Screams, only screams. That was the only thing Alexander could hear. He turned his head, gladly realising that the whiteness he had seen was just the ceiling of the tent. Besides him, or more accurately along side him, someone else lay on a field bed. They were currently unconsciouss or sleeping. From what he could see they seemed to be missing one of their legs. Trying to look around more he spotted some of the people screaming.
He could see someone dressed in a white robe or uniform heading towards the screaming person. Once they were there they pushed a needle into the arm of the screaming person. Just a few seconds later the screamer laid back down and seemed to relax. This let him know that he was probably drugged himself. After all he had nearly been hit by that massive ball of fire and most likely by bullets. Not to mention how ever much force he had landed with after flying away.
Lifting his head a bit he managed to see that he still had his hands, though he couldn't feel anything in them at this moment and they were covered in bandages. He tried to move his fingers and felt relief as they responded to his wishes. He also noticed that there were loose straps around both of his arms. This would allow him to sit somewhat up but not much more. Raising his body a bit more he could see that he had both legs covered in bandages but still responding to his wishes, though he couldn't tell for sure about his toes.
Letting out a sigh of relief he slowly lay back down. Being alive was the best thing. Having seemingly all his body parts attached was even better. And he hoped that there hadn't been any internal problems. This made him wonder if they had already performed surgery on him, his body was for the most part covered with a loose robe of some sort. Thus making it quite impossible to check anything more that the presence of different parts. Nor could he move his hands enough to move the robe.
Most of the screams had started to die down around the same time after the first person had gotten some drugs. There was still the occasional scream, but that might have been people waking up and seeing missing body parts. Because who wouldn't scream in panic waking up to a missing foot or arm when you just had them?
At the same time as Alexander started to feel hunger setting in the pain also started to build. The pain slowly started to rise from everywhere. After a few seconds it had gotten to a stage where he was hard pressed to not start screaming. Tears were starting to gather in his eyes as he held back. Just as he was about to scream one of the people clad in white came over to him and inserted a needle.
Alexander could see that the person in white was a man around his early forties, perhaps late thirties. He had a short military cut to his light brown hair and light blue eyes. His build was rather hard to see given the white attire being somewhat baggy and covering his entire body except the head. The same went for his height since Alexander was lying down on the field bed. The man smiled after he had removed the needle from Alexander's arm.
"Dou ere Verenden yas? Geen problem wi dout heid?"
The language the man spoke, doctor would be correct Alexander assumed, was kind of weird. It sounded somewhat like Verenden but slightly off. To some extent it sounded like what he would have imagined Dutch sounded to a German. Or perhaps more correct for himself would be Scots to English.
Seeing that Alexander struggled with the language the doctor tried to explain with body language that he would get another doctor. He turned away and walked away from Alexander. The new doctor came after a minute.
"So you don't understand, or at least not fully, Lareens. I imagine you come from either Holther or Derter then? Most people from elsewhere in Verenden have learn the imperial Lareens as they grow up. After all Vereen is a pseudo language formed from Lareen. We have a dialect ourselves in Miran, but it never got to the stage it could cause people to struggle that much in understanding."
Hearing all this Alexander couldn't do much but nod, adding only that he came from Tiramdal.
"I can see that you do remember that you are from Verenden so that is checked. Any problems with your head? No pain I see, at least not with the drugs in your system. Well that does mean I will have to regretfully inform you that you are officially a prisoner of war. By the laws set down by the Electors of Exalted Laran you have the right to life, essential medical aid and nourishment. Further facets of the law way be applicable depending on circumstances. Miran fully abides by the laws set and will treat you thus. Should it be found that you have been in breach of any laws set by the empire during the time of war or your time as a prisoner you will be tried in martial court. I don't really like having to inform people of that but such is my job with wounded enemy soldiers. A nurse will come around shortly with food for you and anyone else awake."
Having finished informing Alexander of the position he was in the doctor turned and left the tent. Shortly after a nurse did indeed come around and handed him a plate of food and unlocking his restraints. Somewhat confused as to why he would be let out of his restraints he tried asking the nurse. From what he could make out from her answer he was let out of the restraints since he had been informed about his current position. After all if he did anything wrong they would be able to immediately try him in court. Worse, for him, was if he tried to escape they would be free to shoot him.
He sat up in the bed and quickly started eating the food he had been given. It reminded him quite a lot of some of the porridge they had been given in the monastery towards the end. Though besides the nostalgia it didn't have a good taste, it was way too salty. Besides the food he was also given a cup with water. It didn't take him long at all to finish it all, leaving him to get a proper look around the tent.
The tent was rather large, counting the beds inside he came to around 50 people were in it. One or two of the beds stood empty, though carried signs of being used. Since he had been let out of the restraints he imagined the same went for everyone else that were awake. They seemed mostly to have used the restraints for the wounded to not do anything stupid before they learnt of what their position was. He couldn't recognise any of the people that were awake and sitting like him. But from the talking that were going on between some of them he was sure they were Verenden soldier like him.
The nurse returned after 15 minutes and took away the tray. She spoke shortly with most of the soldiers that were awake. Since she didn't try speaking to Alexander again he assumed that she didn't bother trying to talk to those who struggled with Lareen or the dialect from Miran.
Since he had been let out of the restraints he wanted to see if he could stand up. He slowly moved his body to sit on the side of the bed. He put weight on his feet, not feeling any indications of pain and tried standing. There didn't appear to be any pain nor any other apparent problems. Trying to walk he managed to walk to the tent flap without problems.
When he reached the tent flap he slowly parted it and stepped outside. Looking around he could see tent upon tent. The tents that were close to the one he exited were the same white colour as his. Behind the tent, somewhat in the distance, he could make out what appeared to be Fort Exor. Seeing that he assumed that they were currently in a camp set up somewhere between Exor and Elmden.
Alexander decided to start walking down the row of the tents he was currently in. It didn't take him long before he reached what must be the main road or thoroughfare of the camp. Looking up and down it he could see that the white tents started to give way to green, and some red, tents on both sides after a while. He could spot soldiers in the colour of Miran patrolling. One patrol was currently heading his way.
Once the patrol got near him he could hear them speaking in the same way as the first doctor and nurse had. Though their speech were even harder to fully make out. What he could say for sure was that one of the men in the patrol was dissatisfied. As they got close to Alexander the disgruntled soldier pushed him slightly back towards the tents and spat at his feet.
The other soldiers in the patrol let out some low grunts of what might have been approval of his actions. Though the also indicated for the soldier to come along as they moved on.
Alexander couldn't do anything to them but watch them walk away. He imagined that he would probably meet much of the same attitude, and perhaps even worse, were he to continue exploring the camp. Realising that he made his way back to his tent and sat back down on his field bed.
"So you learned how they treat us eh? Better just stay here and wait until you heal and get sent to the proper prisoner camp. At least you came back before you ended up somewhere you weren't allowed or where they could have done something to you."
One of the other wounded soldiers had made his way over to Alexander and presented his hand. Alexander grabbed it and shook it.
"My name is Kristof Woodwalker"