Gideon gave a pitiful wheeze, crossing the threshold into th..

Gideon gave a pitiful wheeze, crossing the threshold into the Withering Willow Inn (and Tavern) dispensing Urgran the Orc at the largest, somewhat cleared table he could find. A clatter of plates and goblets hitting the floor echoed in the sparsely populated tavern as the few patrons glanced around with mild curiosity before resuming their drinks and conversations; the air heavy with the smell of ale and pipe tobacco.

The Orc was barely awake, his tunic slick already with the aftermath of being struck with an arrow on his midsection. Gideon wiped his hands, trudging through his journals to find anything he could on quick healing spells. It wasn’t his specialty (nor was he even religious) but soon enough the Human wizard found was he was looking for.

“If you… have something planned…” Urgran mumbled, still limp as ever. The wizard nodded his head, shooing him with a free hand as he re-read the spellcraft a few times just to make sure he would not make the situation worse.

“Alright… Damn it… I just need…” The Wizard threw the Orc into a nearby chair, propping up his limp body into a better position, hoisting up his massive legs onto the table he was just dumped on a few moments prior. After some fiddling, the Wizard quickly removed Urgran’s boots and tossed them on the floor, allowing Gideon to examine the bottom of Urgran’s large, green feet.

The spell was simple enough. Once his hands were on the Orc’s feet, he just had to chant a few words, swirling his thumbs around his heel and work his way upwards to the toes. Nothing weird about that, right?

Gingerly, and after taking a breath to steady himself, he began placing his thumbs against the heel of the Orc’s feet, finding the bone he needed to channel himself through. They were warm. Warmer than he was even expecting, and as the human started his work, he realized this was his first time having such an… intimate encounter with Urgran. His skin was hard, almost leathery from years of working and fighting on his feet. Gideon made a silent reminder to chide the Orc later about taking care of himself, and maybe washing himself more often, but that would have to wait.

His chanting continued, the wizard gripping the front of Urgran’s feet and pressing his thumbs deeper, the familiar jolt of magic coursing through his fingers as he did everything he could to concentrate. He inched his way upward to the arch, sensing the Orc’s muscles tense and loosen, a little groan escaping Urgran with the effort as the magic continued to work it’s…. well, magic. But he was slowing down. Gideon’s thoughts and muscles burned as he continued his chants, words slurring as he made his way to the toes, rubbing the bottom of each one with careful determination. He could feel his body becoming heavy.

Damn. The wizard tried everything he could to keep going. This school of magic wasn’t something he normally practiced, and the wear of this unusual mana was pushing him to his limit. Gideon could feel his grip loosen, the Orcs’s breathing becoming more shallow as the magic keeping him on this plane lost its potency. With his arms useless, and elbows on the table, Gideon threw himself into the Orc’s feet, scratching his face against his soles to continue the spellcraft. Neck and shoulders burned and ached as he worked; the stench of orcish feet, sharp and ripe, filled his nostrils, a distracting assault that intensified as he shoved his chin and cheeks against the balls of his feet, forcing out the last sparks of his channeled magic.

——————

Gideon woke up, his face feeling the sting of the wooden table, no doubt its wood grain already imprinted on his forehead. As he rose, he could see the Orc awake as well, looking down at the wizard with multiple layers of confusion across his thick face.

“Human. I can’t move. Why were you rubbing yourself on my feet?”

“I know. It’s the healing spell I used.”

“…You know healing magic?”

“…no.”

“No?”

“….”

“I see. That’s why I can only feel my feet.”

“That should go away… I think.”

“Good. Since I can’t move, I’m going to sleep. And when I wake up, you’re going to help me remove this arrow.”