The Hallowed War: Prophesy of Ruin

The Key Issue Here . . .

"I should have hired a carriage. Would have saved me the trouble of almost dying." Theon said to himself as he begrudgingly got up at 5 in the morning.

'You don't mean that. You'd hate yourself if you let the goblins do as they wanted.' A voice in his head that sounded an awful lot like Mertel pointed out. And it was right, Theon wouldn't be able to sleep soundly if he'd done nothing when he sure as hell's had the power to help. If only he didn't have to get seriously injured whenever his stupid morality decided to make an appearance.

Limping his way to the clothing store he had been at the day before, he knocked on the door incessantly until the sound of footsteps could be heard approaching the door. The owner came out with a furious expression, she barely looked like the kind woman from the day before.

"Do you KNOW what time it is? Couldn't you have stopped by later in the day?!" The gnomish lass was trying not to raise her voice too much due to the time, but she wasn't about to let this man think he could just wake her up at ungodly hours.

"I'm incredibly sorry for waking you, but I need my cape. I'm leaving town in a few minutes and would hate to not have it after making you go through the trouble."

She huffed in annoyance and stormed back inside, leaving the apologetic human standing outside awkwardly for a few minutes. When she came back with a folded pink bundle it almost looked as if she were about to throw it at him but held back. She extended her small hand to him before demanding her payment.

"Pay up or this becomes kindling."

"No need to be so rash, here." Pulling out the rest of the payment he hands it to the pissed off gnome who pushes the bundle of fabric to his waiting hands. Before turning to leave he hesitates and takes out a few extra coins.

"Mind also throwing in a new shirt and pants? A nasty little rat ruined one of my pairs."

Huffing, the tired and irate gnome turned back and went inside the store. A few minutes later she came out with two folded articles of clothing and promptly handed them to the wounded human, her tired glare not lessening in intensity.

Putting the three bundles in his bag for now he bids the woman goodbye and wishes her a good day and despite her irritation she reciprocates the best wishes. He was ashamed of having caused her such trouble so early but he couldn't just not get what he paid for. Theon made his way to the town's gate, the humans who hired him the previous day waiting in their cart – the husband at the reins as the wife sat by his side. Hoping into the back he motioned them that he was good to go. With a resounding snap of the reins the horse got moving. Considering how early it was the weather was agreeable for a journey, he debated on resting up some more as they went. Preserve as much energy as possible in case something happens.

Trying to find a position that causes him the least amount of pain he squirms around for a few minutes before giving up on rest. Glancing down at his bandaged-up leg he is glad to see that the bleeding seems to have stopped for the most part, the same could not be said about his wounded side.

Gently placing his hand against his side, he flinches at the sharp pain. He could feel the warmness of his blood seeping into his bandages as his previous flinch seemed to have irritated the wound more. He'll need to stitch it up if he wants it to heal properly but he doesn't own any medical equipment. If the gods will it, there will be a healer in the next town or village. Until then he needs to hold out for a few hours more. The bandages should be applying enough pressure for now.

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