Bonds of Light and Fire

68. Bloodstained Preparations

    Luciana's breath shook, but she continued working. She didn't bother trying to wipe the blood and dirt off her face. Her hands were coated in it. Luciana clenched her jaw, fighting the urge to vomit as she held someone's split stomach together so the healer could work. She was just grateful that this healer had magic, so she didn't have to watch her sew the soldier's wounds.

    The soldier lying before them was just a young Human boy, no more than eighteen years old. His features were pale and drawn in pain. One of his eyes was missing, and blood perpetually dripped from the empty socket. Luciana pressed a bundled bit of cloth to the hole, trying to staunch the bleeding.

    "Will...will I die?" The boy whispered.

    "Not if I can help it," the healer replied.

    "I don't want to die." He faced Luciana, his remaining eye shining with fear and unshed tears. "I don't want to die. Please don't let me die."

    "You'll be all right. Just rest." Luciana smoothed blood stained hair out of his face.

    His hand latched onto her wrist. "I don't want to die. I don't want to die." His voice broke. "What will happen to me if I die? People say the gods are gone. Who will take me to the Afterlife? Who will take me to my family? I don't want to fade away. I don't want to die."

    "Shh," Luciana whispered soothingly. "The gods are not dead. You are not alone. You are not going to die."

    He stared at her in disbelief, but raised no more arguments. Instead, he merely asked, "What's your name?"

    "Luciana. What's yours?"

    "Khris." He continued watching her, his eye now reflecting curiosity. "You were a part of the Bane once, weren't you?"

    "For a while."

    "But you were told to leave." His eye closed. "There were rumors about you and the Osprey of Doranelle."

    "Diurois," Luciana corrected. "The Osprey of Diurois."

    "So the rumors are true?"

    "They weren't then."

    "But now? Are you really his wife?"

    "Yes."

    A smile flickered across Khris' lips. "I want to find a wife someday."

    "And I'm sure you will," the healer said. "I'm finished. You'll be sore for the next few days and I don't recommend you do any particularly heavy lifting or rough fighting unless necessary." She rose and set off to the next patient before Khris could reply.

    "She's right," Luciana said, patting his arm. "You will find a wife. And scars make excellent conversation starters." Khris smiled brighter as Luciana rose and walked off.

◦ ── ◦ ☼ ◦ ── ◦

    The hours blurred together. Luciana had no concept of how much time had passed until crimson sunlight bled across the eastern sky. She hadn't eaten or slept since the last time they paused for a break while on the road, and she hadn't seen Aeron, Kyllian, or Vaughan since the battle ended. Luciana was desperate for a hot bath, a bottle of alcohol, and sleep, but she knew only one of those things might be available.

    She lifted her head as footsteps approached. Aeron offered her a weary smile. "Where's Vaughan?" Luciana asked. She stroked the Mating Bond and Vaughan returned the gesture.

    "Making sure the sight of our new camp is secure. We're going to begin moving the wounded there soon."

    "Will the Revolutionists attack again now that it's daylight?"