Author's Note

This will likely be the shortest chapter in the story.

Chapter Eight: A farewell and a welcome reunion.

After Bane stuck by Durunga's side until he awoke, then smiled at him. "I'm glad to see you awake."

Durunga groaned and sat up. He noticed he was healed. "Fuck all this....I'm out of here. I didn't sign up for any of this bullshit. I almost died!" He snapped as Bane flinched, not expecting this suddenly. While thinking of what to say to try and keep this stranger around, Bane found himself alone suddenly as Durunga melted into the shadows and vanished.

Bane sighs to himself and looked disappointed, but got up and decided to keep going now.

Bane left the town, and found himself in a forest now and heard a familiar voice calling out.

Bane rushes to the source, only to see the mare that saved him some time ago stuck in some vines that were trying to envelop her entirely.

Bane growled, and teleported to them, using his teeth and daggers to pull and cut the vines away without harming the traped mare. "Bane? Is that you?!" The mare asked and found herself blinded by the vines as they wrapped around her face.

"Yes Tender Step, it's me! Hold on, I'll get you put of those vines!!" Bane said with determination.

As Bane cut and pulled at the vines, he was relieved to see them finally retreating back into the ground and forest after cutting them enough. Tender Step gasped, falling forward from the place she was held and found herself caught by Bane. "Whoa, easy there! Are you hurt?"

Tender Step nodded some, an arrow in her right flank, and sighs. "Yea, I got shot with an arrow when I stumbled upon a bandit camp..." She said as she tried to stand again, blushing some because she realized Bane was still holding her up.

Bane let her stand on her own now. "What brings you here?" He asked, worried about her wound as he waited for her reply before making an offer.

"I sensed a disturbance in nature here. I wanted to investigate the problem, but after being chased by some timberwolves I got lost, and stumbled on that camp I mentioned. After I lost them, those vines grabbed me, theb you showed up." Tender Step explained and Bane nodded.

"I'm glad I showed up when I did then!" Bane said with a smile.

Tender Step nodded in agreement with a shy smile, seeing Bane in a new light now. "I am too! If you hadn't shown up to rescue me, who knows what could've happened to me. I appreciate it Bane!"

Tender Step now gave Bane a hug, causing Bane to blush a little bit. "Nah, I didn't do anything special really. I saw you needed help, and acted." He said and hugs her back lightly.

Tender Step felt her heart race at his hug and pulled back gently, hoping Bane hadn't noticed.

Bane looked around now as the wind stops and thunder was heard in the distance. "Seems it's gonna storm soon. We shouls find shelter before we get caught in it."

Tender Step nods in agreement again and began to look around, seeking materials to make a shelter for them.

(To Be Continued.)