Chapter 3
Kindling the Fire

Ashivon woke to the feeling of a damp cloth being pressed to his face and a low voice singing in an unfamiliar language. The sensations were calming enough to lull him out of sleep peacefully. Ashivon's eyes twitch, and he groans, suddenly aware of how much his body hurt. He definitely couldn't move much right now, even if he wanted to.

The cloth pulls away, and the singing comes to a stop. Ashivon's vision is nothing but white at first, but then he lifts his head from the pillow he was laying stomach down on and is greeted with a familiar large figure. He glanced around the man and then to himself, noticing his entire chest was covered in bandages. Ashivon let out a harsh breath, moving to push himself up onto his elbows.

"I recommend you don't do that," the man offers, the slightest hint of displeasure in his voice. "It may reopen your wounds, and it took a long time to get them to stop bleeding."

Ashivon pauses and then continues in a slower motion. The man hums and gets up, taking a bowl full of bloodied water with him. Ashivon has to crane his neck to keep his eyes fixed on the man's head. Parts of his face were shrouded by the long white hair seeming to flow down his back, a little pooling at his shoulders. It made him look... elegant, truly. Like something straight out of a story, Ashivon would've been told as a child.

When he returned, Ashivon noticed that his skin resembled wood, although the details were tiny and faint. He couldn't possibly see the little lines from far away. Ashivon felt a little surprised. All the original forest dwellers were supposed to be extinct.

Ashivon was about to ask for the man's name, but just then, a small goblin scurried down the stairs, her loud steps amplified by the various bells wrapped around her. "Aaravos! I got-I got the herbs--hey, it's awake!"

She ran over to the window seat Ashivon was situated on, hoisting herself up with her arms and putting her face in Ashivon's.

"Hello! I'm Tienk!"

"Uh, Ashivon."

The goblin looked like she was about to say more, but the man, who Ashivon assumed was Aaravos, cut her off. "Come, Tienk. I will require your assistance. You can ask questions later." He motioned for her to follow and then promptly walked deeper into the house.

Tienk hung back, rocking on her feet, looking to Ashivon. "You're really lucky, you know. Aaravos doesn't even sing for me anymore." Then she ran after him.

Once they both disappeared completely, Ashivon deflated. His ears flicked, and his tail swayed. He was sure that if either of the two wanted him dead, he would have been so already. Ashivon looked over his shoulder. Sun poured in through the window behind him. Everything was warm and bright, but he was sure it was freezing the night before.

Ashivon then dragged his tired gaze across the room. It seemed to be an open cottage of sorts, the only secluded places deeper down the direction Aaravos and Tienk had gone. Everything was given a golden glow, making regular appliances appear even more homey and peaceful than they already were. Potted plants lined shelves on the walls, all growing in various directions and shapes. There were even plants lining the bottom of the window. A bird sang somewhere in the distance.

The warmth felt nice against his worn body. His eyes felt heavy. He didn't want to sleep, but it was so tempting. Against his better judgment, Ashvon's eyes fell closed.

Ashivon spent the next several days on Aaravos and Tienk's window seat. Aaravos had provided him with a new shirt, and while it was a little large, it was better than being shirtless during his time spent bedridden. Aaravos had insisted quite sternly that Ashivon needed to rest so as to not damage himself more, and Tienk was all too eager to show him everything she had to offer.

Currently, she was enthusiastically showing Ashivon all five new members of her seashell collection. She looked so happy, Ashivon couldn't help but smile. His ears were perked, and his tail swaying pleasantly. Her small stature made her enthusiastic movements even more endearing, and even Aaravos graced the occasion with the slightest smile.

However, Ashivon couldn't help but wonder, "Where did you get all of these? I thought sea shells were only found near the ocean."

Tienk shrugs. "I get them from the bank of the river. You haven't been there yet, but there are shells are all over the place!"

Ashivon was about to ask how, when Aaravos leaned over him to look at all of Tienk's new shells. "Did you not get them all? I could've sworn I saw a few more when I was by the river this morning."

"Oh, there were. I just don't like those kinds, they're not pretty like these!" Tienk aggressively picked up some of the shinier shells, waving them around wildly. Aaravos hums.

The next day, Tienk was excited to share that when she went down to the river with Aaravos, the bank was filled exclusively with the type of shells she wanted to collect. All the other kinds were gone, almost like they had disappeared. Aaravos had mentioned in a nearly teasing way that Tienk had grabbed so many she needed to ask for his help to carry it all.

Tienk huffed, but did nothing about it but scurry up the ladder leading to the attic.

"I've been meaning to ask," Ashivon starts, but Aavaros seems to already know the question.

"That is where Tienk chooses to spend her time, yes. I thought it only fair that she has a space of her own while I have so much to myself down here."

Ashivon glances over to the entrance of Tienk's room. "And the ladder?"

Aaravos sighs. "She refuses to let me put in stairs."

Ashivon hums. It was hard to tell what Aaravos was feeling most times. His tail remained stagnant most of the time, only giving the occasional flick. While Ashivon was thankful for the help he received, he couldn't help but feel... unsettled. He watches both members of the house intently. He has nothing to suspect them of, but Ashivon has never gotten something without someone demanding something else in return.

The next day, Aaravos approached Ashivon while Tienk was out.

"I want to know something," Aaravos started, pulling over a chair and sitting in it. "Why are you here?"

Ashivon's blood went cold. His ears fell back, and his tail wrapped around one of his legs. "What do you mean?"

"I'll rephrase, what exactly led to you being found at the border of my territory, covered in scars and injuries I know for a fact aren't natural?" Aaravos' eyes narrowed, and it wasn't the fact that he towered over Ashivon that made him feel small. "I suggest you refrain from lies and half-truths. I will know."

"I-" Ashivon gripped at his forearm, his claws drawing blood. "I was escaping. I-I was taken a long time ago, from my home. I was sold, and people have just been using and selling me for years, and--I saw an opportunity, and I took it. I was alone, they thought I was incapacitated so--I was left alone, so I just ran and I--"

"Did you sustain the lacerations on your back before or during your escape?" Aaravos cut in.

"Before."

"Why?"

"Punishment..." Ashivon hung his head.

Aavaros pulled back slightly, bringing his hands deeper into his lap. "Ashivon, why were you being punished?" He asked in a quiet voice.

"I couldn't... follow an order."

"What order was that?"

"To kill."

Aaravos straightens his posture and blinks slowly. His tail sways. "Thank you for making this easy for me," he offered solemnly. "I must inform you, you are greatly injured. I suspect you won't be well for... months. Whatever weapons used on you do a great deal of damage, and even enchantments and charms won't make the process go any faster. Your injuries will scar."

Ashivon nods. His body relaxes a little. The questions are over.

"I-" Aaravos starts, and then pauses, unsure of himself. "You are strong. I have no doubt that you will recover, and you have assured me of your character. I haven't seen a Ninnither in so long, but I know you are hardy creatures."

They sit in silence for what seems like an eternity. Aaravos' tail sways uncomfortably. "May I get you anything?"

Ashivon blinks slowly. "No, thank you."

Aaravos nods and stands. "I'll leave you to your own devices, then. I'm sure Tienk will be back in no time."

As if on cue said goblin burst through the door, panting heavily.

"Aaravos!" She screamed, startling them both. "There are people at the border! They have weapons, and I think they're getting though you spell!"

Ashivon's heart dropped.

"That's impossible," Aaravos growled, moving out the still-open door. "I've been the most powerful thing out here for decades."

Aaravos was gone all night, and Tienk's purring did little to calm Ashivon's panicked mind.