The emotions of this group were only somewhat discernable to me. I suspected that they had achieved a higher tier assimilation than that of the previous wolfen. However, their emotions were not completely obscured. Maybe due to their intensity, but the strongest threads of emotion I was able to feel were muted anger and frustration. The severity of such were a pale reflection of my own.
As the sounds of several animals congregating echoed around my still form, the white in my vision had begun pulling back, allowing me to see vague blurry shapes of upright figures among the creatures they were riding.
The ringing in my ears faded to a minor annoyance in the background, as the stomping of sturdy boots on hard ground sounded around me. Accompanying them was the rustling of riding gear and stretching of leather armor as the riders dismounted. I could discern the city colors of red and black among the blurred images, and relief filled me at the likelihood that this was the city patrol. Although, I could not yet see the individual details of who arrived, having worked with them on several different occasions I could attest to their general sense of good will and professional ethics.
“Dresden!” A familiar authoritative voice called out from among the assembled patrollers. “Get something to cover the girl!”
“Right away sir!” The immediate response came. Heavy footsteps walked past my form uncomfortably close and paused momentarily, but then proceeded to the blurred image of Lynette. A form that I assumed to be Dresden unfolded what appeared to be a large cloak and draped it over the still form of the girl. I still couldn’t see fine details for which I was grateful at this moment. Too much of the fuzzy image making up her body was the color of pale skin amid the lightly scattered white of her arrival garments.
I did not want to be among those who saw her unclothed and abused body to compound the horrors already visited upon her.
The one I assumed was called Dresden called out. “We also have the Apothecary’s apprentice over here!” I felt the joint mood shift into an overall sense of additional concern and anticipation. Many of the more distant patrollers gathered closer to my form in order to see what had happened. Another voice spoke up. “He seems a bit out of sorts. Anyone have a recovery potion?”
Hurried movements sounded out as multiple hands went into their pockets for emergency potions. A grim smile amidst the unfortunate situation formed on my lips as I considered their desire to share their lifeline. I could only guess at the benefits giving aid to me might engender from my master. They likely would not be small in favor and those gathered appeared to have thought of such as well.
My own gratitude also swelled forth as I was relieved at the arrival of rescuers. Although far later than I would like, I believe they still arrived at a time to prevent the wolfen soldiers from completing the worst of their intended nightmare of a deed. Along with immense gratitude for their intercession, it rankled deeply at me that I, despite my vastly improved strength and skill, was unable to save someone that I had appointed myself as a protector for.
A fragile young woman was the victim of my shortcomings, the cowardice and reprehensibility of her cousin, and the unbridled lusts of a pack of wolfen travelers. Impotent rage filled me at this result.
While condemning my own weakness, I felt a healing potion being pressed against my lips. I didn’t want to indebt myself and thus my master to those who aided me, but to reject their aid would prove unwise as I needed to be more lucid in dealing with the aftermath of this incident. Clarification regarding our desperate straits couldn’t wait for a trip to the Traveler’s pillar to recover through its once-a-day healing.
Comforting warmth spilled into my mouth as I drank the ruby liquid. It didn’t take long for the effects of the potion to spread throughout my body. The throbbing of my head dissipated, the ringing in my ears silenced, and the blurred vision cleared up. Additionally, my speech and motor skills recovered quickly.
“Thank you,” I said to the aiding patroller.
Pushing myself upright, I sought to better take in the results of the skirmish. Lynette was still sitting a mere few feet from me, gazing glassy eyed off into the distance with a warm oversized cloak draped over her still form. She appeared unaware of the activity going on around her. About two body lengths from me I saw the prone form of the scraggly wolfen who I had taken out at the beginning. A vicious smile touched my lips and my eyes narrowed as a faint sense of vindication wove its way through me. Knowing that my actions had some positive impact and that he was still out for the count eased a small portion of the guilt.
Seeing that thing were relatively stable and safe, I returned my attention to the quiet girl.
“Lynette. . .” I called out gently. Raising my voice a little, I again spoke her name. “Lynette.” Hesitantly, I reached out a hand to place it on her shoulder. She didn’t even flinch, only occasionally blinking her unfocused eyes.
*Harumph!* One of the nearby patrollers cleared their throat. Withdrawing my hand, I turned to face whoever made the noise. It was a woman patroller who had stepped closer and reached out a restraining hand. “I would advise against any undue physical contact until we had a chance to evaluate the situation more. Additionally, we will need to get your report on the situation.”
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There was no accusation in her eyes or tone of voice, but I could feel her emotions like a tightened spring, ready to release explosively at the slightest justifying trigger. A sad smile crossed my lips as I voicelessly acknowledged her concerns. This was most certainly not a situation that I was equipped to handle. My personal medical knowledge was primarily based on nursing home care and medicines.
I’m sure that she among others within the patrol, had seen far more and worse than the current surroundings on numerous occasions. From my personal experience with the politics within the city, it appeared that too many chaotic factors and elements impossibly hindered the implementation of ethical justice, to a degree which would satisfy my personal standards and integrity.
Too many of the down trodden accepted it as a way of life and something which could not be resisted, only moved on from. There were many individuals and groups with personal and or political strength, who considered it their right to prey upon and engage in life shattering behaviors with those they considered as their lessors. They considered themselves above or outside of the law of human decency. Too frequently, it took someone of equal or greater power to subdue such individuals. And even then, when the offender is made to pay for the crime which they committed, they rant against the unfairness of the system, claiming that those who serviced their urges should be honored for obtaining their attention.
It for instances such as that, where I wish I could visit upon those offenders the same ill deeds they committed against others. I’m not sure I could work in law enforcement as it currently is. It would likely be too much for me, day by day, being forced to witness such atrocities and being required to follow the flawed code of the system while enacting another person or group’s sense of flawed justice. I know my own sense of justice is imperfect, but I’m also sure many offenders succeed in evading the full weight of their crimes due to these flaws. Still, I suppose in most cases, it is better to see some measures taken to make life better than not at all.
An example would be that I desperately hoped my urgent offline report reached the eyes and ears of someone who could and did take immediate action, to both save and punish the relevant parties. I hate that I had to rely on the uncertainty of due process and other factors within the system in order to enact justice.
A part of me wonders though, how might I react in an instance when the system, one which is intended to protect the populous and individual, becomes the very force which rapes your terribly, be it in the form of your chastity, integrity, standards, morals, or personal protections.
I truly admired those like the patrollers who sought to right the wrongs made. But they were fighting against a monster whose creeping tendrils all too easily corrupted those in power. Emphasizing the excitement of the taboo act while laying waste to the innocent victims, this creature cared not for the mayhem it left in its wake. Too often, silence, passivity, and fear follow as it spreads relatively unchallenged. Those that could and should stand up to it remain impotent observers.
At that moment however, a tendril of energy wound through me leaving a trace of warmth in its wake. Its presence stimulated a new thought that maybe, someday with my new talent in sensing the emotions of others, I might become someone strong enough and capable of aiding others like Lynette with facing and overcoming their traumas and difficulties in life, as well as facing off against this hidden monster.
Reality and logic came down forcefully as I knew that for now, it was wise to leave the details to those more experienced with such. However, I would continue to keep watch and strive to not be like the many other sheep who let terror rampage through their neighborhood, only praying that it never happens to them. The energy within me stirred at this self-made promise, a testament to my conviction.
.
.
.
Ironically it was Steven who interviewed me regarding the incident. He acted as distant and professional as I recalled during our few stints together during patrol. No hint of his prior personality had emerged since I had seen him with the Paladin. And as he performed his duties, his words were precise and to the point with handbook detail and execution.
Out of the corner of my vision, I watched as the female patroller who had warned me against further contact with Lynette was crouched down beside her. Soothing tones and slow movements were predominant as she coaxed the girl to drink from a flask, and stand up in order to be led to one of the calmer looking mounts.
Lynette did not respond to any stimulus or show any recognition regarding what was going on around her except to follow simple commands and cues. She reminded me too much of some of the dementia residents who were still mobile but non-responsive on my work unit. *Shiver* Uncomfortable chills coursed through me as I sympathized for her plight.
After getting her positioned carefully, the female patroller joined behind her on the mount. The creature of burden appearing like a massive pig mixed with a donkey, looked like it could easily handle the extra weight. Securing herself, the patroller then wrapped her arms carefully and protectively around Lynette as they headed towards the city gates.
After they departed, to the side, I saw another patroller lightly tap at the still form of the wolfen whom I had knocked the air out of. There was no response. Kneeling down beside the still figure, they pressed two fingers against his neck where the carotid artery would be in a human.
*Grunt* pushing himself to his feet, the patroller announced to the others in his group, “He’s dead.” Giving me an additional appraising glance, he then motioned to another patroller in the group. Together, they muscled the body to lay across one of their mounts and began walking back to the city wall from whence they came.
I had a feeling that if the dead wolfen wasn’t a traveler who could resurrect eventually and I wasn’t Victoria’s apprentice, that I would have been interrogated in a far less desirable manner. I had to tighten my expression as a dark chuckle almost escaped. The irony was not lost on me how even my station allotted me some allowances amid the flawed system.
Soon, after giving my full testimony as well as my detailed description of the three other wolfen and confirmation of the recent arrival Joel, I was released from their custody and even escorted back to the city. For much of the walk back, I kept glancing back in the direction of the clearing in which it all happened. I was honestly hoping for a glimpse of the perpetrators who had escaped without consequence. My body shook in seething anger at the thought that they may very well escape with little to no punishment for their actions.
Although it was beneficial to have the body of the single wolfen to register and confirm the identity of if he were to return. It would be even better if they could get his own testimony against his companions. He almost assuredly would have joined in with assaulting Lynette had he been able. The mere fact that it was only my actions which prevented such made me wonder if he among the others was a repeat offender with similar other victims. Unfortunately, it was not within my power or ability to know such, much less mete out a suitable punishment.
The trip back to Victoria’s shop left me some time to think. The winds had begun picking up and I had to occasionally shield my eyes as stray dust from the nearby fields struck me on the path. My mind was elsewhere however as I worried greatly for Lynette’s safety and what may happen to her in the aftermath of her cousin’s deep betrayal. Recalling the emotions which oozed off of him as I was incapacitated and whilst she was in the midst of being desecrated by those wolfen, it wasn’t regret or remorse that someone with even a slightly bad character might feel. Even disgust or disdain would have been preferable to what came from him. Instead, it was glee. . . unbridled viscous glee, and if I wasn’t mistaken, more than a hint of lust. If this was a newly developed perversion on his side of their unhealthy familial relationship, then it boded great ill regarding her safety in the near future.
I had been mistaken at times in the past with emotional promptings or personal judgements, usually regarding innocuous things which had little true impact on important matters. Yet here and now, I was experiencing the strongest of feelings that something drastic needed to be done in order to save this young woman.