The Anointed and The Brave

Chapter 4 The Nora Camp

"So after she killed the beast, she put her hand into its throat and pulled out the ring-y to unlock the door to the spoils. She was so brave! I could hardly watch it!"

Gildun's tale was mostly right. Aloy just smiled at the man's hysteria in telling the story he had with her. The audience of Nora was not convinced, nor did they understood a single detail that came out of his mouth.

The Cut was an arctic wasteland of cold steel and death. Nature is beautiful, but beauty never was associated with death. Perhaps that is why the Banuk were so stingy. Exploring the Cut for a few weeks left Aloy begging for warmth. Though the fire claws provided more than enough heat to keep her warm.

Cling onto the bowls she had in her hand, she took her empty dishes placed them on the table. The food was good, with better taste than Rost or she could ever make. She was still salivating for more but decided against it. The injured were laid in rows. All were Nora. The casualties were high, with two-thirds of the Nora Braves were either killed or wounded. Aloy worked her way through beds to reach Teb and an injured brave when Gildun started talking again.

"Now, I will tell you the story where she helped the blue light and destroyed the Daemon." Some of the Nora lifted their heads in listening to a new tale of their Anointed. Teb looking skeptical, leaned towards Aloy, "Is he saying true? Like seriously or little exaggeration here and there?"

"Yes, Teb, Gildun has told most of the story correctly," Aloy assured him, she got up and walked in the direction of Gildun, placing her hand on his shoulder. "though he keeps forgetting he helped out too at the dam."

Gildun chuckled at that remark, "I know Aloy, but you are the real hero of the story. A modest one at that!"

Aloy just sighed. No matter how many times she gave others their fair share of the credit, they always insisted it was all her doing.

"Thanks, Gildun," Aloy finally said.

Smiling, Gildun trudges out of the Nora camp, "Well, it was lovely to see you again, now I must write about today's events! I will call it The saviour of Merdian! Have a good night, Nora!"

Aloy returned back to Teb and started to help feed the wounded Nora.

"Well, at least he is nice and..... talkative." Teb pointed out while wrapping another bandage around a brave's wounded knee. "I would love to hear more of the tales of Aloy, the machine tamer."

Aloy smirked, "Maybe when he is finished his book perhaps."

Taking an empty bowl, Aloy had to the river to clean the plates and silverware and collected water. Upon returning, she saw King Avad talking to Nora. When she placed down the buckets of water, Avad looked up with a grin.

"Aloy, it is good to see you! Merdian is saved by your hands. My people will forever be in your debt." Avad greeted, along with Marad.

Aloy nodded, "Anytime Avad, I see you are helping the Nora wounded. Thank you."

"You and your people are my guests. I could not be a good host if I did not keep you comfortable." Avad conveyed, "I must try to mend the injuries of the present, as well as the past."

Aloy raised an eyebrow. She took a brave's arm and soaked the wound with water, "What do you mean?"

The sun king collected sheets of cloth and wrapped it around another brave head, "We Carja must pay for the people who saved Meridan, whether it was direct or not. Furthermore, I want to return aid and care to the tribes that my Father has sacked during his reign," He finished with the wrapping by placing a pin to hold it together. Acknowledging the thanks he received, he turns back to Aloy, "Speaking of payments of return, is there anything that I can do for you, Aloy?"