Shownotes
One night on a small airship, Torinh, a dragonfolk paladin, prepares to go to their chubby catfolk love-cleric named Cinder, for healing.
Today’s story is “The Healer’s Quarters” by Pendoggo, who is a furry artist and casual writer who loves big guys and fantasy worlds. You can find more of his stories on furaffinity and his art on twitter or bluesky.
Read by Solomon Harries, the Cuddly Badger Dad.
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https://thevoice.dog/episode/the-healers-quarters-by-pendoggo
Transcripts
You’re listening to The Voice of Dog.
Speaker:This is Rob MacWolf, your fellow traveler,
Speaker:and Today’s story is
Speaker:“The Healer’s Quarters” by Pendoggo,
Speaker:who is a furry artist and casual writer
Speaker:who loves big guys and fantasy worlds.
Speaker:You can find more of his stories on furaffinity
Speaker:and his art on twitter
Speaker:or bluesky. Read by Solomon Harries,
Speaker:the Cuddly Badger Dad.
Speaker:Please enjoy “The Healer’s Quarters” by Pendoggo
Speaker:The white dragonfolk stifled a cough as he climbed down the stairs to the lower deck of the old airship that he called home for the past few months.
Speaker:With a grunt he closed the hatch,
Speaker:the darkness of the night pushed away by the array of magical flames that lined the ship’s hallway.
Speaker:He normally didn't want to bother anyone for trivial matters,
Speaker:but today his slight ailment was particularly cumbersome.
Speaker:A small lingering pain in his chest bloomed whenever he coughed or breathed in too deeply,
Speaker:causing him to lose sleep for the past couple of days.
Speaker:He thought that a week of rest would take care of it,
Speaker:but his recovery was taking longer than expected. 'Perhaps
Speaker:that giant actually struck me harder than I thought,'
Speaker:Torinh pondered as he walked through toward one of the flying ship's cabins,
Speaker:feeling his chest under his tunic.
Speaker:Hesitating for a moment,
Speaker:he knocked softly on the old, wooden door.
Speaker:He withdrew his hand as faint arcane symbols glowed gently to his touch.
Speaker:"Cinder! It's me, Torinh.
Speaker:Torinh." He said gruffly, wincing at the slight pang of pain as he raised his voice.
Speaker:"Torinh!" A soft voice called out from the other side as a bolt was unlocked.
Speaker:"I remember you said you'd drop by.
Speaker:I'm the only one here, come in!"
Speaker:Warm air greeted the dragonfolk as he opened the cabin door.
Speaker:The air in the compact room was warm and dry,
Speaker:with faint hints of herbs wafting in the air.
Speaker:A dim, yellow light emanated from a magical cube of warmth at Cinder’s side.
Speaker:The slightly mysterious, chubby, striped catfolk he had partied with waved happily,
Speaker:beckoning the dragonfolk closer.
Speaker:With a grin to his comrade in reply,
Speaker:he walked in and gleaned around the room.
Speaker:A hammock created a raised makeshift cloth roof above the catfolk's bed,
Speaker:and a white-furred rug laid on top of a few crates in the corner.
Speaker:A few bowls filled with herbs, berries, and components lay by his side as he sat on the rug.
Speaker:Torinh closed the door quietly to prevent the warm air from escaping and walked into the room.
Speaker:"You look quite comfortable there, Cinder.
Speaker:Cinder." The dragonfolk observed as he ambled towards the healer.
Speaker:"It is quite late. I didn't think you'd mind.
Speaker:mind." Cinder replied, smiling shyly.
Speaker:The catfolk's fur was bare,
Speaker:his hefty form in full display,
Speaker:save for the covering of a maroon, velvet loincloth.
Speaker:His light cream and orange fur glowed faintly in the dim light,
Speaker:accentuated by the golden stripes that covered his wide back.
Speaker:Shifting to move some of the bowls, the light and shadows danced on the tiger's soft body and fur,
Speaker:with ripples of muscle occasionally shifting underneath his generous form.
Speaker:"My robes get uncomfortable when they rub against my fur for too long."
Speaker:"I don't mind. Besides, I'm the one imposing on your night.
Speaker:night." Torinh rumbled as he watched Cinder prepare.
Speaker:"Oh hush, this is nothing.
Speaker:nothing." the catfolk healer chuffed.
Speaker:Rubbing his large paws together, he closed his eyes as he muttered a prayer.
Speaker:Fine strands of golden flame blossomed from his palm,
Speaker:creating a miniature, shimmering flower.
Speaker:"You mentioned something ails your chest?"
Speaker:"A slight pang whenever I exert myself,"
Speaker:Torinh replied as he took off his tunic,
Speaker:exposing the finer, bone-white scales of his chest and belly to the light.
Speaker:He raised his arms, stretching his back as he stood shirtless
Speaker:wearing a set of well-used, hemp trousers.
Speaker:The bulky muscles of his chest and core displayed his martial prowess,
Speaker:with a slight layer of fat that had accumulated with age.
Speaker:A few scars and bruises remained on his muscular front from their previous engagement with giants.
Speaker:"That’s still quite a problem.
Speaker:Well then," Cinder purred as he scooted over to the side.
Speaker:Patting the bed, he smiled warmly at his friend,
Speaker:his silver eyes glimmering gold in the light.
Speaker:"Lie down and let's see what we can do tonight.
Speaker:tonight." Torinh grunted as he bent his back and climbed onto the bed that Cinder made.
Speaker:The white rug was soft and fuzzy,
Speaker:the fur light enough to be barely noticeable on the dragonfolk’s rough scales
Speaker:but dense enough to provide ample cushion.
Speaker:He briefly pondered what animal the rug came from,
Speaker:and where Cinder might have acquired the rug during their travels.
Speaker:He was pretty sure that was not there when they first met
Speaker:back in the town in the northern ice lands.
Speaker:“It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it,”
Speaker:Torinh thought to himself as brief memories of their unexpected, gloomy meeting in the icy, walled city of Hallowhold
Speaker:six moons ago flashed through his mind.
Speaker:“Many things have changed.
Speaker:Even for a tired dragonfolk such as I.”
Speaker:He got comfortable, squeezing past Cinder,
Speaker:and lay on his belly.
Speaker:The soft cracks from his scales and bones sounded loudly in the muffled, quiet room as he repositioned himself.
Speaker:The bed was cozy and indeed soft.
Speaker:Very fitting for a cat like Cinder, Torinh thought to himself.
Speaker:Warmth seeped into the scales of his chest and belly,
Speaker:the rug warm as if the big cat had been laying on it just moments before.
Speaker:With his snout buried in the plush rug,
Speaker:the faint scent of maleness entered his lungs.
Speaker:It was not unpleasant, though.
Speaker:The dragonfolk had experienced far stronger odors in the barracks of his homeland, Thirborash.
Speaker:“Are you comfortable?”
Speaker:Cinder asked Torinh. “More than comfortable, friend.”
Speaker:Torinh grunted. “Your choice of beddings puts me to shame.
Speaker:shame.” “I’m glad it’s suitable for you!
Speaker:I’m not really sure how dragonfolk like to rest.”
Speaker:Cinder chuffed. He rose, leaning over the dragonfolk as he prepared a few more enchantments.
Speaker:With the wooden wall of the ship on one side and the tiger on the other,
Speaker:Torihn felt the warmth of the soft catfolk surround him.
Speaker:The warm orange light cast shadows around them and bounced on the tiger’s fur.
Speaker:“Better hurry, Cinder,
Speaker:the atmosphere here is threatening to lull me to sleep.”
Speaker:Torinh muttered softly into the rug.
Speaker:“I wouldn’t mind that,
Speaker:it’s best that you get a good rest. And besides,” the golden tiger replied.
Speaker:“I think there’s enough space on the bed for both of us.
Speaker:It doesn’t look like it, but I can fit in some pretty tight spaces.”
Speaker:Cinder rubbed his paws together,
Speaker:and small flashes of golden light appeared at the tips of his claws.
Speaker:The pointed nails were carefully sheathed back into his fingers,
Speaker:still exuding a faint glow through the soft fur.
Speaker:He placed his paws on the white dragonfolk’s muscular back.
Speaker:Torinh felt the weight of Cinder’s paws against his shoulder blades.
Speaker:The soft, warm paws applied pressure as the big cat roamed the broad, white back,
Speaker:feeling the shifting scales and muscle.
Speaker:Light droplets of magic fell from Cinder’s paw tips,
Speaker:roaming the mountain of scales as they searched for wounds to mend.
Speaker:“Tell me if anything starts to hurt,”
Speaker:Cinder replied as he continued to gently rub the dragonfolk.
Speaker:“I’m not sure those paws of yours are capable of hurting anything,”
Speaker:Torinh sighed as he sank further into the rug.
Speaker:“I didn’t know tiger paws were this soft.”
Speaker:“You’re not the first dragonfolk who told me this,” Cinder muttered quietly.
Speaker:“What?” “Nothing. I’m just searching for the specific point of injury,
Speaker:as well as a general assessment of your health.
Speaker:So please relax and breathe normally.”
Speaker:Cinder said as his large paws continued their work.
Speaker:He felt the scales on Torinh’s back slowly warm to his touch.
Speaker:Torinh closed his eyes as the hefty strawberry tiger worked him over.
Speaker:Those large paws expertly felt through his weary muscles, softening them with their warmth.
Speaker:The trails of magic that traced over his scales and entered his body
Speaker:added a fuzzy touch to the experience,
Speaker:not unlike brushing delicate, young grass on a warm summer day.
Speaker:The dragon rumbled and closed his eyes.
Speaker:His deep hum turned into a gentle grunt
Speaker:and the air in his chest was slowly pushed out by the tiger’s talented paws.
Speaker:“Are clerics and priests usually this physical with their patients?”
Speaker:Torinh inquired. “Back in my homeland we usually relied on natural healing methods,
Speaker:so I have little experience with mystic healers except for you and a few others.” “Ah,
Speaker:I don’t usually interact with other clerics,
Speaker:and it’s not often I find worshippers of my god.”
Speaker:Cinder explained.
Speaker:“But from what I experienced their healing methods can be much more indirect.”
Speaker:The feline pushed his paws into the dragonfolk’s shoulder blades as he leaned his weight into his patient.
Speaker:Torinh felt a slight hint of pain blossom, but it quickly vanished as sparks of healing magic bloomed into the injury.
Speaker:Finding his mark,
Speaker:the tiger continued to massage the area,
Speaker:kneading his paws into the bulky shoulders as he thought of what to say.
Speaker:“Many clerics can heal with a single word,
Speaker:or by radiating magic through their palms.
Speaker:They employ a concentrated shock of healing magic that forcefully heals wounds in an instant.
Speaker:I can do that myself…
Speaker:I recognize the importance of expediency in healing in many cases, such as combat.
Speaker:But I don’t prefer it.”
Speaker:The golden tiger conjured the small flower once more,
Speaker:scattering the shimmering petals on the dragonfolk’s broad back and spine.
Speaker:They stood still for a moment,
Speaker:basking in the heavy healing magic.
Speaker:Cinder’s paws lay heavy on Torinh’s shoulders,
Speaker:keeping him gently pinned to the bed.
Speaker:“For many clerics, that’s the goal as far as their art of healing goes.
Speaker:Mastery is being able to mend as much as possible in a single moment.
Speaker:And that’s also one of my goals.
Speaker:But it is important to focus on the act of healing itself,
Speaker:and the flows and motions of the body.”
Speaker:Cinder further explained.
Speaker:“Is this just your personal inclination or is this due to your god?”
Speaker:Torinh asked. “…I’m not sure.
Speaker:But I do really enjoy the more intimate interaction.
Speaker:Perhaps that is the reason why I align well with Huetli.
Speaker:I’ve never told you about her, have I?” “Huetli is your god, yes? I don’t believe you have.” Torinh pondered. “Why haven’t you, anyway? I thought most clerics jumped at the opportunity to share their beliefs.”
Speaker:“I don’t see you proclaiming the noble dragon god much either! I suppose it’s since I know that dragonfolk don’t
Speaker:really worship gods, especially back east in Thirborash.”
Speaker:Cinder said, as the last of the petals slowly dissolved into Torinh’s scales.
Speaker:“And our party comes from many different walks of life.
Speaker:I do not wish to unnecessarily offend someone.”
Speaker:“I am still curious. Times are changing,
Speaker:even in a place as fundamentalist as Thirborash.
Speaker:And I am still a worshipper the noble dragon, even though it does not show.”
Speaker:Torinh answered, glancing up at the strawberry tiger. “Well then, Huetli is a god that my clan worshipped even back in The True World out east…
Speaker:even before we settled in Morghon.
Speaker:It’s the catfolk homeland, far west across the Biting Coast.
Speaker:Though we eventually took in the Mishan pantheon as well,
Speaker:I still feel a stronger affinity to the old gods.”
Speaker:Cinder’s paws wandered the dragonfolk’s broad shoulders until they stopped at each side.
Speaker:Torinh noticed the paws lightly trace at the deep scratches in his hardened scales.
Speaker:“These marks… my magic is getting deterred by them.
Speaker:Are these notches draconic?”
Speaker:The tiger asked. “Istu… Sakri?
Speaker:“They are not to be healed.
Speaker:Indeed, they are draconic, though it is written in the old dialect of Drachtongue.”
Speaker:Torinh replied. “Istadur
Speaker:huv Sakrobar. Strength and Patience.
Speaker:Those are the words of power bestowed to me by the great scaled one.” “Ah,
Speaker:forgive me if I accidentally handled something I shouldn’t have.”
Speaker:Cinder apologized, to which the dragonfolk just chuckled.
Speaker:“I would have warned you beforehand if there was a problem.
Speaker:In fact, it makes me quite pleased that you noticed them.”
Speaker:The white dragonfolk flexed his right arm,
Speaker:the words on his scales glowing faintly.
Speaker:“Istadur, the resilience of a white dragon.”
Speaker:“Do you ever get scared of harnessing the powers of dragons?” Cinder asked,
Speaker:his curiosity getting the better of him as he traced his paws over the jagged words.
Speaker:“That the influence of a chromatic dragon could corrupt you?”
Speaker:“There is always a risk of corruption that comes with power,
Speaker:especially powers that align with combat.
Speaker:But by The Dragon’s light, I will not be led astray.
Speaker:It is why I do not directly oppose the mercenary dragonfolk’s presence, for now.
Speaker:I have traveled long enough to know that strength can come from many sources.
Speaker:But if you have the willpower to wield those powers,
Speaker:then you have nothing to fear.”
Speaker:“I should remember that well, friend.”
Speaker:Cinder replied softly as he stared at his own paws, thinking.
Speaker:“Besides, not all chromatic dragons are evil,
Speaker:as some dragonfolk and people would have you believe,” Torinh added. “You know well yourself that the princes of Morghon are not all evil.
Speaker:Skalvarthaer is one such example.”
Speaker:“That is true, his rule has been rather benevolent for a blue wyrm.
Speaker:I did not know that Thirborash… or at least the Brightscale Cadre,
Speaker:respect him as well.”
Speaker:Cinder replied as he finished tracing the last of the words of power.
Speaker:“Do all of the Brightscale dragonfolk have these marks?”
Speaker:“Not all of us. To obtain these marks you need years of training and dedication.
Speaker:To experience battle, victory, and defeat.
Speaker:And not all our marks are the same.
Speaker:We obtain them based on our abilities and our masteries.
Speaker:Some are unique to the wielder.
Speaker:The death of a Brightscale Cadre member could mean the erasure of a word.”
Speaker:The dragonfolk closed his eyes,
Speaker:taking in the silence of the room and focusing on the touch of the paws on his marks.“Formaitr huv Virhe. Time and Vengeance. Two lost
Speaker:words my heart shall never forget.
Speaker:forget.”
Speaker:He said softly. Torinh watched Cinder’s tail sway lazily as his paws trailed back down his back.
Speaker:His movements were smooth and silent
Speaker:yet contained unexpected precision and energy,
Speaker:not unlike a hunter stalking its prey.
Speaker:The ease with which the hefty tiger mixed playfulness with expertise was mesmerizing to watch.
Speaker:Leaving his potent magic to work Torinh’s shoulders,
Speaker:Cinder’s paws wandered back down to the dragonfolk’s trunk,
Speaker:searching for more minor wounds to heal.
Speaker:Soft, but with a firm grip,
Speaker:they traced the scales down to the dragonfolk’s tailbone,
Speaker:kneading the muscle around it.
Speaker:“I’ve always wondered why dragonfolk have no tails.”
Speaker:Cinder said casually.
Speaker:“It seems natural that there would be something here.”
Speaker:“They say to have a tail is to be aligned to the dragons of the old Sun-Scorched Plane.
Speaker:A mark that we are bound to them.
Speaker:To have no tail is to show that we are our own people,
Speaker:to show that the useless appendage will hold back our freedom.
Speaker:At least that is what some of the dragonfolk of my homeland believe.”
Speaker:Torinh grunted. “In practicality, having a tail would only mean another loose extremity and liability in combat.
Speaker:“They aren’t useless!” Cinder chuffed as he bopped the dragonfolk playfully on the head with his own flexible tail.
Speaker:His paws began to dig into the dragonfolk’s glutes, pressing into the strong muscles and feeling them flex in response to his touch and magic.
Speaker:“If I lost my tail,
Speaker:it would be like losing a couple of fingers, at the very least.”
Speaker:“Catfolk tails are very fun, I’ll give you that.”
Speaker:Torinh grinned.
Speaker:A shadow passed over him as Cinder stretched down to trickle magic over Torinh’s back.
Speaker:Torinh’s eyes opened for a moment as he felt the soft plush of the big cat’s lower belly
Speaker:rest lightly on his muzzle.
Speaker:Taking a breath, he soon recognized the scent on the rug,
Speaker:the faint, earthy scent that he noticed even stronger here.
Speaker:The scent of a catfolk was slightly exotic to the dragonfolk,
Speaker:due to the difference in pelt and scales,
Speaker:the soft fur being able to trap more moisture and warmth.
Speaker:The scent of faint herbs and earth mixed with the tiger’s natural male musk
Speaker:and a light sheen of sweat from his present exertions.
Speaker:“Going back to what we were talking about a while ago,
Speaker:Huetli is my homeland’s goddess of healing.
Speaker:It is said that back in my homeland, the clerics of Huetli were among the most powerful and well-respected healers of the land.
Speaker:She is also the goddess of love and fertility.”
Speaker:“Love?” Torinh asked. “What do you mean by that?
Speaker:Forgive me, it’s just that the concept means different things to different people.
Speaker:I’ve had to learn that marriage is much different in Tymanther than it is in other nations.
Speaker:nations.” “Love, in both the romantic and lustful sense.”
Speaker:Cinder replied. “The two are intertwined, and one can easily lead to the other, can they not?” “Ah.
Speaker:I was thinking it might be like the other goddess….
Speaker:Sybilla, I believe her name was?”
Speaker:“The Fair-haired Goddess…
Speaker:from what I know, she focuses primarily on beauty.
Speaker:I don’t hold that in high regard.
Speaker:Beauty and physical attraction are important for love,
Speaker:but it is not love itself.
Speaker:To emphasize the value of attractiveness instead of the passion of love itself
Speaker:is an exercise in triviality, and one that I do not want to take part in.”
Speaker:The catfolk explained.
Speaker:“It’s fascinating how clerics under the same domain can have widely different priorities.
Speaker:I assume you are also against those celibate clerics.
Speaker:clerics.” Torinh grinned beneath Cinder’s belly.
Speaker:“How can they understand the deeper nuances of healing another
Speaker:without an appreciation of the flesh?!” Cinder derided,
Speaker:his gentle grip on Torinh’s hips tightening.
Speaker:“I will not go as far as to say that
Speaker:their healing is ineffective.
Speaker:But I will say that it is lacking in soul.
Speaker:A cold simulacrum of a summer’s tender warmth.”
Speaker:“It’s the first time I’ve seen you this riled up,” Torinh smirked.
Speaker:“You normally don’t express yourself as much.”
Speaker:“I didn’t think it needed to be said,
Speaker:and I do not normally like to boast.”
Speaker:Cinder answered,
Speaker:tracing through the rough scales.
Speaker:“To heal others brings me joy, and when I heal, I pour my heart into it.
Speaker:It is not only about a wound being mended or an illness being cured.
Speaker:It is about the process of restoration itself.
Speaker:Reaching out, one life to another.”
Speaker:The air moved as Cinder rose and stretched,
Speaker:the soft fur and bulk of his chest and belly shifting as he raised his arms up.
Speaker:The dragonfolk felt slivers of cool wind mix with the dry warmth on his scales
Speaker:as the large body above him stirred the air.
Speaker:There was an odd sense of emptiness as the pressure on his back was relieved,
Speaker:which kept him in a slight daze as his mind snapped back.
Speaker:“I applied as much healing as I could from the back,
Speaker:but much of the pain in your chest is coming from the front.
Speaker:It’ll be easier if I had you on your back. Do you want
Speaker:me to flip you over, or can you do it yourself?”
Speaker:Cinder asked. “I can do it myself,”
Speaker:Torinh muttered as he sluggishly propped himself up to lie down on his back.
Speaker:The fuzziness on his back slowly faded as he fell back down on the rug,
Speaker:his back scales rubbing against the soft fur.
Speaker:He gave a slight shiver as his front was exposed to the cool air.
Speaker:Above him, the hefty tiger looked down with a friendly smile.
Speaker:Torinh watched as the big cat’s ample chest and belly rose and fell with each breath
Speaker:and his golden-white tail absentmindedly slid over his cream-colored belly.
Speaker:“There we go. Shall we resume?”
Speaker:Cinder asked, rubbing his paws which were still dripping with magic.
Speaker:Torinh nodded, and the catfolk bent down to place his paws on his body once more.
Speaker:The dragonfolk couldn’t help but breathe a soft sigh
Speaker:as he felt the warm paws come in contact with his chest again.
Speaker:The gentle, yet deliberate pressure of the striped feline’s combined with the flowing magic was a comfort he did not imagine he would yearn for.
Speaker:“I must say though, I didn’t think that you worshiped a goddess of love.
Speaker:I kind of thought it was perhaps a god of crops… or maybe a god of fire.”
Speaker:Torinh said, noticing the tiger druid wince slightly at the end.
Speaker:“I wouldn’t blame you,”
Speaker:Cinder said with a small sigh.
Speaker:“Most of the time I harness aspects of fire in battle.
Speaker:Though a god of crops?”
Speaker:“Those berries you conjure are very tasty.”
Speaker:Torinh clarified.
Speaker:“And Fluffy told me you’ve been asking for bags of seed for one reason or another.”
Speaker:“Ah! Yes, that is for Huetli.”
Speaker:Cinder said, his ears red.
Speaker:“It’s a small form of devotion that I’m fond of offering once in a while.
Speaker:Especially after a good meal.”
Speaker:“A simple offering.
Speaker:Though that does sound like a harvest god’s devotion.”
Speaker:Torinh replied, feeling Cinder’s paws trace the underside of his pectorals.
Speaker:Fine strands of magic laced through his scales,
Speaker:healing minor scars that even the dragonfolk didn’t notice.
Speaker:The velvet paw pads pressed down on the packed muscle of his chest and soft light bloomed underneath.
Speaker:Cinder closed his eyes and purred as he felt his magic seep into the scales and muscles of the dragonfolk,
Speaker:feeling the life stir beneath him.
Speaker:Torinh watched the muscles in the golden tiger’s arms and pectorals bulge with every heavy press,
Speaker:the soft fur shifting and shining in the orange light.
Speaker:“That’s only a minor offering to the goddess,” Cinder replied as he opened his eyes.
Speaker:“The most favored offering is still…
Speaker:the private celebration of giving and receiving life essence.
Speaker:The union of two bodies as one.”
Speaker:“Ah,” Torinh replied, almost purring himself as he felt those heavy paws relieve his chest
Speaker:to then roam his sides.
Speaker:“I should have expected that.”
Speaker:Cinder just murmured in agreement as he continued,
Speaker:massaging the sturdy core of the dragonfolk.
Speaker:A light sheen of sweat was forming on the feline’s fur as he worked,
Speaker:and his paws began to get moist.
Speaker:Torinh felt the warm panting of the tiger wash over his chest.
Speaker:“Since Huetli is a goddess of love, does she er, bestow her acolytes with…
Speaker:other blessings?” Torinh tiptoed.
Speaker:“Other blessings?” the big tiger asked,
Speaker:ear twitching. “You know… stamina…. virility…” Torinh hesitated,
Speaker:his voice growing quiet as he muttered the last word.,
Speaker:“…endowment?” “Oh!” Cinder replied,
Speaker:ear twitching with a slightly embarrassed grin.
Speaker:“I’m not sure? I’m not that confident being the judge of my own capability.
Speaker:Though I believe my partners were all at
Speaker:least pleased.” “I can’t tell if you’re just being humble or not,”
Speaker:Torinh murmured,
Speaker:glancing at the thin loincloth a few inches away from his face,
Speaker:darting at the faint outline on the burgundy silk.
Speaker:The shifting glance wasn’t unnoticed by the feline eyes above.
Speaker:“It’s a shame that you haven’t been able to
Speaker:practice your devotion in this cramped ship.”
Speaker:Torinh chuckled, to which Cinder just gave a soft smile.
Speaker:“Is that an offer?”
Speaker:Cinder asked after a pause,
Speaker:getting a small laugh from the both of them.
Speaker:He gazed back down at the dragonfolk’s torso,
Speaker:tracing his thumbs on the soft scales and feeling the strength beneath.
Speaker:The two remained silent for a while,
Speaker:content with enjoying each other’s company.
Speaker:Cinder’s paws roamed up and down the dragonborn’s body
Speaker:as he delicately pressed his weight down on his companion,
Speaker:pushing his magic deep into the prone dragonborn before him..
Speaker:“Back in my homeland we mostly relied on natural remedies.
Speaker:Clerics were rare,
Speaker:though we Brightscale Cadre were fortunate to have a few.
Speaker:Many elders still do not trust the healing magics of the clerics and druids,
Speaker:calling them unnatural,
Speaker:and that it softens our bodies.”
Speaker:Torinh rumbled as he started some banter.
Speaker:The smooth, gentle motions of the strawberry tiger were threatening to lull him to sleep,
Speaker:and he made conversation to stay awake.
Speaker:He didn’t want to burden the feline if the cat really meant to let him rest here.
Speaker:“I held this belief for some time,
Speaker:though after joining the Brightscale Cadre and traveling to the western coast,
Speaker:my views on healing magic have somewhat changed.
Speaker:But the thought of recovering by my own strength being superior to outside healing still lingers.
Speaker:Your healing is different though.
Speaker:It feels true.” The dragonfolk concluded.
Speaker:“Thank you for the kind words, friend.
Speaker:I do believe that simply channeling magic into flesh is not a good way to mend a body.
Speaker:I am a healer through my spells, but I choose my components to augment the magic that I evoke.
Speaker:By using herbal remedies in my components,
Speaker:I think my spells are more soothing on the flesh.”
Speaker:Cinder chuffed, as he pressed down softly on the dragonfolk’s warm chest. “I, especially, due to my abundance of healing energy, have learned early on that shocking a being with heavy healing can be stressful on the flesh. Healing is not to be forced onto a body
Speaker:with a sudden jolt.
Speaker:You need to connect with the other person.
Speaker:To mend a body, it should be coaxed in, gently and softly.”
Speaker:The big cat bowed down,
Speaker:careful not to apply too much force through his paws
Speaker:which lay on the dragonfolk’s injured torso.
Speaker:Torinh felt the golden tiger’s soft belly rest on his hand and arm,
Speaker:covering his palm with heavy, warm fur.
Speaker:Cinder looked down at Torinh with soft eyes,
Speaker:his pupils calm and welcoming as their snouts almost touched.
Speaker:“Like nestling a delicate ember in fine kindling.”
Speaker:Taking his toasty paws off the dragonfolk,
Speaker:he took a small bowl of fragrant ointment.
Speaker:“I believe you have a torn muscle between your ribs.
Speaker:It’s quite deep, so I’ll apply some infused ointment to weave a lingering balm.
Speaker:Your scales will feel a bit warm and sticky when we’re done tonight, if that’s alright with you.”
Speaker:“That is fine, friend.”
Speaker:Torinh replied, drachtongue slipping out of his words as he watched Cinder work.
Speaker:Soaking the fur of his fingers with oil,
Speaker:the feline began to trace symbols on Torinh’s chest.
Speaker:Magic dripped from the sheathed claw tips of the large paw,
Speaker:saturating the ointment with potent evocation.
Speaker:As his finger ran through the dragonfolk’s scales,
Speaker:Torinh felt an almost uncomfortable heat as the slightly shimmering, magic-infused ointment touched his flesh.
Speaker:The light and heat vanished after a heartbeat though,
Speaker:leaving behind a comfortably hot aftereffect.
Speaker:Cinder’s paw glided across his muscular chest,
Speaker:expertly navigating the curves of Torinh’s anatomy
Speaker:as he mapped out every scale and muscle.
Speaker:It made the dragonfolk feel exposed as his body was learned by the healer.
Speaker:“You dragonfolk really do have smoother and finer scales in front,”
Speaker:Cinder noted. “Especially where your chest meets your abdomen…
Speaker:trailing towards your armpits.”
Speaker:“An astute observation.”
Speaker:Torinh asked. “I’m not the first dragonfolk you’ve healed this way?”
Speaker:“I’ve healed the Zhentarim agent before.”
Speaker:“I didn’t think that dragonfolk would be the type to allow someone to examine his physique in this manner.
Speaker:manner.” “You’d be surprised with what that Zhent is comfortable with.”
Speaker:Cinder replied, as he focused on his work.
Speaker:“You really do know those Zhents well.”
Speaker:Torinh said. “It’s hard to break the ice with those two,
Speaker:and it’s especially difficult to trust them.
Speaker:I’m afraid they just might be able to steal our healer.”
Speaker:“You learn a lot about the people you mend.
Speaker:When two beings share life force, their hearts open up to each other.”
Speaker:Cinder said happily.
Speaker:“The priests of Huetli were not only known as healers of physical ailments but emotional distress as well.”
Speaker:The tiger lifted a paw to bat at his twitching, blushing ear.
Speaker:“I might not yet be very capable in the latter, but I hope to get better at it someday.”
Speaker:“Don’t worry, friend,”
Speaker:Torinh reassured. “We may not always meet eye to eye,
Speaker:but you are one that I can trust to approach.”
Speaker:“That’s a relief.” Cinder sighed.
Speaker:“Well, since you’re busy healing me right
Speaker:now, what do you think about me?”
Speaker:Torinh grinned. “You have a heavy heart.” “That’s
Speaker:too obvious, tiger.”
Speaker:The dragonfolk guffawed.
Speaker:“Tell me something more interesting.”
Speaker:“You have a heavy chest?”
Speaker:Cinder pondered, hefting the dragonfolk’s burly pectorals, getting the two to laugh once more.
Speaker:A subtle smile emerged on the feline’s muzzle as he watched the dragonfolk’s chest bounce in his paws,
Speaker:the blend of ointment and magic making his scales gleam softly in the light.
Speaker:His ears perked up,
Speaker:and sly glint appeared in his feline eyes
Speaker:as his tail swayed playfully behind him.
Speaker:As the dragonfolk sighed, he felt the big cat lean in slightly,
Speaker:whispering into his ear.
Speaker:“I do know this though.”
Speaker:The tiger deftly got up and climbed on the bed, positioning himself squatting on top of the dragonfolk.
Speaker:His beefy thighs were on each side of the dragonfolk’s hips,
Speaker:and the burgundy, silk loincloth draped across the pale scales of his abdomen.
Speaker:He rested lightly on Torinh's hips,
Speaker:his soft behind applying weight on the dragonfolk but careful to not cause discomfort.
Speaker:The big cat’s generous frame absorbed the light,
Speaker:with slivers of illumination reflected through the feline’s golden fur.
Speaker:Torinh looked up at Cinder,
Speaker:whose pupils glowed like placid pools as they reflected the dim glow,
Speaker:his warm breath and scent washing down on him.
Speaker:In this position,
Speaker:the golden tiger had more leverage as he bent down,
Speaker:placing his paws back on the dragonfolk’s chest.
Speaker:Torinh felt the dense paws wander to the sides of his torso,
Speaker:the warm paw tips trailing through the delicate scales beneath his pectorals.
Speaker:“There are ways to make a dragonfolk shudder.”
Speaker:Cinder purred deeply.
Speaker:Gripping the sides of his stomach,
Speaker:the paws squeezed lightly as they slid upwards,
Speaker:kneading the battle-hardened muscle in between.
Speaker:As they reached his torso once more,
Speaker:Cinder clenched below the dragonfolk’s armpits
Speaker:and pressed his thumbs deeply into the thick slab of muscle.
Speaker:His paws were strong and heavy yet soft,
Speaker:his claws in skillful control as they did not once emerge from his fingertips.
Speaker:A heavy burst of healing magic erupted from his paws,
Speaker:warm tendrils of energy roaming the dragonfolk’s flesh with a feathery caress. Torinh couldn’t help but utter a groan in the firm grip of the tiger as the sensations overwhelmed him.
Speaker:“Fuck! By the gods, catfolk!” Torinh groaned,
Speaker:refocusing his eyes to see Cinder’s smug, fluffy grin.
Speaker:The tiger kneaded Torinh’s muscles a few more times,
Speaker:his broad arms flexing as he worked down the dragonfolk’s belly to his hips,
Speaker:sending wisps of soothing magic in all the right places to relax his tight muscles and scales.
Speaker:Wrapped in the viscous vines of healing, Torinh’s strength left him,
Speaker:feeling as if he could melt into the soft fur of the rug he lay on.
Speaker:The dragonfolk was confident Cinder could gently poke a claw through his abdomen
Speaker:and it would effortlessly go through.
Speaker:The large cat smiled,
Speaker:his paws gentle on the dragonfolk’s chest.
Speaker:With the sensations brought by the healing sorcery,
Speaker:Torinh felt even more aware of the contact between them.
Speaker:The warmth and weight of the tiger’s fur and flesh pressing against his,
Speaker:giving a deep sense of companionship.
Speaker:For a few heart beats their eyes met,
Speaker:Cinder’s silver, placid eyes kind and tender
Speaker:yet brimming with powerful magic.
Speaker:As the last of the potent tendrils flowed through his hips,
Speaker:the strawberry tiger got up from the dazed dragonfolk and climbed off the bed.
Speaker:“It takes a while to loosen up a body for the pathways of rejuvenation,
Speaker:but it opens up a much more personal and invigorating experience.
Speaker:Something a simple cleric cannot provide.”
Speaker:Cinder purred. “Especially a celibate one at that.”
Speaker:“You take pride in your art, and for a good reason.”
Speaker:Torinh panted, as the evocations started to fade.
Speaker:“I wanted to exert myself a bit more this time,”
Speaker:Cinder replied as he sat down by Torinh’s side to rest,
Speaker:“Since you told me about the stigma of magical healing of your homeland.”
Speaker:“Your healing is definitely something, I’ll give you that,” Torinh
Speaker:replied as he struggled to lift his arm and brush away Cinder’s careless tail.
Speaker:“I feel fuzzy.” “A powerful surge of healing magic is good for mending general wounds, but for deeper, less obvious ailments, you need a more directed touch.”
Speaker:The golden tiger continued.
Speaker:He shifted shyly as he absentmindedly scratched his belly.
Speaker:“I hope my healing brought you at least some comfort.”
Speaker:“You have nothing to worry about there, catfolk.” Torinh reassured. “That
Speaker:was perhaps maybe more than enough comfort than I’m used to, even.”
Speaker:“You don’t know how much I appreciate that,” Cinder grinned, abashedly.
Speaker:“You should feel much better after a night’s rest.
Speaker:If you feel too tired, you can lie here tonight.
Speaker:I’m sure Winter won’t mind.”
Speaker:“That rug is his? Besides, I wouldn’t be a soldier if I couldn’t walk a few feet back to my room.
Speaker:room.” Torinh grunted as he got up.
Speaker:He braced himself, expecting a twinge in his chest, but nothing came.
Speaker:“If the pain returns, make sure you tell me.” Cinder added.
Speaker:“Now that I know where the ache is coming from, it should be easy to mend for good.”
Speaker:“I’ll remember that.
Speaker:Though something tells me I wouldn’t need to.”
Speaker:Torinh replied. He flexed his chest, feeling his scales ripple with energy.
Speaker:As the fuzzy haze of magic lifted,
Speaker:he started to sense a newfound vigor in his body.
Speaker:He wondered how he would feel after finally getting a good night’s rest.
Speaker:“You’re welcome to return for any other minor ailments,
Speaker:provided I have some magic to spare.”
Speaker:Cinder suggested cheerfully.
Speaker:“Don’t tempt me, tiger.
Speaker:I just might abuse the hospitality.”
Speaker:Torinh smirked. “Thank you, Cinder.
Speaker:Truly.” “You’re always welcome at my hearth, Torinh.”
Speaker:Cinder called back warmly as the dragonfolk turned to leave.
Speaker:“Oh, by the way, dragonfolk!”
Speaker:Torinh glanced back from outside, looking eye to eye at the chunky, golden tiger sitting gently on the bed.
Speaker:“Time and vengeance…
Speaker:two powerful and opposing aspects
Speaker:that at their core are unruly and untamable.
Speaker:One that holds the weight of these words on each shoulder must
Speaker:really be strong.
Speaker:It is easy to get lost in the struggle against both.
Speaker:But we have virtues to grasp the forces into our mortal paws.
Speaker:Through patience we master time.
Speaker:Through strength of will we control vengeance.
Speaker:Perhaps these aspects seek out the virtues,
Speaker:for only then do they obtain meaning.
Speaker:Ehrok sakrobar hytr ehiso formaitr, Ehrok istadur hytr rhugdys virhe.” “I-“ Torinh started, but the catfolk just gave him a fluffy, cheshire
Speaker:grin as he waved the dragonfolk goodbye.
Speaker:Closing the door,
Speaker:the dragonfolk walked down the cold, rickety hallway of the ship.
Speaker:The warm ambiance of the room had vanished completely,
Speaker:almost as if it were a dream,
Speaker:with only the sticky warmth of the balm on his chest as proof of what had just happened.
Speaker:The dragonfolk took a moment to compose himself,
Speaker:leaning against one of the cabin walls.
Speaker:“I still don’t understand that cat.”
Speaker:He muttered to himself,
Speaker:shaking his head.
Speaker:“His demeanor is too disarming.
Speaker:Perhaps I do need to be more careful around him.”
Speaker:Turning around, he briefly stopped by the storage room to grab a bottle of fine elven wine.
Speaker:There was one thing the dragonfolk knew, though;
Speaker:another healing session would need to be in order someday.
Speaker:And besides, he also forgot to retrieve his tunic.
Speaker:“Ehrok sakrobar hytr ehiso formaitr,
Speaker:Ehrok istadur hytr rhugdys virhe…”
Speaker:The dragonfolk murmured quietly,
Speaker:a small smile lingering on his face
Speaker:as he opened the door to his cabin.
Speaker:This was “The Healer’s Quarters” by Pendoggo,
Speaker:read for you by Solomon Harries,
Speaker:the Cuddly Badger Dad.
Speaker:You can find more stories on the web at thevoice.dog,
Speaker:or find the show wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker:Thank you for listening
Speaker:to The Voice of Dog.