“Run now! The enemies are here!” a woman screamed wildly as she ran into the tent.
What? The enemies are here?! What would they come here for? There’s no one here but the injured and a few medical staff, most of which were women or old. I couldn’t think of anything else as I saw soldiers cladded in unfamiliar red armor uniform entering the tent bearing swords. The enemy is here…
The soldiers that came in were aggressive and overbearing. My body froze in fear as they started smashing the medical equipment. Medicine, potions, and glass bottles crashed to the floor making a loud shattering sound. No…we don’t have enough medicine as it is. Another soldier grabbed an old man while another one grabbed Uncle Gobei’s collar yanking him hard.
“Stop…please. We’re just doctors and healers…please,” Uncle Gobei pleaded in a shaky voice. It was clear that he was scared as the enemy soldier stared him down.
Uncle! I need to do something to save him. Without realizing what I was doing, I grabbed the soldier’s arm to restrain him.
“Please let him go…he’s old…he’s just a doctor. Please don’t hurt us…there’s only the injured here” I pleaded as I felt tears in my eyes.
Slowly the soldier turned to face me, his eyes mad and threatening. A sadistic grin spread across his hostile face as he stared at me. My lips instantly felt dry, and my body shook with fear.
“If I let him go, can I play around with you instead?” he said threateningly as he threw poor Uncle Gobei to the ground before grabbing my wrists in his hands. I screamed and struggled but this man was too strong. My wrists are hurting as he tightened his grip on them.
Someone…please help me! The soldier came closer and closer, and I shivered in fear…
“The enemy has surrendered. We’ve won. All soldiers are to return to camp at once. I repeat, all soldiers are to return to the camp immediately according to the official orders of General Shin!” a voice called out authoritatively and on repeat. The announcement was passed out as more people started yelling out the same message for all soldiers to return.
“You just got very lucky little girl…” the soldier spat as he released my wrists. With one last smirk my way, he was gone along with his comrades.
What just happened? The moment the soldier let go of me my legs lost all strength and I slid down onto the floor. Uncle Gobei was there to support me as he murmured his thanks and other comforting words but I was too shocked to make out any of them.
The war has ended…finally. Although it was our loss, the rise in the number of casualties ends here. I started crying a little with the tears that I had been suppressing overflowing. It was a mix of grief, shock and relief. The worst, I hoped, was now finally over.
“Save the crying for later, my dear girl. We have a lot of work to do…unfortunately,” Uncle Gobei said as he stroked my back. He was right, there’s no time for tears. We still have a mini army of patients to treat.
I sucked in a couple of deep breaths before picking up my medical kit to treat the next patient. I worked tirelessly, focusing all my energy and thoughts on saving lives that I forgot about my sadness and fear for the moment.
…
“Lin! Where are you?! Lin!” Ren called out loudly. His voice echoing off the walls of the small cottage.
There was no response. The small house was quiet with no signs of life. Lin was clearly not home.
Ren looked through all rooms in the cottage and the backyard garden, but Lin was no where to be found.
“It can’t be…she went to the village…” Ren muttered under his breath as his hands balled into tight fists.
“Crown Prince. Why are we here? We should…” one of the royal guards began to speak hesitantly. However, the clearly panicked look on the Crown Prince face silenced him instantly.
“Where is she…?” Ren muttered to himself as he looked towards the small path leading to the village.
“I beg your pardon, Your Highness. What did you just say?” the other royal guard asked with care.
“Nothing…let’s return to the camp. Quickly!” Ren replied as he got on his white horse in one swift motion.
…
I was treating a leg wound for one of the injured soldiers when there was a loud ruckus in front of the tent. I wondered what was going on. Can’t they see that we were already too busy as it is to handle more mess.
“Where is the girl?” an old man asked as he headed for the tent. Behind him were many old men and I recognized the village head. That must mean that the other old men were either Elders or advisors. Why were they here? Are they here to visit the sick and injured?
“Dear Elder, who are you referring to?” Uncle Gobei asked respectfully as he bowed slightly. There was a mild look of annoyance on his face that he tried desperately to suppress. I felt the same why and could sympathize with him. Many lives were waiting for us to heal them, and we didn’t have time to spare to entertain the elders.
“That girl…you know…who lives alone in the outskirt of the village. The mysterious healer girl!” the village head snapped at Uncle Gobei.
“Oh…you mean Rin Kamiya?” Uncle Gobei replied with a little confusion. I was confused too as I heard my name. Why would the village head and the Elders be looking for me? Am I…in trouble?
“Yes! That Kamiya girl…where is she?!” the village head replied in a hurry.
It was funny that I was standing very close by in the same tent, but he didn’t even recognize me. I wasn’t surprised since I hid my face from everyone most of the time when I came into the village. Plus, I was covered in sweat, dirt, and blood right now.
--To be continued...