[ Chapter Nine - Retreat ]
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Ashran felt his whole body burning and a numbness in his right arm. His eyes were still closed, but a pained expression was clearly visible on his face. He groaned in pain. Suddenly, a warmth flowed through him, the intense burning sensation subsided, and gradually, he began to feel his right arm completely again.
He tried to open his eyes. What greeted him was a wooden ceiling. He turned his head left and saw a woman sitting beside him. A green light was glowing from her hand, but then it faded at that moment. He took a glance at the woman's face, she had a chubby cheeks and black wavy hair.
Ashran attempted to raise himself from the bed.
"Nu-uh, don't get up yet. Rest for a little while, dear," said the woman hastily. She placed her hand on Ashran's chest and pushed him back down. Ashran did not attempt to get up again; instead, he relaxed his body. He tried to feel his whole body again and realized there was no longer any pain.
He took another glance at the woman's face and said, ". . . excuse me, are you perhaps a Therianth?" The woman paused whatever she was doing and looked at Ashran. She replied in a quiet, low voice, "You could say that. Though, a Half-Therian."
"I see. Umm, by the way, how long I was out?" said Ashran.
"Three hours now since we found you lying unconscious, and badly injured," the woman replied.
A few seconds later, Ashran heard footsteps approaching. Then a man's voice spoke, "May I talk to him, Bethy?"
"Oh, yes, of course. He's alright now," said Bethy. She moved and left in a hurry. Sir Hector's face came into Ashran's field of view to his left.
"You alright, Ashran? I apologize for sending you outside, I didn't expect there would be so many of them," Sir Hector said.
"Where are we . . . ?" asked Ashran.
"Within the town, we haven't left yet. We weren't able to go outside, not with those Cyclops running amok. But don't worry, this place is safe, for now. And I also sent another group of our men to scout and find a safe route leading outside of this town, though it's been over an hour now since I sent them off. I hope they're alright," Sir Hector said, displaying a worried look on his face.
"What if they don't make it back?" Ashran said. Sir Hector closed his eyes as though he winced, wondering how he will reply.
"Then we won't be able to leave here for a few days," a woman's voice answered from behind Sir Hector. It was the Lady, still hooded and somehow mysterious. And she added, "We will have to wait for reinforcements, probably three days or a whole week."
"That can't be . . ." Ashran muttered. Only two days were left until the Academy's school year begins, and he couldn't afford to be late, especially when it was crucial to be present on the first day.
"But that won't happen, m'Lady," said Sir Hector.
"You're right. As I have important matters to attend to," the Lady replied.
". . . well, then . . . concerning the . . ."
Sir Hector and the Lady continued talking, but Ashran wasn't listening anymore. He was lost in thought and turned his head to the right. He saw Bethy among a group of injured people laying around, and also one of them sitting up and leaning against a wall, grunting in pain.
Then, Ashran remembered. The East Gate! Before he lost consciousness, he overheard one of the Revenants talking about the East Gate, mentioning how there were more guards there and that they were having a hard time advancing their troops. The thought of this made Ashran sigh in relief, knowing there is a possibility that they could make it back early to Borix.
He turned his face back to the two who were talking beside him, and voiced what he had in mind. Ashran told them what had happened and specifically what he had heard before he lost his consciousness.
"Are you sure about that?" the Lady asked softly.
"If that's the case, this might work out..." Sir Hector muttered to himself.
"My Lady, if what he's saying is true, then we must not waste any more time."
For a while, Sir Hector tried to convince the Lady to leave the town immediately, expressing his concern that they might get trapped and she could be in danger.
"Fine. We shall leave then," the Lady finally agreed.
After a moment, they made their way outside. Fortunately, the others were healed enough to move properly.
They emerged into a narrow, cobblestone passageway tunnel that led to the street.
Heavy rain poured down, visible against the night sky. Dark clouds obscured the moonlight, making it barely visible. The smoke from the burning houses had dissipated, and the fires were out. Wet surfaces, including puddles, reflected the dim light from a nearby lantern, casting a glow on their figures.
In front of them, three carriages stood in disarray, Ashran thought there are more than that, and their horses seemed to be shivering in the rain.
"Hurry up, everyone!"
They quickly climbed into the carriages. Ashran, the last to board, joined Sir Hector and the Lady. He held his musket, now damp from the rain. He was thankful it hadn't been broken into pieces when he was clubbed by that mad Cyclop. However, in this heavy downpour, it would be useless, much more like broken in anyway.
The carriages started to move, they pressed on through the heavy rain until the sound of the wheels faded into the distance.