Time frame: war time
The younger dragon rider commented while the Warlord was still silent. He immediately commented without saluting and without manners.
They did not even deign to remove their face shields and head robes even though General Pindale and his entire army had taken off their iron helmets to salute.
General Pindale replied. "Formidable warriors, would you please introduce yourself first? I am General Pindale, and the group of girls at the back are the mystical Healer girls led by Lady Sophia, Princ-"
Lady Sophia immediately stopped General Pindale from continuing his speech.
"Healers, a mutant clan of human and elf hybrids, we thought they were just a myth." Finally, Warlord Gamaaloth spoke up, his voice large, hoarse, and rough.
He took his hand out of his fur cloak and placed it on the hilt of his sword.
It was a very large hand.
He scanned the group of healers, his eyes narrowing as he tried to assess the situation.
Warlord Gamaaloth's imposing presence made them feel uneasy.
His voice boomed across the battlefield, making everyone aware that they were in the presence of someone used to commanding and ruling with an iron fist.
"Similarly, you dragon riders of Gamaaloth, we thought you were myths. But the proof is that we both stand opposite each other today as fellow mutants who are considered myths by mankind." Lady Sophia replied with her soft but firm voice.
Warlord Gamaaloth's gaze settled firmly on Lady Sophia, his unblinking stare penetrating through her with an intensity that made her feel exposed and vulnerable.
Despite most of his face being concealed by his face shield, there was still enough visible to reveal the tension in his eyes.
The Cescils watched on with apprehension, unsure of what the Warlord was thinking.
Lady Sophia was the only one brave enough to meet his gaze head-on, unflinching even under the pressure of his stare.
Her own eyes conveyed a sense of quiet determination and strength, an unspoken message that she was willing to stand up for what she believed in, whatever the cost.
The two of them locked eyes for a moment, unwilling to be the first to back down.
The air was thick with tension, and it seemed as though the entire battlefield was holding its breath, waiting to see what would happen next between the two figures.
Gamaaloths hadn't seemed to like women arguing with them. Even though they had been in the same position, having come from intentional genetic mutation of their ancestors.
The blood of mutants ran in their veins. The healers, half-elves, had blended in more easily with ordinary humans because their abilities had been necessary.
On the other hand, the dragon riders, half-beasts, had been ostracized by society due to their excessive strength and intimidating physique.
"Alright, let us introduce ourselves," the younger dragon rider broke the tension with a laugh. "I am Uzana, and this is my big brother, Ragnar. He leads the army of Gamaaloth. Our archers and swordsmen will arrive in two weeks. We can arrive faster because we ride dragons." He said, explaining their condition.
Soon the scout dragon rider landed, jumped down, and whispered into Uzana's ear.
"Oh, we burned a bit of the Ostrill army's weapons and food supplies. So there probably won't be any war for the next two weeks. You guys can rest until the Ostrill supply shipment comes."
"Your hig-," the scout dragon rider was about to speak but was stopped by Uzana.
"Uzana, but you told us to burn all the supplies. So we did it." He continued.
They all turned their heads towards the huge blaze at Ostrill's campsite. The night sky was illuminated by the fiery inferno that engulfed Ostrill's camp.
Sparks flew high into the air, casting an orange glow on the surrounding trees. The crackling of burning wood filled their ears as they watched the flames dance and flicker.
Ragnar looked at his brother and shook his head slowly. Uzana looked at Ragnar and scratched his forehead.
"They still have their horses to make soup." He said.
"Their horses are the food rations of our dragons." Ragnar reminded.
Seeing the siblings' argument, they guessed that they were just like normal humans. Adeline started looking at Lady Sophia, who seemed to think the same as her.
"Never mind, they're enemies anyway, let them starve a little. See what they did to Cescil? I'm sure they'd do much worse if they had dragons."
Ragnar sighed.
"They have no food supply at all right now. So they'll probably retreat from the Clearport border to the border they already occupied, Newside. There will be no war for the next month." Ragnar analyzed.
"Correct, my lord." General Pindale replied.
"Good. Your troops will have time to recover." He looked at Cescil devastated troops with a dismissive glance, turned around, and walked away.
Uzana suddenly raised his hand. "And, oh, we'll build a tent over there, away from you puny mortals, so you can focus on mmm," Uzana waved his hands around as if mocking the hand movements of healers, "…healing yourselves. Good luck with your survival!" He blinked one eye and gave a thumbs up.
He ran after Ragnar.
Adeline noticed a hint of sarcasm in his voice but couldn't shake the feeling that he might actually believe he was superior.
"Take good care of your horses, our dragons like to snack on roasted horses when they're bored!" Uzana shouted in the distance.
Just like that, the two left without further ado.
***
"How frustrating it is," Adeline grumbled, her hands deftly folding the remaining disheveled bandages.
She couldn't help but voice her annoyance, fully aware of their current reliance on the mercy of others.
Lady Sophia turned towards her, her expression calm and understanding. The other healer girls remained silent, choosing not to voice their own thoughts and keeping their opinions locked away. They were cautious, understanding the delicate situation they found themselves in.
"But we must acknowledge the truth," Lady Sophia spoke softly, her voice carrying a sense of wisdom. "Without their assistance, our home would have faced destruction, and we would have lost everyone dear to us."
Sophia was like an older sister to Adeline. She was always patient with her loud mouth.
During the week, they stayed with the six dragon riders. They would hear boisterous laughter and jokes emanating from their tent almost every night.
They didn't know what the dragon riders were up to, but it seemed like they were always in high spirits, possibly intoxicated.
The Gamaaloths kept their interactions limited and primarily socialized amongst themselves. They always dressed in garments that covered them from head to toe, concealing their true appearances.
Rumors circulated about the Gamaaloths, suggesting that their skin was scaly like that of a fish and that their faces resembled snouts, protruding forward like that of a wolf.
It was said that their teeth were razor-sharp and pointed, to the extent that they wouldn't even remove their face coverings to eat alongside the other soldiers.
Upon joining the food queue, they were taken aback by the soldiers' rations, which were no
larger than the bowls they used for their pet guinea pigs. Uzana expressed his discontent to Adeline at that moment.
In response to the apparent discrepancy, Lady Sophia took it upon herself to personally deliver food to the Gamaaloths' tent, ensuring that the unequal portions wouldn't attract envious glances from the other soldiers.
The healers anxiously observed as the Gamaaloths eyed the meager portions of food. These colossal creatures possessed massive bodies that required substantial amounts of sustenance to sustain them.
It quickly became clear that the calculations for the food supply had been woefully underestimated. And to make matters worse, the full Gamaaloth army was expected to arrive within the next week.
The logistical nightmare of feeding such formidable creatures became a serious concern.
The healers scrambled to devise a plan, nervously calculating the available resources and trying to devise creative solutions to stretch out the supply.
But the reality was that there wasn't enough food to feed an army of Gamaaloths.
The healers knew that they would have to find a solution soon or risk losing the support of these powerful allies.
"Tomorrow, I will go to the capital city of Everkeep to ask for help in financing the war from my husband and his comrades," Lady Sophia declared at last.
"Oh, the good and generous Sir Arthur George," Adeline complimented Lady Sophia, who smiled embarrassedly.
Sir Arthur George had been renowned as the richest and most generous benefactor in the country. In recognition of his services, King Reinald had rewarded him with the privilege to choose any noble girl he desired.
Furthermore, Sir Arthur George held the distinction of being the main benefactor of the ongoing war. He had poured his wealth into the cause, going above and beyond by personally funding entire battalions of soldiers out of his own pocket.
However, his choice surprised everyone. Instead of waiting for Princess Chalde, the daughter of King Reinald and the Queen Mother, to grow up, Sir Arthur George had set his sights on Lady Sophia. She was a lovely girl, to be sure, with a quick wit and a gentle spirit.
Many had expected Sir Arthur to seize the opportunity to become the King's legitimized son-in-law, thus securing his place in the realm for generations to come. It seemed like the logical and strategic move, aligning himself with the royal bloodline and solidifying his power.
However, Sir Arthur had other intentions. He had thrown caution to the wind and followed his heart's desire, making a choice that left everyone scratching their heads and questioning his motives.
When confronted about his decision, Sir Arthur unapologetically declared that he had chosen to marry Lady Sophia because he loved her. He made no attempts to conceal his affection and openly expressed his devotion to her.
His proclamation left the courtiers and nobles in a state of disbelief and confusion. How could Sir Arthur, a shrewd and ambitious man, prioritize love over political advantage? It was a move that defied conventional expectations and sent ripples of speculation throughout the kingdom.
Their marriage had brought hope to Adeline and the girls of the healer clan. They saw in Lady Sophia's union the possibility of having respectable lives, free from the societal constraints that had shackled them for so long.
No longer would they be seen as mere farm animals, bred out of necessity and devoid of the bonds of matrimony.
Their aspirations reached far beyond their healing abilities. They yearned for the opportunity to experience the normalcy of a woman legally wedded, no longer relegated to the roles of mistresses or concubines.
Just like any other human being, the healers craved recognition and acceptance. They longed to be seen and treated as equals, deserving of dignity and respect.
Lady Sophia's marriage served as a beacon of hope, igniting their desire for change and inspiring them to strive for a life where they could be regarded as nothing less than human.
Driven by the same motivations as Sophia, it was rumored that Lady Severa, Sophia's mother, had seduced King Reinald, capturing his heart and securing her position as his concubine. From their union, a child was born, a testament to their forbidden love.
Lady Severa was renowned as the most formidable healer of her generation, possessing skills that bordered on the supernatural.
Her powers surpassed the boundaries of ordinary healing, granting her a level of influence and respect that few could attain.
Driven by a hunger for change, Lady Severa defied societal norms, utilizing her charms and skills to navigate the intricate corridors of power.
Her actions were fueled by a determination to break free from the shackles of her lineage and elevate her clan's status within the kingdom.
The scandal was the talk of the kingdom, with many wondering what Lady Severa hoped to gain by her brazen actions.
But it soon became clear that she had borne the King a child, a daughter who was destined for greatness.
For a time, Lady Severa's star shone brightly. But her methods were extreme and risky, and eventually, she had to pay for them with her life.
Her enemies, threatened by her growing power, had turned against her and accused her of using foul magic to coerce the King.
Lady Severa denied the charges, insisting that her love for the King had been true and her intentions honorable.
But it was too late for her. Her fate was sealed, and the once-great healer was stripped of her power and executed for her accused crimes.
.