Chapter 4) Cracks
The argument between Lord Lex and Lady Ayra was far from the only argument among the army, and it ended up being a rather tame one compared to some of the others. The soldiers are antsy, and no few just wish to ravage Verdane for 'daring' to break the treaty. Their respect for Lord Sigurd keeps them in check for now, but I had heard many mutter about Lord Sigurd sending a messenger with a peace agreement to Prince Gandolf. Those who make the mistake of saying it loud enough for me to justify hearing it… those ones are 'gently' reminded of just how many have already died.
Everyone thinks war is full of glory until they're on a cot in the infirmary. I wish there was a way to knock such idiocy out of them.
Laughter caught my ear, and it wasn't just because I hadn't been expecting it. It was the mix of sounds that made me set down my mending and peek into the side room where Lord Oifeye, Sir Finn, and Prince Shanan were playing cards. Lord Oifeye's laugh was bright and cheerful, far more so than you'd expect for a child who was often wise beyond his ears, and yet, it suited his smile perfectly. Sir Finn's laughter was a bit more subdued, fitting his quieter nature, but there was a warmth in it that showed the kindness hiding behind his shyness. Prince Shanan's was almost a little confused and startled, like he couldn't believe he was even able to laugh, but there was a brightness that suited a child his age.
I smiled softly as I watched them play, Sir Finn and Lord Oifeye teaching Prince Shanan with patience and teasing kindness. The two had made a point of coming every day to visit Prince Shanan, and he blossomed with their friendship. His body still needed to be mended, as did his spirit, but I no longer felt like Lady Ayra or I had to be near for him to feel safe. Slowly, he was learning to trust again.
I went back to my chair and picked up my mending again. Some part of me wondered if I should teach some of the soldiers how to sew, so that I could spend more of my time grinding herbs. It wasn't as if we didn't have a plethora of soldiers with free time, after all, especially given the business the local taverns were having.
Pounding footsteps made me pause, and I set my mending to the side and stood up to open the door to the infirmary. It crashed open before I could take two steps, and I stilled when I saw just how much blood Lady Ayra was covered in.
"Gandolf refused the peace agreement," she informed me calmly. She glanced around and I pointed to the side room. I noticed that Sir Finn was in the doorway now, and he was firmly not budging, despite Prince Shanan trying to peek around him. "He's marching on us, and has attacked the nearby villages in 'retribution' for their support of us. Since I was the fastest of the scouting group, I volunteered to warn you." Her eyes wavered slightly. "Lex… was following with some of the worst wounded. He should be here before long."
"Where are Lady Ethlyn and Lady Aideen?" I asked, clasping my hands in front of me. "Are they out in the field?"
"Yes, I think so. Ethlyn definitely is; she was in my group. I think Aideen is with Sigurd. He went to the worst hit."
"I see." I went to a nearby shelf and found her a towel. "Clean yourself up a bit, and then take Prince Shanan out of here. I would rather him not being stuck in the infirmary right now."
"I'll do it," Lord Oifeye volunteered. He managed to get around Sir Finn and came to stand right in front of me. "I have a feeling that I'll be needed for tactical things soon anyway."
"Very well," I replied. I smiled slightly and turned to Sir Finn. "And you? What shall you do?"
"I think, with your permission, Lady Alicia, I'm going to make sure our perimeter is secure," Sir Finn answered. "If it is clear, and if we have enough to keep it clear, I will come right back here to assist you."
"Thank you." I turned back to Lady Ayra, who fidgeted awkwardly. "Well, they solved that on their own. Please, return to what you were doing. The infirmary is ready."
"...You are a brave woman, Miss Alicia," Lady Ayra murmured. She bowed slightly. "Good luck." She raced off, blood dripping and splattering as she went. Lord Oifeye and Prince Shanan disappeared just seconds later, careful to go in the opposite direction. Sir Finn lingered to help me retrieve some items and then went to do his duty.
Not long after he left, Lord Lex arrived with the first of the badly wounded, and that was when I realized just why Lady Ayra had made a point to call me brave and wish me luck. He was carrying the body of a five year old boy who had been gutted.
I did my best to shut off my brain as more victims piled in and it became all the clearer what had been going on in Genoa and Marpha. Prince Kinbaith and Prince Gandolf had, likely, conscripted all the able bodied men between the ages of sixteen and sixty, leaving only the very young, the very old, and the women behind. So, my patients were the very young, the very old, and the women.
I had to ignore the elderly. They'd likely die even with my help. I was lucky in that the elderly didn't even want my healing. They fought the soldiers carrying them with every last ounce of their strength and breath, feebly scolding them for 'wasting time'. They smiled when they realized I prioritized the younger ones over them. They had lived good lives; they wanted others to experience the same. Even if I was certain they were thinking 'I wished I could see my child one more time' or 'I wished I could have met my grandchild', they silently urged me to continue my prioritizing.
A pregnant woman miscarried because of blows to the stomach; another one was far enough along that she gave birth amidst the mess. A third did the same, but bled out from complications. I gave the babies to some of the lesser wounded to help treat, and the first went to a sympathetic woman with her leg broken in five places, but still enough kindness to give a hug.
A two year old bled out under my fingers. Another lost their arm, but kept their life. A third technically lived, but was stuck in a coma after a blow to the head, and would not wake no matter how much healing magic I used. I broke a staff trying, and had to fetch another one to prevent a fourth from suffering the same fate. They lived, but were blinded.
I even had to deal with pets. I had no idea why or how they were here, but they were. A little girl desperately asking for me to save her precious puppy even while she bled from a hole in her chest. A few kittens mewled as I tried to save their legs; I succeeded with all but one, who died. One little boy clung to his pet cat as they both breathed their lasts. A dog tried to nudge their owner awake, and couldn't understand why they wouldn't wake, no matter how many times they licked them.
I worked on them all, saved those I could, and moved the dead to the side. When the waves of victims slowed to a trickle and I got a moment, I calmly stepped into my side office and shut the door. I managed to wash my hands and get some of the blood off my face. Then I collapsed, covering my mouth to keep my sobs from being heard.
No matter how much my heart broke, a healer mourned alone, and then gathered up the pieces to inform the family that their loved ones didn't make it. This was a healer's duty.
I worked on the villagers for three days straight. The less wounded were recruited to help me with the worse wounded. Orphaned kids and pets were recruited to help calm patients while I tended to them. I ran out of medicine and had to make more. I'd long given up on numbing herbs and sleeping potions; I couldn't keep enough on hand.
When things calmed, though, I was dragged away from them. Lord Sigurd had to meet Prince Gandolf on the battlefield in order to prevent Marpha's soldiers from devastating more villages. Lady Aideen and Lady Ethlyn were going to act as 'on-the-field' healers, Lady Ethlyn sticking with the mounted, and Lady Aideen with the unmounted. I was tasked with setting up and managing the Infirmary.
The wounded poured in as soon as the battle started. Prince Gandolf was taking no prisoners this time, and he attacked with a brutal efficiency, even forcing his soldiers to march over their own dead in order to strike Lord Sigurd's soldiers all the faster. My mind went numb as I treated everyone, shredding the clothes of the dead to use as makeshift bandages. As I worked, I always made sure to doublecheck the sigil on the ground just outside the tent, making sure it was not scuffed. Lady Aideen and Lady Ethlyn had managed to go shopping just before the attack, and Lady Aideen had bought Lady Ethlyn a Return Staff. While a very situational staff at best, its weaker abilities made it much easier to use in the chaos of a battle, and Lady Ethlyn could use it to quickly 'Return' people to the infirmary, instead of simply carrying them.
This numbing pace kept up for easily a day. I was incredibly disoriented and confused when the dawn came; the fighting might've stopped during the night, but people didn't stop bleeding because the sun set. But the dawn did bring a slowing to the flood of injured and I could step out to get a breath of air that didn't feel wet with blood and death. I found Lady Aideen and Lord Sigurd not far away, and absently wandered towards them, mostly curious as to what they were doing here.
"I just simply do not understand this," Lady Aideen murmured. Her hair was much shorter, the ends uneven enough to make me certain she'd ducked under an axe and lost her hair instead. "Prince Jamke was supposed to…"
"I think Prince Gandolf is doing this on his own," Lord Sigurd replied. He had a scratch on his cheek, and the stiff way he held himself as he crossed his arms hinted at least muscle soreness. "In his pride, he does nothing but drive his country into the ground."
"I hope this won't hurt Prince Jamke's arguments."
"As do I, Aideen."
"What are you two doing here?" I asked when I realized I was actually close to them. I'd been so dazed that I honestly hadn't noticed. "Has the fighting stopped?"
"Miss Alicia, I didn't expect to see you out of the infirmary!" Lady Aideen yelped. She looked flustered, for some reason. "Oh, goodness, you're pale…"
"I only just now got a free moment. So?"
"The answer is that we don't know," Lord Sigurd answered. He reached over and wiped something off my cheek. "He pulled back during the night. Quan is on the frontlines for me while I rest."
"I see," I murmured. I massaged my palms as my brain registered how much my hands cramped from holding a healing staff so long. "I do not have a casualty reports yet. Things have been touch and go for too many."
"I feared that." He sighed and reached into his pocket, pulling out a handkerchief. "Here."
"I suppose I missed some spots on my face." Sighing, I used it to try and clean my face better, grimacing at just how dirty it became. "I might just boil this to use as padding for a bandage. I doubt you'll want it back."
"Can you not use fresh?"
"We ran out while tending to the civilians, and I need to keep water boiling anyway to sterilize needles."
"Miss Alicia, would you like me to take over?" Lady Aideen asked. She peered at me worriedly. "You've been working for four days straight."
"You have been working just as long," I pointed out. She, after all, had been on the field. "I see your hair was a casualty."
"Ah, yes, a fire spell caught me. Ayra cut my hair because we were not close enough to any source of water. Azel was upset, for some reason."
"Azel dislikes friends being hurt." That was easier to explain at the moment. "That's all." Movement caught my attention, and I pointed as Lord Quan rode up. "Look who's here."
"Quan, is everything all right?" Lord Sigurd asked. He stepped apart and held Lord Quan's horse's reins as Lord Quan jumped off without waiting for a full stop. "I thought I'd have to come to you."
"Our lovely Gandork is on the field," Lord Quan deadpanned. The ridiculous play on Prince Gandolf's name made me smile tiredly. "He's insisting on a duel. Something about being able to end this war in one strike."
"...He says that he can end this is one decisive blow?" Lord Sigurd's voice was very soft, and treacherously calm. I couldn't help but stiffen in fear, and I saw Lady Aideen do the same. Only Lord Quan looked unperturbed. "What a laugh. After all that has happened, he has not earned the right to make such a boast." He stepped forward, and held himself with all the poise of a king, and with all the anger of a righteous, good man. "I will take care of him, and I shall show him just why this is all such a farce."
"I figured." Lord Quan stepped to the side and gestured to his saddle. "Your horse is still out for a pulled leg, so use mine. You've ridden him enough to know his little tricks."
"My thanks, Quan." Lord Sigurd mounted up, and rode off without a single second of hesitation.
Lord Quan silently followed on foot, with the little smirk of someone who was gleefully anticipating someone's misery. Lady Aideen and I glanced at each other and hesitantly decided to follow as well, all the way to the battlefield.
It wasn't as far off as I had originally thought, and it was eerily still as we walked up. I saw Azel and Sir Midir, both looking as if they wished they were fighting, but both stayed back as Lord Sigurd rode forward to meet Prince Gandolf on the field, far ahead of his own army. I noticed Lady Ethlyn hanging near Lord Sigurd, likely to heal him if necessary.
But it wasn't. Prince Gandolf charged forward, laughing like a madman, and struck. Lord Sigurd easily blocked the blow, though, and shoved Prince Gandolf back. Then, while Prince Gandolf tried to right his footing, Lord Sigurd charged forward, easily cutting him down, and then he turned, trampling the body for good measure. I wondered if it was an accident or on purpose, but decided it was fitting for Prince Gandolf to be grinded into the dirty.
"Soldiers of Marpha!" Lord Sigurd cried, his voice easily carrying throughout the field. "I have defeated Gandolf, First Prince of Verdane!" He lifted his sword, and the dawning sunlight made the silver sparkle and the blood on it glisten. "Those of you who have no will to fight, leave the field!"
It was almost comical how quickly the enemy fled. If only they had been so cowardly earlier…
Soldiers cheered and milled about, relaxing after the long battle. Lady Aideen went straight to Sir Midir, before going around checking on injured. Lady Ethlyn did something similar. So, I decided to pick my way through the field and go to where Lord Sigurd was. He had dismounted from Lord Quan's horse, sighing and wincing. He definitely pulled something. However, Lord Quan beat me to his side, and I slowed, debating whether or not to get closer. With a little shrug, I decided to go ahead. I could get away with scolding the two of them about their health.
"I suppose he was right," Lord Quan observed dryly. He looked almost amused. "It was decided in a single blow."
"I just got lucky," Lord Sigurd replied. He looked a little ill. "He wasn't wearing much armor. Ah, I'll clean your horse's hooves. I… well…"
"Gandork was a fool to rile you like that There's a reason you keep a good grip on your temper." Lord Quan shook his head. "But what do you plan on doing now, Sigurd?"
"For now, Quan, we move into Marpha and I place my hopes in Prince Jamke, and wait for his proposal." Lord Sigurd sighed and looked up at the sky. "We're probably seen as unwelcome invaders, especially at this point, and yet…"
I scoffed, unable to help it, and managed to smile as the two whirled to face me. "Lord Sigurd, are you truly so blind?" I chided. "There is a castle filled with people who only live because of you."
"But…" Lord Sigurd began. He visibly groped for words before shaking his head. "Prince Gandolf wouldn't have attacked them if not…"
"Lord Sigurd, you need to consider something." I made sure to soften my smile. "Consider just how little they must've meant to him if he could attack them so easily. Consider what life must've been like, living under a lord who willingly and eagerly crossed the border, invaded a peaceful territory, slaughtered hundreds, and kidnapped a woman with the intention of forcing himself on her. You must not look at things as if they are straightforward. Not everyone in the world has your kindness, and not every lord cares for their people. The people know the difference."
"But…"
"It is well known that you only entered Verdane to rescue Lady Aideen, Lord Sigurd. It is well known that you immediately called in your troops and urged for peace once she was safe." I shook my head. "And it is also well known, or will be well known, that when Prince Gandolf trampled his people, you led a rescue mission, on your own, and risked your life many, many times to save as many as you could."
"She's right, Sigurd," Lord Quan said, moving to stand next to me. "You've always had a problem in realizing just how well regarded you are, like a star unaware of how brightly it shines, just by nature." He smiled a little. "This is just the same."
"But…" Lord Sigurd protested again. He just couldn't seem to wrap his head around it, and it was almost, almost, endearing how pure-hearted he was. But few things were scarier and more dangerous than innocence. Someone could use him so easily, and I had to wonder if Lord Quan also came to help lessen the chances of that. "I…"
"If you truly feel so horrible, Lord Sigurd, then you can help me in the infirmary," I told him. "If you feel you cannot stomach that, then you can help comfort those who have lost. I could not save everyone." I didn't mean to let that part slip. Even if it was an obvious truth, I shouldn't have said it.
But he didn't care. "...And you have your hands full." Lord Sigurd sighed. "Ah, I'm being selfish. Even if the world hates me, I should still keep doing what I know is right, and I should keep doing what I can to make the world fair."
"Yes, you should." I crossed my arms. "You may help me now, in fact. I have some heavy things that need to be moved to make more room for the injured, and if we are going to be living in Marpha, I must prepare rooms."
"Yikes, strict taskmaster." But, finally, Lord Sigurd smiled and laughed. "Well, give me my marching orders, Miss Alicia! And Quan's too. He'll help, of course."
I couldn't help but laugh when Lord Quan yelped and tried to protest being volunteered, and the sound was… strange. It had been a long, long time since I had laughed so freely.
Lord Sigurd was a very eager pupil, sometime a little too eager. He recruited some others to help me make my infirmary rooms, and with the help of Lady Aideen getting a very convenient Warp Staff from Dew and Lady Ethlyn's Return Staff, we got everyone moved with relative ease. Once that was done, Lord Sigurd helped me with tending to the injured. I swore he adopted every single orphan, child or pet, along the way, tending to them with ease. It actually got to the point that I left the more minorly wounded children and pets to just him, as his ability to calm them was something I just could not match. When his fingers started fumbling, I sent him off, only for him to talk with those left behind, listening to their stories while still keeping the children busy and comforted.
At some point, I chased him out of the infirmary entirely, telling him to go get some sleep. Then, when Lady Aideen came to take over the infirmary, I went to check on him, only to discover he had apparently gone straight to Prince Shanan and had apparently chatted and played with him until both of them fell asleep. I shook my head and draped a blanket over them both, smiling because Prince Shanan was curled up on Lord Sigurd's shoulder and they looked like… well, not quite 'father' and 'son'. 'Older brother' and 'younger brother' was more accurate, given their ages.
"Oh, I didn't expect to see anyone." Lord Quan knocked on the doorway as I whirled, and leaned against it. "I suppose I should've knocked after all," he noted with a wry smile. I shrugged and managed to smile back. "He was reading to Prince Shanan when I checked in before."
"It seems as if it put both of them to sleep," I replied. I checked the blanket was secure and walked out of the room, nudging him along the way. "How are you? Lady Ethlyn was fretting earlier."
"I pulled my back, and didn't realize it until after I was done helping you, so I'm not surprised." He walked down the hall with me. "Though, I do warn you. She's also been grumbling about how formal you are. Something about healer girls needing to stick together."
"I shall take the warning seriously." I doubted it would amount to much, though. Lady Aideen had given up making me call her by name already. "Oh, there's a balcony…"
"Oh, huh. There is." Lord Quan stepped out onto the balcony and I tentatively followed him. The night air was cool and refreshing, even if I was startled by how it was already dark again. "That forest in front of us is supposed to be the Spirit Forest of Verdane."
"Is it?" I walked to the railing to look at it better, and I squinted as I noticed something in the distance. "On the other side is Castle Verdane, isn't it?"
"Yeah, you can just make out the flags flapping in the distance from here." Lord Quan fell silent, and I wondered what he thought. The forest stretching towards the horizon made it very, very clear that neither of us were 'home. "Miss Alicia, it occurs to me that we know so little about you."
"There really isn't much to know about me." I shook my head. "I'm a rather boring girl, all told."
"No ambitions for the future or anything?"
"No, I am a healer, and thus, I shall remain a healer." I glanced at him. "Why?"
"Oh, just a thought." His voice was rather light. "You know… Chalphy wouldn't throw a fit about Sigurd having a 'commoner wife', like some other provinces would."
"No, it wouldn't?" I was confused for a split-second, before I realized just what he was implying: that I marry Lord Sigurd. The idea seemed so ridiculous that I couldn't help but laugh, and laugh hard enough to tear up. Then I laughed even harder at how panicked he became.
"I must admit; I do not know what was so amusing, though it is good to see you smiling, Miss Alicia," Lord Quan murmured once I had calmed my laughter to simple giggling and snickering. "I think I missed the joke."
"It is fine," I replied, my voice wobbling from my mirth. "It was simply the idea of marrying Lord Sigurd was enough to…" I burst into laughter again, and it took me a while to calm down again. "I do not have any grand ambitions, especially in marrying above my station, Lord Quan. I am content in being a simple healer, without the responsibilities related to being the Lady of the House." I finally managed to calm my snickers, and dabbed at my eyes. "Oh, goodness, I apologize. The very thought was just…"
"I see." He laughed a little, perhaps to reassure me that my own laughter was fine. "A bit of a shame, as you two get along well. Then again, despite how charismatic Sigurd is, he really doesn't have a lot of close, close friends. Friends who challenge him, while also reassure him. Off hand, I can think of only three: Eldigan, myself, and Aideen." He smiled warmly. "Perhaps it is too forward of me, but I do hope that you can continue giving him your counsel, even once this campaign is over, Miss Alicia."
"...We shall see." I looked up at the stars, noticing how clear the night was. "For the moment, I am Prince Shanan's primary healer, and he is Lord Sigurd's charge. I will remain for however long Prince Shanan needs me."
"It might be longer than his body's injuries. The boy is used to people leaving and never coming back."
"Yes, I know." It was entirely possible that I would be Prince Shanan's healer for two or even three years, until his mental scars were healed. "So, perhaps you will get your wish through that."
"I'll be more than happy with that." Lord Quan stretched, and flinched as his spine popped. "Ow… I think that's a sign that I need to get to bed."
"You should make sure to go straight to sleep." I kept my tone perfectly innocent as he gave me a confused look. "Arching would be bad if your back is hurting like that."
"You…!" His face went bright red, but he laughed. "You're a lot more mischievous than you seem, aren't you?"
"No, not at all, Lord Quan. I am merely giving you a healer's recommendation." I curtseyed, mostly for the excuse to duck my head to hide my little smile. "Good night, Lord Quan."
"Night, Miss Alicia. And thanks, for joining up with our craziness." He clasped my shoulder and smiled warmly. "I fear how many of us would be dead or crippled if not for your tireless work. So, thank you."
"I am simply doing my job." It was so strange to hear so much gratitude. No one had ever thanked me so much for doing my duty. "Pleasant dreams, Lord Quan."
"And you, Miss Alicia."
Records on Sir Alec:
Cavalier, 20 years old
A flirtatious knight of Chalphy, reckless and cocky
Fast, with an awareness that seems almost at odds with his personality. Lady Ayra has mentioned that, during a spar, he was able to block her 'Astra' at the first strike, preventing her from completing it. I wonder if it is a type of magic.
Often seen with his fellow knights, teasing them mercilessly
Author's notes: Sigurd's speech about Gandolf 'not earning the right' comes from the Oosawa manga, as well as the whole 'star being unaware of its own light' (albeit that is from a scene MUCH later in the manga). Midir and Azel both have boss conversations with Gandolf, but they're just 'rawr, will not forgive' sort of thing that Gandolf isn't important enough to get.
If Ethlyn and Aideen talk after she enters the field, Ethlyn picks up a Return staff, which… well… returns people to the home castle, basically working as a weaker warp (same amount of uses, but can be used at a C rank in staves, which is Ethlyn's set staff rank prior to promotion). This is my explanation for why it works there. If Aideen and Dew talk after Genoa Castle is captured, he'll give her a Warp Staff (and he'll get a minor Love Point Boost).
(I neglected to mention this previously, but when Aideen is freed, either Azel or Midir can talk with her for a Love Points Boost; I did a version of the one she has with Midir)
Next Chapter - Interlude, Marpha
