In the Lorr Desert

Doren POV

Although neither of them was badly injured, it was rough going. They moved rapidly but painfully, loping within the Paving runes, the mud sucking at their boots and the rocks forcing them to dodge and weave, their bruises and worn auras aching. They made it to the monkey quickly, slowing as they approached it. It was moving jerkily, its blue-black fur splattered with slick red mud and standing up in tufts, its small face terrified as it saw them approach. The little fellow was a blue ranger, the species called that due to their quick movements and skill in navigating their native forests. It was about the size of a cat, and clearly young. A leather collar around its neck was mostly obscured by the mud and dirt, but clearly marked it as someone’s pet or companion.  Doren waved a cautionary hand before Valla, silently asking her to stay back. She acquiesced quietly, raising her eyebrows but asking no questions.

“Hush, hush,” he whispered at the little creature, moving slowly and steadily towards it, a single hand outstretched. He reached out with his power, nudging the little being’s aura, trying to project a sense of calm and security. When he had been in training, he had worked with the horses and pack animals in the stables and practice yards for years. He had proven adept at the aura influencing of animal handlers, easily soothing frightened horses. Doren had been skilled enough that the Master had decided to remove him from the post. Aura-pushing, or influencing the auras of others to affect their mood, was usually limited to simple interactions with animals or general healings and sedations by nurses. But those with a strong affinity for the work could develop their skills enough to manipulate human emotions more specifically, and there were rumors that those who could read and manipulate the thoughts of others existed. Such masters were greatly feared. Doren had proved a little too skilled at the task, albeit only with animals, but was removed from the position. He had not objected, as he had no desire to develop skills like that, but he had missed the stables themselves. Working with animals had always calmed him.

The monkey chittered weakly at them as Doren approached, still pushing a sense of safety and sleepiness towards it. “It is alright, it’s going to be alright,” he whispered, voice gentle. “Come over here, little one, let us help.” Its head swayed back and forth briefly, then it seemed to make a decision, stumbling forward to Doren. Doren stayed still, letting it approach him, hand still outstretched. Once it reached his hand, it grabbed his index and pinky fingers, holding them tightly. He patted its head gently with its other hand. “Sleep for now, little one,” he soothed, and it swayed, leaning forward into his hands as it passed out.

“Impressive,” said Valla evenly. Doren tensed slightly. It would be a bit of a double standard for someone as unnerving as Valla to be disturbed by him aura-pushing, but he knew people did not look kindly on it as a practice. But she did not say anything to indicate she was repulsed or upset. Instead, she looked thoughtful.

“Can you heal the little one? I will move forward. I still don’t See any sign of anyone but I can try and find the wreckage and search it.” She did not say what they both knew, which was that there were almost certainly no survivors to be found if they hadn’t sensed them yet.

“I’m not sure separating is a good idea,” Doren said, frowning as he started to heal the monkey, who was mostly just tired and dehydrated from what he could tell. “This won’t take long, and we should both look.”

“It’s better we don’t take more time than we need to. I will be fast.” There was a determined glint in her eyes. Doren sighed.

“Alright. Don’t go out of my Sight. My limit is two Leagues,” he said grudgingly, unhappy with the plan and even more unhappy admitting the limits to his abilities. Valla had the nerve to chuckle before assenting with a nod, then dashing off, moving much faster than they had been together.