The Summoner's Mark (First Draft) (Book One)

The end of the Siege

"Do I really have to stay out of the remainder of the fighting?" Sin questioned with an expression of annoyance and shock upon his face as he stared at the Mage that had just spent the last hour and a half pumping mana into his fractured ankle.

Upon hearing Sin's question, Sierra turned back to face the half-breed that was eager to throw himself back into the battle that was still waging within the village and while she might not understand the reasoning behind it; she could assume that it had to do with Nohki who had taken a group of soldiers out into the village to help put down the remaining Raiders that were continuing to plague Caso.

"I know that you don't like the idea of allowing your friends to fight without you there to help ensure that they make it out alive..." Sierra responded as she made her way closer to the recently healed half-breed and once, she had finished with the small trek, she was speaking once more. "...you need to take some time to rest and allow the magic to truly set within your ankle otherwise you may end up snapping it again which I assure you won't be a pleasant experience." 

Once again, this day Sin had to fight against the urges he had that rose within him after being informed that he couldn't get back into the fighting due to the injury that he had sustained. Written across his face were the lines that this struggle was causing him and due to how visible his struggle was, Sierra was able to see the struggle that Sin was going through.

"I'll make you a deal. I know that you want to keep making yourself feel useful during this battle and I will allow you to do so if you tell me what happened that caused your ankle to snap." Sierra explained as she made her way to a chair that was next to the cot that Sin himself was in.

The moment that he heard these words come spilling out of Sierra's mouth, a smile formed upon his face at the prospect of making himself useful for the remainder of the battle in whatever way that was possible for him to do so. Now with the possibility of returning to the battle available to him, Sin readied himself to spill the details of the battle that had given him the injury to his ankle that had thankfully now been healed.

*

Another hour had passed by the time that Sin was making his way from the depths of the medic tent and though he didn't expect for the explanation to take so long to get through, Sierra made it quite difficult for him due to her constant interruptions considering that she wished to have more details on certain parts of the battle.

Now that he had gotten through the explanation and all the little details that Sierra wished for, Sin was allowed to make his way out into the camp and though it wasn't the triumphant return to the battle that he wished for; but guard duty was better than nothing. As Sin made his way through the camp, he immediately headed for the entrance and though he doubted anything would happen; this was a way for him to be the first to be able to do battle if it were happened to become something that was needed.

With each step that he took, Sin threw his gaze around the camp which allowed him to spot the gigantic form of his Familiar that was currently laying upon the ground near a fire that was roaring within the camp. Along with Soren's form, Sin was able to spot Inari perched upon the Griffin's large body. Upon spotting his Familiars, Sin thought about calling them over to him though considering that both creatures had fought long and hard during the battle so far; he thought that it would do them better if they continued with the rest that they were partaking in.

By the time that Sin had firmly decided to leave his Familiars be, he had reached his destination and upon his arrival; the two guards that were standing at the entrance to the camp, turned to look at him. For a moment, Sin didn't know if the look were one of hostility or acknowledgement though when they gave him a slight nod; he assumed that it would be a pleasant encounter.

Returning the nod with one of his own, Sin turned his attention from the soldiers and out into the unknown that surrounded their camp. The moment that his eyes landed upon the area outside of their camp, figures began to become noticeable. Immediately, this caused Sin's hand to drift to the dagger that he held within the small of his back and from this little movement; the soldiers took notice of his actions and did the same, though none of their weapons were unsheathed yet.

While they hadn't unsheathed their weapons, this didn't stop one of the soldiers from stepping forward and when they did so; their voice ripped out into the unknown which no doubt would have disturbed others from the sheer volume of this soldier's voice.

"Who goes there?"

For a few moments, Sin and the soldiers waited for a replay to come back from the figures that were continuing to grow closer to them and when none did; both soldiers were quick in their motions to unsheathe their swords. Not wanting to be the only one of the three with their weapon still sheathed, Sin was also quick to pull out his dagger and as he did so; the fires that burned outside of the camp, flickered light down upon those that were heading towards them.

As it did so, it was clear that these newcomers were enemies considering that they wore the apparel that he had become used to seeing upon the Raiders forms. Upon sighting the forms of those who were his enemies, Sin immediately felt bloodlust build within him and was just about to charge at them when he noticed others behind the Raiders.

From these other beings' attire, it was clear to Sin that these Raiders must be prisoners considering that the Zesian Soldiers were leading them towards them with their weapons firmly at the ready to deal with any trouble that these prisoners might think about causing. 

With the amount of Zesian Soldiers that were heading towards them, Sinknew that the battle for the village of Caso had been concluded and consideringthat they weren't being stomped out by Raiders; it was clear that their sidewas the victors of this battle. As he learned this, Sin began to glance at everyface that appeared within the firelight for those that were his friends andloved ones and though he hadn't been able to find them yet; he prayed thateveryone made it back from this siege in one piece.