A scream caused John to stop in his tracks and quickly spin around. As soon as he had time to turn around, the sound of steel being drawn rang through the air. One of their warriors had drawn his blade in the middle of a commotion in the center of the group where a wolf had attacked one of the monks. The man was lying on his back, his arms crossed over his face as the wolf stood on top of his biting at the man's face. Before John could reach them, however, the man who had drawn his blade had thrust it forward, plunging it deep into the wolf's side. With a loud yelp, the wolf let off it's attack and stumbled to the side. Panting and bleeding it collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily until at last it's last breath fled from it's body.
John ran down to the wounded man still lying on the ground. The warrior that had struck the wolf down sheathed his blade, and amidst deep breaths reported, "it came out of no where John, just attacked this man. "
John waived his hand, "no matter, this man needs attention. " The monk had deep lacerations along his arms and abdomen. The wolf had managed to tear through his robes with it's claws while scoring several bites on the man's arms.
Arriving at John's side Kashmir kneeled next to the man, surveying his wounds. "How's it look, Kash? "
Kashmir reached his hands out, touching the man's cuts on his stomach. The monk squirmed in pain. "They're not beyond repair, but only just. He is lucky." His hands over the man's body, Kashmir began to hum in tones, softly. With no visual indication of what was happening, the man's wounds began to glow white. Nothing much happened at first, until he started screaming in pain. John and the other warrior each held the man down to prevent him from further injuring himself. His wounds began to emit a fine white steam as Kashmir's magic cauterized them shut. It was a painful process, however, it was life saving in every instance John had ever seen it used.
Kashmir nodded when his task was done. "Bandage him, as the wounds may yet bleed. He will be well enough to walk in an hour or two though, the wounds weren't deep enough to cause severe damage. " The wounded monk grabbed Kashmir's hand and looked at him sternly. "Thank you, priest." was all he said before lying his head down on the ground.
Kashmir smiled and nodded. "Rest for a bit, drink some tea and eat. You will recover before long. " He stood up and left the man's side to address the crowd that had gathered. "All is well, everyone. Take a break for now, our pace has been strenuous. Eat, drink, and rest. We will continue in a couple hours. "
The crowd dispersed as the people search for a place to sit and rest their legs, talking amongst themselves about what had just taken place. John left the monk's side as well and walked over to Kashmir, placing a hand softly on his shoulder.
Kashmir turned around and smiled.
"I am sorry, my friend, for my-"
Kashmir cut him off by raising a hand. "Worry not, John. I understand your intended haste, I would have greater need of it myself were I a smarter man. "
John sighed in relief, "Were you yet able to pray? "
Nodding, Kashmir smiled again and replied, "Of course. I believe it the luck of the Gods that that man survived tonight. The wounds were worse than I had admitted to. He will be fine however. "
John returned the smile. "I am glad. Thank you, Kashmir. "
Kashmir clasped John's hand, "I am happy to be along for the ride, friend. "
Midday of the next day saw the end of the first half of their journey. John was the first to breach the summit, followed by a few of the hardier monks and priests. Kashmir arrived last, helping the monk that had been attacked the day before along the last steep incline. The view was breathtaking. There was naught on the top of the mountain aside from their party save the cool air as if breathed from the heavens themselves. This place truly was as close to the Gods as you could hope to reach. And below, through the sporadic cover of wispy clouds, could all the lands been seen. Kashmir looked over to the east, towards his home. Soon, darling. Soon I will return to your arms.
John walked up to Kashmir and slapped him hard on the back. "How about THIS! Is this not a spectacle greater than any you've witnessed before?"
Kashmir smiled warmly, "Almost, John. Almost. "
John took a deep breath, inhaling the cool air of the mountaintop. "Shall we now pray, my friend? I feel we have much to catch up on."
