A Different Landing

Chapter-13

Burka stood silently behind her general's shoulder eyes scanning for threats. Most of her attention was on the reaper tied to a post next to Nyko's house like some sort of rabid dog. It wasn't the greatest threat but it interested her. The creature had once been a tall and broad man, Trikru by the tattoo she saw peeking out above his collar. The man, who had been reduced to a snarling monster was salivating, eyes bloodshot and dilated, muscles flexed, fighting against his chains. It was futile and she found herself interested in the creature's hapless struggles.

The true threat lay in the other healers arguing over a method for sedating the husk of a man. Five of the clans were represented. She did not know why it was necessary for healers from the other clans to be present, or why they were conducting this experiment in Ton DC but it wasn't her place to question.

The healer from Sankru was the only one from an enemy clan other than Trikru present which made things slightly more bearable for her. She let her fingers run along a line of poisoned needles that were hidden in the lining of her sleeves. It comforted her that she could kill any threat to the general without even pausing to draw a blade. Hetzal, the Sankru healer, was a slight man, tall and weedy. He was balding and his head looked almost cracked from being burned in the sun a few too many times. There was a slouch to his stance and he evaluated those around him with a wariness that pinged Burka's senses. He was either a coward or had something to hide. Possibly both.

Ephraim of the plains had sent a small party including two healers and a handful of warriors. It was a show of good faith and Burka paid less attention to them, the plains and Azgeda had long been allied. Besides, stout Moulder and his former second the willowy Natasha were unarmed. A rarity even amongst healers. None of the other healers were within striking distance of the general so she ignored them.

She moved so that she was beside the other Azgeda guard Benny. She knew he was an effective deterrent, he was an intimidating warrior. They stood together and watched as Clarke seemed to get sick of the discussion on sedation methods. She walked straight up to the monster and stuck a needle she knew was coated in a paralyzing poison into the side of its neck. She turned to face the now silent healers.

"He was hurting himself and I'd rather not have to treat additional injuries to the ones he has already." Turning towards the seconds, she gave orders. "Get him into the healing hut. Clean him, bandage any injuries he may have, and send for me once you're done." With that, she left the circle of healers pausing only to give a nod of acknowledgement to Nyko.

Burka easily slid behind Clarke as she walked towards the house given to the commander during the siege. Benny remained in place to make sure none of their apprentices or Brady were harmed by the foreign elements present. They passed the house and made their way to where some of the Trikru were sparring. She noticed that Charlotte was working on knife forms with a blond teenager.

She came to a stop just out of arm's reach of Clarke as the general came to a stop besides the Commander, who was watching the knife training with interest. She was more relaxed here, where weapons were in the open. From the side of her eyes, she saw the way Clarke marginally settled and a certain tenseness in her neck seemed to dissipate while standing next to the commander. Interesting.

"I'll have you know, a gaggle of healers is almost as bad as a gaggle of generals." Clarke remarked in an annoyed tone.

The commander tilted her head to the side. "I was unaware, but you have my sympathy."

Clarke snorted, "Glad to hear it; and to think I asked for this."

The side of the commander's mouth twitched. "You did say you made foolish decisions on occasion."