The Undead Sorcerer

Chapter Nine

We ran from the field before the fieldworkers, tails tucked between our legs – it's embarrassing. We were sent to deal with a problem, and now we're showing our inadequacy.

"You ought to see a doctor. You took a direct hit," Henry reminds me.

"The ground was soft. I should be fine," I assure him with a nervous chuckle.

"I heard it. I thought for sure you were broken," Avery adds as he limps down the road shamelessly. During the quake of the golem, he must have twisted his ankle. I rub my sore chest, healing but no longer life-threatening. "You could go into shock and be dead by morning," Avery warns. Justina is off the field because of what Henry said. Why do I get the feeling they're trying to remove me?

"Perhaps you are right. I will see what they have to say," I feign agreeance. At the most, I will walk into the tent and steal back to my quarters before midnight. Perhaps I shall check on Justina. A pang of guilt strikes me at the thought of her. How does she keep sneaking into my thoughts? I sigh in defeat.

"Please take care of yourself. Take as much time as you need," Henry assures me, and my stomach sours. You couldn't drown me, the golem couldn't take me down, so what now? I watch the two leave in silence before I enter the medical tent. I expect the same fireplace warmth, festering blood, and rotting bones as yesterday. A renewed, lively warmth brushes my skin.

"Close the flap quickly, sir," A nurse instructs in passing, and another pushes me in to seal the bottom of the tent against the ground. Pots of water near the fire hiss and boil, steaming the space with humid heat compared to yesterday's dry heat. The familiar stench of bloodied bandages has disappeared, replaced by clean herbs and freshly washed bandages. At the center of all this good stands Justina, ordering and guiding nurses and doctors. A heaviness in my chest weighs on me like a lead weight. I rock forward, ready to go to her. But then I rock back. I shouldn't distract her. I don't need to be here. Though, I'm glad to see she's okay.

"Allister?" Justina calls my name before I can escape. I stiffen and stand up straighter.

"You look busy. I was on my way back..." I start. Why don't I know what to say?

"You should have seen things earlier. All I'm doing now is organizing," Justina says with a modest shrug. "But what about you? I heard you were sent to deal with a golem. What are you doing here?" Justina questions.

"Why?" I murmur. Honestly? Because you were injured, and now I was injured. "I happened to be passing through on my way back," I lie to her, and she gives me a funny look like she's suspicious of me.

"Oh... okay..." Justina murmurs and bites her bottom lip. I want to tell her I'm glad she's okay, among other things that come to mind when I look at her.

"Anyway, goodnight," I tell her and tear myself away.

"Wait, before you go," Justina blurts, grabbing my painful shoulder; I gasp, snapping my eyes shut and almost doubling over. A hand on my chest stops me from falling or walking away. I bite my tongue and freeze you like a trembling fool. "Hey, what's the matter? You don't look well," Justina realizes.

"I'm fine. Just tired," I lie.

"No, you're not. Sit down right now," Justina orders.

"It's normal to be a little sore after battle, especially with a golem-," I argue when Justina grabs my shoulder. I pull back, but not fast enough, and I can't hold back my groaning. People notice and grimace. "Fine," I pant, wincing. The soreness burns across my chest as I follow Justina to a bed near one of the fires burning. It's hard not to relax near the heat, especially when your body generates no heat as it is.