It was becoming noon and Ishizu hadn't returned yet.
Seth noticed that she hadn't returned found that strange.
“Have I upset her somehow?”
But he instantly shook this thought from his head.
“Nah! I DON'T CARE if I upset her! She is the one with stupid dreams and visions about prince charming ’s rescuing her tribe, I only said the truth! She needs to face reality, damn it, I am NOT the hero of her dreams and all this foolish bullshit! This place is driving me mad, but fortunately, I am going to leave this place forever once I'm better... I just need to hang on for a few more weeks... And then I'll leave and maybe this crazy woman will try to search for her non-existent "prince charming" elsewhere.”
However, he still felt uncomfortable. Like something was missing... He got used to have her around. What was going on with him? He tried to ignore that as hard as he could.
Some more hours passed but soon, by the middle of the day Ishizu appeared at the entrance of the tent holding a plate with meat and a flask to the other hand. She smiled.
“I am sorry...a man...not good” she said trying to say she was healing someone and that was the reason she was late
In the meanwhile, Seth had taken this moment of solitude to take care of his personal appearance. He didn't want to go back to civilization looking like he just came out of a jungle, after all. He had noticed the hair on his face was growing up again and he took a small mirror and a razor he had on his pouch and started to shave. He was finishing by the time Ishizu came back to the tent. He stopped and looked at her, feeling a strange feeling of...relief? He didn't know and he tried to ignore it, as usual.
“Oh... I see...”
She was taking care of another man. So that was the reason she took so long to come back. He didn't know why, but he was feeling a little bit troubled by that. Just what the hell was going on with him? It was her duty, wasn't it? And of course he wasn't the only injured man in the world. He tried to ignore that and then looked at the food she brought and felt his stomach rumbling. Maybe some food would help him feeling less awkward. He was indeed hungry, after all.
She smiled and placed the plate next to him and also the alcohol flask she knew he had enjoyed. She smiled and nodded her head. She placed also some corn bread close to him.
He took the meat from the plate and started to eat it. It tasted delicious, as usual. He also took a piece of the corn bread and ate it. After he finished eating, he took the flask with the alcoholic drink and drank it. It was refreshing to have an alcoholic drink after a good meal. He was missing the taste of alcohol, but luckily, Ishizu knew how to make a good drink. He drank all the beer inside the flask and gave it back to her, smiling in satisfaction.
“Thank you again, Ishizu. It was good.” He said, softly.
It was the closest he came to compliment her. It was one of the rare times he was being nice to her.
She smiled and nodded her head.
“You're welcome” she said softly.
She liked it seeing him enjoy his food and she enjoyed seeing him happy once in a while with simple things such as food and sun. She softly placed her hand onto his forehead.
“Fever...gone...” she said softly, smiling
He blushed slightly when she touched his forehead, but he tried to ignore the feeling.
“Y-yes... Thank goodness...” He answered her, feeling a little awkward.
He hated to remind the stupid things he did every time he was in fever. But he, also, tried to forget that.
“So... Are we gonna go out today?” He asked, as a way to change the subject
‘"Gonna go out"...’ she repeated the phrase and searched her memory for the meaning.
She smiled and nodded.
“Out yes, but not much” she replied meaning that he could go out but not for too long so he wouldn't tire himself
“Ah, yes...” He answered, feeling relieved he could go out at least for a moment.
But was still a little upset that he couldn't stay much due to his condition.
“It's all right
He said as a way to tell her it was all right and tried to get up, but he felt a strong pain hit him on his torso, where the bullet had hit him. It seemed like he still wasn't able to get up by himself. He let out a small curse, in frustration.
Ishizu rushed to his side and helped him up. She showed him the walking stick.
“Need this?” she asked him whether he wanted it or not.
He could walk fine from what she saw but if the pain bothered him too much...
He took the walking stick from her and stood on his own. Maybe he could use it for a while and later he could try walking on his own, but for now, the pain was still bothering him, so he would use it, he concluded.
“Thanks...” He thanked her and walked out of the tent
Ishizu smiled softly behind him when he wasn't looking.
“You're welcome...” she whispered as if to herself and walked outside too.

It was a nice afternoon since the noon heat was now down and was giving its place to a nice, cool weather.
Ishizu showed him the way from the back so they would avoid passing through the village and cause more unnecessary glares of hatred onto them and they walked a bit further outside the village.
As they walked, Seth was admiring the landscape around him. The village was located in a beautiful place, he thought to himself. He whistled and Kisara appeared running, her white fur shining in the sunlight, as if the mare was a mythical creature instead of a normal horse. She nuzzled him lovingly and he caressed her big neck softly.
“Glad to see you too, girl.” He whispered smoothly to her, with a happy smile on his face
Ishizu smiled. She was glad she came to take care of Kisara's fur before coming here. She also felt lucky the white mere trusted her enough but Ishizu also knew she was always good with animals, especially with horses. She removed a small sack from her shoulder and came closer tapping his shoulder softly to get his attention and showed him the bag.
“For...Kisara...” she said pointing the bag. Obviously it had food for her in it
He picked the bag from Ishizu and started to feed his mare while caressing her with his free hand. He was smiling softly and murmuring quietly to Kisara as she ate the food he was giving her.
“I can't wait to leave this place as soon as possible... This place is driving me mad, I can’t keep up with this for much longer...” He whispered to the mare's ear, as a way to blurt out his feelings.
Even though he knew Kisara couldn't answer him, he knew she understood him. Deep down, he could feel it. The two stood there, quietly, as the soft breeze blew softly against them and as the sunlight shone brightly, making Kisara's fur look even more white and defining Seth's muscles and skin, making the man and his horse look almost like they were glowing.
Ishizu smiled softly at the scene but her ears, years now practicing listening to nature and voices around, caught his small confession. Of course she couldn't understand much of what he was saying but she caught certain words such as "leave" and "soon".
She knew he wanted to leave. She could see it in his eyes. Why though? Had she made him feel uncomfortable? Had she insulted him in any reason? Was her presence THAT unpleasant?
“I know his destiny is to save us and help us but he doesn't seem to believe that...no, worse...he doesn't even like the idea... Perhaps...perhaps I shouldn't keep him here...if I..if I ask my master for more advice and make his healing faster...? Well I can't but if there is a way...perhaps if he doesn't want to stay...who am I to keep him here...?”
She looked away for a second and a soft breeze blew. She brushed some hair behind her ear watching the leaves dance into the sky with this air.
As he was feeding Kisara, he felt that weird sensation again, as if he was being watched.... And it wasn't by Ishizu because he knew she was there... He looked up and saw the same odd eagle from before, but now it was perched on a low branch, so he could see it more closely.... The eagle was staring at him deeply and he felt a shiver run down his spine. The eagle's eyes were a grayish blue, an odd color for a normal bald eagle. It was as if the bird could see every part of his soul with its weird eyes... It was unsettling to look at them.
“What is this? Am I hallucinating? This... This can't be real! Am I seriously becoming paranoid because of an eagle?”
But then his thoughts were interrupted when the eagle suddenly began to fly on his direction. At first he thought it would collide with him, but then the eagle flapped its wings and flew right above his head. He turned to look at it as it passed by and he saw that the eagle turned its head a little to glance at him and then it screamed before it continued to fly towards the village.
“Master” Ishizu spoke to her language and then got hold of his wrist for a second, “Come. He wants meet you” she said
Seth was confused by her words. Who was this "he"? What was she talking about? It had something to do with the odd eagle? His head was spinning and he couldn't understand anything that was going on.
“Who? Who wants to see me? M-Machakw? Your brother?” he asked as he followed her.
He seemed tense by the idea of meeting her grumpy older brother again.

Ishizu led him through the village, the small tents till finally they reached a tent, small but different than the others, decorated with several amulets and stuff outside. The eagle was seated upon its top, always gazing at them. Ishizu opened the curtain of the entrance for him and waved him to come closer and come inside.
As he entered the tent, he saw an old man sitting near a small fire lit in the center of the tent, sending smoke through a small hole in the ceiling. The man stood up as soon as he saw his new guests and took his staff and walked towards them. He stood in front of Ishizu and said to their language.
“Ishizu, my dear... I am so happy to see you.”
His eyes moved at Seth's direction, who was behind her, looking at the old man with curiosity.
“I see you have brought the White Warrior with you.”
Ishizu once she entered the tent she bowed before the old man and kissed his hand. The old man looked like a living dead, he was covered in shawls and amulets and feathers and was only skin and bone, his ears were large but his lobes were long because of the heavy earrings he had.
Ishizu smiled tenderly to the old man like she was smiling to a grandfather and nodded.
“Master, it is always an honor to be in your tent. Yes, this is the White Warrior from my dreams. I am sure about it. He rides a horse, a female one pure white like the clouds. His eyes are blue like sky. I brought him like you wanted to.”
The tent had a heavy smell of several medical herbs and heavy from smoke. The eagle flew inside and sat upon the old man's shoulder. Ishizu turned to Seth and smiled softly.
“This man...”
It was surprising how fast she learnt to use the word "man".
“name is Howahkau, he is the Healer of us...”
She didn't know the word "master" or "teacher" but she hoped it was obvious.
“He wants see you...” she extended her arm to him, telling him to come closer
Seth's eyes were fixed on the odd eagle. So the eagle was the old man's pet? It was still odd... But he tried to ignore that. He heard Ishizu introducing him to the old man and he came closer as she requested, but he was still feeling uneasy.
“I see...” the old man said, examining Seth.
The eagle was staring intently at him again.
“I was keeping an eye on him ever since the night you brought him here. Tanana helped me, of course.” He said, petting the eagle on his shoulder, “He seems a bit nervous.... And uncomfortable. I can understand that. Please sit, I have so much to talk with you.”
The old shaman pointed towards some skin carpets on the tent's floor. He sat on one and waited for Ishizu and Seth.
Ishizu smiled at Seth.
“Howahkau says he sees you, always with Tanana”
She translated what the man said the best she could and when mentioned the name she gestured towards the eagle.
“She...is his eyes...” she explained.
When the old man invited them she smiled and got up from her kneeling position.
“He says come”
and walked to join her master as well as pulling Seth's arm softly, telling him to follow.
Seth raised an eyebrow at the old shaman. The eagle was "his" eyes? Nah... It was some kind of old superstition of their tribe. It was scientifically impossible. But maybe the eagle could help him "see" when it was with him, but not when it was flying away. However, he still felt that same annoying sensation from before coming from that weird animal, but he tried to ignore that. Tanana tilted her head at him.
“He doesn't seem to believe in our traditions, but I already expected that.”
The old shaman chuckled, as if finding Seth's reaction funny. He then turned back to Ishizu.
“I have talked to the Great Spirits, Ishizu. There is no mistake, this man really is the White Warrior who is going to save us. He has a strong, fierce heart, a heart of a wolf. But just like a wolf, he is also stubborn, proud and arrogant... And I see his heart is also empty and lonely... I can see the fear and sorrow inside him. He had suffered a lot from a terrible tragedy that happened in his past. He may look tough on the outside, but he only does so he can hide his true feelings, as if he is afraid of them. He may be hurt on the outside, but he has so much more scars on his soul than on his physical body.”
The old man stopped and his blank eyes were fixed on Ishizu, the eagle now was looking at her too.
“The Spirits told me it is your task to heal him, not only on the outside, but on the inside. He has a lot to learn, and you must teach him. You must teach him how to be patient, how to respect people, but most importantly... You have to teach him how to love again. How to love life, people and everything that's around him. Only than, he will be able to let go of his arrogant personality and become a true hero.”
Ishizu looked at Seth. She knew she had to translate a few things of what her master had said and explain him some things.
“He says he knows you not trust, emm...believe us”
She thought of how to use the words properly.
“He says, heart of wolf, strong. He says have a lot learn. He says many wounds.”
Seth listened to what Ishizu said, then turned to the old shaman and rolled his eyes. Yes, he had many wounds; of course he knew that. That was the only reason he was in that village, in the first place. He would never been there if he wasn't shot.
“Humpf. Of course, I know that.” He said, rolling his eyes.
The old man chuckled.
“You have to be patient with this one, dear Ishizu... He reminds me of a young wolf I knew when I was your age and training to be a shaman. I was hunting in the forest when I saw a young wolf severely wounded, lying inside a small cave in the forest. He had lost a fight with his alpha and expelled from his pack. I knew that he would not survive on his state, so I left some deer meat for him to eat, but whenever I came close to him, he would growl at me.” He said smiling as he remembered is old days.
He turned his eyes to Seth and Tanana did the same.
“Everyday, I left a piece of meat for the wolf in the cave, but each day, I left it a little closer to the wolf. One day, I was so close to him that I could touch him. He had learned that every time I came, I was bringing food, so he began to trust me. So I finally could touch him and we became friends. I suppose your friend here will be more complicated to deal with than my wolf friend, but I know you can do it. The Spirits have chosen you to this task for a reason, after all.”
He put a hand on her shoulder, smiling kindly at her, like a grandfather would.
Ishizu smiled softly and lowered her head.
“Master...I am afraid I am not playing my role right... He desires to leave...he is not pleased with this place...with me... I...I tried to make him feel comfortable with us...it is just...I...”
She looked down.
“If he really doesn't want to stay...can I really be so egoistic to keep him here despite his will...? I mean, can I really stop him from leaving just because of my dream? I am worried, Master...I worry so much...and I...I would feel like an egoistic person for...”
She shyly stopped for a second but she had learnt not to hide her emotions like White People did...especially to her master...
“...for wanting him to stay here with us...”
Her master held out her hand and said calmly to her.
“Ishizu, my dear... This man is suffering. Like I said, I saw his soul through Tanana's eyes. His soul is empty and lonely. I saw the sorrow and the fear inside him. He hides his true emotions because he is afraid of them. But he is stubborn; he doesn't want anyone to know about his fears and weaknesses. That's why he is avoiding you, because you are seeing his weaknesses... And he is afraid of his feelings and emotions... He is just like this young wolf I met when I was your age. He wants to be exiled because he was hurt and he doesn't want to be hurt anymore. But if I have left that wolf alone in that cave that day, he would have died of starvation, because he couldn't hunt for himself. And when I tried to help this wolf, he growled and snarled at me. He still saw me as threat to him, even when I was trying to help him. But slowly, with time, he began to trust me, because he knew I was there to bring him food for his survival.”
The old shaman stopped for a while. Tanana's eyes were staring deeply into Ishizu now.
“This man sees you as a "threat" to him, and that's why he wants to leave. But you don't have to feel guilty because of it, you're not doing anything wrong, dear... It's just the way this man thinks. He has suffered so much through his life because some terrible tragedy on his past, so he made himself look strong, independent, arrogant and rude on his exterior to protect himself. But the Spirits told me he is still suffering so much and you are the only one who can heal the scars on his soul. That is your task, young one. You must teach him to love life again, to trust other people, but mostly himself. That's the only way to save him from himself, and for him to become a true hero.” He said, holding Ishizu's hands tenderly, “You must have patience. Slowly, he will began to trust you, just like my wolf friend. He will "growl" at you first, but when he learns to trust you, he will trust you forever. That is what I learned from that lonely injured wolf inside that cave that day.”
He smiled softly at her.

Ishizu was breathing in and out slowly and deeply. Her master's words were going straight to her flattering heart. She felt insignificant before this master. She dared to look over her shoulder towards Seth with the corner of her eye and felt her heart flatter even more. She knew what she should do, give him space and at the same time come closer. It sounded complicated enough, to actually do it would be a challenge, however...
“He says...many wounds, hurt...not only here...” she placed her hand softly to his wounded stomach so she wouldn't hurt him, “But also here...”
Her hand moved up to his chest to the spot his heart was. She rested her hand on his chest for a little. The steady pulse was sending a rhythmic beating into her palm.
“Wound...” she repeated.
She still couldn't speak his language that well to explain to him properly but she knew deep in her heart that this was what her master wanted him to know as well...
Seth's face turned a deep shade of red when she touched his stomach and then his heart. Her hand was soft and warm and it was giving him an awkward sensation to feel her hand right there, so close to his heart... He gulped and he recoiled a little from her. He tried to understand her words... Was she saying the old man was telling her he had many wounds on his heart? Somehow, he felt awkward... It was true, he had many wounds from his past still haunting him, but how could this man possibly know this? He didn't want to look weak, not in front this man, though.
“I don't care. I don't cry about my past anymore, I am strong, I can take care of myself.”
He repeated the "mantra" he always told to Arthur and to any other people he knew. He believed strongly in it, that he didn't need anyone else and that he was fine on his own. The old shaman couldn't understand his words, of course, but by the look on his face, the expression he just made; he could tell exactly what the White Man was talking about. The old shaman shook his head.
“Too stubborn... He thinks he is fine on his own, but he is not. I can see that in his eyes.”
He turned to Ishizu.
“Ishizu, dear, can you tell me if he has been having bad dreams? Tell me everything you find out about him when you were treating him, I want to know.”
Ishizu felt like being rejected once more but when she heard her master's voice she turned her head to him.
“Yes. He was whispering and mumbling things in his sleep most of the time. It was as if Dark Spirits are pouring poison into his dreams... He calmed down when I sang the old song my mother taught me to him once or twice and I...”
She brushed some hair behind her ear.
“I made an amulet for him the other time...I made the chanting properly so it would help him and only him...I haven't seen him sleeping with it to know if it worked yet...”
Howahkau nodded as he listened to Ishizu's words. He turned his face to Seth and through Tanana; he saw Seth's annoyed expression.
“I see... He is tormented by his fears, by his memories... You made an amulet for him? That was a good idea. But if that does not work, you can come to me so I can help you create a stronger one. But I believe you have learned a lot from me, so I think yours will be sufficient, for now. If you have any problem, you can come to me. I think his spiritual wounds will be the most difficult to heal than his physical wounds, but I will help you if you ever need it.”
Tanana looked at Seth again, this time her eyes were fixed on his bandages.
“But, speaking of wounds... how is his physical wounds healing by now?” The old shaman asked
“They are healing. Slowly but steadily. I had to use burning and stitching for his stomach wounds...”
The old shaman suddenly stood up.
“I would like to see them. Can you tell him that?” The old shaman said, as he walked slowly towards Seth's direction.
She turned at him.
“He says wants to see...the wounds...”
Seth let out a sight.
“Ugh... Okay, then... But be quick, please...”
He sighted again. He already felt uncomfortable with Ishizu examining him, but now the old shaman was going to examine him too? He could have expected that, since the old man was also a healer.
“Well, the faster I recover, the sooner I'll be getting out of here, so I shouldn't complain for now”
He started to unwrap his own bandages so she old man could look at them. Also because he didn't want Ishizu doing that in front of him... It would be too awkward. The old shaman kneeled beside him and the eagle peered at his wounds. Just as Ishizu had told him, they were healing slowly, but the one on his stomach was the most severe. He turned to Ishizu.
“I think he needs some of the herbal cream I was preparing this morning. I think it will help to ease his pain a little. Can you help me pick it?”
Ishizu nodded and walked to the side of the tent. She picked a small vase-like thing up and went back, giving it to her master.
The old shaman took the small vase from her and started to apply the medicine on Seth's wounds. As the herbal cream was applied on him, Seth felt a strong, burning pain and he groaned. This herbal cream seemed stronger than the one Ishizu used to apply on him. When the old shaman finished, he turned to Ishizu again.
“The cream I applied on him is stronger. He is in pain now, but soon he will feel better. We should wait until the medicine takes effect so we can wrap some clean bandages around his body again.” The old shaman said, picking the small vase with medicine and putting it back on the side of the tent.
Ishizu softly touched his shoulder as if to encourage him.
“He says this stronger, feel pain now, but soon become good...”
The pain he was feeling was strong, so he didn't bother so much when Ishizu touched his shoulder. He looked at her, but he didn't do anything to push her away for now. The old shaman sat back on his place and started to stir in a small pot by the fire. When he finished, he served the tea on a ceramic cup and gave one to Ishizu and the other to Seth. It was some kind of tea made with herbs.
“Tell him to drink it. The hot tea will make him more relaxed and it can help him to forget the pain for a while.”
She nodded and took the cup, giving it to him.
“He says drink, make you...better the pain”
Seth took the cup from her and he took a sip from the tea. It was too hot, so he would have to drink it slowly to he wouldn't burn his tongue. And for the first time since he entered the Old Shaman's tent, he let go of his annoyed attitude for a while.
“Hum... Thank you, eh...” he tried to remember the shaman's name, “Howah... Howahkau...”
The old man stopped drinking and smiled at him. Tanana tilted her head at him, curiously.
‘He says..."thank you"’ Ishizu explained to her master, even if she was almost certain that he had understood it, after taking a sip from her drink
The old man chuckled.
“At least, he has some manners...”
He took another sip from his drink. Seth was watching the old man carefully as he drank his tea. He was an odd old man... He wondered if this old man also thought he was some kind of "fairytale hero" who would save their tribe from some terrible danger. Maybe he did, because he wasn't treating Seth as threat, like the others did and also, he was kind of a tutor to Ishizu, so it would make sense if he believed in the same things she did. But standing with the two of them like this was kinda making him feel comfortable for some reason... For the first time, someone else than Ishizu was treating him like a guest and not like a desert snake that could attack at any minute.
Ishizu giggled slightly at her master's words and the three of them continue drinking. Occasionally she would take glances of him with the corner of her eye and immediately turn her gaze to her cup.
Seth was watching the two of them as they drank. For some reason, he was feeling peaceful... Maybe it was the tea, which really helped him to relax and forget his pain, or it was because of the silence... He looked around the tent and studied every detail, so he could take some notes on his diary later.
The old shaman finished his drink and put the cup on a small corner of his tent. He turned to Ishizu.
“I think now we can wrap a new set of clean bandages around his body now, the medicine seems to be taking effect. Could you do that for me Ishizu? I will let you do it this time, since I do not think he would like an old man such as myself touching him, hehe” He said, laughing a little as teased his apprentice.
He may be an old man, but he hadn't lost his sense of humor.
Ishizu softly giggled again, this time with a light blush, and grabbed a new set of bandages. She showed them to him.
“Now...” she mentioned it was time to wrap the bandages.
She slowly started wrapping them around his lower torso, his stomach and tummy, carefully.
Seth let out a long sigh as he saw Ishizu holding the bandages.
“Urgh... All right”
He closed his eyes as she started to wrap the bandages around him again, but he could feel his heart thumping as he felt her close to him. When she finished, he opened his eyes again. Now he wasn't feeling so much pain anymore and he was feeling really good. The medicine really worked! He looked at the old shaman and bowed his head to him.
“Thank you very much, Howahkau”
The old shaman nodded at him, in response. Seth also got the impression the eagle did the same.
Ishizu bowed her head to her master.
“Thank you so much, master...I will try to follow your advice...”
“If anything...even if I fail to persuade him stay, perhaps I can heal the wounds inside him... Perhaps I will be able to give him at least some peace...”
Howahkau smiled at her and then he looked at Ishizu and Seth. He believed strongly in the Great Spirits and in Ishizu's potential and he knew she would manage to heal this man's soul. He knew the Spirits had a strong motive to unite these two. It was destiny. He took Ishizu's hand once more and said to her.
“Don't forget... Remember the wolf I told you and be patient. If you need any help with him” he turned his face to Seth, “Just come to me. You can bring him too if you feel you need to. My tent is open for him, so he can come anytime. I will do everything to help you both. The Great Spirits are watching over you Ishizu. It is their will for you to help this man; they chose you for some reason. Don't ever forget that...”
And then the old shaman kissed Ishizu's forehead tenderly, like a grandfather would. He then turned to Seth and said goodbye to him with a gesture.
Ishizu smiled softly and stood up offering her hand to Seth to help him up.
He took her hand so he could stand up, but as he stood so fast, he felt a dizziness and his body inched a little too close to hers as he lost a little of his balance, but then immediately he moved away from her, trying to hide his red face from the old shaman before he could see it and walked out of the tent. The old shaman giggled slightly at the scene.
Ishizu supported him when he nearly fell and looked at him worriedly but she immediately started walking towards the tent's entrance to leave, following Seth outside.
The old shaman smiled as the two left the tent. His eagle nudged her master with her head and he petted her white neck.
“Yes, Tanana... I can see a bright future for those two... The Spirits know what they do...”

Outside the tent, Seth was feeling so awkward. He couldn't believe he felt embarrassed in front of a BLIND man, of all things... But maybe he had suddenly forgot about it... Never mind! It was an odd meeting... First the odd eagle who was watching him, then the old man talking about things he shouldn't know... Even though he had helped him feel better, it was still weird. But he tried to ignore that. At least, the shaman didn't treat him like a wild animal. He stood in front of Ishizu as she left the shaman's tent and asked her.
“So... We're going back to your tent?” He said, looking at her with both hands on his hips.
He hoped she wasn't going to show him more weird things...
“Hm?”
She hadn't fully understood. There were some new words.
“Tent?” she asked titling her head to the side
He pointed to the shaman's tent behind them.
“Tent”
Ishizu formed an "oh" with her lips.
“Tent, yes, back to tent. Not good?”
No! I am good! Your... Master really helped, I mean... I'm feeling good... No more pain” He said, pointing at his bandages, and then looked back at Ishizu, “So... Can we go see Kisara again?” He asked her.
He was feeling better thanks to Ishizu's master and he didn't want to go back to the tent yet, just to be stuck there doing nothing and with Ishizu near him.... He was afraid of what more his treacherous body would come up with after the last fever where she slept near him.... He didn't even want to think about it!
Ishizu had a new word "Master". She kind of liked the sound of it. And then noticed his question.
“Hmm...sure but not tired ehm...not become tired, fever back”
She wanted to tell him not to strain himself or the fever would return.
He frowned, trying to understand her words. She was learning his language fast, but she still had some troubles to make sentences...
“Uh... You mean for me don't become tired?”
He thought about it for a second. Maybe she meant for him don't strain himself so much. He sighed deeply in annoyance.
“Ok, I promise I won't. At least let me say goodbye to her”
Ishizu looked away for a second touching her forearm. She could tell he was annoyed.
“Sorry...” she whispered, “I, you feel bad...”
She didn't know how to say "angry" in his language but she was trying her best.
He frowned again, trying to understand what she meant with that... Seeing her like that made his heart clench in a weird way, just like the time he had yelled at her in the cave. Was he feeling guilty? Nah! He shouldn't be feeling that! He shouldn't really care that much... But still, that sensation was very annoying. He took a deep breath and tried to figure out what she was saying.
“You say you make me feel bad, is that it? By bad you mean... Annoyed?” He asked, looking at her, waiting for her answer, feeling that annoying, clenching feeling on his heart
“Annoyed...yes...” she whispered softly, “Sorry...I...annoyed”
He grunted, and turned his back at her so he wouldn't look at her expression and feel even more uncomfortable.
“I just... I don't like feeling useless... Or weak...” He blurted out, and took a deep sight
‘"Useless"..."Weak"...’
She could only guess the meaning behind of those words and she knew they didn't mean something good to him. She approached him from behind and placed her hand on his shoulder.
“That...you are not...” she said in a whisper but at the same time with absolute certainty
When he felt her hand on his shoulder, he instantly turned back to look at her, feeling the blood rush to his cheeks at her words. His heart was pounding inside his chest and his mind was trying to fight all of these awkward sensations inside him. And yet... No one ever said that to him...not that he remembered anyway... He looked into her eyes and he could see she really meant it.... But those awkward sensations were growing inside him and he was struggling with himself and this was making him feel so confused that it was driving him mad! He opened his mouth as if he was about to say something, but he didn't know what to say, so he just avoided her gaze and turned back again.
She lowered her hand and her head.
“Go...see Kisara...” she said, realizing he needed some time alone now


He sighed and started walking without looking back. His head was spinning with his confused and troubled thoughts... Maybe if he spent some more time with his horse, he would calm down. Kisara always made him feel better somehow.... He remembered the first time he saw her, when he was still a child, after he was took from the orphanage by his wicked father. He was crying because he wanted to go back and Giovanni had scolded him. He was sitting alone when he saw a wild white foal approaching him, curiously. The wild foal was not afraid of him and Seth remembered when she came closer to sniff him and he stopped crying and caressed the foal's nose. But when the foal heard Giovanni and his group approaching, she ran away. But ever since then, every time Seth was feeling sad and alone, the wild foal would appear to him. She seemed to be the only creature in the world that understood him...
The white mere was in an open space, chewing some grass. However she sensed her master's appearance and raised her beautiful head to look at him. It was as if she could feel his sadness. She half-ran to him and stopped before him, jumping to her back feet once and briefly as if she was telling him to cheer up or asking him what was wrong. She placed her nose to the crook between his neck and shoulder.
He caressed the mare's white neck, smiling softly at her.
“Hey, girl...”
He held her head with both of his hands and touched his forehead with hers and caressed her softly.
“I'm so confused... I hate all of this confusing thoughts and feelings... I don't know what to do, I just want to get out of here so I can run away from all of this confused thoughts inside me...” He whispered to her.
The mare shook her head, as if she was listening and she placed her nose to his chest, as if to reassure him and say he was going to be alright.
She also leaned her head to his shoulder again.
He hugged her neck and stood there for a while, caressing her neck, without saying anything.
The mere understood. Her master was confused but she could also tell that it wasn't all as bad. She could feel one hidden joy inside him for some reason.

Seth was feeling better now... It seemed his confused thoughts were slowly fading away and he was feeling even more relaxed... He caressed the mare's neck once more and she looked up and saw the Indian woman standing a few feet behind him, looking at both of them. The mare waggled her ears. That woman was the one who had saved her master and was taking care of him. She was very kind and she was taking care of her as well, since her master wasn't in good conditions to take care of her yet... But the mare couldn't understand why her master was so wary of this woman, as if she was a dangerous predator about to attack... She could feel his troubled emotions and she knew he wanted to leave, but why? She couldn't understand human's way of thinking. Kisara was a wild mare before, so she didn't trust much in humans, but she always trusted her master, ever since she was a little wild filly, for some reason... and she felt she could trust this female human too, so why her master didn't trusted her as well?
Perhaps... Perhaps she could cheer her master up? Perhaps she could help him trust the female human... Kisara suddenly moved away from her master and loped in Ishizu's direction. The mare nudged the woman with her nose and then she turned to her master and neighed happily, as if calling him to join them.
Ishizu smiled at the scene. They seemed so great together, like the forest and the river, like cloud and sky. She realized that her presence was noticed so she smiled softly and giggled when the mere came towards her and playing along she wrapped her caramel-colored arms around the mare’s white neck in an embrace, giggling at the tickling breath close to her ear.
Seth raised an eyebrow at the scene. What was happening? He never saw Kisara act this way towards another person... He was feeling frustrated, as if the mare had abandoned him to go play with Ishizu instead. Was it because Ishizu was feeding her and taking care of her, since he couldn't? Well, that was the only logic conclusion. He whistled to call Kisara's attention, but she only turned and whinnied at him.
Ishizu saw him and waved her hand, motioning him to come and join them.
“Come. She says come” she said smiling and she...hopped on Kisara's back sitting on it and holding the mare’s white hair.
Her dark skin was in total opposition with the mare’s white fur.
“Come!” she repeated smiling
Seth was looking at them, completely baffled. What was that? He saw Ishizu calling him and he felt his cheeks burning in embarrassment again. He didn't know if he should go there with them or if he should stay there. Why was Kisara acting this way? He never saw her acting like that towards anyone before, and then suddenly she was letting this woman MOUNT on her!!! What on earth? He shyly stood there where he was, feeling confused.
Ishizu slightly tapped the mere with her feet and Kisara galloped towards him and Ishizu led her to make circles around baffled Seth, giggling and laughing as the mere was making happy -or teasing, if someone could use that word- sounds.
He watched the two of them, crossing his arms over his chest, snorting. Was Ishizu making fun of him? She seemed like a child, running in circles with his mare around him, giggling. SO immature, he thought... But still, a part of him was finding it... cute? No, no, no! He instantly shook these foolish thoughts of his mind. It was ridiculous! He stood there, with his arms crossed, grumbling to himself and trying to ignore his treacherous thoughts.
She, on the other hand, giggled and hopped off the white mere, and walked a little closer to him.
“You...too much anger. Not good. Free pain”
He saw her coming closer and listened to her words. He didn't get the last part, though....
“Free pain?” He tilted his head at her.
“Free pain...” she repeated once more with her eyes looking straight in his, “Free...your...pain”
“My... pain?” He asked her, his eyes on hers...
Then he remembered what the old shaman has said about his inner wounds... It was unsettling that an old man who didn't even know him guessed right about his resentments from his past, but maybe it was just a lucky guess. He didn't believed in magic, after all. He just shrugged.
“You can't possibly understand it... My world... No, I mean, the world is cruel. There is only pain and suffering. I know that and you...”
He stopped mid-sentence. He was going to say to her that she should be careful as well, because her tribe could still suffer an attack from remaining confederate soldiers, killing and stealing from them, but then he reminded her strange beliefs about him being some sort of "chosen one" who would save her people from that kind of thing, maybe and he didn't wanted to hear about that again. He shook his head.
“You... Don't worry about me; I'm fine by myself. I always was.” He said, instead.
He didn't know if she would understand, but it didn't matter, anyway.
However she shook her head negatively. She had partly understood his words but she knew for sure he was wrong. She knew he was. No matter what, he wasn't fine on his own. He needed someone and that someone happened to be Kisara but she could see it in his eyes that what he feared the most was to be COMPLETELY alone...
“No...” She said in a low voice smiling softly.
She took a step closer and placed her palm to his chest.
“Here, says no. Here wants not be alone. Need someone. Kisara too.”
He felt her hand on his chest, and suddenly he felt all of that awkward emotion coming back to torment him again. But his pride was still fighting back. He heard her words... No, she was wrong! He had already lost everything he loved, he didn't need anymore or anyone else... Kisara was enough to him. She was talking just like Arthur! Suddenly he remembered his weird dream about the last conversation he had with his old friend... It didn't mean anything! Maybe it was just his mind playing tricks on him, as usual. He instantly took a steep back and avoided her gaze.
“You're wrong! You don't know anything about me, about my life, anything! You don't know what I've... what I've been through... or what I lost...”
He said as he held the cross amulet he had on his neck, a present from sister Anna, the nun who was like a mother to him and he could feel his eyes getting wet and a salty taste on his throat, but he refused to let his tears fall. It would be a shame to cry. He was a grown-up man now, he didn't cry anymore.
“Just... leave me, okay? I'll be fine...”
He turned his back and walked away from her.
“Seth!” she called after him and she realized it was the first time she called out his name like that.
Had she hurt him? She hoped she hadn't but now she wasn't sure anymore. However her instinct was rarely ever wrong and she could feel great loneliness coming from his heart and she knew for sure he didn't like it... She looked at Kisara and petted the white mare’s neck.
“Go...” she told her, “Go”
Telling her to follow her master. She could feel he needed company but she was sure that the company couldn't be her... The thought pained her deep inside but she knew it was true.

The mare took another look at the young woman before galloping towards her master. She poked him with her nose, and he turned around and hugged her neck, and, for a moment, he finally let his tears fall, soaking the mare's white fur as the memories of his tragic past came back to haunt him again. He couldn't hide those things from Kisara; she always knew when he was feeling bad. She hugged her master with her head as a way to comfort him.
They stood there in silence for a while, until he finally stopped his tears from falling. He caressed the mare's white fur and whispered.
“I... I don't need anyone else... Just you. I've suffered enough... I'm not going to suffer anymore...”
He let go of her neck and caressed her forehead. The white mare poked his chest. She knew her master wasn't alright. But he wasn't going to admit it. But what could she do? She couldn't speak human language. Maybe that woman could help him, but he seemed to avoid her! She was sad for her master and she wanted to help him in any way she could, but she was still just a horse. He needed another human companion, she knew it, but he was always avoiding people. She never understood that kind of behavior. A lonely horse was nothing without its herd. It would be easily eaten by predators... It needed the herd's protection and she assumed with humans was the same thing… But her master was different and she wanted to help him, but she didn't know how...

The sound of another horse was heard and the beautiful dark stallion came a little closer. It looked like black from far away but if someone checked would see it was dark brown. His big eyes checking at the scene while his backside had purple patterns drawn by a careful hand. Mahaado was looking at the beautiful mere and the sad master. He could tell who he was. He could smell his Mistress on him and he knew why he was there. What he didn't know was why the man, while he was clearly suffering, wouldn't let his Mistress close to him, someone who could understand human language and someone who could truly be a match for.
He could feel the strong connection he had with his Mistress but he knew that like horses need also mares to breed and mares need stallions to keep them company once in a while, humans too needed other humans to talk to. Therefore why wouldn't this man be close to other men? It seemed weird. Was it because of his different clothes and color?
The white mare snorted, as a way to express her sadness as well. Why was her master always avoiding other people? Was he afraid of them? She knew that, from what he told her, he was hurt really badly by his own kind. But that female wasn't a threat. She had saved him and was treating him, but he still avoided her like a horse would avoid a snake. She tried to make him join her while she was playing with the female, but he didn't, even when she had called him. It was weird... Sometimes, she saw her master with some females, and he seemed to enjoy their company for a while. She even assumed they were his mates, but then he would leave them shortly after. But with this specific female it was different. What was the matter? Was it because she was of a different color than him? But she remembered he had stayed with a tanned female before, so maybe it wasn't the case, but it was still so weird...
She then noticed the presence of the dark brown stallion and she lifted her head a little to look at him. She moved her ears and whinnied. Maybe he could help her figure out something to help her master.
The beautiful and strong male horse noticed her invitation to come. He was interested at this strong and independent mere in many ways. Perhaps she could even become his mate in the future. He could feel her wild spirit coming from her heart. It felt like the perfect match for he too was in the wild before being saved by his Mistress. He was bitten by a snake to his front leg when he was very little. His pack had left him for they could do nothing about him but the Mistress saved him and what was more she had kept his freedom. She never bounded him and he would always return to her.
He noticed that the beautiful mere was calling for him and he could tell the reason. The master she had, had troubles. Perhaps if he helped him she would look at him too, so he came closer to the spot and raised his ears and snorted a greeting and then the question of what was going on.
Kisara greeted the male with a happy whinny and looked at her Master, who was standing near them. He was looking somewhat surprised by the strong stallion's presence, but he did not seem uncomfortable, just like he was with the female. That was another thing Kisara found weird. He didn't seem to get along with his own species, but he trusted other species? She lowered her head and snorted sadly, as a way to tell the stallion of her sadness of seeing her Master like that...
Mahaado looked at the White Man in deep thought. So this was the man his Mistress had done so much for huh? So...what was with him, he wondered. Why so much loneliness coming from him...? He sniffed at the man's hair. It was the first time he had got THAT close to this man and took in his scent. Hmm...He seemed a nice guy...now what of the rest...? He pushed his nose to the man's chest to see, to feel his heart.
Seth felt the dark horse's nose on his chest and he finally let out a smile and caressed the dark stallion's hair.
“Seems your friend had come along, huh?” He said looking at Kisara and she shook her head.
It was nice to see him smile, at least. She let out a happy whinny at him.
Mahaado snorted in approval as if saying "yup! Here I am". However something bothered him... He had felt less pity and sadness in the horses that were abandoning him half-dead than the one coming out from the chest of this man. For sure he hid a lot and he deep inside wanted to talk to someone but he wouldn't open up for some reason he couldn't understand. He moved further closer allowing the White Man caress him. He seemed trustworthy to say the very least, if not pleasant.
Her Master seemed to be looking better now, Kisara thought on her part, but she knew it was just a momentary happiness... She knew he need another human's companion, but for now, that wasn't much she could do about that, since she had tried to make him join her and the female before, but she failed. But perhaps... The dark stallion could help her now that he was there!
She poked him with her white nose and started running around him and her Master, happily. She whinnied playfully, as if inviting them to join her.
The dark stallion whinnied pleased. The mere wanted to have fun with him and her master! It was a good step! He too whinnied happily and raised himself to his back, strong legs to show her how strong and capable he can be and at the same time looking at her master as if saying; "alright for now you can join us"
Seth smiled at the two horses. He felt Kisara poking him at his back and turned at her, but she galloped and whinnied, inviting him to chase after her, like when he did when they were young and she was still a curious, wild filly who felt sad for the lonely man cub. She would always try to play with him to cheer him up. But when Seth moved, he felt a strong pain on his torso and he put his hand on his stomach wound, curling his back, in pain.
“I'm sorry girl, I'm not that good yet...” He said, panting and Kisara slowly approached him, worried.
She let out a low whinny, as if to say she was sorry.
Mahaado chased after her in this dance around the White Man when she saw the mere poking him in the stomach and the man moan in pain. Right he was still wounded there. He approached the white mere and poked her with his nose as if to tell her how much he sympathized her and that he supported her.
She acknowledged the strong stallion's presence and felt happy with it. Her Master leaned on her, trying to stand once more and she tried to help him up. Seth managed to stand up again with the mare's help, but he was still with a hand on his stomach, groaning in pain and Kisara was getting worried... Maybe she shouldn't have made him run like this... She forgot how humans were weaker than horses and that he was still wounded. She was feeling guilty. She lowered her ears and snorted, sadly.
Mahaado once more poked her with his nose to tell her "its okay" and started following them slowly towards the village as if he was guarding them from harm.

Seth was leaning against Kisara for balance, since his pain was strong and he was having troubles to walk on his own. Kisara was helping him as she walked slowly. She wanted to tell him he was going to be alright and the woman would take care of him…
Ishizu was holding a big basket full with several ingredients she needed for making her medicine.
“Perhaps...I can make him something nice tonight... Master's medicine might be strong and he needs nutrients. I wonder if some soup would be...”
She felt a presence and heard a couple of whisperings from her people so she knew that meant only one thing; Seth was coming towards that place. She turned around and gasped seeing him leaning against his horse, accompanied by her own. She ran at his aid immediately.
“Seth! Happened what?” she asked worried, “Feels bad?”
He looked at her, his face writhed in pain. He was with his hand on his stomach.
“Pain...” He said in a weak voice
Her eyes widened for a brief second and wrapped her arm around his shoulders to support him.
“Come!” she said hastily, “Come!”
He leaned on her and followed her, groaning in pain.
“Ishizu... Help me...” He murmured weakly as they walked
“Yes...I help” she reassured him the best she could, and helped him up to her tent and placed him on the mattress.
The two horses were still outside the tent as if waiting what would happen. She started unwrapping the bandage.
Once they were inside the tent, he sat down, groaning as she unwrapped his bandages. His pain was so strong that he didn't even mind to feel Ishizu's hands on him again. Seth closed his eyes and his face writhed in pain. Kisara, on the outside, was worried for her Master and let out a low sad whinny, lowering her head. She hoped her Master would be alright... She trusted the female, and she knew she could help him, but she was still worried.
She unwrapped it carefully and checked the wound. She then took out some more medicine her master had made and started applying it on the wound.
“Shh...it's okay...will be okay...”
The medicine made his wound burn and he groaned again, arching his back and putting his hand on his wound again. He was breathing heavily because of the pain, and he unconsciously put a hand on Ishizu's shoulder to look for her support.
“No...” she whispered taking his hand off the wound, “No touch there...”
She softly placed her hand over his on her shoulder.
“Okay...soon become...fine...” she whispered to him
“Uuurgh... This.. Hurts... “ He groaned again and then he lay on the mattress, panting.
He closed his eyes, and the hand that was once on her shoulder sought for her hand. He unconsciously squeezed her hand, as if he was pleading for her to stay near him, to help him. He just wanted that pain to stop soon
Ishizu quickly applied some painkillers onto the wound and then turned to him giving him a small cup to his lips.
“Drink...” she said to her language, “Helps...” said now in his, “the pain...”
He stood up a little and drank the tea she gave him. He took a deep breath and laid down on the mattress again.
“Thank you, Ishizu...” He whispered, holding her hand again as a way to show his gratefulness
She smiled softly like a mother would do when she sees her child suffering and then raised his hand that was still gripping hers and kissed it softly while caressing his head with the other.
“You're welcome...” she whispered
Seth took a deep breath once again and closed his eyes. He seemed much more relaxed now... He felt a warmth take over him, not only because of the tea she gave him, but also because of her presence. Somehow, it was reassuring to have her around looking after him... It has been years since he had someone looking after him... Her hand caressing him was warm and soft and it was so good to feel it... The pain was slowly fading away and he was feeling so much better now... He squeezed her hand again, as a way to thank her.
She smiled once more, placing also some herbal leaves over the wound applying a light pressure on it. Thankfully the wound hadn't re-opened. Perhaps the pain was more psychological than anything else. Her master's medicine had formed a sort of protecting shield over the patched wound so it hadn't re-opened or infected.
She leaned forward and kissed each one of his closed eyelids.
“Sleep's demons do not approach” she chanted in her language, “...the fire within these skin isn't calling you...leave the man in peace...”
It was an old, almost forgotten charm against the nightmares brought by psychological pressure and physical pain. She was hoping he would at least get some sleep in order for the pain to be assisted.
He felt her warmth as she leaned down to kiss his closed eyelids and he felt a chill on his stomach and warmth growing on his chest. Luckily for his arrogant pride, sleep was slowly coming to him, so he didn't minded all of these awkward sensations... His breath calmed down and the grip on her hand loosened as he slowly fell asleep next to her...
Ishizu smiled at the sleeping man and sighs in relief. Luckily the wound wasn't infected or anything. The pain was more psychological than purely physical...
She let him rest and gathered her things to prepare herself to go to another patient before nightfall...