Mediate

"Thank you for saving me. Without you I would be bird-food."

Venosa looked at me for a second, like she was searching for a hidden meaning behind my words they didn't possess, then her mouth broke into a ear to ear grin.

"Don't mention it. Being a hero is a hobby of mine."

Since the doctor had agreed to let me go, her voice was as chirpy as the first time I had met her.

I nodded and looked around. The scene outside the clinic had changed. Most of the soldiers had left, leaving behind only 6 people that surrounded Skarra. The nightstalker wasn't looking too bad, a few light bruises on face and arms were the only leftovers of her fight against the mustache-man. Despite being surrounded, her expression was calm. I raise my healthy hand for a greeting.

"Hi, Skarra."

Her head jerks towards me. For just a moment relief flashes over her face, then it is as matter of fact as always.

"Good, you are still alive."

"Yup, Venosa here saved me."

I point at the snake-lady. Skarra looks her up and down. Her hand shoots towards her Kajar. Without breaking her gaze she nods towards the mustache-man, sitting a few feet away. He doesn't look as well preserved as her. Dry blood stuck to nose and mustache, his eye swollen and his clothes covered with cuts. I couldn't remember some of the wounds, apparently the fight wasn't finished when Xepec had approached me.

"Wanna find out as well?", Skarra asks, staring at the woman under my shoulders.

Venosa laughs, her snake slowly coiling around my neck. Her tongue nudged me in, what I hoped, was an affectionate manner.

"No, heavens no. I am here to pick you up."

Skarras brow formed a slight frown upon hearing Venosas chirpy voice, but her hand came off the blade.

"Why?"

Venosa shrugged.

"The mayor wants to see you."

"Is that your idea of gratitude? I help you against those flying pests and in return I have to fight this clown over there and now I have to audition in front of the mayor?"

"I-I am truly sorry about my guildmate. He is kind of an oddball."

"We think it is because of your guild", I add.

That seemed to convince Skarra. "Fiiinnnnee, lead the way …."

"Venosa", the snake-woman said, a huge grin tearing her face in half.

"Lead the way Venosa, I will follow."

Venosa nods. Her gaze wanders towards the man sitting on the ground. "You coming, Lopus?"

The man sprang to his feet. Cracking his neck he walked towards us. He didn't seem to be bothered by his wounds or appearance at all.

"Thus was a glorious combat. Congratulations, you truly had me beat."

"Em…thanks?"

The darkling's eyes jerked from Lopus to Venora to me, like she wanted someone to explain the situation to her. Venosa let out a sigh.

"I must admit it was my first time fighting a nightstalker. Would you say you are below, about or above the average strength of your guildmates."

I had never seen Skarra this befuddled. Her mouth stood open, a look of pure disbelief in her eyes.

"What kind of question is that?"

Venosa clapped her hands. Her snake was still journeying over my body. I just hoped she found nothing appetizing.

"Oookay, that's enough, stop weirding our friends out", she said with a stern voice. Lopus shot her a look of disappointment.

"Technically I am ranked higher than you."

He pointed towards the silver pendant on his chest. It was identical to the one dangling from Venosa but instead of a little green ring it had a golden pattern on it forming a fist. I had to ask them about it later. Maybe I could interview the man on his technique.

Venosa nodded, her snake raising its head, and eyeing Lopus. Her bright smile transformed into a toothless grin, that was somewhere between friendly and threatening.

"And factually I am stronger than you."

"You only have one win up on me!"

"We only fought once…"

"Yeah, yeah got it, I'll behave myself", he said raising his hands in an disarming manner. He turned his head towards Skarra. "But if you ever find your blood boiling for some exercise, know that you will always find a training-partner in me."