Adventures Beyond The Void [Season 1]

Chapter 37: Cat Caught Your Tongue?

3RD POV

The lift platforms steadily rose from the sinkhole, carrying stretcher after stretcher into the open night. Now that the suffocating fog was gone, the warriors moved much easier, unloading the injured one by one. Around them, the perimeter was locked down. Two more squads stood ready alongside the king's personal guard.

The Untamed Waves, led by Captain Aalto Aquafall.

The Wild Tornadoes, under Captain Aella Nimbus.

Criminals and surviving wind mages were being dragged in shackles toward reinforced carriages. Healers rushed between the fallen, tending to the wounded. Above the dungeon, the clearing was full of torches, voices shouting orders and scribes documenting everything. Selin stood still, watching it all. Zana had already gone ahead with Severed to stay by their unconscious teammates... and to reassure the healers about the Tree-trooper on Nicholas, while making sure to take the blooded clothes of the humans.

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

Silas's voice cut across the busy camp. Selin raised an eyebrow.

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

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

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

The beast mage let out a loud gasp, flicking a hand-fan open with a snap.

   Silas: - Such heinous accusations about me of all people!

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

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

Selin rolled her eyes.

   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: - Better than dating someone who carries fans underground.

   Silas: - Silk fans, thank you very much. They were limited edition, built from my own magic and scales. The golden ones are for fighting only, I'm afraid.

   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 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.