Chapter 3: Asking for help

General Kirigan had called upon General Biryukov to pull an all-nighter meeting. They had lost a better part of the 4rth battalion not to mention also the Grisha summoners who had volunteered to accompany the first army for a lookout mission. They guessed that their enemy had a base close by, otherwise they could not have managed two attacks the same day as they had done a fortnight ago.
Alexhander had finished setting up a scenario for a new scouting mission when general Biryukov stepped into his tent. The man was a slightly heavy middle aged man having celebrated his 55th name-day before heading out to the northern front. His salt and pepper hair and cleft chin underlined his experience as well as his stubborn temper. Alexhander did not always see eye-to-eye with the leader of the First Army but he was an honest fellow who truly cared about his men. As the leader of the Grisha himself and looking to their own protection, he could only respect the weathered soldier.

Biryukov slumped into a chair and sighed, taking a swig of kvas from his personal hip flask. He called it his liquid courage and swore it helped clear his head. "Alright Kirigan, let's get down to it once more. But first,
tell me how the prince is doing". So my visit to the infirmary did not go unnoticed, though Alexhander. He leaned back in his chair, " His vital prognosis is stable it seems. My best heartrender and healer tended to him once they were called by your head healer". Biryukov frowned, rubbing his hands together " The wounds were that bad that lady Kara had to call upon Grisha?". General Kirigan stiffened and answered coldly " would you rather the prince be left for dead? Had it not been for our intervention, the prince's heart would no longer be beating. What I want to know is why the prince was out there with no assistance but his personal guards. I thought we had agreed to keep him off the field considered his poor military training."
Biryukov grimaced and rubbed his jaw, exhaustion etched on his stubbled face, " it was indeed the instructions I gave to his guards. Apparently the prince heard his cousin, count Lev, went missing the previous day and used his royal authority to sway his sentry and go searching for him. What rotten luck that they came upon an angry bear with cubs upriver." He took a deep breath and continued " I'll take full responsibility for this mishap. I'll talk to prince Dimitri and lady Kara before making my report to the king". Alexhander nodded, " what matters is that the prince is now safe and out of harms way. let us focus now on the matter at hand".

He pointed to an area on the map."In the past few weeks we have lost men here, here and here. Our scouts came back unsuccessful but it tells us that the Ferdjan mercenaries do not have their base in those areas. Which leaves us with two glacier pass and the terrain upriver to search." He took a second, eyeing the general across the table for his reaction, " My proposal would be to detach another battalion tomorrow to take a look. it's about half a day away and it will narrow down our search drastically whether we find anything or not. Biryukov's face was calm but firm, " You are asking me to send another group of men out there without any guarantee for their safety? Why can't some of your expert Corporalki take this mission?". Alexhander's eyes narrowed, feeling the accusation in the general's remark. " We have lost many in the past few weeks, I cannot spare anymore Grisha lives. The ones remaining should stay at base camp to tend to our wounded and protect the prince. Since your protection initiative has failed, I will take it upon myself to avoid any other mishap". " But you would sacrifice First Army men for a fool's errand, " spat Biryukov. "We do not know this terrain as the Ferdjans do. Finding them could take months." He held the bridge of his nose to calm himself down, " I'm not saying I don't see the point in scouting the area. I'm only saying I am not willing to repeat yesterday's outcome without new information on our enemies whereabouts". Alexhander kept his poise despite his anger, " Would you have me report to the king that you refused to any further military action on the part of the First Army out of fear?". Biryukov got up quickly and advanced on Alexhander, stopping inches from his face, " Let us get one thing straight General Kirigan. I do not report to you. I do not take orders from you. And you know why that is? Because despite your best efforts, our king doesn't trust Grisha and prefers a direct report from both of us." The First Army general headed to exit the tent, " My answer is final General, no new information means First Army stays put". Alexhander ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed. Sleep would not find him tonight it seemed, as he thought on ways to better apprehend their enemy in the days to come.

The next morning, Kara got out of the healer's tent, her body still wary and sore. Her night had been plagued by nightmares for almost a year now, ever since she had joined the Ravkan army. Not to mention a snoring Seraphine had made falling asleep a challenge. The previous years of training all over the world had been riddled with resting moments, interludes between healing men, women and children. Ever since she had come to the First Army, she had not found a moment to pause. She was either healing the wounded, searching for rare herbs and flowers or sticking her nose in a new book or study in the Os Alta library when on leave. The wounds she had here had a matter of urgency she had seldom encountered when she tended to civilians who often came for a cold, assistance in childbirth or an aching back. Each day, despite the little sleep she had had, Kara got up, washed her face with icy water to remove the fog from her mind, and did her best to tend to the soldiers with her peers once more. Kara went by the canteen to grab some breakfast for her, Seraphine, Artyom, Luka and the young apprentice, Yurii. She had negotiated with the cook to be able to grab the healer's meals all at once, so that any one of them could come by for the group. As she passed by a few soldiers having a hot drink and a smoke, they tilted their hats, greeting her with a smile and a "Moi Dama Kara" to which she chuckled. Biryukov had once asked her what her surname was. she had no clue as to which one she bore before appearing on her old mentor's doorstep. Hearing this, having no surname and title, Biryukov had teased, " what are we going to call the lady then?". Indeed, the soldiers who owed their lives to the healer, always wondered what honorary title they could refer to when calling her. Since she had no military training, the term "lady" had stuck.

After thanking Magda, the head cook, for the rye bread and cottage cheese, she headed to the Second Army infirmary, practicing in her mind what she was going to say. She had not forgotten about the soldier with the wounded spine, his sobs violent, at the prospect of being left crippled. the Second Army infirmary was smaller than the first armies, their number being fewer. They had not set out to the northern front with all Ravkan troops which would be perilous to the countrie's safety. 10,000 strong were sent out to Chenast, 9,000 from the First Army and 1000 from the Second Army. Since they had set out 6 months ago, they had lost about half of their combatants. The 200 bed capacity of the First Army was often saturated, as they tended to the men until they could be sent home or go back to fighting. When Kara pushed the tent flap to the infirmary, which she had only dared to do once or twice, she saw that all 20 beds were full. Ania and two apprentices were doing their best to tend to all, Ania shouting out instructions as she tended to a Grisha having lost a leg. Ania's surprise at Kara's appearance barely wavered her concentration as she signed a sequence of gestures over the inferni.

Kara shuffled her feet and cleared her throat to attract her attention. Ania clicked her tongue in annoyance and looked up from her patient," What is it you want? Come to gloat at your success with the prince?". Kara was taken aback by the hurt in Ania's voice." Actually no, I come seeking your help or one of your healers." she took in a slow breath, careful with her words, " I have a soldier with a shattered spine. I cannot hope to help him walk again without Grisha intervention". Ania shook her head, " Look around you, we are three young healers for the 20 wounded that you see here. Not to mention those in their private tents to which we do day visits. She sighed, " Our head healer passed away yesterday trying to collect wounded from the field. It's just us now." She looked at the two apprentices with worry, " we are tired, cold, understaffed and ill-equipped for complex wounds. We have just the capacity to intervene here, let alone help the First Army". Kara would not back down so easily, " The man has a child back home and a farm to plow. You would condemn him to crutches or a chair? Your Small Science would do wonders, where I cannot hope to save him." she took in a shaky breath before adding "please". Ania moved to the next patient, her shoulders low in grievance," practicing the Small Science does make us stronger with practice but it also requires energy. What if I use all my strength to save your Otkazat'sya soldier? The general would punish me if it means being unable to save a Grisha life because I depleted my healing abilities for the day." she looked at Kara, her look proud but somber, " I'm sorry, there is nothing I can do to help".

Kara felt her eyes sting in frustration. Before Ania could notice, she pushed the tent flap and stepped out. She was breathing heavily, her lungs burning from the cold air, angry at the poor outcome of the meeting. She was fuming on her way to the First Army infirmary when something caught her eye. The Darkling had stepped out of his tent with General Biryukov and both were talking seriously together. She was too far off to hear but she could observe the tension in their jawline, their unblinking glaring eyes and yet the soft spoken exchange. The end of the conversation ended with them grimly shaking hands before the general of the First Army headed out to his own tent. She admired, despite their aversion of each other, their capacity to put their animosity aside and work as allies on a common goal. This sparked an idea in her mind and she trotted back to the Second Army infirmary.

Ania was not in the tent with the sick but was told she had gone to the canteen to bring back a flask of hot coffee for her and her two apprentices. As she headed back out she almost bumped into the Grisha healer. " watch where you are going!" hissed Ania who barely avoided spilling hot coffee on her red kefta. She narrowed her eyes, " It's you again". Kara decided it was best to get straight to the point. " What if I could meet you halfway?" asked Kara. Ania seemed puzzled, " I don't follow". Kara swallowed, she was about to make a very risky move, " what if, I could use my skills as a surgeon to regroup the pieces of spine and you only seal the fragments together and fix the nerves? I could sew the muscles and skin and let it heal naturally. That way, you would use very little of your energy and we can say we tried to help a man walk again." Ania was in shock, " have you ever attempted such a surgery?". Kara had to be honest, " No, but I think he would be willing we try". Ania thought for a moment and Kara stayed silent. If she was too insistent, she knew Ania would refuse. Ania huffed and went into the infirmary. Kara followed to see Ania setting down the coffee on a side table before she said, " when would you need me?". Kara sighed in relief, " so you'll do it?" Ania shrugged, " A life is a life. I made a pledge when I became a healer." She smiled darkly and added," I'd like to see Igor boast on saving the prince once he hears I healed a man's spine". Kara, laughed. Nothing like some inter-Grisha competition to provide motivation. Kara added softly, " Actually...we are going to need your heartrender friend too." Ania swore and mumbled, " he isn't my friend" to which Kara chuckled.

Ania agreed to bring Igor and meet Kara at the First Army infirmary at noon. By then Kara would have everything set up for surgery. Kara had run breathless to the infirmary and asked Artyom for his help clearing up a room in the back of the barn, covering a wooden table with boiled and dried cotton sheets. They changed into clean clothes, set up a hand washing area and brought in boiled and cleaned utensils. Yurii came in trembling, " Dama Kara, the patient with the splintered spine? He's waking up! " Kara left Artyom to finish setting up and headed with Yurii to the soldier's bedside. He was breaking in fever and delirious with pain but she had to ask him a simple question before Yurii could provide the pain relieving tonic.

The soldier was grunting in pain, " Vasily". Kara grabbed his hand to help him focus and looked into his eyes calmly, " Vasily, I may be able to make you walk again but that requires Grisha intervention. Do you agree to it?". Vasily was in such pain he had a hard time understanding, " You mean, there is a chance I can go home on my two feet?" She nodded, " I cannot promise it will work but we are willing to try if you accept.". Vasily moaned and grabbed onto Yurii who whimpered. After yurii awkwardly patted the man in the back to comfort him, Vasily agreed in tears to the procedure. Yurii then quickly uncorked the flask in his hand and helped the soldier drink from it. He was out and snoring within minutes. Kara readjusted the quilt to keep him warm. It was noon when Ania arrived breathless and angry. As the wound was going to be only partly healed by Grisha magic, Kara insisted Ania dress in the same disinfected blouse as herself and Artyom. Ania dressed quickly, her movements hurried and rushed. Kara frowned, " Ania is anything bothering you? Better mention it now before we start". Ania took a deep breath and turned to Kara, her eyes worried. " I could not find Igor or any other heartrender to assist us". Kara blanched, " you mean we have no one to help us deal with the pain? We have tonics and oils but they only work an hour at a time. This will last several hours and we cannot afford to let him wake up to administrate a new dose of tonic! The pain could kill him!". " Ania answered coldly, " you don't think I know that? I looked all over camp! apparently a better part of the Corporalki set out with a battalion of the First Army for a scout mission upriver." Ania pondered, " As a healer I have some common practice with heartrenders. I've slowed down a heart once or twice but that was several years ago." she hesitated, "Do you think... you could guide me? The way you did with Igor for the prince?"
Kara was agreeably surprise that the Grisha was asking for help. Artyom snickered and Ania's cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Kara looked gravely towards Ania, " Even if we could manage, it would cost you a great deal in energy. I thought you had to safeguard that energy in case any of the Coporalki come back wounded." Ania raised her chin in pride," I can manage". Kara's mind reared into action, trying to find the best alternative. She turned to Artyom, " Do we have have any opium left?" Artyom nodded. Kara scratched her head, " I have an idea but it's not without risk." she turned to them both. " the procedure will consist of two parts. First, Ania will keep his heart slow while artyom and I reassemble the fragments of the lower vertebrae near the spine. Then, while Ania seals the fragments together, we'll administer a high dose of opium. That should give us two hours to heal the spine, sew the muscles and graft skin from his leg onto his back". Artyom grew pale, " that will leave us little time before he wakes". Kara placed her hand on Artyom's shoulder, " that's why you'll treat and cauterize while I sew. It will be a challenge working at the same time but we can do it". Kara blew in her cupped hands, " Alright! I'm going to need Luka".