Veil of Shadows

Chapter 58. When In Doubt, Use Explosives

"Set him down." The healer commanded, taking one look at the wound in Shadow's side, determining that it would most likely require stitches. "Take off the chestplate of his armor, then one of you get out."

The two Knights followed his instructions, putting the armor off to the side of the temporary tent and one left as quickly as possible while the other stayed.

"We don't have many complex tools," the healer murmured, "so this might not end well. But I can try. Bring a cloth."

"A wet cloth, or dry?"

"Dry, idiot. Water will only injure him further. He's an Ender."

The Knight quickly retrieved a cloth and handed it to the healer, who began clearing the blood away from the wound. "The bleeding's slowed, so he's not losing much more as of now."

The cloth was soaked through with blood within a few seconds. The Knight was already moving to get another one, and the healer took it in silence and continued clearing away the blood.

When the wound had been cleaned, the healer dabbed some powder into the injury and let it sit for a few minutes until it was absorbed. "That will sterilize it in place of the normal liquid spray I use."

The healer then began to study the wound in a much more thorough manner. "Nearly punctured a lung...a few inches higher and he'd have been dead for certain. No organs were ruptured, but a minor artery was hit. It's already begun to seal up and will heal on its own, given time."

"I thought artery wounds were fatal..."

"Not always. For smaller, more minor arteries, they do cause a lot of bleeding at first, which can be fatal in certain cases. Though if that's under control then all should be well."

He then turned and picked up a needle and a roll of silk thread. "Monitor Shadow's pulse and tell me immediately if it gets too fast or too slow." He told the Knight.

The Knight nodded, keeping two fingers pressed gently against the vein in Shadow's neck. The healer got to work quickly and efficiently, not wanting to waste any more time with talking.

Shadow could regain consciousness at any moment, and if the sutures weren't finished by then, the rebellion leader would be in for a great deal of pain, since he didn't have anything to numb the stab wound.

A little over half an hour later, the sutures were successfully put in and Shadow was moved to a cot on the other side of the tent, where the Knight stayed to make sure his pulse was stable. The healer went out and attended to the rest of the wounded.

~

Salia was having a slight internal crisis.

Watching the deceased being returned to the camp had brought her fears to reality. She'd led those people into this. And now they were gone forever. This whole mission was her idea to keep the plan going.

This was all her fault.

But she couldn't give up now, not when she was so close to reaching her goal. Just inside the palace was the King whom the rebellion wanted dead. They had made it inside once - they could do it again.

Though, not with her soldiers' current status. "We need reinforcements." She murmured.

"Then send word to the base." Salia jumped a little when she heard Blaze's voice, having been too lost in her thoughts to hear the hybrid enter the tent.

"It's...not that simple." She replied haltingly, not sure whether or not her secret should be revealed.

"Why is it not that simple? Just send a messenger with a letter saying that you need reinforcements for an attack on Notch's castle - and be sure to include that you rescued Shadow during the first wave. That will help."

"I'm sure they'd ignore any letters I send."

"You're a General, right? So they would listen to you."

Salia sighed. "...I'm not actually a General. The real Generals thought that this plan was madness and wouldn't follow Shadow's orders, so I took one of their badges and led a portion of the army myself."

Blaze just stared for a while. "Considering all the insane things I've heard throughout my life, I'm not actually surprised. It sounds like something you would do - along with throwing a lamp at a King's head."

Salia winced. "Yes. I wonder what was going through my head at the time."

"You mean when you threw the lamp or when you stole the badge?"

"Both."

Blaze smiled ever so slightly. "Well, the healer said that Shadow will be down for ten days at least. That should be enough time for a messenger to reach the base."

"I told you, they won't listen to any letters I'd send. Technically I could be punished for insubordination and impersonating a senior officer."

"Then it's a good thing I learned how to forge handwriting." Blaze said casually. "Did you bring any documents signed by Shadow?"

Salia picked up the paper that contained Shadow's order to the Generals. "I have this. It's entirely in his writing."

Blaze plucked it from her hand and said "Give me fifteen minutes and I'll have a letter from 'Shadow' ready for you to send."

"So that's it then?" Salia asked. "The Hero Squad is helping us now?"

"King Notch attempted to have Ranger executed. Wolf isn't on good terms with him. He influenced most of my childhood because of his idea of a perfect world - and not in a good way. I was willing to give him a chance. But apparently he hates us now, and thus we are on your side. Good? Good."

She didn't wait for Salia's answer before turning and exiting the tent.

~

Wraith watched in mild amusement as King Notch ranted to his advisors about the breach in his castle's defenses. It was hard not to be amused - his face was turning a spectacular shade of red.

The Ender Lord was wearing his black full-face mask again, as Notch still didn't know his identity - and clearly had no intentions to show him.

She kept her face carefully blank whenever Notch looked at her, keeping up the appearance of seriousness. Mentally, she couldn't care less.

"And now they're all camped outside the castle, behind a hill where they can monitor us but we're completely blind to them. They're out of bow and arrow firing range, and I don't want to lose more soldiers on a scouting mission."

"And where exactly is the rest of your army?" The Ender Lord inquired.

"Most are too far away to be of any help."

"Have you considered long-distance explosives cannons?"

"With the hill in the way, I wouldn't know where to aim."

Wraith cleared her throat, and Notch glanced at her. "I may be able to help with that. I will go over the hill to scout, and when I return, I will give you the coordinates that correspond to the center of their camp."

"...that idea has potential. I do not feel like waiting around here until their next attack. Who knows when reinforcements could arrive?" One of his advisors presented a second idea, and King Notch quickly became involved in another conversation.

Wraith glanced at the Ender Lord. "I didn't sign up for a war." She said under her breath.

"Neither did I." The Ender Lord muttered in reply. "This will complicate my plan."

And Wraith stayed silent for the rest of the meeting, giving up on acting serious and fiddling with one of her daggers until they were all dismissed. On her way out, the Ender Lord pulled her aside.

"What?" She asked sharply.

"I have another mission for you."

"And what would that be?"

"You're going to kill Notch."