Living Tattoos

The Forest

        The sounds of a wounded animal broke through the normal sounds of the forest.  Yenale was walking through the forest, listening and in some cases, learning more of the forest he has traveled in and out of for the past fifty years.  He certainly did not look it.. for he was... by all definition, immortal.  He has lived a long life before this... and will live a long life afterwards, unless serious injury says otherwise.

        He was a magic user of a unique quality.  He, at times, can bring images to life, drawings per say.  He made a living out of it, being a jester.. a court mage.. and many other such jobs over the centuries he has been around.  He has the affinity for drawn magic.. and it has helped him out of binds at times.

        Upon hearing the noise. he moved to find out where it was coming from.  He came across a clearing with a wolf trapped in a hunter's trap.  It seems like the wolf has been stuck there for a few days.  He muttered a small curse before moving slowly into the clearing.  He would make as much noise as he could to let the wolf know he was coming into the area.

        "Got yourself stuck in a trap Hunter..." Yenale would remark to the wolf.  The wolf would turn to the new noise and the strange voice before letting out a pained and yet angry growl.  The noise was quiet compared to what it could have been.  The wolf stood in pain for a moment longer before collapsing down onto his belly.

        Yenale would sigh a bit before letting out a string of words.  He would imbue magic into those words and let the spell he form fall into him.  A spell he learned long ago to understand and be understood by animals.  He would wait a moment to recover from that small use of magic and to let it settle within his skin before speaking again, seeing that the wolf was still conscious, "I am a friend... I can help you out of this trap."

        The wolf would look up suddenly, his ears perking a bit forward at those words, not entirely understanding why he could understand, but would not challenge it.  He would nod slowly to Yenale before moving himself slightly so the other can better access the area.

        Yenale would move close and inspect the wound... and the state of the wolf.  He would let out a small growl at what he saw before he would slowly shake his head.  He would look to the wolf in the eyes, "I can get you out... but you would not survive long." his voice solemn.  He would the get to work in releasing the wolf anyhow.  He would pry open the trap and carefully work the leg out before letting it go.  The wolf would slowly nod before curling up.  He would be shaking with fever and hunger.

        Yenale would watch this with sorrow... before his eyes lighten up in a sudden thought.  He would run through the idea in his head before slowly nodding to himself.  He would smile slightly before looking to the wolf, "I can save you... in a way... if you are thrice willing..."  He would wait a bit before, "I have deep magic.  I could, if you are again thrice willing, bring you upon my skin and you would live there.  I can release you at times that you desire.  I can also gift you with knowledge and mind speak."  He would spell it out to the wolf, "If it fails.. you die any how... sooner.. and without suffering.  If it succeeds... you will live as long as I shall... a long life indeed."

        The wolf listened with attention, understanding each word said.  He would stay there for a few moments, shaking with illness and hunger before he would slowly speak in his own tongue, which was understood by Yenale, "This gift... is... rare indeed.  A long life... with you... who shows compassion... Who understands... the forest."  He would slowly nod, "Then thrice I agree.  I am willing.  I am willing.  I am willing." The wolf would slowly get out.  He would lie there before, "What.. must I do?"

        Yenale would listen to the wolf with attention and awe.  He would slowly nod before speaking out, "Stay still... and do not fight... what you will feel."  The wolf nodded and kept still as requested.  Yenale would nod his thanks before stripping himself down to his shorts, bearing his chest and back open to the air.  Scars would be faintly seen on his chest and back, from past adventures.  He would move himself to sit right next to the wolf.  He would look down to the wolf before asking again, "Are you sure... Wolf?"  The wolf would nod again before going still.  The wolf's breathing was becoming erratic.  Yenale would nod and would proceed to start.