The Moon & The Morningstar: 7 Deadly Sins

CH 82: Dust in the Wind

MING'S POV

One second we're standing around joking and laughing and the next there's an arrow imbedded in Yo's back. When my eyes lock on the shaft and the wound inflicted by it, I just can't seem to look away. My mind can't accept that something like this is happening. Yo can't be hurt. He never gets hurt. He's always the one protecting everyone else.

Frozen in my tracks, I can only stand in stunned disbelief. Pha has Yo cradled protectively in his arms, but he looks just as shocked as I am. Suddenly, howls of fury and distress ring out in the still mid-day air, making our ears ring as Montry and the pack circle protectively around us.

Finally, able to shake myself free of the initial shock of the moment, I crouch down, moving closer to inspect the wound, "Pha, lift him higher so I can see where he's been hit."

Pha begins to shift Yo in his arms so he's sitting up, but before he can move him too much Yo is suddenly snatched from his grasp. Jumping to our feet, we come face to face with the King who is supporting Yo carefully in his arms.

My grandfather quickly surveys the wound, before explaining, "The injury is not critical, but the arrowhead is deeply imbedded. We're very lucky it hit his shoulder instead of striking the middle of his back and possibly piercing his heart. However, his body has already begun trying to heal the wound. We need to remove the arrow before the skin reforms around it."

The King grimaces but gives a quick nod in understanding before wrapping his arms tighter around Yo. "Aeron... do it."

Grandfather places one hand on Yo's shoulder and grips the arrow shaft with the other. When their words and actions finally sink in and I realize what they're going to do, I grab Pha's shoulders and rapidly turn him away, so he doesn't watch. Surprised by my actions he doesn't fight me for a few seconds. However, when Yo releases a strangled yelp of pain, he struggles free of my hands and spins back around. Thankfully, those few seconds where all the time grandfather needed to remove the arrow.

The King hugs Yo close for a few seconds, then transfers him back into Pha's arms, "Phana, take him and your pack back to the command tent. He needs to rest so he can heal quickly."

"Daddy, I'll be fi-..." Yo protests as he begins to struggle in Pha's grip.

"NO. There will be no disagreement." He sternly rebukes Yo, then commands Pha, "Go. Now. I will be there shortly to check on him."

Pha nods his head and turns to leave. The hounds surrounding us move aside for him, and that's when we notice that beyond them, we are completely and securely encircled by our soldiers. The column directly behind us shifts and their ranks split causing an aisle to open in front of Pha. He takes one step in that direction then pauses and looks over his shoulder at the King.

"Whoever it was... kill them." He demands.

"As if there was any doubt." Yo's father remarks offhandedly.

After once again nodding in acknowledgement, Pha continues walking away. We can all hear Yo's voice reprimanding both his father and Pha for their harsh words while persistently insisting that he is fine now. We can also hear his pleas that no one needs to be hurt over this small injury. But to be honest, no one is listening to him.

All of us know Yo has a soft heart and forgiving nature. We also know it's why his father sent him away with Pha. He doesn't want Yo witnessing his retribution and there is no doubt in anyone's mind that there will be one.

Following them with our eyes until they're out of sight, our little group then turns back to face the enemy across the field. The scene before us is an entirely different scenario now than it was before. Before, the combatants across the field had the freedom to move and leave if they wanted. The King had not restrained them in anyway hoping more of them would save their own lives by walking away.