I spoke to Oz.
"Where the hell did that come from?"
He replied nonchalantly.
"What? You asked"
I shook my head internally and sighed he is obviously just toying with me there is no point in replying.
Focusing on the task as hand I looked back towards the vanguard struggling against the hoard occasionally a mage would cast a barrier for a split second of relief.
I was too tired and my bloodline though powerful wasn't actually focused on combat, defence or anything particularly helpful it is more a useful creative tool as it isn't originally meant to be used this way.
It's like I'm using a cheat since the original purpose of the thread is literally just to read people's fate at a distance.
Despite that I had a idea on how to save a large amount of vanguard soldiers, as I generated more thread I slowly started sending it underground.
The vanguard were amazing as they held off the horde but soon they began faltering to the constant onslaught.
I then did what I had been preparing for as red thread arose from the ground acting as a makeshift lasso pulling all the vanguard soldiers towards me and basically throwing them into the mine entrance.
It all happened in a matter of moments but the horde quickly started rushing towards the entrance and I was stuck in the middle.
I signalled for the mages to begin and I only had a few seconds at most to enter the mines.
I shot out what remained of my thread into the entrance however I was too weak to pull myself, I had used all my energy up.
Behind me was a horde rushing towards the entrance and infront of me were mages starting to cast their spells.
I heard Oz screaming at me but I just closed my eyes awaiting my death an afterlife existed in this world so I just hoped it would accept me.
That was when I started flying towards the mines I forced my head to looked down at my burnt chest and the thread I was being pulled with.
I looked towards the mine at a young man pulling the thread I sent out he is in the vanguard armour his black hair peeking through his helmet and his sky blue eyes focused on his task.
I started to lose conciousness happy that I wasn't going to die then I opened my eyes to a dark open but oddly well lit space with a very angry teary eyed Oz looking at me.
He spoke at me with a voice which I couldn't discern whether it was anger or distress or maybe even relief.
"The actual fuck is wrong with you?! All that for a bloody demonstration!?"
I looked at Oz it always surprised me how different we looked despite sharing the same body.
He looked darker as if the world had chewed him up, swallowed him, let him burn in stomach acid and then spit him back out.
I decided to use only two words I think he wanted to hear.
"I'm sorry"
But to my surprise he continued.
"Do you think that your half arsed apology is good enough?! It's not! Just promise me that you will tell me before you do something that stupid again"
I looked at him and spoke.
"I promise I will try to communicate better in the future"
At that moment the look of blood-lust in Oz's eyes was insurmountable and all consuming as he spoke.
"The fuck?! Did you just trust my words to make a promise that is better suited to you? Actually, no.
I can't deal with you right now fuck off"
Suddenly my eyes opened to a rocky stone roof, I was in my sectioned off tent in Serothor's designed area they must have taken me here after I passed out.
I looked down at my bare burnt chest, in order to save the vanguard members I had to rapidly retract my thread I never imagined that the friction would burn me so badly.
I was still exhausted but I could rest after, right now what I need is to play my actions for all they are worth.
I got up and dressed then I used my staff as a walking stick as I left my tented area.
But as soon as that happened I was swarmed by my healers that marvelled at my healing speed.
It wasn't as good as the ancient heart but the red thread did have good regeneration the main difference being the red thread only slowed ageing and couldn't regrow limbs while also being a bit slower.
I checked on Kyle he hasn't regained consciousness but his condition was improving, the girl was still asleep and the citizens were being...saddened at losing their homes.
I heard yelling and arguing in the distance so I went over to check it out and nearly broke out laughing.
The vanguard looked very angry and Machiavelli looked absolutely miserable I saw the speaker for the vanguard was the one who saved me his words resonating in the mine.
"We aren't even your soldiers! We are part of the 5th regiment under Roderick de Vernia second general of the army, we are back up for an important battle not some toys for your pleasure!"
The rest of the vanguard and a few other soldiers cheered at his words I walked over feigning greater weakness and injury coughing slightly to make myself known.
As everyone looked at me i was limping towards the vanguard man who saved me and I spoke.
"May I know the name of the man who saved me?"
He took off his helmet and kneeled as he introduced himself he seems to know some formal etiquette.
"I am Locke de Vernia third cousin of Roderick de Vernia and 378th in line for the throne, consider it as a repayment for saving my life and that of my comrades"
I looked at him using all my power not to mock the fact he even announces his place in succession as it is so distant.
I spoke back to him.
"Very well Locke I consider us even you are always welcome in Serothor that being said please stop fighting once we get out of here you can write a complaint but for now we must conserve our strength"
I made sure to pass Machiavelli and whisper in his ear.
"Checkmate, if you actually played chess you would realise that even a pawn can become a queen, knight, bishop or a castle, I don't know how you were willing to sacrifice so many of them"
I began walking back to Serothor's area content with how many useful chess pieces I just acquired, to think he was just going to throw them away.