Raiden jumped up grabbing a spare medical kit and pressing a clean rag to her side.
He couldn't help but stare at her. He had only dreamed she was truly human. He shook himself out of it as he knew he needed to check her wound. He gently lifted her shirt and couldn't help it when his chest rumbled. Raven had a large cut on her left side that was at least 8 inches long and almost down to her ribs.
Thankfully Jaxon and Trey rushed into his tent. "Fix her," he snapped at Jaxon as both men stood there staring shocked.
Jaxon had minor healing abilities but it would be enough to stop the bleeding and heal part of the wound. He rushed over and did what he could before looking at Raiden. "We need a better healer and we need some answers."
Raiden sighed and ran a hand through his black hair. "This is Raven, she is an Elf and more than likely an Arsha. I watched her transform and she told me she was an elf and Raven before passing out."
Trey and Jaxon kept looking between each other, Raiden, and Raven. Finally Trey spoke up first. "You owe me fifty Jax."
Raiden looked at them shocked as Jaxon pouted. "I was hoping she'd be a mage."
Raiden shook his head before looking down at Raven. He gently picked her up and placed her in his bed. "We can discuss bets later for now Jax go get a healer preferably Hannah. Trey," he paused taking a deep breath. "Go find our fathers. We need to speak with them first before talking to anyone else about Raven."
The both agreed and hurried off. Jaxon came back first with Hannah in tow. "Seriously Jaxon your boys are grown men and can handle a few minor wounds until I take care of the severely wound...ed." She paused seeing Raiden kneeling beside an elven woman.
"Please heal her Hannah and not a word about her until we talk to the elders and King." He told her and she nodded.
She quickly finished healing her wound and turned towards Raiden. "Is this the bird that saved you and the troops a few weeks back?" She asked and he nodded.
"Wow, I never knew elves were so beautiful. Keep me posted on her and let me know if you need anything." She told him before leaving.
He thanked her before him and Jaxon stood up and slid the curtain shielding Raven for when their fathers came in. They didn't have to wait long as Trey dragged them inside. "Seriously son you just won a major battle and have duties to attend why are we here?" Trey's father Franklin asked.
Jaxon's father Issac looked confused and Donnell looked concerned. "Raiden what is the meaning of this?" He asked and Raiden ran a hand through his hair.
"I am unsure of what to do with new information that has come to light and need your opinions. You all know the bird that has saved my life multiple times?" He questioned and they nodded even more confused.
Raiden walked over and pulled the curtain back revealing Raven. "This, this is Raven. She got injured saving several lives today and revealed her true self. I do not know what to do but I will however say I will protect her life with my own."
He looked away from her to see their reactions and they did not disappoint. All three men were flabbergasted with varying looks of complete shock. His father was the first to shift from shock to determined followed by the other two once he spoke.
"I think I can speak for all of us when I say she will be protected with all our lives. Raven has done so much for us even more since the war. I have had numerous reports of a black bird helping other troops and soldiers. We will need to inform the elders and King however we will make sure they understand Raven is one of us. They will not touch her unless she says it is alright." Franklin and Issac nodded and soon all six of them came up with a plan.
Raiden remained in his tent with her while the others went and handled the after battle duties. He still couldn't believe she was an actual person and sitting before him. He made a make shift bed on the floor beside her. They agreed to wait until she woke up to talk to the King and everyone was exhausted from the long battle. Raiden let that exhaustion pull him into the dream realm where he relived every moment Raven had been there.
When he awoke he was confused to find the blanket from his bed on top of him. He jumped up and looked only to realize Raven was no longer in his bed. He rushed over and yanked the curtain back only to breath a sigh of relief.
Raven kneeled beside the fire cooking something. Her intricate braids from the previous day were undone and instead her hair was left in a simple messy bun. She jumped slightly at the noise of the curtain being yanked and her eyes met Raiden's.
"Good morning," she squeaked a blush covering her cheeks.
Raiden began to smile but was confused at her bashfulness. It wasn't until he looked down and remembered he was shirtless that he connected the dots. He quickly tossed on a spare shirt as he returned her greeting.
"I hope I didn't wake you. I was hoping to make some breakfast before you woke as a thank you for taking care of me yesterday." She told him as she focused on the food she was cooking.
"You didn't need to do that, besides if I recall I owe you a lot more for the number of times you have saved my life." He replied kneeling beside her.
Her cheeks blushed once again and her eyes diverted from his. "It is my gift you should be thanking. Although mine seems to be more unique than the previous Arshas. I must also be honest with you, I have no where to go."
This took him off guard and he looked at her with concern as she continued. "See I came from one of the many hidden elven tribes. Yesterday I was getting ready for my ceremony when the calling came. My mother told me I could run and not look back and so I did. The elves have very...strict traditions and I did not want to be a part of it any longer. If I return I will be punished and forced to complete the ceremony I want no part it. Frankly I am terrified of returning to my tribe and wish to remain in the outside world."
She took the food off the fire and placed it on the nearby table as she talked. Raiden was beside her the entire time and couldn't help but gently place a hand on her shoulder. "Raven, you are more than welcome here for however long you wish. You have saved countless lives, mine included. If you do not mind me asking but what was the ceremony and what punishment would you receive for returning?"
Raven swallowed hard and looked away. "I was to unite myself and the tribe leaders son for eternity. I never wished for it but tradition over ruled my wants. If I return I will more than likely receive another brand and probably be collared again."
Raiden was horrified and barely suppressed the growl that wanted to come out. "You were going to be forced to marry a man you did not want?" She nodded afraid of looking at him. "What do you mean by brands and collars?"
He had an idea but wanted to know exactly what she meant. Raven swallowed as she brushed her fingers along her wrist. "Both are exactly as they sound. Brands are heated up metal that is pressed against ones skin until a mark is left. Some are positive and show warrior status while other are negative. They tell others that people are a thief, a cheater, a liar, and even a vrij or liberty seeker in your language. Collars as magical collars that bind someone to either a person or a place. Usually it is their home or family member but I was always collared and bound to Warren our tribe leader. I think he enjoyed the power of having the first Arsha in over a millennia bound to him and his family."
Raven looked off into the distance as if remembering something. Raiden gently cupped her cheek and tilted her face to look at him. "You will never be collared or branded ever again. If I get my hands on those sick bastards who did such to you they will not live to lay even their eyes upon you again. I will protect you with my life as will everyone here. Let us eat and I have a few things to talk to you about afterwards."
Raven nodded and gave him a small smile. For the first time in her life she felt free and safe, two things she never thought she would ever feel. After they ate Raiden told her about their King and how she would have to meet with him and the elders. They would more than likely ask her a lot about the other elves and her gift.
"Will you be there?" She asked not too comfortable with being in a room full fo strange men.
"If you wish I will be there beside you."
She nodded looking up at him. "Please, I-I do not wish to be alone with strangers just yet."
He gave her a sad smile and squeezed her hand. "You are safe here Raven, many will be curious at first but no one will even think to harm you."
Raven believed his words and agreed. He handed her a change of clothes Hannah had brought and once she was ready Jaxon and Trey came to his tent. "Raven, these two idiots are my best friends and second and third in command, Jaxon and Trey. You will also be meeting our father's who were the previous General and second and third in command."
"Wow, your eyes are beautiful. Do all elves have eyes like yours?" Jaxon said at the same time Trey spoke.
"Are all elves as adorable as you?"
Raven blushed furiously and looked down. "Um..." She was unsure of how to answer that.
Raiden however smacked both of them resulting in a resounding "ow".
"You do not need to answer these dumbasses. They sometimes speak before thinking." He shot them a glare and they both gave sheepish looks.
"It's alright, I am sure I will be asked many strange and uncomfortable things. But I am not used to such compliments. Most elves find my appearance shocking as white hair and grey eyes are very rare. Most look like you two however all elven women are petite like me and the men are taller and agile. I am not used to seeing such handsome muscle structures except during my callings so that will take some getting used to." She spoke bluntly shocking all three of them as they couldn't help but fight off blushes.
"You are very honest Raven, but you don't need to be if it makes you uncomfortable." Raiden told her and she bite her lip.
"It is something I cannot help as Arshas cannot lie. It is part of our gift so if I am asked something and I do not wish to comment or answer with the truth I just remain silent." That caught Trey's attention.
"So it is true that Arshas cannot lie. Does that mean if you ignore a calling you will feel the pain of the person you did not help? What about harming and deceiving? You cannot do those as well correct?" He fired off back to back.
Raiden began to growl but Raven just gently placed her hand on his arm. "It's alright, I do not mind talking about my gift. But yes that is also true, however I can cause harm to protect the one who's calling I answered. Nothing lethal but enough to save them like during the battle yesterday."
Jaxon and Raiden were shocked by this as Trey was practically vibrating with excitement to learn more. Before he could ask any more questions Raiden cut him off. "We need to get going however as we are supposed to meet the King shortly. Now just stick in between us and we will try to keep everyone from crowding. If at any moment you feel scared or uncomfortable just squeeze one of our arms three times and we will get you out quickly."
Raven nodded feeling herself become nervous and slightly scared. All three sensed this and Jaxon was the first to speak. "We won't let anything happen to you Raven. We got your back like you've had Raiden's the past fifteen years."
She gave a smile at that and nodded. "Alright, let's go."