Dream Catcher

Chapter Three - Assassin

Shit.

Shit.

Shit.

Gorgeous green eyes stared up at me in confusion. I had to guard these eyes, and their owner. I was going to die. I racked my brains for what I knew about Wind Fire. My heart sank. Even if I knew everything about her, the spirits gave only what you needed. I was running blind.

"Are you alright?" The voice asked, taking command of my vocal chords. The eyes honed in on my face. I really hope I haven't given her a concussion. She shook her head.

"I'm fine warrior. Thank you."She said breathlessly. I nodded to myself, and pushed myself off of her but remained crouched at her side.

The rest of the room seemed to unfreeze, shouting once more, but this time about the girl. The prince and Lord Darrin were at her side in an instant.

"Are you alright sister? Are you hurt?" The prince demanded. He was worried, frantic. Lord Darrin was calm, only sparing me a glance before standing, striding to the door, and bellowing for the Captain of the Guard.

"Get me Deftin! I need a healer!" The prince shouted.

"Allow me prince." I said quietly. He looked at me, bewildered and a bit irritated.

"How could you help? You are a fighter, nothing more." He asked. I bristled. The prince almost withered beneath his sisters' glare. Irritation flowed through me. I gave a dry laugh

"I am a warrior, yes, but I trained under my grandmother, the primary healer of our clan. I know more things about medicine, injuries, illnesses than your best doctor probably does." I intoned, my voice becoming cold, "Let me help. I'm certain I could easily save time and cure doubts about her current health." He looked afraid for the first time. This may not bide well for us child. I rolled my eyes, we'd deal with it when the time came. I turned to his sister.

"I am fine warrior." She said, slightly disgruntled. I offered a smile, though she could not see it.

"I'm sure you may be, but I'd like to ensure you are. Will you permit me to examine your head?" I asked, bemusement lacing my voice. She offered a wary nod. She began to sit up

"Not yet my lady, lie down for just a moment longer." I requested, holding up my hand. She eyed me from the floor.

"Follow my finger with just your eyes." I asked gently. She complied.

"Pass me the pouch from my bag please Lord Darrin." The voice said, eager to help. I nodded my thanks, and opened the pouch. It held a fire kit. The princess instantly recoiled and moved away from me.

"I'm not having anything done with fire!" She ordered, fear in her eyes. I was surprised, sparing a glance to the bundle.

"I'm not going to be lighting anything but the wood, and it'll only be for a moment. If you truly injured yourself, when I pass the light in front of your eyes, your pupils will remain the size they are now. I'll do it on myself if it'll if it will make you more comfortable." I offered, reviled at her thoughts. How could I harm her?

"Look," I said, lighting the slim sturdy stick of wood, passing it in front of my eyes, "it's not touching me, and I can still see." I said, blinking away the after image beneath my mask. Relief flooded her face. What kind of witch medicine did they use here?

I passed the light in front of her eyes twice, and both times her pupils shrank with the torches' approach. I doused the flame by gripping the flames with my armored hands.

"You're fine." I said with a smile, relief spread across the princes' face, "Just let me just see your head. I didn't notice any bleeding, I just need to make sure the wound itself isn't anything other than bruised." The princess sat up and bowed her head, allowing me to examine the site.