Warfire | Broken Time Series: Book Two

Chapter 29

It was as if a weight sunk deep into Nagan's gut as they prepared to land in the town's square. Rows of people were laid out on makeshift stretchers, some receiving treatment while a few others were carried away, their spots quick to be taken by another.

"Are all those people..." Az began to ask, but the words died in his throat.

"There were fewer casualties than you think, but yes. All these people were injured during the attack," Professor Fai answered softly.

As Chenshui descended, a few gathered around, ready to receive the next injured victim. To say Nagan, Carthadeus, and Az were relieved to see this was an understatement. All three teens were exhausted, their adrenaline wearing off after their first taste of fighting for their lives, and all their cuts and bruises were gradually becoming less ignorable.

The soldiers carefully lifted Blaine off their laps once Chenshui landed, and one by one they followed, sliding off and wincing as they stood on stiff legs. Az carefully supported Carthadeus after realizing the latter had sustained a knee injury. Having not been told to do anything else, the teens followed behind Professor Fai who quietly conversed with the soldiers as they looked for a spot for Blaine.

"Do we have a final count?" Professor Fai asked.

"We won't know for sure, but so far only about a dozen." A pause. "Lieutenant Larksong is amongst those numbers, I'm afraid, Captain."

Professor Fai's steps faltered for a moment, and he remained silent until Blaine had been lowered onto a low cot. A medic was ushered over before Professor Fai let out a heavy sigh.

"His poor wife," he muttered, shaking his head. "Good men were lost today. What of Sergeant Paroda?"

"Alive. He's taken charge of cremation of the dragons."

So that's what they do with the dragons, Nagan thought grimly.

"Tell him he's been promoted to lieutenant the next you see him. Also, lead me to the nearest messenger. I need to inform the Totaris of this occurrence. I doubt the prince is safe with us after being targeted so severely, so it's best if they escort him from here."

"Yes, sir. Right this way."

Nagan watched as Professor Fai was led away and nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt someone put their hand on his back.

"Sorry, just me," Az said, beginning the process of realigning his circuits. "You might want to sit down."

Nagan winced as a tender circuit snapped into place. "I guess I should."

They sat in silence after that. There was a moment where Blaine began to stir awake, but the medic chanted an incantation Nagan didn't recognize. Blaine stilled once more. It was an incantation of rest, Az whispered to Nagan when he asked what it was.

"The wound was open enough to develop an infection," the medic explained when Az asked why he did that, "so it's best to let him rest as much as possible, and when he's able to, to get lots of fluids."

Once the medic deemed Blaine stable enough to move, soldiers came to collect him once again, moving him to another area. The medic then set to work looking after the boys. All had scrapes and bruises that only needed washing and wrapping, and Carthadeus' knee wasn't as bad as they initially thought. Only a sprain and the medic made sure to show them how to keep it wrapped, giving him instructions to keep it off it as much as possible.

"Lucky you. That means you get a horse for the next few weeks," Az commented.

"Fantastic," Carthadeus replied sarcastically before looking at the medic. "Can you realign our friend's circuits before you go? One of his barriers was broken."