Adventures beyond the void

Chapter 37: Cat Caught Your Tongue?

3RD POV

The lift platforms groaned as they rose from the massive, jagged hole in the earth, carrying stretchers one after another into the open night. The choking fog that had blanketed the forest for weeks was gone, leaving the cold air sharp, but not suffocating. Silas's squad moved with mechanical, yet beautiful precision, unloading the unconscious: Airos, Nicholas, Hunter, Lyra, Ronan, and Kenju. The others followed, some limping, some carried, every face etched with exhaustion. Around the perimeter, two other mage squads stood at the ready, joined by the king's personal warriors in their black-and-silver armor. These squads were the Untamed Waves, with their captain Aalto Aquafall, and the Wild Tornadoes, with their captain Aella Nimbus. Their arrival was a wall of authority. Every criminal and surviving wind mage were being shackled and escorted into reinforced carriages, while the captured colorful beast warriors had healers tending to them. The open ground above the dungeon had become a controlled chaos, torches and people shouting orders, scribes recording every name and every injury. Selin stood there, still carrying her weapon over one shoulder. Zana had gone with Severed to watch over their unconscious comrades, as well as clear any fear of the Tree-trooper on Nicholas to the healers. Selin suddenly turned to see Silas standing there with his arms crossed.

    Silas: - Well well, I hear you managed to save yourself down there.

His voice cut across the busy camp like he was addressing a fashion runway instead of a disaster site. Selin raised an eyebrow, not even slowing her steps.

   Selin: - Someone had to. You were too busy painting the walls instead of helping, so...

   Silas: - Excuse you, I was helping. That filthy underground cave was a national hazard. Do you have any idea what that humidity would do to a good silk scarf? You should be thanking me for performing a public service.

   Selin: - Right. Good thing you had your priorities straight. For a moment, I was beginning to think you actually cared more about saving our lives than your ridiculous obsession with style.

The beast mage let out a loud, theatrical gasp and flicked open his ornate hand-fan with a snap, covering half his face like he'd just heard the juiciest scandal in the kingdom.

   Silas: - How dare you? Such heinous accusations about me of all people!

   Selin: - Yeah, you're right. The answer is painfully obvious.

   Silas: - You are such a crowd woman. Always stomping around, glaring at people, like you're allergic to joy. Oh, celestials, how will you ever find a spouse with that unrefined attitude?

Selin rolled her eyes so hard she practically saw the back of her skull.

   Selin: - Please. I don't need anyone. But if it bothers you this much, we'll say I'm dating myself.

   Silas: - Dating yourself? That's pathetic. Even you can do better than you.

   Selin: - Well, it's better than dating someone who carries fans underground, though.

   Silas: - Silk fans, thank you very much. They were limited edition, built from my own magic and scales.

   Selin: - Wow. You've no idea how much I don't care.

Silas clutched his chest as though she'd just stabbed him.

   Silas: - You monster.

   Selin: - I do my best, yes.

A nearby royal guard muttered to another.

   Random guard: - Do they always talk like that?

The other guard just shrugged. The banter faded as both of them approached the command circle, where the real weight of the night was about to come crashing down. The torchlight burned steady now, throwing long shadows across the gathered warriors and medics. Stretchers lay in neat rows, the wounded being tended to while the arrested criminals were bound in chains under watch.