He was Almost Absorbed by the System

Chapter One Hundred And Forty Seven - A Kingdom In Need Of Healing

While Oswyn and Leif educated certain Magi and soldiers, Lewin, Wulfgar and Elyas with Saewulf in tow swiftly moved as they navigated properties and soldiers in the upper section of the city. Angry mobs of hungry civilians had taken to protest on the stairway that separated the common areas from the middle sections of the city, but they could not all be contained there. Many pushed through and rushed over and past the rubble that was all that remained of merchant houses thanks to the magical siege of the Mage Halls and towards the upper section where most met with death as the soldiers protected those who were thought to still have access to food.

Bodies were thrown back to the middle sections to be burnt, but the elite were far from satisfied that with the protection, complaining that the smell of burning flesh was too rank and could that not have been performed outside of the city walls? And where was the next shipment of seasonings and cloth? The food upon their plates had been far to small an amount and plain of taste and could they not see that the women were still wearing last season's dresses? Many of the soldiers acting as law enforcement were nearing the end of their patience. The King had promised them reward for their loyalty, it was the only thing keeping them tethered, but most were wondering how the man that was meant to be their ruler was going to settle the situation. They were unaware that the man was cowering in his castle, hoping that the Council would offer a solution soon! The Council, however, had no plans to pick their floundering King from the murk in which he sank, more worried about their own coffers and lives than his.

Not caring for any of that, the four men made their way to the large, but quite plain building not too far from the castle. Elyas lifted Saewulf into his arms, instructing him to close his eyes and cast a small illusion upon his body that looked as if it were a stain of dripping blood. Only if one looked closely would they see that this was not blood but tiny, dancing red flames. The drips seemed to spark out of existence before they even hit the floor. Wulfgar pushed open the solid doors and allowed Elyas to hurry inside. Lewin followed in Wulfgar's shadow as they too entered.

"Help!" Elyas called as he saw an unfamiliar man in servants clothes approach them. There were injured soldiers sitting on the floor, but apart from a few odd bruises and small cuts, they did not look too hurt. An injured mage stood apart from them, but again his wounds looked superficial. No one with mortal injuries and close to death could he see waiting in the room.

The servant glanced at Saewulf's 'wound' and appeared flustered. He was about to usher them into the lone empty room nearby when the doors reopened and a woman and her maids entered. The woman was clutching her wrist like it was precious and her maids cooed and fawned all over her. Elyas rolled his eyes heavenward as the familiar woman barged past them.

"My Lady is hurt!" A maid said hurriedly.

"She must be seen by the Healer now!" Another demanded. The soldiers frowned as they noticed the Healer's man was suddenly torn between helping the boy, whose wound dripped blood and the woman with a strain?

"There is only one room left," the man tried to explain.

"Please," Elyas' eyes widened and filled with tears on cue. "My brother was badly hurt during a skirmish with some rebels that broke through..."

"Humph!" The first maid did not look impressed. From the dress of the boy, he was just a commoner, who was he to make such demands! The noble woman groaned, exaggeratedly. "My Lady was badly hurt whilst disciplining a new girl. How can this possibly compare?!"

"Indeed," said a gruff soldier who stood in the women's way. "How the fuck could this pathetic injury possibly compare?" He had been made by his superiors come here to seek healing when a commoner's weapon of choice (a clay vase) was launched at his head. He had protested, thinking that he should be helping to protect the city not sit back here because of a scratch. And in the end, what the fuck was he protecting? He indicated that the mage and his friends ought to go ahead first with a nod of his head.