Aurelia emerged from the labyrinth, her movements sluggish and painful. The mist that had shrouded Druid's Moore was slowly lifting, revealing the aftermath of the previous night's events. Her encounter with Sephiran had taken a toll on her, leaving her in a foul mood and physically drained. Her muscles protested with every step, feeling stiff and sore from their intense struggle. Each motion sent waves of discomfort through her body, making it difficult for her to find any relief.

With a deep sigh, Aurelia gingerly lowered herself to the ground, wincing as she felt the tender spots on her body protest against the pressure. The bite wounds that marred her scruff throbbed incessantly, a painful reminder of the Sultan’s affection. One particularly vicious wound near the back of her head taunted her, making it nearly impossible for her to reach and tend to properly. She could feel its angry heat and swollen skin, twinge with each subtle movement in her neck. She imagined it was the source of the particularly nasty headache she was trying to manage.

Despite the agony and disappointment, Aurelia pushed herself to concentrate on the present task. With a wavering determination, she gathered the materials spread out in front of her, her actions clumsy and unrefined. The collection of herbs and mixtures she had gathered earlier provided at least some semblance of hope, an opportunity to ease some of the throbbing and prevent infection at the very least.

"Aurelia Veratti"

The sight of the girl’s struggle did little to stir any sympathy within him, as he came across her pathetic form lugging herself out from wherever Sephiran resided. Observing her weary form sinking to the ground, Caedes remained detached, his gaze flickering briefly over her and her supplies as she began the task of mending her wounds. Courtesy of his cousin, no doubt. Her pain was insignificant in the grand scheme of things, pain was just another obstacle to overcome. But he was a healer, and whether he cared to or not his limbs led him to her place upon the ground.

It was calculated indifference that remained on his features as Caedes approached her, his movements measured and deliberate. He offered no words of comfort, no reassuring touch, as he came to stand beside her. Instead, he simply watched as she tended to her wounds, his expression unreadable. As she worked to ease her own suffering, Caedes watched, his thoughts consumed by the next step in her process. It was all so clumsy, her pain making it difficult for her to continue the delicate work. He grew impatient, so his massive frame took a seat, looking over the supplies without a word, his gaze mechanical as he took inventory. “Let me see.” The scarred brute spoke plainly, offering her help if she wanted to take it but he would just as easily leave her to her struggle all the same. His eyes sought to meet her own, motioning her to turn so that he might assist that pesky wound just out of her reach. First he needed a better look at it though, rather than the unclear view he had standing over her shoulder.

"speaking"

Aurelia's muscles tensed as she sensed Caedes's approach, his presence looming over her like a dark cloud. She glanced up at him, his expression unreadable, his demeanor distant. Despite her discomfort, she couldn't deny the relief that washed over her at the prospect of his assistance.

Aurelia hesitated for a moment, her instinctual wariness of Caedes conflicting with her practical need for his help. Eventually, she decided she could do with the assistance if it was offered. Without a word, Aurelia turned slightly, offering Caedes a better view of the wound on the back of her head. She could feel his gaze on her, assessing the injury with clinical precision. She braced herself for the pain that was sure to follow, knowing that his touch would likely be anything but gentle.

"Thanks," she said, her voice lowly- carrying a hint of reluctance. "I'm Aurelia." She kept her tone soft, airy, though her gaze remained guarded, watching him closely as he inspected the wound.

"Aurelia Veratti"

Caedes observed her wary demeanor with detached interest, his own emotions shielded behind a mask of indifference. He acknowledged her gratitude with a curt nod, his focus unwavering as he examined the wound on the back of her head with clinical precision. It was deep, and seemed to be inflamed.

"Aurelia, it’s inflamed. Not infected, yet." He echoed her name, his voice low and devoid of warmth as he gave her his assessment. "Caedes," His voice came in a monotonous manner, offering his name with no further explanation or pleasantries. His attention remained fixed on the task at hand, his movements deliberate as he reached for the herbs and salves scattered nearby. He wasn’t going to use what she had prepared already, opting to take the recently gathered herbs she’s prepared instead and begin his work. He took marshmallow, chewing it up methodically and spitting it back out onto a leaf where he added in a bit of aloe(which he also chewed up) to make it a bit thicker.

He moved with practiced efficiency, returning his focus to her as he applied the salve to her wound, his touch surprisingly gentle despite his hardened demeanor. As he worked, Caedes remained silent, his thoughts consumed by the satisfying task of tending to Aurelia's injuries. He felt no need for idle conversation, no desire to forge false camaraderie. This was where he felt the most accustomed, asides from the battlefield.

"speaking"

Aurelia winced slightly as Caedes confirmed her suspicions about the inflammation of her wound. Though relieved that it wasn't infected, she couldn't shake the unease that settled in the pit of her stomach at the thought of it worsening. She nodded in acknowledgment of Caedes's assessment, her expression reflecting a mixture of gratitude and apprehension. She watched in silence as he prepared the salve, noting the methodical precision with which he worked. Despite his stoic demeanor, she couldn't help but feel a sense of reassurance in his presence. There was something comforting about his focused attention, his skilled hands working diligently to alleviate her pain.

As Caedes began to apply the salve to her wound, Aurelia couldn't help but relax slightly, the soothing sensation providing a welcome reprieve from the throbbing ache. She offered him a small, appreciative grin, though her attention remained guarded and fixed ahead.

"Do you think he'll be upset with you?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.  Despite her reservations about Caedes, she couldn't deny the relief she felt at his assistance. She knew that without him, tending to her wounds would have been an even more arduous task.

"Aurelia Veratti"

Caedes continued his task with precision, his touch steady and light as he applied the salve to Aurelia's wound. He noted the slight wince she couldn't quite conceal, a sign of the discomfort she endured. Sephiran was a brutal Saxe, Caedes held no doubts he was bloodthirsty in every way. Though his expression remained impassive, a thin sense of fulfillment stirred within him as he witnessed the relief wash over her. Ah, the work of a healer. He toyed with the realization that this was his first patient here, without his grandmother or his father looming over his shoulder. Gratifying.

As Aurelia offered him a small grin of gratitude, Caedes met her gaze briefly before returning his focus to his work. He took note of her demeanor, recognizing the wariness that she had built up like a wall around her. It was good, it would keep the head on her shoulders where it belonged.

At the whispered question, Caedes paused, considering her words with an amused furrow of his brow and a slight flash of his teeth in a smirk. "He may not be pleased," The man replied evenly, in those ever present monotones. "But his emotions are of little concern to me. I’m here for my own reasons, and if I feared pain or consequence I would not look like this." He shrugged, obviously pointing a verbal finger at his scarred up hide. Though his loyalty to his kin was paramount, they all had their own senses of pride, Caedes was no different.

With a final, precise motion, Caedes finished applying the salve to Aurelia's wound, his task complete. He rose to his feet, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he turned away. "Rest," He advised curtly, his tone offering no room for argument. "You'll need your strength.” He stepped away, speaking over his shoulder as he eyed his surroundings, thinking to himself for a moment before reminding her what herbs to use next. “Marigold or Echinacea, if it gets infected." And with that, he departed, leaving Aurelia with her peace and quiet. He knew with his cousin’s fixation on her, it was probably what she needed most.

"speaking"