She was a vision of beauty and elegance. Long, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, glinting in the firelight like spun gold—or perhaps deep autumn leaves.
She wore a flowing, earth-toned dress, which flowed down her generous curves, highlighting her ample bosom and wide hips.
Her sleeves were pushed up as made her way into the room. A basket on her arm. She moved with quiet grace and purpose, her mien gentle and peaceful.
Sensing his movement, she turned, her eyes—deep, knowing, and filled with quiet warmth—meeting his.
"You're awake," she said softly, a small smile curving her lips. Her voice was like the whisper of leaves in a gentle breeze, soothing and familiar, though he knew he had never met her before.
"You were in bad shape when I found you," she continued, approaching him. "I did what I could. You should rest."
Her gaze flickered to the bandages wrapped around his chest, his arms. It was then that he noticed—his wounds no longer burned as they had before.
There was a faint tingling where the herbs and salves had been applied, a strange but not unpleasant sensation.
He tried to speak, to thank her, but his throat was dry, and all that escaped was a hoarse whisper.
She chuckled, already reaching for a small clay cup from her basket. "Here," she murmured, pressing it into his hands. "Drink."
The liquid was warm, laced with honey and something floral, slipping down his throat like silk.
Almost instantly, the dryness faded, and a soothing warmth spread through his chest. He couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
The woman watched him with quiet amusement, and he found that couldn't help but warm up to her despite just meeting her.
He emptied the cup, licking his chapped lips to chase after the sweet aftertaste and she couldn't help but smile again. "There's more where that came from. But that's enough for now."
He couldn't help but feel a blush spread on his cheeks and as if to further embarrass him, his stomach announced its needs with a loud growl.
The woman broke out into full blown laughter, her laugh lilting and elegant. She herself seemed surprised by her laugher, as if unfamiliar with it.
She ignored that and reached into her basket, still chuckling and brought out a wooden bowl which she handed to Reign. Reign still had a red glow on his cheeks, but he still reached out and took it.
This time he managed to get his throat to work. "Thank you madam. You really saved me from a bad spot. I owe you my life."
The woman found a seat at the side, "it was no bother, I was out and about finding some ingredients where I found you by coincidence."
Her golden eyes inspected Reign with interest.
"Though I must say. I was really surprised that you managed to slay a darkshadow panther on your own. That must have required exquisite courage, bravery and strength."
Reign couldn't help but feel his heart soar at her words. It surprised Reign how much her words elevated his confidence. He nodded and scooped up the warm paste in the wooden cup.
It had a meaty flavor mixed with herbs and condiments. It went down smoothly and with just a bite he could feel his body regain its energy.
He looked at the woman in surprise, she had the same serene expression as she watched him eat. She gave him an encouraging tilt of the brows which wordlessly conveyed her intent.
Reign finished the broth and handed her the bowl. He then thanked her again, "thank you again Madam."
He then remembered he hadn't introduced himself,
"My name is Reign. I am a …"he wondered how he should describe himself.
He wasn't from this place so he didn't know how to describe what he was. A wanderer?
No, that didn't feel right
"I am an adventurer. Yes, I am an adventurer."
He didn't know if he could get back to earth, and even if he could he wasn't sure he wanted to. Who was he kidding? He didn't want to, he wanted to stay here.
Where there were dragons and princesses, where there was magic and sharp swords. Where he could feel his blood pump and go on adventures.
"Yes, I am an adventure," he said with conviction.
The woman looked at Reign with serene amusement and complex emotions as she watched his excited conviction. It was a bit of nostalgia and something more.
She then saw Reign look at her with an inquisitive expression and with a smile on her face she said. "my name is Ravena. I am a witch." The last sentence she said with a bit of wicked glee.
Reign looked at her blankly, "There are actually witches." He looked at Ravena strangely. But then again in a world with dragons and princesses and sharp swords, it wasn't actually strange that there would be witches. "
Meanwhile Ravenna was a bit surprised, she half expected to see the usual. Perhaps fear, suspicion, hate, perhaps a bit of panic.
These were the emotions common in this part of the region and she had become quite used to them. Instead she saw a strange sense of curiosity and excitement, now those were strange.
Reign's eyes were glowing as he said, "nice to meet you. Miss Ravena, you are positively an angel."
Ravena's smile widened, she felt that perhaps with Reign here, her days would not be too monotonous.
Meanwhile, back where Reign had fought the panther, a nimble man led a group of soldiers. The nimble man ahead slipped through the forest like a shadow.
He led a couple of dogs and occasionally inspected the ground. The man was a hunter who had been hired to track Reign through the forest.
For a hunter, Reign's faint tracks through the forests were practically signs telling him where to go. Together with the dogs he tracked Reign's tracks till the place where Reign had fought the panther.
When they neared the spot, the dogs that had been enthusiastically following the scent suddenly started to bark hesitantly. The uneasily paced around, reluctant to move forward.