Mortis hurried through the battlefield, his thoughts on his wives and his allies. The severe injuries that all the survivors had suffered testified to the fierce battle they had fought. As the magical dome around the battlefield disappeared, the citizens of Venice flocked to tend and support the soldiers and adventurers.
Mortis did not hesitate and helped in the healing efforts as well. His skilled hands slid over the wounds, his magic working in harmony with the natural healing powers to ease the pain and heal the injuries. His gaze was concerned as he made sure that none of his companions would retain a scar from this battle.
His women, in particular, were his focus. He explored their injuries with loving concern, his eyes full of tenderness and concern. Every touch of his hands radiated security, and every word he spoke was a promise of love and comfort. Despite his joy at seeing her alive and whole, an anger also seethed within him. An anger against the darkness that had attacked them, but for the moment he swallowed that anger to take care of his women and his community.
Elara and Elysia, the brave warrior women, were treated with special love and tenderness by Mortis. He admired their courage and strength, and in their eyes he read the same determination he himself felt. Together they managed to dispel the darkness and bring hope to the hearts of the people of Venice.
In this time of healing and comfort, Mortis vowed that he and his women would return stronger. The anger he held would turn to determination. They had won a victory, but the battle was not over. Mortis and his brave companions were determined to defend their city and stand against any darkness that might oppose them. And so they began to prepare for the next challenges, determined to protect their beloved city and their community.
The citizens who rushed out of the city to the battlefield not only had the task of caring for the survivors, but also the heavy tasks of mourning and respect. With great reverence, they collected the bodies of the fallen soldiers, nobles and adventurers. Each body was carefully wrapped and prepared to be handed over to the relatives. It was an act of appreciation for the bravery these people had shown in battle.
The vampires who had set up their camps in the cities also wandered the battlefield. Despite the initial discomfort of the humans, their skills and blood magic were quickly appreciated. The vampires tended to the wounded with meticulous precision. They used their skills to heal without threatening the survivors. This elegant and effective aid helped to soothe the wounds of battle and give hope to the people of Venice.
As the sun slowly rose above the horizon, the cleanup of the battlefield began. The survivors and their supporters worked side by side to remove the traces of the battle. It was a painful process, but also a necessary step to protect the city and its residents from further threats.
Over the next few days, the people of Venice would honor the dead, mourn their losses, and focus on rebuilding. But in their hearts, the fighting spirit would continue to burn. They had survived the horror of darkness and emerged stronger. Together, they would rebuild their city and prepare for challenges ahead, determined to defend their home and their community, no matter what enemy might stand in their way.
Mortis and his wives went to the castle together with the nobles. There was no immediate celebration; first there were duties to perform. These included compensation for the bereaved, honors for the soldiers and nobles who had distinguished themselves, and further analysis of the battle. But Elysia seemed to have taken a liking to Mortis' touch. Like a mischievous cat, she sat down on his lap, took his hand and placed it at her waist. "I'm still in pain here, too. Could you examine it?" she whispered.
"Stop it now!" cried Elara indignantly. "This is not the time for this! Besides, I've clearly won!"
Elysia jumped up and countered, "What do you have? I won and I'm next. You old maid!"
Mortis quickly intervened before the argument could escalate. He placed the two women far apart and cleared his throat loudly to defuse the situation so the conversation could continue.
After everything had been analyzed and it was determined who had done particularly well in this battle, a feast was scheduled for the next day. There, the numerous soldiers, nobles and adventurers were to be praised. But first, everyone was to rest and mind their own business. Mortis still had things to discuss, especially with Marina, Helga, Kathrin and Valeria. He said goodbye to the other nobles and pulled his women into the guest room with a mischievous grin. With a firm tone he said, "And now there is your punishment."