Kayarona woke in a haze, her head still pounded and her eyes felt like fire as they soaked up the light for the first time in she didn't know how long. Her muscles refused her command to stand or move and as her mind began to adjust she could make out she was in the infirmary of the Capitol. Medical personnel were rushing around tending to wounded of other brigades in the Lighthands command. She heard voices she recognised and managed to drop her head to the left to see Simmons, one of her brigade, rushing towards the nearby nurse. After a brief exchange, she couldn't focus enough to hear, the nurse headed towards her, and Simmons ran into the distance and through the entrance.
When the nurse arrived at her bedside, she spoke softly, "Captain? How are are you feeling? Can you speak?" her accent was completely foreign to Kaya, and she managed a shallow nod.
"Wha... happe..." Kaya could barely breathe between her words.
"Shhhh..." the nurse pressed a warm damp towel to Kaya's forehead and continued, "you were ambushed Captain, but your unit got you home, Captain Salec didn't leave your side for two days, then appointed Simmons to stand watch over you, as his duties called him away. He's gone to fetch the Captain now."
Kaya visibly relaxed when she heard her friend's name mentioned and closed her eyes again. As soon as she did, her mind washed over with images of the conflict, the smell of the smoke, the Dark Eye sorcerer and their ominous message of the Light being unsafe. The pain that had wracked her to the point of passing out, her arrow being swatted from the sky. She was startled back to reality when she heard Salecs voice booming over her own imagination.
"Shes awake?" he questioned, his voice shaky and nervous, as he approached.
"Yes, sir." the nurse replied, "although she is still very much weakened by the ordeal. She will likely need a few more days to recover completely, but she is strong," she smiled and looked at Kayas still form in the bed, wrapped in the loose linen bed sheets and she turned to face Salec again before she continued her thought, "I 've no doubt she'll make it through this. You can see her now if you'd like."
Salec nodded, looking still nervous as he approached her bedside. He gasped softly when he saw her, pale and broken, not unlike when they first met in the burnt-out remains of her village. It broke his heart to see her like this, and his eyes betrayed his usual stoicism as they filled with tears, he sat beside her bed, gently cradling her comparatively tiny hand in his. She stirred at his touch and forced her head to drop to face him, a weak smile creeping across her dried and cracked lips.
"Hello Captain." she gasped out, every breath a struggle and pushed herself to open her still-stinging eyes.
Salec visibly relaxed as his comrade's face showed recognition, "Does me 'eart good to see you feelin' better lass." he sighed deeply and let his shoulders drop as the tension faded. He reached up to push a stray hair softly behind her ear and gently rubbed her temple with his thumb.
She stretched her smile into a grin, her eyes sank into her head, and she forcefully pulled in a deep breath, "What happened?"
Salec's eyes were filling with tears as he blamed himself for her injuries, he spoke, "During the ambush, you were poisoned by those wicked bastards!" he almost spat the words with utter contempt, "ya passed out lass, looked like the pain would 'ave ya, but we got ya home in time."
"They told me... I wasn't safe here... the Lighthand wasn't safe for me." Kaya tried her hardest to straighten her position and sit upright but her body betrayed her again, and she cried out in pain as she pushed too hard.
Salec gently braced her shoulders and eased her back down into the bed, "Wouldn't believe 'em if they told me it were daytime, lass, I'd look meself. Not to be trusted, all of them, devils!"
As he spoke, Commander Velixar arrived in the infirmary and made his way to Kayarona's bedside. He too, smiled when seeing his latest Captain recovering, "Captains." he said sharply, making Salec whip his head around and as he began to straighten and salute, Velixar waved away his formalities, "How are we doing Kaya?" he spoke softly as Salec had done before.
Kaya nodded again, affirming that she was ok, "Recovering Commander."
His smile broadened as he observed his comrade's confidence, "Seems we made the right choice giving you command. None under your command were wounded and they all sing your praises at how you handled your first real taste of combat. We are all very proud of you Captain Kayarona." he saluted his subordinate, and Salec rose to follow his superior example, saluting firmly, his eyes still tearing, but somehow he held back the flood. Kayarona did not, however, and she began to weep, overwhelmed by the unwavering support she was experiencing among the Lighthand.
"Thank you so much Commander." as she sobbed, Salec broke his salute and resumed his position holding her hand and shushing her gently.
"Captain Salec, I would have a word with our heroine alone. You are dismissed."
Salec looked surprised, but nodded, saluted, and then turned back to Kayarona, "I'll be right back lass, stay strong." he kissed her forehead tenderly before taking his leave.
"Sir?" Kaya muttered quizzically at the Commander's insistence that they are alone to speak.
"It is rare for the Dark Eyes to ambush so close to the Capitol, and rarer still for no one to be killed in the battle. They are known for not taking prisoners and being ruthlessly effecient in their pursuits." Velixar sat on the bedside chair as he continued, "Everything we know of them and the tactics they use amke this approach seem... unnatural to them." he leaned forward before continuing, "Can you think of any reason you were targeted, or even why you were spared?"
Kayarona was torn. She loved the Lighthand for all they had done for her, giving her a purpose and a family, but if the Commander's words were indeed true, then there must be something the Dark Eyes want from her, otherwise, why would they have warned her against the Lighthands intentions and told her she wasn't safe? Should she reveal the intentions of the Dark Eyes to stay in contact through the link they had apparently made? Should she reveal anything, for if the Light is indeed unsafe then she would only be doing herself a disservice by making it known? Her mind swam again in doubt and uncertainty, just when she was starting to feel like life was going to be put back together, it could all come crashing down once more. She feigned pain as she shuffled in the bed to buy herself some time to process what she was thinking.
"Take your time, child, I know you have suffered much." Velixar reassured her.
"No sir, I can think of nothing," if the Dark Eyes were right, Kayarona knew to keep it to herself, and if not she could always tell them later what she did know. For now, she decided to keep her secrets, "but that said, I realise I'm not as familiar with them as your men are, and if you say there is something strange about this, I can do nought but trust your instincts Commander."
Velixar sat back in his chair and began to stroke his beard in thought, "Hmmmmm..." his eyes wandered as his fingers ran through his chin, "we shall keep an eye on how this situation develops, Captain. I fear for your safety."
"It is comforting to know that you place my life in such high regard Commander." she smiled at him.
He returned her smile, "Rest now Captain, I'll catch up again in a few days." with that, Velixar stood, saluted and took his leave. Almost as soon as he had made his exit Soren appeared as if from the shadows. His face betrayed his anger, "You holdin' up lass?" he whispered as he replaced Velixar on the chair next to her.
"Yes Soren, I'm just about alive." she laughed but it hurt her chest to do so, and she began to cough hard. Soren called for a nurse to bring water and within seconds, a young man appeared carrying a jug and cup, poured her some and helped her sip a little between her coughs. When her throat stopped burning she took a deeper sip and settled back into her sheets holding the cup, "I'll leave this here with you." the nurse handed the jug to Soren, who nodded his acknowledgement and took it from him and then the nurse departed to tend to others.
"Why didn't they kill ya?" Soren asked very bluntly, "they kill whoever they damn well please!" he was very clearly agitated at the thought.
"Soren, I need to know I can trust you, my friend..."
His face changed from hard and angry to soft and worried, "Aye, lass... with ya life and mine I trust ya, and ya can trust me just the same."
She started to tell him about the Dark Eyes' message, quietly and kept a lookout for anyone who may be listening in. She told him because of what they had said about the Lighthand, she didn't reveal the information to Commander Velixar, "I only want you and Salec to know right now... I don't know why they would go so far to make contact with me if it wasn't for some grander reason and I want to see what happens before any rash decisions are made. Please understand, brother." She was aware that Soren's wife Moira had been killed in a convoy raid conducted by the Dark Eyes six years before and knew he may find this news unsettling to say the very least.
Soren, while being upset that Kayarona would want to form any kind of alliance with the group that took his love from this world, he understood that in these times of treachery and darkness, certain things must be run to their completion before you can truly know the way the dice will roll. He nodded solemnly, indicating his understanding, "Aye, lass... I'll keep it to meself, have you told Salec any yet?" She shook her head slowly and he continued, "I'll let it be ya who tells him what's what, lass that's on you... plus I don't wanna be the one to tell 'im all that, dunno if he'll be as kind as I when he 'ears." he chuckled, knowing he is the more emotional and more prone to rash action of the two brothers, and the irony of his statement was not lost on Kaya, as she too allowed herself a soft chuckle at his implications on his brothers' reaction. Soren continues, "What's ya plan then, lass?"
"I need information, but it needs to be gathered discreetly. Is there anywhere we could go, anyone we could speak to that could know more of the truth of these matters?"
Soren thought for a moment, then began, "Gromarg... 'tis a great library of the Light. Books centuries old and many scolars wiser and smarter than I. If anyone knows anything, it'll be them. But lass, no one is allowed to visit wi'out permission first, and there be no "discreet" way of gainin' such permission."
Kayarona thought deeply as they both sat silently, contemplating the next move Salec returned to his friend and noticed his brother, "Ahh, found time in ya day to visit our hero, brother?" he smiled.
Soren returned his brother's affections and spoke, "Soren, we 'ave problems."
"Aye?" he answered sounding more than a little on edge, "Out wit' it man!"
Soren gestured to wards Kayarona and Salec shifted his focus, "Well, lass?" he reached forward to grasp her hand again. Kaya looked over to Soren, who nodded his continued support, and she relayed the tale to him as well. Salec was visibly uncomfortable to be told that his enemy was trying to reach out to his new friend, his new sister. He, too, needed to take a moment after hearing everything and sat in silence for what seemed like forever, until Soren had had enough of waiting.
"Well brother? What do ya think?" he was flipping a knife in his hands, as he often did when he was anxious.
"This... it can't... this isn't right, we need to tell the Commander."
"Please Salec, I can't," Kaya pleaded with him, "I need to find the truth of thier words before we allow the Light to know any of what has transpired."
"But Kaya, they might be able to help." Salec pleaded right back.
"I get why shes nervous brother." Soren started, "She needs to know first what the hells going on."
Salec looked to scold his brother but closed his mouth without allowing a sound to escape, and breathed out a heavy sigh, "If it is true, and the Light aint safe for ya lass... I guess I get why ya wanna keep it quiet... for now. If we hear anything other though we gonna tell Velixar everything, understand?"
She and Soren both nodded in agreement, and all three relaxed a little. Salec was the first to speak up after, "So what do ya wanna do next?"
Kaya smiled, "Honestly? Eat brother, I'm starved thin here!" They all laughed, and Kaya began to cough again.
"Hahaha, steady lass." Soren offered her more water and she drank heavily, "I'll see 'bout getting ya somethin' to chew on." he rose out of the chair and waved his goodbyes, leaving his brother and Kaya alone.
"I hope ya kno' whatcha doing, lass." Salec was clearly fearful of this course of action but respected her decision to keep this information close to her chest for now.
"As do I brother, as do I." Kaya tried to sound confident, but her tone let it be known that she was starting to wonder what exactly was meant when she was told the Light is not safe. She hadn't felt secure anywhere except with these two brothers since she left her mountain home, and to have that called into question left her reeling. She kept thinking over and over about the sequence of events that had brought her here. Her village being destroyed and everyone ostensibly being killed or moving on. Her being found and subsequently recruited to the Lighthand, not only that but to be given command as well. Everyone made it known she was respected for her skills and knowledge and she felt genuinely like she could make a home and a life, such as it was, among the Light. All of that was called to question by the Dark Eyes, she now sat in a miasma of her own grief and concern. She didn't want to question the loyalty of those that had fed her, clothed her, comforted her and made her one of their own. She knew if she was to find the truth, she must be given more than a command. She needed information, resources and people she could trust who knew more than she did about the ways of these people. She felt safe with the brothers at least, she was one hundred per cent sure she could trust them.
"Soren mentioned a library... Gormang?" Kaya was almost positive she had said that wrong but couldn't recall exactly what he had said before.
Salec chuckled at the butchered pronunciation and corrected her, "Gromarg, the Scholars Library. A place of great knowledge. 'Tis not a bad suggestion for that halfwit to 'ave." his mood was a little lighter but as much as he tried to hide it, he was still very unnerved by the revelations that had come from Kayas experience with the Dark Eyes. If the Light was not safe for her, was it truly safe for any of them? How long had they been lying? How deep did it all go? Salecs mind was just as swamped with doubt as Kaya's. He continued, "We'd need to talk to the Commander if we wanna go there tho'. They ain't much for lettin' soldiers read their scrolls."
"Soren said something similar, but I think I may have had a thought on that." Kaya smiled wryly.
"Is that so, lass?" He spoke with mock sarcasm in his tone.
Just then Soren reappeared carrying a large platter, covered in assorted cooked meats and cheeses, as well as several loaves of fresh bread, "Dinner is served, lass." he placed the platter at the foot of the bed, "And I made sure I'd have enough for this beast as well." he slapped his brother's shoulders in the same manner as Salec did to him, though, he didn't quite crumble as Soren did when he received such a gesture form his larger brother.
"Ahhhh, Soren, you've done I a service, truly." Salec rubbed his hands greedily as he began to stack cheese and meat onto some bread and handed it to Kaya, then doing the same for himself, only nearly twice as high.
They spent the night eating and talking about old tales and adventures. Kaya was visited several times by nurses to keep up with her recovery and offer her herbs and tinctures for the pain of her injuries. She took them when she needed to, but found the company of her brothers more cathartic than any herb, as the wee hours of the dark night swallowed them and they finished the platter, the brothers gave their love once more and took their leave.
"Rest, lass, and we'll figure this all out in the end." Salec kissed her forehead again.
"We got ya, Captain." Soren kissed her forehead as well, "Get yourself fightin' fit again, we'll see bout that library."
Kaya began to weep softly, "Thank you both, my brothers."
"None o' that lass, 'tis what it means to be family after all." Salec smiled, his brother behind him smiling too, and with that, they turned to leave. Kaya let her head seep into the pillow and closed her eyes. As soon as she did, she fell into a deep sleep, still smiling.