Santana dispatched the rebel she was fighting while he was distracted by the screech. She wanted to look, but she knew what it was and needed to keep focus. Sebastian had run, along with about a third of the rebel force. She wanted to give chase, but he'd fled into the mountains. There was no way she was taking the fight there, so the best plan for now was to round up the rest of the rebels here. Baron Marchioni's forces were back toward the city, guarding those who had surrendered or been wounded. Santana's forces were closing in on the rest of the fighters.
Nigel landed next to her on Wyndbain, and jumped down from the saddle. Santana heard him yell something to the dragon, who began slithering toward the rebel forces. It didn't spray flame, but it snapped at some of the rebels. Santana saw what it was doing - it was corralling the rebels.
A rebel in Sebastian's colors ran up to Santana, and she focused again on the fight. She killed him just in time to hear the scream. It was like the world stopped. She was afraid to glance over, but did, and saw Nigel on the ground. Blood pounded in her ears as she spurred Firebolt into a gallop. She jumped off the horse and rushed the rest of the way to Nigel's side. He was trying to sit up, as Fellsworth killed the rebel who had stabbed him.
"Nigel! Nigel!" Santana yelled. "Stay still." She tried to calm him, but he was screaming in Wyrmspeak.
Wyndbain came slithering back over. Santana was about to draw her sword to keep the beast away, but Nigel grabbed her hand to stop her.
"It's...okay," he panted. "Let him."
"You want me to let him eat you?" Santana yelled. She glanced around, but the chaos was abating and her team was definitely on top.
"Please," Nigel groaned. "Move back."
Reluctantly, Santana did so, and Nigel ripped his shirt open to expose the wound. She watched as, to her immense disgust, the dragon licked Nigel across the torso a few times. The first time, the boy screamed, but after that the screams became more like groans of relief. Santana could see Nigel's skin distorting, but the wound was closing. Wyndbain sat back, and Nigel sat up, breathing hard.
"Dragon saliva," he breathed. "Healing properties - Ridcully told me."
Santana helped him to stand, and pulled him into a hug. "Let Fellsworth help you to the medic. Healing properties or not, I want that looked at."
"Yes, my lady."
"Your grace!"
Santana turned to see Baron Marchioni riding toward her. "Angelo - what's going on?"
"We need you back at Olvon," Angelo said. "It's Lords Caman and Smythe."
"Are you trying to tell me Caman was in on this too?" she nearly screamed.
"Er...that's just the thing. He was, but he...kind of wasn't. I'll explain on the way."
"Take care of Nigel," she told Fellsworth, before mounting Firebolt again.
