The Trove of Kaefyl

Chapter One

I limped through that row of tents, watching the others recovering. The weak ones groaned and whimpered as they were carried away into the Med Tent while others simply layed in the muddy grass, silently recovering. All, nonetheless, clutching some sort of wound or another. I had taken a bullet to the knee and my upper arm had been sliced, but my current injuries were not on the priority list. Not by a long shot. If what I feared was true, I'd have far worse injuries to worry about. I wiped my bloody hand on my ragged shirt as I continued to make my way down the army of tents.

Finally, I reached the haphazard shelter and found Skyler laying outside his tent, already bandaged up, but not by the Med Tent's doing. I came to a rest outside of the tent that was really nothing more than some burlap that had fallen over a pole.

"Sit," A voice emerged from the tent. Mason. I groaned internally. Despite always having our best interests at heart, he would distract from the business that really needed to be dwelt with right now. His unruly black hair popped out of the opening, dark brown eyes boring into me. "Sit. Right now, Whitney. I'll get you fixed up." He continued, addressing me. Mason's hands were already spotted with blood, but he wiped them off as best he could before grabbing some sort of cleaner and a wad of bandages.

I obeyed him begrudgingly and as he set to work, I looked down at Skyler's cheesy and all-too-happy face. "Crazy day, huh?" He joked. I stared at him, silently and unmoving. Didn't he realize there more important matters that we had to take care of? "At least it's over now though, right?" He continued.

"Where's Sierra?" I snapped. I hadn't seen here since a Masmaerian foot soldier had yanked out his knife in front of me. If she was missing, the three of us were dead. If she had been captured by the enemy, the king would have our heads, if she was dead,...worse.

Skyler shoot up as I spoke, "Ow," He muttered, holding his head. "W-what? I swear I saw her; right before the attack."

Mason's eyes were wide. "I thought she was with you." He insisted as he finished wrapping my arm.

"Well, she was." I replied. "And then we were attacked by rogue Masmaerians."

"We have to find her," Mason announced.

"Well, duh. Unless you want one less head," Skyler retorted. "But I guess then you would have two more heads would grow back in its place which would be pretty awesome."

I rolled my eyes at the stupidity of the boys and stood, causing Mason to sigh disapprovingly. "This is no time for jokes nor stating the blatantly obvious," I looked at each of the boys in turn. Sometimes it truly did seem like the only reason I was ordered to come on this quest was to keep them in line. "We have to get going now. The longer we wait the farther she will have gone."

Mason nodded and instantly started to head towards the tent to pack his belongings. "Wait," Skyler ordered. "We can't just de-list from the army. We are required to fight. We can't just up and leave."

"This is more important than a few Akelenian soldiers, this is Sierra we're talking about; Princess Sierra Grace Evelynn of Laurendale, in case you forgot." Mason responded, sounded as if what Skyler said had been a personal offense.

"Jeez, Mason, I was just pointing out that it's not allowed. I'm not saying I want to stay here or that I'm totally not okay with breaking the rules."

"We can't wait around. I'll go speak to General McKay and hopefully we'll be given leave to go. Be ready to leave when I come back." I ordered.

"Wait! What if he says no?" Mason called after me.

I turned, pausing for only a moment, "I said, be ready to leave."