Love2write
Writer of worlds
Shade watched Adran rush off to deal with Donovan's father and looked out back across the wall at the approaching army. Too think, if it hadn't been for Illya...she would be near the front marching with a legion of men at her back, following her orders as given to her by the commanders. Now the very men she would have led not two weeks ago, she would have to kill. She prayed the faces of those she knew personally would never cross her path, but she was already steadying her heart for the moment they did. She grabbed a bow and slung a quiver of arrows over her shoulder. She twirled the arrow between her fingers and notched it in the bow, at the ready.
Shade hears Adran storm back up the steps to the wall a few minutes later, his breath somewhat labored. He informed Donovan that his father drank the tea then looks to Shade, concern in his eyes. "How are you doing?" He asks her.
"How I am doing does not matter at this point. But, I am ready to do what must be done...for the Guardians." She replies darkly, staring out at the approaching army, the bow and arrow notched and ready in her hands.
She glances over at him. "Have you seen war before, Adran?"
"No, only read about it." He gives her a curious look. "Why do you ask?"
"I saw it in your eyes. Your hope and determination. But you must steel yourself. You will not be able to save more than 10% of the men you watch fall from injuries in battle this day. As a doctor, your first duty in this siege must be to get the men who can still fight back on their feet and give those who are lethally wounded a painless death. If you must choose between a man who will be able to get back up and fight and a man whose recovery will take much longer....you must always choose the man who will be able to get back up and fight as soon as he's been treated."
Adran nodded. "That I do know. It's why I'm up here, these men will be the first to sustain injuries from archer fire."
"Good. Be sure not to put yourself in any unnecessary danger. Losing a doctor in the middle war would be bad for all here." Shade adds.
"Same goes for you. This army is going to need negotiators when we're through here. I can't secure peace all by myself."
"I am solider first this day. But I have no intention of dying if it can be helped. Still, if neither of us survive..." Shade holds out a hand to him. "I am glad to have met an honorable man like you."
He takes her hand, wanting to do so much more than just shake it. "I'm glad to have met an honorable woman like you as well Shade. Now lets win this war. For the good of Luina."
"For the good of Luina and the Guardians."
Shade looks over at Donovan. "And you dwarf." She smirks at him. "We survive this, the next round of drinks is on me."
She notes the young female she'd spoken to earlier pacing the battlements like a terrified caged animal. "Esra." She calls to her, drawing her attention. When the woman was within arm's distance she put an encouraging hand on the young woman's shoulders. "Stay close to me and I'll do my best to keep you safe."
Shade hears Adran storm back up the steps to the wall a few minutes later, his breath somewhat labored. He informed Donovan that his father drank the tea then looks to Shade, concern in his eyes. "How are you doing?" He asks her.
"How I am doing does not matter at this point. But, I am ready to do what must be done...for the Guardians." She replies darkly, staring out at the approaching army, the bow and arrow notched and ready in her hands.
She glances over at him. "Have you seen war before, Adran?"
"No, only read about it." He gives her a curious look. "Why do you ask?"
"I saw it in your eyes. Your hope and determination. But you must steel yourself. You will not be able to save more than 10% of the men you watch fall from injuries in battle this day. As a doctor, your first duty in this siege must be to get the men who can still fight back on their feet and give those who are lethally wounded a painless death. If you must choose between a man who will be able to get back up and fight and a man whose recovery will take much longer....you must always choose the man who will be able to get back up and fight as soon as he's been treated."
Adran nodded. "That I do know. It's why I'm up here, these men will be the first to sustain injuries from archer fire."
"Good. Be sure not to put yourself in any unnecessary danger. Losing a doctor in the middle war would be bad for all here." Shade adds.
"Same goes for you. This army is going to need negotiators when we're through here. I can't secure peace all by myself."
"I am solider first this day. But I have no intention of dying if it can be helped. Still, if neither of us survive..." Shade holds out a hand to him. "I am glad to have met an honorable man like you."
He takes her hand, wanting to do so much more than just shake it. "I'm glad to have met an honorable woman like you as well Shade. Now lets win this war. For the good of Luina."
"For the good of Luina and the Guardians."
Shade looks over at Donovan. "And you dwarf." She smirks at him. "We survive this, the next round of drinks is on me."
She notes the young female she'd spoken to earlier pacing the battlements like a terrified caged animal. "Esra." She calls to her, drawing her attention. When the woman was within arm's distance she put an encouraging hand on the young woman's shoulders. "Stay close to me and I'll do my best to keep you safe."