After the encounter with old Gray, Ves wandered lost. The whole time looking over her shoulder or up at the sky, fearing she would catch a glimpse of the wolf, or worse, a dragon. Eventually, she found her way back to the water. Or at least some water, whether this was a new stream or the same one she followed before, she had no idea.

Lacking any better ideas, she continued to explore along the shore for several days. At best, she guessed she was heading vaguely south. Amazingly, her stab wound from the encounter with the scout had already healed. Leaving behind nary a scar. Unfortunately, it also left her starving. She caught a small fish or lesser drake here and there, but it just wasn’t enough.

It didn’t help that they were both hard to catch. With the drakes, she had to chase them to their burrows and then spend hours digging them out. More than a few afternoons had been wasted digging up burrows only to find the drake had escaped through another hole. The creatures themselves were hardly larger than a rabbit, more of a large lizard than something related to dragons. Then again, she supposed people could say the same for monkeys and humans. Regardless, they were almost too much effort for not enough reward. Gangly and scaly, there was just not that much meat.

Still, they couldn’t wander forever. Having a place to call home would do wonders for Ves’s mood. Even a crude shelter. Something would be better than nothing. They would need one for winter anyway, even if it were months away. The question was where. Ves knew that staying near the stream for fresh water and as a landmark was a must. At least if she wanted any hope of finding the place again anytime she left. The issue was that there was naught but endless trees that all looked the same. That was until one afternoon, after turning a bend, she found the water running alongside a stone cliff through a clearing in the forest. Along the cliffs, to her surprise, she could see a multitude of alcoves seemingly carved into the stone. Neither Ves nor Nell knew the first thing about building a shelter, but a cave? It could work.

As she walked closer, Ves scrutinized them. “These don’t look natural.” The alcoves were too perfect, too uniform.

‘Think someone lives here?’

“Doubt it, this place is long overgrown, doesn’t look like anyone has been here in years, if not longer. Besides, I heard no one lives out here aside from beasts and monsters. Maybe this is the remains of a failed attempt from the past.”

Oddly, the entrances were rather high up. If there was once a practical means to get up, they were long gone. However, that worked in their favor. It didn’t look like that hard of a climb up for anyone with hands, but it would be difficult for most predators.

The question was, how could she get herself up? If only her new hand were ready. Though a gut feeling told her it was close. While trying to find a way, she noticed something unexpected, blood, fresh blood. It left a trail leading up into an alcove.

‘Ves look’, Ves somehow just knew what Nell wanted her to look, low and behold, there was something Ves missed at first glance. Along the blood trail were handprints. Leaving the question no longer a what but a who.

‘What should we do? What if it’s another one of the Senator’s men?’ Nell had a point, as it seemed unlikely anyone else would be out here. Still, they were injured. What if it wasn’t a foe, but rather just a lost soul like herself? Could she really live with herself if she didn't at least try to help? Based on the blood, it was unlikely whoever it was, was in any condition to be a threat if they were even still alive.

In a low whisper, “I’ll be careful,” as Ves started to climb awkwardly. Thankfully, this spot was relatively easy to scale, even with one hand. Likely the only reason someone injured could make it up in the first place. As she got closer to the entrance, she could smell the blood. Whoever it was had to be already dead or at least soon to be. As she reached the opening and glanced over the ledge, she soon saw she was right.

At the back of the shallow alcove was a dragonewt. The dark, scaled hands and tail were a dead giveaway. His face was still that of a normal human, with tan skin and short black hair. The man’s clothing around his abdomen glistened, soaked from a poorly bandaged wound. His face was as pale as a sheet. Still, his reptilian eyes shone defiantly bright gold as he glared at Ves. Unfortunately for her, he had a bow trained on her.

“Do you need help?” Ves asked. She wasn’t too wary. The man looked too hardly have enough strength to keep holding the bow, let alone draw it properly. Still, at this close of a range, even a half-drawn arrow would hurt.

“Who are you?” the man weakly asked.

‘Be careful.’

“Someone willing to help, or who at least wants to avoid getting shot.”

“A friendly passerby out here? You really expect me to believe that?” he hissed in response. Ves wasn’t sure how much that was his annoyance or just the obvious pain he was in.

“I’m lost, only stumbled upon this place looking for shelter by coincidence. When I saw the trail of blood, I was worried someone might need help.”

The man continued to stare.

“So, need help?”

“How can I trust you?”

“Look, even I can tell you’re not long for this world. What could I possibly do to make things worse?”

“Fine,” the man sighed as his strength gave out and the bow fell harmlessly to the side. As Ves pulled herself up the rest of the way into the alcove, the man’s eyes went wide.

“Sorry if my arm-”

“Why are you naked!”

This time, Ves went flush and started to cover her breasts before realizing how stupid a concern that was in the current situation. Still, she couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed, “I’m not completely naked…” she muttered.

Ves looked back at the man and saw his head turned to the side, eyes shut, looking deeply uncomfortable. She could only assume he would be blushing had he enough blood left to do so. 

“Is this really the time for this?”

Slowly, the man opened his eyes and looked back, “No, you're right, sorry, I knew the north was a bit more free spirited.” If he was from the south, that explained it; she had heard they were prudes.

“I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but I’m not dressed like this by choice. I’ve been lost out here for over a week. My clothing got ruined in the process.”

“My apologies, I shouldn’t be so quick to judge. I’m sure you… have… your own… circumstances…” The man’s voice trailed off as his eyes went wide again. This time, finally noticing Ves’s arm.

“Really? Now you notice?”

“Are you ok?” It was Ves’s turn to be taken aback. She expected him to be revolted or crawl away in horror at the sight of her arm. Concern would have been her last guess. Looking over her own tattered and dirty appearance, let alone her arm, she could see why he asked. Still, all she could do was smirk, “Compared to someone who looks to have nearly both feet in the grave? I think I’m fine.”

“Point taken.”

“Now, how can I help?” Ves asked with a serious look. She wanted to help, but she honestly wasn't sure what she could do. The man looked rugged and equipped enough to be an experienced hunter. With luck, he could walk her through it.

“Any experience with a needle and thread?” he asked as he shakily pulled out some supplies from his pack.

“I’ve have experience sewing, patching up old clothes, that sort of thing.”

“Good enough, first I’ll need you to go down to the stream and fill my water skin. After that, I can walk you through it.” Doing as she was told, Ves went to fill the water. She had debated seeing if she could just jump down with her improved body, but decided against risking it. She was much stronger, but it was still a drop several times her height, and the last thing she needed was a broken ankle. 

In short order, she returned as the man began to guide her through the steps. First, taking some of the water and dried herbs, he had her make a poultice. Followed by carefully helping him remove his shirt and clean the wound. It didn't look good. She was honestly not sure how he was still alive, let alone how he had managed to climb up here. It also didn’t look to be a wound from an animal. Still, Ves set aside her suspicions. The man had to be alive if he was going to answer any questions. Lastly, the most difficult part, closing the wound.

“How are we going to do this? I only have one hand.”

The man looked at Ves's right arm in concern for a moment before taking a deep breath, seemingly to steel himself. “Okay, I’ll hold the wound shut while you stitch it up. After that, I can tie it.”

“Will that really work?”

“Enough to let me see another day, I hope. First off, can you remove my belt?”

“What for?”

“To bite down on, I know this will hurt like the void.” The man hissed in pain as Ves clumsily removed the belt and handed it to him.

“Ready?” she asked him.

“Yes, but please be quick”, the man then placed his belt into his mouth and bit down before reaching to his side and grasping the gash shut. As soon as he did, Ves could hear him suck in air as his eyes bulged. No time to waste, Ves began to awkwardly stitch the wound together one-handed. By the time she was done and the man helped to tie off the thread, Ves could see he had almost bitten clean through his own belt.

“By the gods, I never want to go through that again”, the man wheezed as he removed the belt from his mouth. Now, the last step, apply the salve I had you make. Don’t be surprised if I pass out afterwards.” Ves did as she was asked and began to apply the paste. She could feel on her hand that it had a soothing effect and could only hope it would help.

“I hate to say this after all the help you have given me, but I already lost a lot of blood. Still not sure I will make it through the night.” Ves looked up at the man in horror.

“What? Even after all this? We already sealed the wound!?”

“Afraid so, pretty sure most people would be dead by now, but I’m thankfully a body cultivator. A low rank one granted, but I’m placing my hope that it will be enough to get me through.”

Ves didn’t know what to say. How could she comfort this person when they obviously knew far more than she? As if he noticed her worry, he spoke up, “Don’t worry yourself, without you, I would be dead by morning. Now I at least have a chance.” The man smiled before he coughed a bit, wincing at the pain.

“Please just rest,” Ves pleaded with him.

“I will after one final thing, if I don’t make it, you're free to anything on my person. All I ask is you bury me, and if you happen to ever run into any dragonewts with similar scales to mine, please give them my necklace.”

“I promise, though in that case, can you at least tell me your name?”

“Yujiro, Yujiro of clan Meadowscale”

“Good to meet you, Yujiro. I’m Ves.”

“You too, Goddess willing, I’ll see you in the morn.”