, Rovell flushed and looked down.“I uh…I think I’m alright now.”

Haeyin looked down and noticed his hands were still on the blonde’s stomach. “Ah, forgive me.” He quickly withdrew his hands and bowed his head apologetically. “My apologies, priestess.”

Rovell looked up, a wry grin on his face, “Priest actually.”