Chapter 1
I stood atop the hill for almost an hour. My back hurts from staying on my feet all that time, straining my neck to see as far as possible into the battlefield.
The air is heavy with the screams of men and the smell of blood. The sun is still a couple hours from its higher perch in the sky. There are some clouds, but they are not enough to give the warriors down in the valley a rest from the sun’s heat.
I scan the entire valley before me again, desperately looking for him. Sometimes I would see a glimmer of black and red armor moving in the front lines, cutting a path for our men through the enemy, but then I would blink and it would be gone.
I walk a few steps to my left, shaking the numbness from my body. I take a deep breath and prepare to open my mind. I had tried this already a dozen times this morning, and this would be my last attempt. Soon, I’d have to leave back to the camp.
As I exhale, I expand my consciousness into the battlefield. Suddenly, I feel all the wounded men down in the valley. Our soldiers and the enemy’s. Some are beyond help, but I reach for those who are still standing and fighting despite their injuries. I try to lay my powers over their bodies, a warm blanket of healing, but it’s no use. I’m not strong enough yet.
“Rayla,” a voice calls, and I jump. My mind comes rushing back with the force of a crushing wave and all the pain quiets to nothing. Oleana is standing beside me, her clothes already splattered with blood. She has an apologetic look on her face, and by that alone I know it’s time to return. “Rayla, we need you back at the camp. We’ll soon have our hands full with the injured.”
I nod, but my eyes travel back to the valley. They roll over all those bodies, but still I can’t find him. All I want is a small glimpse, just to know he is alright. That he is still alive.
Oleana follows my gaze, but her eyes don’t stay long on the battle. She is a practical woman and she knows that, right now, she is not needed on the edge of this hill. Her work is back at the camp. “I’m sure he is alright,” she says in a firm tone, not really needing my words to know who was on my mind. “He is the best warrior of his generation.” She takes my arm in hers and hurries us back.
I knew that, but still my heart seemed to crack as I turned my back on the battlefield. As if just with the force of my gaze I could somehow keep Kole from harm’s way. All I could do now was pray to the stars and the spirits.
I clear my voice and set my mind on the day ahead. “How bad is it?”
“They are being carried from the valley back here through the path around the eastern side of the hill,” Oleana says. “We’ve had a few coming in from the river, too.” I frown at that, but she adds, “Half drowned.”
Injured men trying to escape the battle by jumping in the river? I would hardly call them deserters, but the king could be a hard man. “How many?”
“Nearing one hundred,” she answers, always with her practicality. It’s not that she has a heart of stone, it’s just that she knows how to do her job and she has been doing it for longer than the majority of us. “One third of that dead or injured beyond our help.”
I do a quick tally of our numbers. The battle began at dawn, so considering those few hours and the men already down...
I don’t finish the thought. I couldn’t possibly think that it was looking good on our side when I didn’t even know how many of our men lay dead on that battlefield. And even one dead man was too high a price.
We enter the camp through the gap in the thorny barrier. This end is occupied with the tents of the warriors, so it’s mostly empty - two dozen of men remain at most. The majority of our army is fighting right now, but one third of it is stationed at the foot of the hill, just out of sight of the enemy, ready to join the battle if the generals see the need.
We make our way quickly between the maze of dark-grey tents, the silence only interrupted by the sounds of the battle that are no more than whispers carried by the wind. But, when we reach the southernmost part of our camp, those sounds are drowned out by the cries and whimpers of the injured.
Oleana leads me to a cluster of white tents, so close to each other that they pass by a large pavilion enveloped in ivory cloth. This helps us maintain all the wounded in one space so they can be tended to quickly if need be, while also providing some sense of organization and privacy.
“Get to work. You know what to do,” Oleana orders gently before disappearing through the white flaps.
I nod and take a quick breath before entering the space after her.
My lungs immediately feel with the metallic sent of blood and the sweet smell of herbs. Lamps are lit all around the space despite the sunny light outside. There are small wooden tables in every space between the improvised cots where soldiers lay, occupied with all kinds of healing supplies. Healers hurry about, jumping from one patient to another. There aren’t many of us - our powers are rare in this land - so we are taught to make quick work of distinguishing between those who will survive with our help and those who will perish with or without it.
I pick my apron from a rack nearby and put it on, lacing it around my waist and behind my neck, before crossing the white flaps that will lead me to a tent on my left.
I spend the whole morning tending to deep slashes, broken bones and concussions. I help Zolan as he amputates lost limbs. I even hold one man’s hand as he goes to meet the stars, and I say a small prayer. I didn’t know his name.
That’s when I decide to take a small break to get some water. There are various barrels of water spread around the healers’ quarters, but I choose to walk to the edge of it to get my share. Just to take in some fresh air and to get some rest.
I make my best to stay out of the way of more men coming in. The sun is only now making its slow descent towards the horizon, which means that it is already past lunch time. And I hadn’t eaten since dawn. Was it even fair if I did, when all the men are still fighting down in the valley?
I fill one cup and drink deeply. When I’m about to fill it again, one soldier walks by. He is not bloodied, but he is carrying a satchel of swords. Taking them to the front lines, perhaps?
“Excuse me,” I stop him. I need to ask him this quick question before returning to my work. “Any news on victory?”
The man strays from his way to get closer. He dips his chin in greetings before answering. “The enemy is faltering, miss.” His voice reflects the hope in his eyes. “Men are betting it won’t take them long to flee with their tails between their legs.”
The glow in his eyes confirms he hasn’t been to the battlefield. But, maybe, he still knows...
“Is anyone aware of how General Vane and his brothers are faring?” I ask. I don’t let my voice tremble.
“The General came by the camp about half an hour ago. One of you healers tended to him in his tent.” The soldier points to his head with his free arm. “Some horrendous blow to the head.” I shudder at that but he shrugs. “Back to the fight in no time, the lad. Strong will.”
I nod. Strong will indeed. And a bit of a taste for battle. “And his brothers?” I press.
“Aye, miss. The last man who saw them said they were still kicking arse in that valley. Apologies for the language, miss,” he adds quickly. I hadn’t even heard the last bit, such was the relief that flooded my chest. “Master Kole was last seen on the front,” he continues. “Master Tyron is leading the left wing.”
I nod and give him a small smile. “Thank you.”
“Sure thing, miss.” He dips his head again. “Stay safe.”
I watch him until he disappears around a tent. Then I drink some more water and trace my steps back to the healers’ quarters.
He’s alive. That thought alone is enough to give me strength for the rest of the day.
