Dragon's Blood

Sadice - War

Three anxious days passed without a word from the west, where Captain Arden had gone to fight back Kantians. The first two days, soldiers who had been stationed in the eastern towns came through on their way to join Arden, but, of course, they had no word of the battle. None of them stopped.

On the fourth day, Private Goff and another soldier came riding back into town at a gallop. Skidding to a halt by the infirmary, where I was working they both leaped from their mounts and met me as I came to the door.

"Captain Arden wants you to come with us," Goff said between pants. "You're sorely needed."

I didn't hesitant, but quickly packed some herbs and bandages and followed them to three fresh horses that had been saddled in a hurry for us. The sun was high in the sky as we mounted up, but Goff scowled at it.

"It'll take us at least the rest of the day to get back," he said, kicking his horse. "Let's go."

We rode hard, alternating between a canter and a trot as our horses needed a breather and travelled faster than I ever had to the westernmost town in the valley. The sun sank below the horizon as we left the last town behind us. Then we were climbing up the mountainside to the pass and as we crested, faint sounds of battle reached my ears.

"They've pushed us back," Private Goff snarled and the other soldier, I still hadn't caught his name, grunt in response.

I peered through the trees, but didn't see anything. Goff nudged his horse forward and down we went, almost to the river. The clang and shouts of battle got louder, as did the rushing of the river.

"Where are your wounded men?" I asked, pushing my horse up next to theirs. Looking down, I saw through the sparse trees into a large clearing next to the river where men battled viciously. I couldn't tell who was who in the deepening darkness, but I did spot a glow that seemed to move as a man. The glow grew and then a part of the light left the glow and a fireball sizzled across the river and landed amidst men manning a small catapult. They scattered.

With a jolt of shock, I realized I was watching Arden form and throw fire. Horror washed over me as I stared, unable to move as I watched Arden again form a fireball and let it fly across the river, further igniting the catapult. 

"This way," Goff barked at me, and nudged my horse along the back of the battle.

I followed him dumbly. Soon we were in a small clearing, a little further away from the fighting and a small fire illuminated more than twenty men lying about in various states of battle wounds. I about fell from my horse when I dismounted, but Goff was at my shoulder and caught my arm.

"Can you help them? We've almost fifty men out of commission." he motioned to the men lying prone.

I nodded, pushed my stabbing fear down, and knelt by the closest man. Goff went to the soldier's other side and bent over him as I examined the wounds. Deep cuts and a blow to the head had knocked him out. I could bandage everything up and he would likely live, but I understood why Arden had sent for me. She needed men back out on the battlefield.

Touching the man's arm, I sent my magic into him and let it close the wounds and bring swelling down, sending blood back to where it was helpful. With a gasp, he woke up and sat up, clutching at his sword. Goff grabbed his arm before the man could swing at me.

"It's ok, Doren! You're fine! Healer Sadice made you better." Goff patted Doren's shoulder until the man's wild stare settled on me, and he smiled in recognition.

"Healer Sadice," he said gruffly. "Many thanks."

He gripped my hand and then lumbered to his feet, already heading back into battle. Goff nodded at me and then turned to the next man lying prone on the ground, clutching at his stomach.