Scarlet Rogue (Book One)

Chapter Fifty-Three: Remnants of Battle (Final Chapter),

Kaelynn

"Baden has left a pile of clothes in the control room."

"He's okay." My hand places itself across my chest above my heart.

My hands pat against my bare skin before my arms clutch around my chest and legs twist together. Ayden sighs, turning around and taking his shirt off to hand to me. I grasp the shirt right away and cover myself, folding the white sleeves to allow my fingers out.

"I'm r-"

Ayden's bare skin stops my words and I bite my tongue, turning myself around to the view beyond the castle.

"Baden is with Caleb out the front, you should go. I'll catch you as soon as I get some clothes."

He leaves a peck on my head then nudges my back towards the stairs. Careful to avoid the stark-naked sight, I rush to the stairs, shouting a 'bye' once I'm faced with the winding walls. The walk to the front the inverse of earlier; warriors in every corner of the brick-structure nodding and some occasionally bowing as they see me. Chattering and laughter catching me by surprise every so often. The voices get sparser and building emptier as I get closer to the front and my heart sinks at the sight I'm expecting.

Beyond the large wooden front-door, a few figures gathered. The bodies instantly recognisable to me, blond hair and a limping leg. I make small steps forward placing myself next to the blond hair, looking up to see dejected faces looking down on the ground. My gaze follows hesitantly, blinking rapidly as I do but the burn continues to build up around my sight and the body is in my view. The burn intensifies and liquid streams fall down my cheeks, collecting at my chin. My heart numbs as though it has been rubbed in anaesthetics.

The unresponsive corpse lays on top of cotton sheets. Blood seeped through the white bandage around his head. A concussion. My hands grip Caleb's and he squeezes back. His demeaner remains silent and facial expressions apathetic as we continue staring at the body, expecting the body to spring to life, at least that's what I was expecting. Ayden joins us soon after, placing himself next to Baden. Amongst the silence, only the gust wind dares to speak as it blasts against us. Hair and clothes blowing at their own accord but amongst this Caleb remains stunted, no reaction at all.

More feet slush through the ground and two more blond men appear opposite us, Russell and another I don't recognise. Russell nods towards Caleb and he finally changes expression, lids drooping as he nods back.

Russell looks towards me and says, "Tasha and Kurt have the battlefield under control, most of the bodies have already been buried." He pauses for a second. "We should leave now for the funeral."

"I'll come too."

Russell shakes his head, "You're needed here and we... the pack needs to be alone to grieve."

I nod understanding too well what Caleb and the pack needs. With a final squeeze on Caleb's hand, I let go and try to send him a message

I'll always be here, whenever you need me.

His eyes glisten for a split-second before he turns away to Baden, who engulfs him in a hug whispering a few things which escape me as my entire focus turns to Russell and the blond boy. They cover Edon before carrying him away, drops falling down my face as they do. Caleb begins walking behind them but Ayden's hand stops him.

"He was a good man and you will be too." He pauses, patting his back. "If you need anything, call us."

Caleb nods and soon the trio are out of sight, leaving my sinking heart to drown. Ayden walks over to me, his fingers brushing aside my tears.