Role

Chapter 4

Barthomel saw a selfish look, but also caution, expectation, and hesitation.
It seemed to be worried about a reprisal, but also he could tell that it
didn't wish to fight. Uncertain of what to do next, he let his instinct guide
him and reached out gently, rubbing the side of the felines snout. Barthomel
watched the tension leave the beasts posture and he heard the faintest of
purrs find purchase in the felines throat.

Suddenly a snarl sounded from behind. The other creature. The rustling of
brush was his only warning before another shadowy form lunged at him from his
flank. Diving at the last minute, Barthomel could not believe his own eyes
when the feline that he had just "fed" lunged at it's companion. There was a
short tumble where both forms lashed out furiously at one another before one
of the creatures darted off into the shrubs. Unsure of which creature
remained, the young storm giant clenched one of his hands into a fist,
steeling his nerve for a possible attack.

Instead of an attack, the remaining creature sauntered over to him slowly,
sniffing. He could tell now that it was the same creature that had eaten his
mintcake. It seemed injured, limping on one of it's forepaws. When it came
close he saw that one of it's eyes had been deeply gashed and was bleeding
out some odd, wispy, shadowy substance. It came over and bumped it's forehead
into his hand, blinking closed it's remaining eye. Taking pity on the
creature, and owing it his good health, Barthomel reached deep within himself
as his mother had often described how she communed with the gods, he intoned
a prayer to heal the feline.

Placing his free hand over the maimed eye, surprise gripped him as he felt a
warm light channel forth from his hand, closing what passed for flesh around
the wounded eye. When he looked again at the beast, the eye had healed
closed. However, the yellow light that shined from the pupil of the remaining
eye had doubled in intensity. The creature nuzzled his chest in thanks, and
without another gesture it strolled off into the bush, leaving a confused
Barthomel to consider the exchange alone.