Of Wardens: Injured

The autumn air was nice and cool. The wind almost non-existant, not more than just a soft caress on his sweaty skin. The cobwebs were glistering in the sunlight that was disappearing, like a thousand little threads spread across the forest's mossy green floor, covered with leaves in yellows, oranges, reds and browns. It was a beautiful autumn day.

He could hear dry leaves being crushed under feet that were getting closer to him, laughter sounding between the trees. The Dalish elf enjoyed hunting him and now that he was injured, he had no chance of escaping her.

"Why can't you just leave me alone Clara?"

The Warden-mage appeared from behind a tree. "It's too much fun chasing you around to leave you alone" she giggled, coming closer.

"Well, it's not fun to me" Carver grunted, trying to stand up, but stumbled to the ground again once he tried putting weight on his foot. "Damn it!"

Before he knew it the elf was just inches away from him, leaning down and examining his leg. "By the creators, you've probably sprained you ankle!" She looked up at him, clearly trying not to laugh at his injury.

"And who's fault do you think that is?" he growled at her.

"If you'd stopped running away from me, it wouldn't have happened" Clara laughed, pulling of his boot.

He tried not to show the pain from having his boot and sock pulled off, but judging from the continued laughter of the mage, he assumed that he didn't quite succeed.

She examined his foot more closely, her laughter slowly fading away, twisting it back and forth - and he was absolutely sure that she did it just to cause him more pain - before she let out a soft sigh.

"Thank the Creators," she said and he could feel magic hum against his skin, slowly causing the pain to fade away, "It seems as if it wasn't anything serious."

He scoffed. "Since when do you know healing magic?"

She looked up at him with a smile that made his heart throb. Carver frowned, annoyed with himself. Why would his heart throb just because she smiled at him? And why was she suddenly being... not as annoying as usual? Maybe even nice to him? No, she was definitely being nice to him. Why?

"Hayden thought it might be useful for every mage to know a few healing spells, just in case" she answered, "She can't go with us on every mission, can she? And it turns out she was right."

"Why do you keep calling the Commander by name?"

"Because she asked me to." Again that damned smile. "Can you stand?" She stood up her self, straightened her robes and offered him a hand.

He looked at her for a moment, debating whether to take the offered hand or not, before he finally did, and pulled himself up on his feet again. "Yea, I can stand."

"Aww, too bad" Clara grinned at him, "Can you imagine the look on the other wardens' faces if I'd been carrying you back?"

He frowned, growling, "You wouldn't be able to carry me back."

"You wound me!" she said, punching him lightly on his arm, "I'm much stronger than I look!"

"And I'm heavier than I look."

"I don't believe that! I bet you're light as a feather little Carver" she laughed, before starting to run, "I'll beat you to the camp!"

He stayed on the spot where she left him, shaking his head. Women are weird...