A knock at the door announces the arrival of morning way too quickly and Genny half pushes up on one hand before she thinks about what she's doing. The movement hurts and she lowers back down to the bed. "Damnit...ouch."

Chago sleeps almost as hard as she does. Almost. He does wake a time or two and checks on her, usually after an aborted shift in his sleep wakes him, of course.

When she starts to sit up, he wakes much more quickly and his hand is on her to help her lay down again. "Told ya." he mutters, then he turns his head with a small grunt in reaction to his own pain and raises his voice. "Get in here, and it better be good!" Then he lays back in the bed himself, not looking like he's likely to be able to follow through on any 'or else' that his tone implied. "And there better be coffee too!" he adds as the door starts to move.

Genny closes her eyes, muttering a line of curses that would make a sailor blush, but that are still nothing on what Chago can manage in a rage. Her breathing catches sharply and she moves one hand to rest over her ribs, staying nice and still.

The door opens, followed by Shova carrying a large tray of breakfast type foods. He's alone, though one might suspect his friends aren't far. Prolly waiting to see if Shova gets his head chewed off before they come up. Or just suspecting the couple might not be up for visitors yet. Shova blinks as he looks at the pair. "You both look like hell." Yes...brain and mouth connected without any censorship involved. Oops. He looks sheepish and brings the tray over. "I brought food. Figured it was the least I could do."

Chago opens his eye again at the smell of the food and shifts his arm on Genny's side to brace her a little with her clear pain. "Good thinking." he mutters before smirking. "Can ya shut the damn door? She's naked, dammit." Like he's dressed. Or like she minds all that much, more than likely. Ahem. Without moving more than his arm, he reaches for the end table to drag to a more convenient spot and gestures for the food to be sat there. Then he starts picking things he can pick up easily ans neatly and starts offering them to Genny. That's right, the redcap is feeding the satyr instead of himself, likely to Shova's shock.

"Grab a chair. Are Larry and Curly waiting downstairs?" Chago asks then as he checks on how Genny is doing and leans in toward her to murmur "Don't move until you have to. I'll take care of ya." quietly enough he hopes Shova misses it.

Shova settles the food, his eyes widening, not at the nakedness...hello satyr...but at the injuries. What looked nasty yesterday looks down right terrible today, swollen, bruised and purple. He watches as Genny eats what Chago offers, studying the pair with surprise. "You weren't kidding about her being your lady. Damn...that's just..." He pauses and shakes his head. "Cool." He sits for a few seconds before popping back to his feet. ADHD boy. "Yeah, they're downstairs. They wanted to make sure that it was okay and all." He looks them over again. "I think...you guys need healing. She doesn't look good." And since when does a redcap ever really look good.

Chago can't help a snort at that shock at her really being his lady. "Shit kid, I I don't lie to people I ask to help me. What the hell do you think I am?" Then he grins toothily. "Don't answer. I know what you expect. Just remember, I ain't what you expect, a'ite?"

Then he gets to her condition. "No fecking shit. She's got some healing magics but we're both drained from Eric and his band of assholes. We need a bale somewhere, honestly. Especially her." Chago points out. "Get her patched up and I'll be fine. Her ribs are toast." He turns and kisses Genny's forehead while pressing a finger over her lips. "Don't argue. You get healed. If I get the bale, great. If not, screw it. You'll patch me up when you're better. Some feckhead shide that don't know me will make my life hell to get in. You got a better chance alone."

Shova peers over, finally coming closer and kneeling by the bed. "I don't know much about healing, but I know some about medicine. The ribs will have to be rebound before she can move, and that's not going to be pleasant. As for the rest..." He gives a grin, and he's cute when he does that. "Kiersten called in a favor. Your name is known out here and for what you did, well...we got you both a couple of days in the bale. You just can't stay too long, cause the Baron has a burr up his butt about the whole thing, but Kiersten is his niece so he can't really say no."

Chago nods to Shova and then waves his free hand. "Use anything you need. Hell, bust a chair if you need some kinda supports or something. I don't care." He twists very carefully to wrap his arms about Genny more fully. "Thanks for the bale too. I didn't mind waiting for her, but screw me with a chainsaw if I wanted to." Then his eye locks on Genny's. "If it'll help, I might be able to pull off a small compression effect to get you more room to work. Otherwise, I'll just help her handle it. You tell me what to do."

That's right. Chago, of all people, is allowing someone he hardly knows to direct him.

Genny looks between the pair of them with a wan smile before looking back to Chago and holding his gaze. There's trust there, even if she's going to scream sooner or later. "Two men layin' hands on me...lucky...girl.." It'd be funnier if the intake of air didn't make her wince.

Shova looks concerned then removes a roll of bandages from the tray, yep, he thought ahead. "No thanks needed. If you hadn't come when you did, I don't like to think about just how bad things woudl have gotten for Kiersty and I. I hated it there, and not being able to protect her." He pauses moving back to the bedside. "If we adjust your angle a little so I'll be able to reach behind her back we'll be fine. Other than that...umm...keep her from kicking my head in?"

Chago nods slightly and keep that eye on Genny's. "I'll do it." he promises. He moves one hand to stroke over her horn and to let his fingers linger on the ring wrapped around the base of that horn. The one that he wears the mate to. Then he smiles and lets Shova guide things as he does what he can to help, to the point of lifting Genny if necessary so she doesn't have to try and move on her own. The whole time he keeps that eye contact with her to keep her focused on him.

When it's finally done, he kisses Genny again, gently and looks back to Shova. "I don't give a damn if thanks are needed or not. Thank you. She... we needed that help." Yes, he's trying to drop some of the charade he's carried so long. At least where some people are concerned. "You did what you had to do back there. Hell, you did more than most that that mula Eric got his hands on could have. You kept him from knowing his ass was in my sights. That was a big help. Gave me the chance to get there."

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

When it's done there's sweat on Genny's skin, bandages wrapped around her torso, and deep nail marks up his arm. She returns the kiss before leaning her head back against Chago's shoulder, resting for the moment.

Shova watches, his expression wistful before he focuses on what Chago is saying. "I had to. He was using my magic to hold that bubble and was hurting my girl. I had to do whatever I could." He pauses then takes a deep breath. "And I talked with Kiersty and Josiah and when you're ready to set up camp...well...I think we want to be part of it. I know I do. Kiersty is a little torn, but I told her that I didn't think she had to totally give up her sidhe family in order to not be an immediate part of their court."

Chago strokes Genny's hair and horns lightly as she rests, but his attention finally shifts to Shova fully. He doesn't seem to notice the new scratches. Then again, with his injuries, he may -not- have noticed them. "I won't make her give 'em up. I know what family means. Long as she doesn't screw us because of them, she's gold. And I don't expect her to screw them for us either. I ain't like that." At least not anymore.

Then he takes a breath and tries to catch Shova's eyes. "Just realize, they'll probably make her choose. I'm a redcap. They won't like her with me. Genny says you and her are good together. I won't blame you for going where she goes if they make her choose. Me and Genny are like that. Nothing comes before her for me." As he speaks, his fingers shift, as if to stroke a ring on Genny's hand that's just not there.

Well, not that Shova can see anyway. Of course, a satyr likely knows what it means.

Shova's eyes follow the gestures, peering at Genny's hand before his gaze goes to Chago's. He may not be able to see their bond, but he gets it. "I'm hoping she doesn't have to choose, and I'm not so sure she'd choose them." He shrugs. "They're often shitheads. Let's be honest." He chews his lower lip, "I'd like to know how you two got together someday. I don't know her personally, but I recognize the horn bands. I've never met anyone that came out of the Horror. Everyone tells stories about it. And if she can come through that and folks like you can be together, then maybe when I'm not..." He can't say it. Physically can't...he tries, but the word won't come. "When I'm fixed then I can ask Kiersty..."

Chago grins a little. "I used to be one of Eric's family. She almost was. He fucked us both. We found out we had a lot in common. We helped each other deal with a lot of shit. All it all, it worked out." Short form, but hey, it works. "And you're a damn fool if you don't ask her. If I was you, I'd be letting her know you want it, even if you can't right now." His eye flicks to Genny and back. "It'll mean a lot." he adds in a tone that should say he knows how much it can mean.

Then he looks at Genny. "Think you can get up now? We should get dressed enough to get to the bale without getting thrown out that much faster." And, while he clearly noticed that Shova understands even more of her past than most, maybe even knows a few things Chago doesn’t, he doesn't pry. Not yet.

Shova nods slowly, rising to his feet. "I've talked to Kiersty about it. Told her we couldn't actually oath until... but we'll get there."

Genny, she who has been mostly quiet looks up with a soft mmm. "Yeah, I can manage." She shifts slowly easing herself up with his help. She sorts through the gear, finding lose easy to get into clothing for both of them and shrugging into her own. It's not the prettiest of her outfits, but getting into those takes a bit more twisting and turning than she's upto.

Once sure that Genny's up, Shova offers Chago a hand, realizing that the redcap might be able to use the help balancing until he's got the blood flowing and all.

Chago? Not help? As if. If he can move, he's going to help her when she needs it. The surprise comes when Shova comes to offer him a hand. Then Chago smiles a true grin. "Damn. Are you and her related?" he asks with a jerk of his thumb toward Genny. "I ain't used to a satyr with balls enough to offer his hand to a redcap he knows ain't had breakfast yet."

Before Shova can pull back in either worry or insult at the crack, Chago grips that hand tightly and pulls himself up with a growl when his injured leg moves at last. "Maybe should have had you check my leg while I was laying down if you know about patching shit like that up." he mutters. Then he shakes his head. "I'll be fine. Just need to get dressed and get her seen to."

Shova balances Chago easily. He's stronger than he looks, and he grins at the compliment...well...sorta compliment. "All satyrs are sorta related. I just figure if you have an oathed satyr you might not want to eat what might be her kin. Well...and I'm just a little crazy...but that's also typical."

Genny turns as Chago starts to brush off his injuries and growls at him. Yep, just out right growls. "Knock that off, beloved. Yer tough, damn tough, but we're both in hellish shape an' yer gonna get seen ta if I have ta knock ya on yer ass an' sit on ya." Brave words when she's only on her feet due to a lot of stubbornness. "Shova, if ya please tie that leg 'f his up so we can get on the road." Yep...love...tender at times, and in your face at other times.

At the 'little crazy' comment, Chago shoots Genny a look and smirks playfully. "Ain't that the truth." he says with a small shake from suppressed laughter. Then he reaches to grab the bed for balance, not to take away from Shova, but he's going to need his hands. "Just be careful of the hair. I ain't got as much on my ass as you, but it hurts more to pull the short and curly than that mat you goats wear." Yeah. Smart ass. That's Chago for you.

Genny arches both eyebrows at that, a rather naughty sparkle to her gaze. "Don't let him fool ya, he likes a little slap wi' his tickle."

Shova looks between the two and busts up laughing. "Good Gad, you two go together." He reaches for another bandage and pulls the old one off of Chago's leg before rebinding it good and tight. Yeah, it hurts, but he's at least quick about it.

"Yeah, but his boobs ain't good enough." Chago returns to Genny. "And I'm the one does the slapping, dammit." he adds before gritting his teeth at the rebandaging. "No shit." he hisses past that clenched jaw. "She's been good for me. I'd still be doing some stupid shit if she wasn't here."

Once the bandaging is done, he takes a long moment before pulling on the clothing she laid out for him and then checking that his glamour Gauntlets are stored for travel. Even as sated as they are now, they’re dangerous to friends as well as foes and he's feeling too beat up to fight. Time to be smart. "So... bale?"

Shova nods, moving to get the door. He's carrying their gear, leaving them to get each other down the stairs. "Yeah. We got a better cart, should be a fairly smooth ride. The Freehold ain't far away and it's a quiet day, no court or such so we should be able to get there an inside easily."

With no little struggle, the duo gets down the stairs and the rest of the trio meet them there and help everyone get out to the cart. Cart isn't a good word for the vehicle, which is much more of a proper carriage in grey with maroon accents being pulled by a single large horse. The boggan is still in a scowling mood, but Kiersten keeps up a light chatter through most of the trip. Nothing meaningful really, but lots of bits and pieces about the lands they're traveling through. She's much more relaxed, her fingers tangled with Shova's as they ride.

Chago is more than happy to give the boggan crap about his mood too. Go figure. But he quietens down as he listens to the sidhe's speaking about the area. Maybe it's not important to most, but to someone looking for a new home, even that rattling is useful and worth true attention.

It takes about four hours before they come to a stop on a hill looking down across a valley where a proper castle lies, butted up against an ancient hill. If this really were a faery tale the castle would be made of shimmering white stone, and perhaps it once was, but now its spires echo grey a shadow that one cannot see, but niggles at the back of the mind, swirling about like a spiderweb mist.

Once they reach the freehold there's no hesitation in getting them inside and to the bale, where welcoming heat of the magical fire reaches up to warm them, not only in body, but in spirit.