Ragged Royal

Chapter 32

Sorry it took so long for me to update I've been dealing with a lot lately. 

Today we are heading back to Clarines, thankfully Father did not keep me from going. I believe that is due to the fact that he caught me sneaking out or into the castle at least 3 times this week alone.

As soon as we are across the border I swing down from Poppies back and shift into my wolf form, tail wagging a mile a minute as I give a wolfish grin to my companions before taking off into the trees laughter can be heard in the distance as the others fall behind.

I relish in the freedom the forest provides as my legs carrie me into the thicker parts of the forest, where the trees grow so close in some places they would brush against my shoulders as I passed. For some reason unbeknownst to me I had a feeling that my companions were in trouble.

With that thought in mind I head back the way I came. The closer I came to the road the more i could make out the sound of metal on metal and the panicked cries of horses. I forced my legs to move faster as I was nearing the site of all the commotion.

Bursting through the undergrowth, I launch myself at the closest bandit. Taking him by surprise as I sink my canines into his shoulder and dragging him to the ground as his agonizing screams filled the clearing as i dislocated his right shoulder and look for my next victim. Before i could take down another a sharp pain shoots up my left side and i howl in pain as I turn to the bandit holding the sword now coated in my life giving blood.

My body reverts back into my human form and with hells fire in my eyes i grab the fallen mans sword where it lay at his side before raining blows down on my assailant. It doesn't take long before the sword meets flesh. As they went down i toss the sword to the side and cast a glance around the hectic roadway in search of poppy.

She is around 5 feet away and i waste no time making my way to her. Without a sound I arm myself with my twin daggers and make quick work of the men closest to me. The battle doesn't last much longer. The bandits run back into the forest or are nursing injuries to serious for them to walk away with.

I watch intently as Shirayuki tends to the wounded bandits. Making sure they are properly treated. I myself just huff out a breath before grabbing my pack off of poppies saddle and rifling through it to find my own medical supplies while the others were occupied with the bandits.

Shedding my now tattered tunic and undershirt before pouring water from my canteen over the sword wound on my side, wincing as the pain starts making itself known as the adrenaline in my body wears off. Gazing at the large gash that is still oozing out blood i grimace at the fact that it will need to be stitched shut before I begin suffering from blood loss. I grab my undershirt and use it to manage the blood flow while i make my way over the shirayuki not trusting myself to suture my wound as I normally would do.

"Hey Shirayuki, could you sew me up" I grimace as a wave of pain hits my side at full force. Not allowing myself to cry out as the other injured are doing.

"Omg you need to sit down!" she exclaims as she takes in the blood drenched shirt clinging to my side.

"I just need a few stitched" I excalim as I take a seat on the side of the road and leaning against a tree.

"Zen can you start a fire!" Shirayuki yells over the cries of pain. "Lets take a look at your side" she adds.

I whimper in pain as she gently pulls the soiled shirt away from my wound. The look on her face is a mixture of worry and wavering confidence. She places a fresh linen strip on the wound which turns read as quickly as she places it down.

"I need some water and hurry with that fire!!" Shirayuki yells and Izana is the one who brings over a canteen of water.

"How did this happen" He declares as his worry and anger dance across his features. Worry etching itself into his sea blue eyes.

"Sword" is all i can strangle out as I cry out in pain from Shirayuki running a cloth over the wound to inspect it better.

Then something unexpected happens. Izana takes a seat on the dirty ground no doubt ruining his white clothing, before taking my hand in his own. His gaze never leaving mine as warmth from his large hands makes its way through my weakening body.

"Fires ready" Kiki yells and shirayuki gets up from her spot beside me,

"Prince Izana can you keep pressure on her wound while I ready my medical supplies?" she asks.

Without a word Izana reaches over me to place a firm hand over the bandage that is collecting my blood. Keeping a firm pressure as Shirayuki disappears from sight. I dare not look at my side, instead I focus on Izanas chest. His once white tunic is now stained with dirt and some specks of blood. Without thinking I allow myself to rest my head on his chest letting his warmth travel through my body which seems to be growing colder by the second.

"Cold" i strangle out gaining a worried look from Izana.

"Shirayuki Hurry it up!" Izana yells panic clear in his tone.

Letting go of my hand he removes his cloak and rests it over my body before returning his hand to mine. Just as shirayuki returned with the others close behind. She doesn't even explain what she is going to do.

She removes the clothing covering the wound which is thankfully no longer oozing blood before jabbing the needle and thread through my skin. I cry out in pain as she drags them through the skin, Izana tightening his grip on my hand, using his other to help keep me still as she continues to add more stitches, each jab more painful than the last.

After ten stitches she ties off the thread before once again cleaning the wound. With Izana holding my weak form up because at this point I could barely move a single muscle. Shirayuki wraps up my wound, exchanging a few words with the others that I didn't catch before leaving to go help the others who are injured.

"You have to try and stay awake" Izana says in a soft voice as he gets to his feet. Picking my up bridal style, being cautious of my wound before heading over the horse. "We will be in a town in no time then you may rest in comfort and Shirayuki says you need to eat something before sleeping because of the blood loss" he babbles on

Hr hands me off the Obi only briefly to mount his horse before reclaiming me. Gently placing my in front of him, still wrapped in his cloak which likely will never be as white as it was ever again.