Wraith and lovers [Sihtric Kjartansson]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑 | 𝖢𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗁𝖺𝗆

Carrying Sihtric back to the tent had been difficult since he was weak and bleeding. It took them half an hour to reach camp, and when they arrived, Sihtric was in severe pain, and Osferth, who was on the verge of fainting, was crying frightened of losing his friend.

When Eva arrived and asked what had occurred, they were carefully placing him on the ground.

'We were attacked and Sihtric was stabbed.' Asha stated.

To stay comfortable, she removed a layer of clothes and rolled up her sleeves while preparing herself, taking off her knives and blades.

'Eva, I need you to assist Osferth; he needs your support.' She spoke to Eva as the monk sobbed, one hand over his mouth, as though blocking a scream.

'Osferth! I need you to gather boiling water, bandages, a needle and thread, and a bottle of alcohol' Asha stated as she placed her hand on his shoulders, forcing him to look at her.

'Eva will assist you.' The young monk, anxious and concerned took a deep breath and nodded.

'I will save him, but I need your help.' Asha said.

Asha sat on her heels next to Sihtric and proceeded to remove his upper clothes to examine the wound; the Dane allowed her and assisted her until he felt too much pain.

'The blade didn't come out, which is good news' she stated.

'Is it ?' Sihtric asked rhetorically, beaming at Asha.

She returned her grin. 'That means I only have to sew this side.'

After Osferth and Eva provided her with everything she had asked for, she held the bottle of alcohol to Sihtric.

After he took a mouthful of it, Asha sprayed the wound with its contents, the Dane let out a loud moan of suffering, gripping the fur he was resting on and banging his head against the pillow.

Osferth gasped as Asha reached the needle, and when the thread mixed with Sihtric's flesh, he turned back and pucked on the ground.

'Eww' Eva commented with disgust.

'I'll handle it, go for a walk with him.' Asha mumbled to the child.

In deep pain, Sihtric grabbed everything he could and bite into his belt, crisping his muscles. When she was done, she gently removed the blood around the wound with a piece of fabric soaked in hot water, the contrast with Asha's cold touch made him shiver.

The storm had passed and he stared at her as she wrapped the bandage around his waist, saving his life with the gentlest touch. She took time to examine the scars on his upper body, and when she looked up, he was staring at her. They were caught in each other's gaze briefly before Asha cleared her throat and gathered the utensils she had used to clean the items up and remove the blood on her hands. Sihtric's side was now occupied by Eva and Osferth, who had both arrived at the same time.

Once more, the moon was visible, and the travellers were growing tired. The three of them were asleep when Asha returned. She went to Sihtric to inspect the bandage and made sure he didn't have a fever. She then pulled the fur back to his shoulders. She no longer felt the need to feel her blades behind her back or to have one of her knives in hand, merely because around them she didn't feel threatened anymore, she was surrounded by friends and felt safe.

As the birds began to sing at dawn, Sihtric was the first to be awake. In his attempt of standing he let out an uncomfortable pain moan that roused Asha.