One Step And More To Go (Book One Of The Steps Books)

Slave to the Refugees

I stood silently as I listened to the ramblings of the hunter, asking for us to go hunt rams for him.

'Felix please let us hunt!' The bear growled happily.

"We'll help you Hunter." I smiled at him and marked the spots on the map which he told us were the best places to hunt.

"Herald, you are a good person," The hunter smiled and went back to tending the fire in front of him.

I smiled and quickly walked away, heading toward the closest area the contained the prey we were looking for. King's bear was buzzing with the excitement of the hunter. I on the other hand was trying not to loose the small bit of food that I had eaten that morning.

'You can let me do this if you want,' The bear, who I was slowly beginning to call Koda, growled.

'That may be a good idea or I may puke.' I groaned at we grew closer and I spotted a large ram.

I slowly felt the bear take control. It was a slow shift and grew quicker as we neared the ram and then suddenly I was observing from within my own brain.

The bear growled loudly as he launched himself toward the ram leaving my three stunned group members far behind as he quickly gathered the ten prices of meat we needed.

I regained control in the same way but quicker this time. My senses grew quickly.

"Uh hey Kingly, what was that?" Varric questioned.

"Uh..." I stared at Varric, shaking.

"I know what that was." Solas looked at me as if he was looking through me.

"And that would be?" Cassandra asked, as always suspicious.

"An eagerness to help the villagers." Solas offer a knowing smile to me.

I let out a loud sigh. "Exactly."

"Mm. Yes, that's it." Varric nodded and gave me a look that said 'You better explain when you get the chance.'

I smiled at him in promise.

"Um. We need to go talk to the hunter again and that soldier and then go see Dennet." I said and started walking.

The walk back to the village didn't take long. The Hunter thanked us profusely and began to cook the meat.

I took a glance at the stairs behind him and began towards them. I looked back at Solas who nodded at me and gave a slight smile. I slid down the stairs causing me to cry out in pain. I lay at the bottom step for a few moments gathering the knowledge that even in this body I was still a giant klutz. I was lifted up by Cassandra as she looked me over worriedly. I looked down at the pitiful armor that I had on and the rips that showed red flesh, blood dripping down my shins and knees. I hissed in pain glaring at the steps as I stood on my own. I looked over the stinging flesh.

"Does this give us an excuse to return to Haven?" I asked pitifully.

Solas chuckled and handed me a blood red potion and smiled, "This will put you back into fighting shape."

"Fighting shape? Wait.." I gasped softly and looked at Varric in panic.

"Take the potion Sting." Varric smiled and urged me. "I'm going to take Sting to the stream and clean these out."

I followed holding the potion in my hands. "Varric.. this is so hard.." The words were soft and timid but he looked at me letting me know he heard me.

"Yea Sting. I know." He gently sat me down and ripped the pants to reveal the bloody flesh that was hidden beneath them. "Fuck, you shouldn't be allowed around stairs Sting."

I laughed nervously, "Probably." I took a sip of the liquid in the bottle and gagged pushing it away. "These things taste better in the midst of battle.."

"Haha I bet. So what's wrong Stinger?" Varric looked at me as he gently patted a cloth on the torn flesh.

"Uh.." I hissed and bit my lip. "I'm uh.. just confused by how I know how to fight.."

"Hmm. That's a question for the ages, Stinger."

"Why Stinger, Varric?"

" 'Cause you are tiny and pack quite a punch." He smirked and began wrapping a bandage around each leg.

"I'm tiny?!" I laughed and watched him swiftly wrap the bandage around my legs.

"Well you're only a bit taller then me. You're tall dwarf size." He gently patted my foot.

"Varric.. thank you... Honestly.." I opened my arms for a hug and sniffled.