"Hold still, please," Erenville chided softly, his hands working deftly to stitch the wound closed. "Are you not a warrior? Accustomed to being poked with sharp implements? Surely a needle should not cause you such distress."

The Viera had never been given to pleasantries, or any sort of interaction for that matter, preferring instead to be left alone with his work. Creatures of the wild were far less of a hassle to deal with than people, and he'd always been dour and not particularly sociable. But, though he was no fighter himself—hopeless at it, his mother would've said—injuries were commonplace in the wild, so he was quite versed in first aid.

Erenville frowned with concern. The bite was deep; the likelihood of infection was high, and they were nowhere near a healer. He had potions and tinctures in his pack, but those wouldn't be enough.

"The beast was wary. You ought to have left it be," he continued, though there was no bite to his words. He knew his companion had only been protecting him.

It was unlike him to complain so much, but he found himself unable to stop the words from spilling out. Normally he would have said nothing, but seeing his friend, someone who'd always seemed so invincible to him, brought low like this...

He bit back a sigh, trying to push away the negative thoughts threatening to bubble to the surface. His losses were still far too recent, still tore at his heart and haunted his dreams. So much of what he cared about was now gone; if he lost this too—

"Look, I... I know nagging doesn't help matters any. It's just..." Erenville trailed off, taking a moment to wipe the sweat from his brow. He couldn't think about that now; he had to focus on the task at hand. "Listen. We need to make for the nearest town. I would go alone, but..."

Erenville chewed on his lip. Curse his lack of skill with a weapon. He'd be no match for any beast or even a would-be brigand that might choose to waylay him.

"I need you with me." In more ways than one, not that he'd admit to it. "Can you manage?"