2
The Sunrise saw Jessica out on the roof doing her morning exercises, as her teachers said; a strong body makes a strong mind, even if she could not fight like a mercenary at least she could defend herself until help came. Finishing her last move, The Snap, she jumped into the air with the fake staff-twirling landing in a crouch with the staff sweeping away from her body.
She stood up straight and stretched her back this afternoon was the ceremony. Jessica had time yet to do some more exercises and then head down for her meditation, suddenly the door snapped open behind her spinning on the spot she saw Mariam stepped into the sunlight. Once Mariam’s eyes adjusted she spotted Jessica looking at her, no one else was around.
A smile spread across her face as she walked over to the girl, pulling out her staff.
“Morning,” Mariam said giving her staff a twirl. “Out early aren’t you?”
“Morning to you Mariam, no I am normally out at this time its quiet.”
“Care to practise with me?” Mariam asked looking side ways at Jessica, “I could use a good work out.” Not waiting for an answer Mariam swung her staff aiming for Jessica’s’ head, but Jessica guessing the other girls intentions ducked under the blow and aimed her staff towards Mairam’s belly. Soon the sound of wood cracking against wood filled the air and each girl deflected blows, Mariam swung and hit Jessica across the face. Using the momentum of the hit Jessica turned the same way bringing the staff across the back of Mariam’s head, cursing Mariam healed herself and stood to continue her attack when a commanding voice bellowed.
“Stop, that is enough!” Both girls turned to see Scott step out of the doorway heading right for them, Jessica bowed low. “Mariam, this is your last day as my healer, I have spoken to the Lord Marshall and he agreed that you are not the best healer for me.” He looked coldly at them both. “Seeing this display shows me all the more how unsuitable of a possible bond-mate you are for me, pathetic.” Scott spat at Mariam.
Jessica straightened this was unusual. Normally there were no partings until the day exactly one year after first meeting, when the healer would move into the room next to the mercenary and follow him all day. When he slept was the only time she had to get her belongings, as the rooms were be-spelled with barriers and a healer would cast her own spells before she left. Scott must be something special for them to allow him this change.
Scott looked at Jessica, “Your moves are slow, but considering you were up against a seventh year opponent, to get in one hit was a good achievement, keep up your practice soon you will be quicker.” He turned and walked off Mariam followed with her head down.
That was something Jessica did not know, how could Mariam be a seventh year and not bonded? Maybe all the mercenaries saw through the body and did not want her in the end. Nevertheless, Jessica could not find any pity for her; she rubbed her face and looked at the sun, the thought of him praising her made her blush slightly until the town bells rang out giving out the time. Panicking, she rushed in through the door, her fight lasted longer then she thought. She would only just be in time for the purification baths if she hurried. Running blindly around the corner she hit something and landed on her back the steps digging into her.
“We meet again,” said a voice above her, sending chills down her spine “one would think you enjoy falling at my feet.” Jessica blushed and quickly pulled down the light armour that had risen high enough for Scott to get a good look at her under clothes, standing up she rushed off calling out a quick apology on her way. Jessica was the second to last at the teleportation pad, a mage touched her on the shoulder and transported to the hot springs, then the mage touched someone wanting to go back and disappeared. Looking around Jessica felt herself start to relax, a sixth year graduate walked over to her.
“Jessica Stevens, Ranger Stevens Daughter?” she inquired.
“Yes that is me but please, don’t mention my father.” Jessica pleaded, her father was one of the elite Ranger troupes, he bonded to Pearl Henry his mage and after a few months, Jessica was conceived. Pearl was also a top mage but in this life style the men were more important then the women. “I got here on my own and that’s how I made it, father had nothing to do with my getting here.”
“Sorry to cause offence Jessica, please if you would follow me your pool is waiting.” The girls led Jessica around all the other pools and a bit feather back then the rest of the people there, and then gave her quick instructions on how to bathe in the pool.
After the girl had left Jessica, stripped and cupped her hands in the warm water, splashing it down her body. She then looked into a mirror, taking a moment to admire her petite, athletic body. Then she slowly stepped into the pool, enjoying the feel of the warm water on her legs and sat down slowly.
The calming air around her nearly caused her to sleep, but pulling herself out of the lull, Jessica washed her body as instructed. Starting at her head, Jessica washed her hair until it shone, then worked her way slowly down her body.
Once Jessica was sure, she was clean and smelling of roses, she stepped out of the hot spring. She quickly towed her body dry, stepping into her ceremonial light armour. All the Healers hoping to graduate had to wear them, if the girl did not graduate this year she could keep it for next. She had a medium pink uniform, the tights she was to wear with them, a lighter pink then the armour. Starting with the tights she pulled them on hurriedly, time was not her friend now. Her boots came next; they were the same pink as the armour and came up to her knees. The armour was a tight fit; made to her body, unlike the too tight one Mariam wore. It cupped her small round breasts perfectly with little clear straps for over her shoulders; it flared out a little over her hips with a split in the front that left her feeling exposed.
Looking down she knew it was not the case, but she still felt naked. Looking over to a table with a mirror, she saw several gold plates laying on it bearing the emblem of the Healers. Walking over to the table, she sat down on the stool, brushed and plated her hair. Looking satisfied into the mirror; she walked over to a Magi standing nearby and was teleported to the Graduation Hall.
Blinking her vision into focus, Jessica began walking up the steps towards the Graduation Hall, parents all around celebrating the graduation of their children. Sighing to herself, Jessica knew her parents would not be among the crowd of on-lookers. As she approached the arched doorway, a Master Healer handed her a seat number. Looking at the number, she found her seat in the back corner of the auditorium and sat down. As Healers filed in on side of the room, Mercenaries began filling up the other half of the room. Jessica watched silently as healers and mercenaries chattered amiably with each other and many hoping they are partnered with their crushes.
As the noise in the room began to rise steadily until all the noises just seemed to be a dull drone that pounded away at the inside of Jessica’s mind, the teachers of both the Healers Hall and the Mercenary College made their way to a stage that was taller than her easily. A loud shout echoed over the room, making everyone bounce and notice the teachers a top the stage waiting to start the ceremonies, parents seated behind them on a raised platform. Seeing the humorous impatience on their faces, the students hurried to their respective seats as if the Lord Marshal had just made a surprise appearance.
An old woman, walked forward from the group of one other healer and two mercenary lords, leaning heavily on her cane. The woman, Juliene, was the Grand arch Master of Healing in the Kingdom.
She started the ceremony, “Ladies and gentleman! Today is the day we mark the closure of your time here in these hallowed halls and the day you start your next adventure in your chosen professions!”
Applause came forth as Juliene paused for a breath and turned to face the parents, her voice strong yet soft. “Each of your children here has done their best to be the greatest people of skill, honour, and integrity that have ever walked before us in times past. For this, you should be most proud.” A second applause followed as she turned to address the students.
Chuckling lightly herself, “Now then, I have an orb here that was created during times long forgotten that have been pairing our fighters and healers since before our history was written.” She gestured to a glowing red orb that had black mists swirling around the insides, “When I cast a healing spell upon this orb and Roan strikes it with his sword, the orb will begin pairing you off by teleporting you all out of this hall to your designated barracks. For the next few weeks, you will each be sent on simple missions to see if you two are as compatible as this infernal ball thinks. If not, a reassignment will be given after a year, so do not fret if neither of two gets along.”
Roan, the Grand arch Mercenary, pulled his sword out while Juliene waited patiently for him to strike. Taking a deep breath, Roan raised his blade well above his head and struck the ball with enough force that it split almost in twine. Juliene swiftly brought her walking stick forth and healed the ball, repairing every single crack and crevice formed. The room fell silent as the orb began to pulse from a red to an orange. Everyone in the room watched closely, while the instructors backed away from it. Jessica thought she could feel the tension in the room as the orb pulsed a strong yellow colour. Around her, she felt people rising up as if to flee and felt her doing the same, when suddenly the room exploded in a blinding flash of white.
Jessica rubbed her eyes gently to clear them and found herself alone in the Graduation Hall with the Healer that gave her the seat number. Turning to her she was about to ask where everyone had went, when the healer just shook her head and motioned for her to follow. Shrugging, Jessica followed her out of the Hall asking, “Where are we going and where did everyone else go?”
Her guide kindly replied, “They were assigned partners and are currently at the barracks situating themselves.”
She ran up along side of her guide, shocked, “What do you mean they all have been chosen? What about me, didn’t I get chosen?”
“I guess that’s what it means. I don’t know, but this has happened before in the past so I wouldn’t worry.”
“People have not been paired before…?” The idea of spending the rest of her life alone waiting for someone’s bond-mate to die was the most depressing thing she had ever thought of next to remembering the look of death on John’s face and having to deal with that for the rest of her life. Rounding a corner, they headed towards the Masters Square where only those who were veterans of many fights and many more missions were allowed to go. Her earlier depression forgotten, she began to look around at where those who earned their mettle in battle were allowed to go. Shops, restaurants, and other specialised areas were everywhere as her guide led her towards the Manager Compound. The Manager Compound was a series of buildings where reports on everything went. From imports to school grades, everything was filed somewhere in those buildings.
Juliene was standing outside one of the buildings and began walking towards them as they approached. Jessica began to get worried again because to her nothing good would come in the Grand arch Master herself was involved, ‘Was I not good enough to be a Healer where my grades not good enough?’ Thoughts like these circled her head and almost missed being asked how she was feeling.
“F-fine.” She lied and Juliene nodded knowingly towards her.
“Come on then, sweet thing. Your partner is inside.” At that, Juliene turned around and began walking towards one of the smaller buildings marked ‘Assigning Office’. Jessica hurried to catch up to her and then opened the door for Juliene, who hurried inside. Jessica promptly followed and gently closed the door. Turning around, she found herself being stared at as if she was the enemy that needed to die by Scott.
“Jessica, this is your partner Scott. Scott, this is Jessica.” With that, Juliene left them. Scott’s eyes narrowed to tiny slits and promptly went inside the office labelled ‘Lord Marshall’. Jessica, nervous as what was happening, sat down on a bench and waited.
“What game are you playing with me Stewart?” Scott shouted loud enough for Jessica to hear him through the door, “Giving me this girl who can do no more then the simplest buffs and heals.”
Jessica heard a mumbling reply then “I don’t care if she is top of her class, you are not sticking me with this person!” Jessica’s breath caught in her throat, she was right in the end she would grow old waiting for a mercs bond-mate to pass on.
“You know full well she did better at the testing then any out there! Why else would we parade you thus?” Yelled Stewart loudly in reply, “Everyone knows Mariam is a poor healer, you knew you were out there to find the best in the new healers. You found her; Jessica was the only one to heal you with a crowd full of healers, she is your potential bond-mate now get out and show her to your rooms!”
Booming footsteps approached the door and Jessica stood as the door opened and Scott stormed out, slamming the door and breaking the glass. Without a word he stalked away his broad shoulders showing his tension, Jessica had to run to keep pace with him and soon her legs were burning. Jessica followed him down a side hallway and to the back of the complex, he slammed open the door and made his way through the barracks.
Doors opened and the whispers started, Jessica passing each door was blushing deeper and deeper. Luckily, she had her eyes on Scott; he stopped so suddenly that if she was not watching she would have made a fool of herself in front of the whole barracks by the look of things now. She took a small step to the side to see what stopped Scott; her eyes grew large at the sight of a very angry looking Mariam blocking the way.
“So this is your new potential bond-mate?” Mariam asked sneering, “looks like she wouldn’t hold up in a good fight.” Scott looked down at her, “So the little healer had no other so you got stuck with her?”
Scott said nothing but he firmly pushed her to one side and continued as if there was no interruption. Jessica looked over her shoulder as she passed Mariam, the look on her face was pure hatred, and she shivered. Looking back to watch were Scott turned left down another hall and stopped at a door, and turned slowly to face her he said two words before opening the door for her, ‘tomorrow, early’ before he pushed her through and closed the door. Jessica looked around the room surprised to find it larger then the one she came from, and what was even more shocking to her was the fact that all her belongings were already in the room.
Jessica wondered around her new room and spotted a brown package on the bed, a smile creeping across her face for the first time today. She ripped into it until she exposed her new staff, hands trembling slightly Jessica picked it up.
It was a light blue, she gasped thinking back to the tournament Scott’s armour and sheathe where the same light blue. Jessica got up and opened her cupboard, and dropped to her knees; everything was blue. Reaching over she slammed the doors shut, getting up she went to the wardrobe behind her. She yanked open the doors and cried out in relief, this wardrobe was full of different coloured uniforms and normal clothes.
A creak behind her warned Jessica that someone was in the room with her, turning she watched Scott walk fully into her room.
“C-can I help you?” she asked a little unsure of what he was going there. Scott continued to advance on Jessica as she backed away, confused of his intentions. Scott stopped in the middle of the room and looked around, then spoke.
“We leave in ten, travel light and be ready.” He then turned and walked out of the room.
Jessica rushed over to the other wardrobe and changed into one of the blue uniforms that were hanging in there. It was the same as the pink one she just took off, only lighter and clean. Finding a nap-sack in the bottom, she placed one more set in the bag and a change of under-clothes, grabbing the staffs that still lay on the bed she ran out of her room.
Scott was waiting for her, and not for the first time she was struck by how tall he was. He eyed her up and down and gave a slight nod, then led the way down the hall. Stepping lightly Jessica followed him back down the hall and into the Marshals office. He was sitting at his desk, his greying head bent over a stack of papers. Looking up at their approach, his brown eyes hardened, the lines of age deepened on his face.
“Scott sorry to call you away so soon, I know you had plans to start training tomorrow.” He then looked at Jessica, “I know you can do this Jessica, if I thought you could not then I would not have chosen Scott.” Clearing his throat, he continued talking to the both of them. “We have received word from our friends to the north; they have a problem of sorts and request our assistance. It seems that there is a little unrest and some of the tribes are attacking the troops. You both are there to calm the situation by whatever means you must, we have received half the payment now and the other half will be given to you upon completion of your services.” He took a deep breath, “May the Gods of Victory and Health watch over you both.” Jessica and Scott bowed and left the office and walked quickly to the courtyard where a tall stallion and his mare were waiting.
Reaching the horse, Jessica gave her a pet and opened the saddlebag she stopped shocked. A money bag was sitting inside, it had her families’ colours, her head snapped up and she looked around. Spotting her father leaning against the far wall he smiled and waived, he lifted his hand in greeting then called out:
“Scott you had better look after my daughter, to me she is worth ten of you.”
“And what if I don’t?” Scott called out his reply.
“You will have me to answer too, and both of us know who will win.” With a flick of his wrist a disk shot out slicing off a good chunk of Scott’s hair at the side, Scott stood unflinching. “Travel safe, may the Gods protect you.” With that, he disappeared into the night.
“Come let us be off,” Scott stated mounting his horse “it’s a long ride so we must make haste.”
Jessica gasped, that was it, cast haste on the horses, Scott and herself, that should surely help them. She pushed her belonging into the saddlebag, faced Scott’s horse, and with a twirl of her staff cast her spell over it. The horse snorted, Jessica then moved to her mare doing the same again. Jessica then mounted her and noticed the look on Scott’s face.
“You’re the first to cast Quick Step on a horse you know.” Jessica blushed, “It is a good idea it will make travel easier, just remember to heal them now. You’re not as stupid as you look, no wonder you’re the top of the class.”
Unsure whether to be pleased or offended Jessica said nothing and set her eyes to the road holding tight to her staff, she asked the horse to gallop and complying, the horse moved so fast it felt as if they were flying. Holding tight to the reins, she tried to shake her hair from her eyes but the wind from the horses kept it so she could not open them no more than slits.
Looking at Scott, who was riding just a few paces ahead of her, seemed to have no problem holding or keeping his eyes open. Glancing around at the passing scenery, she realised that she had never gone this far from the city gates, which were no longer visible to her eyes.
After several hours of hard riding, she felt her horse slow down to a trot and then stop altogether. Looking down at the brown speckled mare, she patted her mane feeling the creature breath heavy underneath her. Scott dismounted and led the creature to a low growing branch and tied the stallion’s reins to it. Jessica going to follow his lead almost fell over because her legs were so stiff from riding so much longer than she was used to. Shakily, she tied her mare to the branch and rubbed her nose gently.
“Scott…” Jessica began to talk, but was swiftly interrupted.
“Get some wood for a fire and do not stray from the horses. There are beasts out here that are willing to make a meal out of both of us and some horses.” Scott ordered, unlinking his sword and moving off the road and towards the forest.
“And where are you going then?” Jessica asked annoyed at being interrupted.
“SILENCE!” Scott whispered fiercely and scanned the underbrush, Jessica silenced at his fierceness. She watched him stand perfectly still, then as quickly as a flamingo after a fish, he had gored a small furry creature. It had fierce yellow eyes, with long fangs and looked something like a mutated dog with green fur. Looking closer she noticed that it had no pupils and its saliva seemed to burn holes into the ground.
“That’s a Voltar. I have never seen one before except in our books!” she said earnestly, getting closer but leaped back with a small scream as it started thrashing about on Scott’s sword. Rotating his sword, Scott flipped the creature over and slammed his blade down, cutting the creature’s spine in half. He pulled his blade out and wiped the blood on its fur. Jessica watched horrified at the coolness in which he took a life that could not be revived, “Why Scott…?”
Not responding, Scott began picking up wood for a fire, leaving the corpse where it lay. Its own acid began eating it away slowly, exposing its eternal organs as they fell to the ground. She wanted to bury the poor creature, but one look from Scott told her he would not allow it so she went to the horses to get the saddlebags. Returning with them, Jessica sat down next to Scott who was trying to get a fire from some smouldering grass.
Several times, she tried to say something to him, but something about the way he was holding himself made it seem like it was not a good time.
Sighing, she pulled out a night’s worth of rations and pulled out the travel pots to cook. The fire merrily burning in the centre of a ring of stones, Jessica put a few strips of meat on a pan and began reheating the jerky while preparing some fruit for dinner as well.
Humming softly to herself, she watched Scott roll out of his bedroll and angled them towards the fire so their heads were near. Saddened a little, Jessica realised that was not being allowed to sleep next to him, only slightly near him. Taking some bread, she placed the meat inside of it, gave Scott his dinner, and began eating herself.
After eating, Jessica began taking off her more uncomfortable pieces of clothes for bed, while Scott took off his boots and sword then climbed in; shield, daggers and all. Once all the metal pieces of her outfit were removed, she climbed into her bedroll keeping her staff nearby. Rolling over, she thought to herself, ‘I thought this would be more exciting, but so far it’s been boring and horrible. Did all the stories of great and exciting battles and adventures told have sorts of boring bits that no one talks about?’
She called but got no reply. Looking over, she discovered he was already a sleep. Shocked that he was asleep on this uncomfortable ground and without setting a watch, Jessica sat up and fumed, swearing she would keep guard all night. She fell asleep only a few minutes after that declaration.
The next morning, she woke up to the smell of wood burning and took a moment to realise that she was in the middle of nowhere. Standing up to stretch, she saw that Scott was not around at all. Grabbing her staff, she ran over to the horse and found both of them still there, ‘Good, Scott didn’t just leave me out here.’
Turning around, she walked slowly back to camp to find Scott was still not there, when a loud shriek came from behind her. Turning around, she saw Scott run by, holding his pants up with one hand and a sword in the other.
The shock wear off, Jessica ran to follow pulling up her healing spells to mind. When she arrived, whatever was there was gone and so was one of the horses. Her mare that was the only gift her father ever gave her was gone. She wanted to scream in rage but the sight of her partner, his sword bathed in bathed in blood and glowing in a deep purple that was almost black brought her back to reality. Getting ready to cast her healing spells on him, she paused seeing the blood that was covering him all over get absorbed. His wounds began to close and heal over as if they were never there and the blood that was on him and his sword was gone.
“Damn bugs…” was all Scott muttered as he walked past her and back towards the camp fire. Reslinging his sword, Scott pulled his pants up and redid his belt, “Damn near impossible to kill without wings.”
“My mare is gone, what are we going to do?” Jessica wondered in a fuss as she restrapped on her armour pieces. “I mean, all of my supplies were on her. Moreover, where were you? I was looking every where for you!”
Scott looked at her with unreadable eyes and replied, “You don’t need it.”
“What do you mean I don’t need it? All of my clothes were in there! Not to mention all the ingredients I need to make potions in case I am too tired to heal us and half our food!” Jessica screamed at his lack of caring.
Looking back at her, he blinked only once and continued to stare as if waiting for her to finish, slightly unnerving her.
“And furthermore, what was that you just did?” She demanded in a slight panic.
Sighing more to himself than anything else, he told her, “It is an attack called Vampirism. It is a highly forbidden technique of power that allows a Mercenary to steal the life force to heal himself through the shedding on an enemy’s blood. No matter if the enemy is human or not. To be killed through this technique means no chance of revival because it literally steals the soul of another and uses it to heal the wielder.”
Gaping at him at him in wonder as to why anyone would want to use such a gruesome technique, she began to wonder if being partnered with him was not a good thing as everyone rumoured it to be. Not wanting to be to near him, she ate her breakfast hastily, packed the remainder of her things inside of her bag, and repacked Scott’s bag as he got his stallion ready to go. Reorganising everything so it all fit into the saddlebags, Scott then mounted the warhorse and held out his hand to Jessica. Looking at him nervously, she took his hand and felt herself hauled bodily onto the rump of the stallion. Scooting closer to him, she placed her arms on his shoulders. He made no notion that he even noticed as he guided the beast out onto the road again and heading north at a fast trot.
Along the way Jessica started to realise that the only reason Scott used a forbidden technique was because she had been slow to react. If only she had been quicker remembering her spells he would not have to do that again. Jessica sat up straighter she had it! Jessica reached behind her and pulled out her staff from the nearest bag.
Concentrating she cast Quick Step on the horse, followed by Heal. For the next hour of travel, Jessica anticipated the horse’s needs and before Scott slowed the horse down to take a break, Jessica knew when he needed help. She cast a quick glance at Scott, hoping he was as easy to read as the horse. The next fight he was in she would be watching him like he was he own child, his movements would be Jessica’s key just like the first match she saw him in. His eye was twitching, and instinctively she had used the healing spell.
Smarting still by her hesitation, Jessica pulled her wandering attention back to the present. Scanning their surroundings with all the senses, Jessica let out a hiss as something sinister brushed her mind. Leaning forward she whispered into Scott’s’ ear,
“We are being followed; it is to the south-east of us, and moving fast.” Scott nodded and she continued, “My staff will be enough to kill it, as it will find us more interesting than the horse it will jump to attack.”
“If it does, you swing around and knock it out. Then a quick jab down should kill it.” Scott’s’ quiet voice affirmed.
The snapping of a twig told them the creature was close, Scott slowed the horse down covertly reaching for his weapon. Jessica flexed her fingers around the staff, and then silently counted to five. Hearing a rustle, she held her breath and counted back from ten, as she reached zero, Jessica lightly jumped up and balancing on the horse spun around so she was a blur of movement. Hearing the solid ‘think’ of the staff connecting with its target, she continued to follow through with her swing. Lightning quick Jessica jumped off the horse and with her weight drove the rounded end into the stunned victim.
Jessica stepped back from the broken mass, unable to tell what the creature was with its head caved in the way it was. Jessica stared as what was left of its mouth opened then suddenly she was pulled to the left and into Scott’s’ arms.
“W-what?” looking up at him she noticed his gaze was on the ground, looking at his object of attention she shuddered. “What is THAT?”
Scott took out his dagger and swiftly impaled the red leech like thing before turning back to her. “It is called a Stealth Bug; while an animal is sleeping these things make their way inside to the brain. Once there they implant themselves, giving this little thing a bigger body to play with.” Scott let her go and backed away a few steps. “You would have been completely taken over if it had gotten hold of you; you see the little stingers on the underside of its body? They contain a numbing agent so you would not have felt anything as it borrowed into you, now if you would grab my gloves I will milk this thing. It may come in handy in the near future.” Jessica rushed off to do as he asked, amazed once more at how intelligent he was.
Smiling ruefully, she remembered he was ten times more experienced then she was with this sort of thing, after making her way back to him, she watched as he pulled on his gloves and began squeezing just above the spine.
“I need a leaf and one of the glass bottles quickly.”
“Why did you not ask me to get them before you started milking the damn thing?”
“Quit talking and just get them will you?” Scott’s’ angry voice filled the air and had Jessica scrambling to do his bidding. However, there was something in his tone that sounded as if he was angrier with himself then her. She smiled, not even the experienced ones think of everything. Grabbing the glass bottle, she made her way back to him scooping a browning leaf from the ground on her way.
“Good, now place the leaf into the bottle and hold it in your palm. Using your thumb and forefinger hold the base just in case I knock it.” Jessica did as she was told, “Well done now if I have done this right…” His voice trailed away as a semi-clear droplet formed on the tip of the spine. Then suddenly a lot of the clear fluid rushed out, leaving the thing on the end of Scotts’ dagger nothing but skin. Looking at her hands Jessica was shocked to see the bottle, about the size of her forearm was nearly full of the numbing liquid.
Scott took the bottle from her and moved back to the horse, opening the left saddlebag pulled out a stopper and a smaller padded bag. He placed the cork into the opening and pressing down firmly sealed it then slid it into the bag. Tucking it away, he mounted his horse, reached down grabbing Jessica just above her elbow, and pulled her up.