Court of Hearts Pt.1

Dazed on the trail

Year 396

The Voyage

Gralkar's eyes darted open, he was staring up at the sky slightly bouncing; as his hearing faded in and out. Hearing crates moving beside him and the sound of four wheels turning.

Slowly sitting up he felt a sharp pain on his entire left shoulder. Looking down in a panic he saw his arm in a sling.

His armor removed and he was heavily bandaged. The old bandages were red and crusty indicating they needed to be changed.

His senses slowly returned and everything began to piece together. Tiro lead the caravan on foot with Roselyn by his side.

Volgor laid in the same wagon concealed with all the supplies that separated the orc and the half elf. Many voices could be heard, yet Gralkar's breathing heavily and began to cough loudly.

Jolting back he laid against the wooden surface of the wagon and blood began to shoot into his palms the more he coughed.

The entire caravan began to halt to Tiro's command.

A robe she orc leapt up onto the wagon and began to inspect her leader's wounds. Gralkar stared up helplessly at the woman.

Then he fainted and was unconscious. The woman sighed looking back at TIro and Roselyn who stood at the back of the wagon waiting silently.

The other orcs who followed on foot was meager in number.

More civilians and mouths to feed than soldiers ready to defend if they were to be ambushed.

Plus no leader to rally behind.

Tiro turned around taking a step back as the robed orc leapt off the wagon and pulled her hood back. She began to speak to the two.

"I have changed his bandages and applied the fourth set of healing herbs and powders... The wound improves, but his left lung is still collapsed."

She looked down, not speaking.

Tiro shook his head and became furious going to trot off towards another wagon carrying a cell with one prisoner.

Roselyn stopped him for a moment in his stride.

"Father do not unleash what Fothrolestro wants, our prisoner may be a valuable asset against him."

"Maybe in another tale, but this story has no need for this hero..." Tiro spoke coldly and waited with a stern look for Roselyn to leave him to his path.

And she did.

Arriving to the side of four exhausted halted guards and pack miles that pulled the cart.

They drank from clay bowls the handlers had brought along.

The four orcs, each wearing an auburn leather vest. Matched with straps holding several packs and backpacks that carried pots and pans.

They walked away in a hurry as Tiro's aggressive pursuit and rushed hand wave appeared at the scene.

Edward was staring down at his metal cuffs that had blistered and cut up his wrists. All he wore was stained and cursty cloth pants with metal cuffs. On his bloody ankles and wrists.

He remained silent surprisingly. His mutton chops poorly shaved off the night before from the furious Tiro.

After Edward decided to speak.

"If you want to know what we are going to do... Edward."

His stern gaze moved from his cuffs to behind him at Tiro.

"Sell me..."

"Ha ha! Close, but no catch..." He gritt his teeth in a sharp squeaking noise, running his hand threw his greasy unwashed hair.

"Guess..."

Edward then turned away with an implacable expression.

"Brand you and send you to the fire village arena to be a slave..."

"So... War?"

"That's what your forces asked when they slaughtered children."

Now Edward refused to speak even after Tiro's several attempts to infuriate the knight as much as he had done to him.

So in response he trotted away back to his resting father, that was now wearing his regular monk outfit. The burning and disfiguration not visible from a spell Roselyn taught him commonly used by wood elves.

Vindaes road with them, but alone in the back of the stopped group. His left arm in a sling as well.

Tiro crossed his arms, indicating Roselyn's magic had healed successfully. He began to speak with a purpose.

"A recap on recent events, please." He turned to a soft tone directed at his daughter.