[Rainbowfox Ari]

The man gave a grunt, a quick nod, and turned back to walk down the street, toward the smithy. No wonder he complained about losing a slave - manning the bellows was hard work with two people, let alone just one. It also explained the knife and sword. He'd likely been testing them. And it also explained his gruff manner, and large stature. 'Sticks' didn't work at the forge.

The boy, meanwhile, lay limp at Gabe's feet. He wasn't out of the woods by any shot, but he belonged to the healer now, to do with what he would. The smithy had washed his hands of the kid, so that was a benefit. The catboy made the first sound he had since being left there bleeding... he moaned.