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[dadication]

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[gr1m]

All the more reason that Gabriel had wanted to put as much distance between there and them as quickly as possible. No chance of any of those creatures catching up to them.

He let out a breath and nodded, fingers brushing the garter snake still around his neck as it moved from there and along Jack's arm to curl up on him instead. "No life is what I was hoping for," no life other than them at least. Meant they could take shelter her for the time being, until it was time to move on again.

Gabriel slithered deeper in to the cave, taking it slower as the snakes of his hair moved down closer to his head. "Haven't gotten the chance to see the number they did on me yet." Had his head covered as quickly as they could manage it after all.

[dadication]

Jack paused as the garter snake moved over to him, and he opened his cloak so that it could snuggle in closer to his body. He knew it would likely leave tonight to hunt some small creature, but for now, he was glad to have it. "I'll put wards up once you're settled and we will be safe here tonight until we can reassess your condition tomorrow."

He moved ahead of Gabriel so he could pull the blanket off of his pack and spread it out in one of the larger spots in the cave. It would allow Gabriel to curl up or spread out, but more importantly, it was hopefully big enough that he could start a fire to keep the warmth up here.

"From the impression I get, you could use with some stitches and bandaging." But that would have to wait for now. "You're safe now. When I heard word that a gorgon had been captured, I set out as quickly as I could."

[gr1m]

"Alright." He would trust Jack to ensure their safety for the night, the travel had taken what little had been in him out. Would be practically useless without rest and, well, anything with how he'd been treated once captured.

Once that blanket was spread out Gabriel let himself lay down, partially coiled but mostly spread out. A hiss of pain escaped him, really feeling the various wounds and bruises given the chance to finally let all of that adrenaline drain out of him. "On the chances it could have been me?" That was-

"What exactly was said? I don't remember much of what happened other than I was trying to shed in peace and then, well." A group had been upon him and it had all felt like it happened quickly.

[dadication]

He waited for Gabriel to lay down, dropping his bag down so he could free himself up for what needed to be done tonight. He didn't need sight to know of Gabriel's wounds, able to sense them like magic bleeding from flesh in places. He would use that as a guide for attempting to heal, but for now, he had to wait on that.

"Gorgons are rare, and you're the first I've seen. If it was you, I... couldn't leave you to that fate." He had heard of what happened to some of the creatures in the Western King's terrorizing reign, and that was not a fate that he would leave anyone he was familiar with to suffer under.

He seated himself next to Gabriel's tail, pulling out his water skin and a cloth, dampening it so he could wash the gorgon's wounds. "Word came back to the Guild a gorgon had been captured and you were being shipped. You took out fifteen men and women on that hunting party. It was only the poison that knocked you down apparently. Guild wants the prestige of its members taking a gorgon." He shrugged his shoulders as he wiped. "I think I bring them more prestige letting you go to live your life."

[gr1m]

Let himself relax, part out of exhaustion and part out of what trust he still held for this hunter. Even more so for the fact that Jack actually came looking to see if it was him in order to get him out. That was a high risk for his person and perhaps more, considering how humans could and would treat their own.

Gabriel pillowed his head against folded arms, his own eyes closed even as those snakes of his hair settled against his back, watching Jack in their own. "I can still feel it, haven't been under any condition to let it flush from my body." The downside to still being in this form was that he needed better heat for his system, but he lacked the energy to change to something much more warm blooded. "They were like a hydra; the more that went down, the more that came," like ants.

Did hiss at certain deeper wounds, but he didn't move so that Jack could clean them better. "Bounty will probably go up when word of the caravan never making it gets out." His nose wrinkled, briefly. "Still, would rather freedom than what would have become of me."

[dadication]

He noticed that Gabriel was relaxing, which was a good sign and a bad one. Exhaustion was one thing, but he appreciated the trust. He had a lot to do tonight, but this simple gesture was a way to repay a kindness that he had received after that fight with the chimera when they had met for the second time. The wounds had to be cleaned or they would definitely fester. He knew they couldn't stay here a long time.

"I'll get a fire going once I clean you up a bit," he murmured softly, hands working on the injuries. For now, they would receive bandages. He had brought extra supplies of those at least, which was going to come in handy given the bulk he had to deal with. There was an awful lot of Gabriel in this form. "They sent teams from multiple Guilds. I don't know how many just yet, but the Western King is paying a fortune to acquire creatures to use in his war."

Once the biggest wounds were cleaned and wrapped, he grunted softly. "Maybe. There are plenty of creatures there and any one of them could have caused the start of the escape." He rose from his place, reaching out to touch Gabriel's shoulder lightly. "I wouldn't have left you there no matter what. I won't let you go back either." A promise.

That was all the assurance he could offer. "I'm going to gather some wood for a fire. Are you hungry? I can try to catch some game."

[gr1m]

"Think a few of them were turned to stone around that hot spring." He didn't know if he could ever go there again, there were others at least, but that wasn't the point of things. "I heard the rumors of that in the last town I let myself visit for a few supplies, tried to go as off the map as possible." Apparently hadn't been good enough.

There would be blame on any one of the creatures, and there'd be no sign of any human interference left; likely hadn't been any the moment any of the more predatory creatures were freed. "Quite a thing to have a gorgon's freedom owed to you," it was said lightly, because it was clear he doubted Jack did it for that reason. "I doubt any hunter or guild could have that attached to them, even quietly." He was grateful.

An eye cracked open at the mention of hunger- "If it wouldn't trouble you."

[dadication]

"Probably. I didn't go and check where you were captured," he admitted. His priority had bene to cover as much ground as possible as quickly as he could. The caravan had had quite the head start on him after all. "You don't owe me anything. You could have left me to fester in the woods and didn't. I'm just repaying a favour you did for me."

He also couldn't exactly get over the notion of what would happen to the gorgon. Gabriel was a rare creature he had made a connection with, brief though it might have been. Random impulse had him acting out on his own more than usual, but that was fine. He had already finished the job he had taken, and that meant he could disappear for awhile. It wouldn't be the first time.

"Let me see what I can do." With that, he headed back out into the wilderness. He cast wards around the cave entrance so animals and people would be deterred from going. First he gathered wood to set at the entrance to take in later then he scouted and set snares for catching food. He hauled water up, let his garter snake go to hunt and managed to come back with a rabbit. Not much, but it would hold Gabriel over.

Back inside he went, rabbit in one hand, some wood under his arm in the other. "It's safe out there. Water is close by and here," he said, offering the rabbit. "I'll get a fire going." And he set himself to that, thinking that heat would make all of this better.

[gr1m]

"I'm likely to not return there myself, went because it was that time of year where my snakeskin needed to be shed." Hot springs made it all an easier and less itchy affair, the heat and water allowing for the ease of peeling it off his own tail and that of those amongst his hair as well. "More than repaid if you ask me," saving from possible death was nothing to sneeze at, but what he'd been in for was a fate worse than death.

Remained still and silent while Jack was gone, Gabriel even dared a bit of a light doze as he coiled himself just a bit more. Of course the snakes watched even as his eyes remained closed, trying to regain a bit of energy.

Did perk up when the hunter returned, shifting himself to just up amongst his coils as he took that rabbit. Decent size- "At least you do not have to watch me eat something like this." Because at this point? That rabbit would be eaten whole, his jaw could certainly unhinge and those teeth were sharp- but he was going to declaw it first, and take care of the larger teeth. "Do you have food for yourself?"

[dadication]

He didn't mind that Gabriel was going to just eat that rabbit whole, figuring that was what would happen. From what he could tell, no one in the caravan had wanted to risk feeding the creatures until the spells to bind their wills were in place, which meant starvation and thirst for most of them. Injuries would heal slower without food, so he wasn't at all disgusted that Gabriel was going to eat quickly and without much fanfare.

No, he busied himself making a fire, doing it the old fashioned way even if he could use magic. He already knew that his magic would be necessary for other matters that were far more pressing. Soon enough, he had an infantile fire coming to life that he was feeding. "I'm blind, remember? I don't technically watch you do anything." A lie. His magical sight allowed him outlines and insights.

"I have rations in my pack," he murmured simply. "I can give you some if that rabbit doesn't satisfy." He was willing to share as Gabriel had once shared a meal with him. More fuel to the fire, building it up. "I think we can risk staying here a week. Are you alright with that?"

[gr1m]

That was a raspberry blown at Jack- "I know you have another means to see, you gave it away yourself while recovering in my home in that one mine if you'd recall." Could shove that technicality, apparently. The gorgon had a very good memory.

Soon enough that rabbit was being eaten whole, jaw unhinged and his mouth splitting far wider than it could appearing to in order to take it down no problem. Did lay amongst his coils again once it was down far enough so that it could be digested better, letting out a small breath. e'd know if it was going to be enough soon at least.

"... Yeah, should be alright so long as we don't have to worry about anything stumbling across us." Last thing he wanted was for the hunter to be caught out with him, whatever trouble tat could bring to Jack.

[dadication]

"I've been hit in the head a lot, so my memory isn't so good," he replied dryly as he built the fire up so it was actually starting to chase away some of the chill in the rocks. It also cast shadows across the walls, allowing him to get a better gauge of Gabriel's size. He was impressive like that.

Rabbit eaten, fire built, and Jack was settling down with his big pack, pulling out some supplies where he could eat some nuts and dried berries. That would tide him over until morning and he could check the snares for hopefully a bigger meal. He was also going to need to sleep once he had finished with his magic, and it was clear Gabe too would need rest.

"The wards I have up will deter anything living from coming up here. They will feel like they need to be elsewhere," he remarked as he moved back over to the gorgon and lay a hand on one of the deepest injuries. Words like when he had healed Gabriel's thumb fell from his lips, and he went to work expending energy to heal the gorgon so he could at least be more comfortable and on a faster track of healing.

[gr1m]

"You remembered me well enough."

Certainly was a lot of him like this, and it was no wonder he took out so many hunters when they came upon and for him. Also told that the gorgon could easily make himself a danger if he actually wanted to, but he didn't. Something of a peaceful life was all he wanted, but it would never stop him from defending himself or picking up the odd job for coin whenever necessary.

Gabriel hummed a little, "Good... good." He could rest a little easier knowing that, or so he hoped. The forced rest in that cage was not something restful, had worn on and exhausted him to the point actual sleep was needed. The snakes watched more than he did, more concentrated on keeping still as he was healed and knowing that this did exhaust Jack himself.

It was only one the hunter was done with healing what he aimed to did Gabriel speak up again. "If you need a moment, you can rest against me- I'm in the warmest spot, at the very least." With the fire and all.

[dadication]

"You leave quite the impression with your warnings."

Jack could appreciate the beauty of this form, especially as his fingers traced over scales to check for wounds that needed healing more than others. He could touch and get a sense of things, but he was a tactile person by nature anyway thanks to his lack of real sight. So as he healed, his fingers caressed scales as he moved along that large snake tail.

His breathing began to deepen as he gave up energy to help the gorgon, pushing his own limits in the process. Healing was a magic he knew, but it wasn't one he was best at. In this case, it would be enough to knit together the deepest wounds, leaving the skin and scales to come back on their own.

He shuddered as he stopped, wavering before shaking it off and gathering himself together. Being bone tired wouldn't help either of them right now. "It's alright. I've done this kind of thing before, and I've worked through it." He moved to the fire, feeding it gradually larger sticks before digging in his pack for a leather bag that had something very special in it: lumps of sugar.

He popped one lump in his mouth, needing the quick energy. Then he offered on to Gabriel. "Here, a treat."

[gr1m]

There was a slight huff, but the sound of it was far more amused than annoyed at the very least. Quite the impression indeed.

At least with the mix of any food at all and the bit of healing done, the heat from the fire all meant that what was left of the poison could work the rest of the way out of his system. Could heal, would heal, even if he likely felt only half a exhausted -in his mind at least- than the hunter felt after pushing himself visibly like that. "Should still take it easy," injured or not he still worried about Jack.

He did watch curiously after a moment, moving a little closer as he eyed the offering before letting his tongue flick out briefly- then he was taking that lump to settle on that tongue in his mouth. "It's sweet."

[dadication]

With the healing done, the fire stoked for now and the gorgon seemingly settled for the time being, Jack allowed himself to sit down as he leafed through his lumps of sugar. The corner of his lips twitched when Gabriel investigated and then took one. That was a quick way to get energy - and foul tasting medicine - into young and old alike.

He shifted so he could lean a little on the gorgon, taking out two more lumps of sugar before putting the rest away. He offered one to Gabriel and kept one for himself. "Sugar. This stuff will lump up when exposed to humidity, so it's easier to carry around."

It was... companionable like this, reminding him of that brief conversation they had had leaning against the cart weeks ago. "It's a quick boost of energy, though you should probably try to sleep. I don't have a spell to neutralize the poison in you." Though he was probably going to be looking into it now.

[gr1m]

Part of his coils shifted just to press a little more in against Jack to better prop him as he leaned. Already warming thanks to that fire, taking that second lump to pop in to his mouth and let it melt. "It's good." Sweet like fruits were in a way, and he had noticed bits of it for sale in the few places he stopped but never really purchased any for himself.

That might have to change in some future.

Gabriel settled in amongst coils again, head pillowed against his arms and the snakes of his hair settling. Eyes half closed as he watched the fire. "It will burn out with some rest and warmth, anything I had to held is still stashed away where I'd been taking shelter." Hopefully it was all still there, at least.

[dadication]

He shifted his body a bit to lean lightly against Gabriel's coils that were pressed into him. They were warmer currently than the cave, and he mildly regretted that he hadn't brought more blankets, but he had had to pack light and bring more medical and food supplies as he was uncertain Gabriel's condition. Perhaps he would head to a town to pick up supplies for their needs.

"It is," he agreed, sucking on his lump of sugar. Normally it would go into tea, but his mama had used it to bribe them with, keep the kids in line and helping. She was more carrot than stick sort. "We'll need another blanket at least, especially if we're going to stay here. I don't want you sleeping without one."

His version of suggesting he go to town anyway.

He nodded his head when it came to the poison, and as long as Gabriel was certain he would heal from it, that's what mattered to him. "I can take you back to where your supplies are and let you make your way beyond that if you want." He was kind of committed to keeping the gorgon safe now.

[gr1m]

"I'll be fine for one night." The tip of his tail brushed against one of the hunter's legs in a slight flicking curl of it, head turned on his arm to better look at Jack rather than just the fire. "That can be a trip for tomorrow at the very least, and you can see if word has spread quickly or not while you're at it."

A trip to town was the only way to get a blanket after all, and Gabriel wasn't sure if he cared enough about the cold. Let alone if he wanted to let the hunter risk going out after expending as much energy as he had, eating sugar or not.

His eyes were drifting closed slowly. "We'll get there when we get there."

[dadication]

"I'll keep the fire going tonight," he murmured softly. He knew that heat would help with healing but also it would probably just plain make Gabriel feel better. The gorgon along with all the other creatures that had been captured had not been treated kindly, and they would all need some warmth and food to recover themselves. "Alright, I will head out tomorrow if you're feeling well enough to be on your own."

And right now, they could share body heat together if it was necessary. He wouldn't mind that, wasn't going to put up a fuss when it came to comfort and survival. It was why he leaned a little more against Gabriel's thick coils of a body, letting himself relax a little. It wouldn't be safe for him to make a journey tonight, and they could make it through he knew.

"We will. Get some sleep. I'll keep watch." And he would, feeding the fire, and leaving only long enough to get more wood, stacking more and more up in the entrance so he could just pick from that. Always returned to Gabriel's coils.

[gr1m]

He was coiled on the large blanket Jack had laid out, the least he could do was offer the warmth of his own coils and generating body heat in return. Wanted to. "Have that talk in the morning," because with how exhausted he was between the poor treatment and using what he had left to get them this far? It wouldn't be long until he was out.

"Rest a little yourself, you have your wards up." It was murmured as his coils shifted enough to make a welcoming place amongst them for the hunter to lean and then return to. Gabriel remained like that even once he eventually dozed off and slept deeply.

The snakes of his hair were coiled in a bunch over his shoulder, heads together, black unblinking eyes watching both Jack and the entrance of the cave beyond the fire's light.

[dadication]

Jack kept the fire well stocked and warmed and he did keep watch as promised. He found himself distracted by the snakes that made up Gabriel's hair, noting that they were a big coiled mess. They were apparently on watch too from what he could determine, and he snuggled down when the exhaustion of healing pulled at him.

In the wee hours of the morning, Jack actually lay his head down on... well, he expected it would be where Gabriel's hip or ass would be, but he couldn't tell aside from it being close to where scales ended and a human torso began. He cuddled in there, crossing his arms and tucking his legs, letting himself doze.

Soon dozing turned into sleeping, his sight spell stopping to allow him better sleep. That's when the young garter snake came back, apparently immune to the wards. It snuggled in against his belly where it was warmest between so close to both himself and Gabriel.

[gr1m]

They functioned well as little guards, active and watchful while still allowing for the gorgon to sleep. It was moments like these that allowed them to function entirely on their own, every now and then when Jack moved to settle against coils one of them would stretch to check on him. That head lowered down and tongue flicking out, bumping a little against his temple before retreating to coil back amongst the others once satisfied.

The end of Gabriel's tail curled over Jack's ankles even while he slept, as if to better secure him in amongst coils. A small unconscious gesture that he would be safe there, and was even welcome in that place.

Slept on, deep and silent, a needed dreamless slumber that would at least mean that Gabriel wouldn't be pushed out of sleep by some nightmare. No, he'd sleep on through morning, even as the snakes of his hair stirred about and raised to better watch the mouth of that cave. Ready, even though nothing came and light from outside crept in more and ore as the hours passed by.

[dadication]

If he was aware of the snakes checking on him, he gave no sign of it. At that point, he was committed to getting some sleep, so he was aware that the snakes would keep watch over them both. That his little 'friend' had decided to come back now that it had fed wasn't unheard of, and he did nothing to dislodge it either.

No, much like Gabriel, his exhaustion from expending so much energy traveling and healing kept him sleeping beyond the touch of nightmares. He remained nested in against the gorgon and allowed the hours to pass him by. Being blind, he had no reason to think the sun had begun to rise at all aside from the slow gradual rise of heat from the sun.

He kept sleeping for another hour before slowly beginning to stir, tipping his head so it slipped from where it rested on Gabriel's hip to the gentle curve that made the small of his back. A hand reached out as if searching for a blanket but gave up when one wasn't in easy reach and his hand curled over Gabriel's broad shoulder instead. Very close to the head full of snakes.

[gr1m]

The snakes were not immune from noticing, but they remained only watchful as the cave warmed naturally from the sunlight. It was only once it had started moving more in to an early afternoon that they acted, hissing softly as a few stretched their way to that had on the gorgon's shoulder. Tongues flicking out and nudging against fingers and the side of the hunter's hand, another catching at Jack's sleeve with a tug.

Gabriel had turned his head as soon as one tried to disturb him by flicking his nose with it's tongue, murmuring something as his coils tensed for a moment before relaxing once again. Not one to normally sleep in, but exceptions were very much made whenever he was so bone tired and injured- or sick. Things that weren't often to happen.