Chapter 172: As the Dust Settles

The five of them sat there for a long time. Ann just couldn’t bring herself to move, holding on to Junia with Bren leaning on her. The exhausted man had passed out a while ago, slumping on her shoulder. Lucia was where she had been. Crouched and keeping a silent watch. Out of all of them, she seemed the most together at the moment, watching each person who entered with open suspicion. She even halted and questioned priests she felt were suspicious. Always grumbling about a weird smell.

Speaking of priests, they rotated in and out, healing Kat as they went. Orenous, Illdall, Bryltia, and several of the others. Once they exhausted themselves, another took up the rotation.

After a few hours, Junia let out a heavy sigh and sat up. “Thank you. Truly. I’ve a difficult thing I need to do now.”

“Huh?” Ann grunted, looking over at the dishevelled woman. Her makeup had run something terrible, and her hair was a bigger mess than Ann had ever seen on her.

“I must speak with my brother and sister. I did briefly when we arrived, but they’re likely scared and need someone. Family. Not their sitters or a servant.”

“I don’t envy you,” Ann said. “Just let us know if you need anything.”

Junia just nodded as she plodded from the room.

From there, Ann lost track of time. It had to be a while, since Rosalyn had fallen asleep, and servants had arrived with food. It was a simple… dinner? Easy to eat. Sandwiches, some fruit, plenty of water. Ann couldn’t touch it. It turned her stomach even thinking about eating right now.

Rosalyn was the opposite side of the spectrum. She stuffed her face with the most dour expression. She just ate and ate.

“Alright, you’re stress eating. Come on. Give it a rest,” Ann finally said, taking the platter away. “Save some for Bren and Lucia.”

Rosalyn sat down again, head in her hands.

“Take Bren for a minute?” Ann asked Lucia. “I want to check on her.”

Lucia nodded and pulled Bren over so he was leaning on her shoulder.

Ann stood, her legs yelling at her for sitting so still for so long. Stretching, she made her way over to the table. Bandages were all over the place, but Kat’s face was clean. None of the blood that was caked on her earlier. The wound was still raw. Ragged flesh covered most her right side. Now that she had the time to get a look, Ann saw that even a good chunk of her ear was gone. It was growing back. Slowly. The skin and cartilage slowly forming where there was nothing. Bridging the gap. Closing the hole. Gods, that hole. It was like someone had cored out a section of the woman’s face. Little bone spurs were growing on the exposed skull. It looked like creepy coral in a way. Some parts were already repaired, smooth outer bone shining in the light. Veins were reconstructed, muscles growing back. It looked awful, but fascinating at the same time.

“How long do you think?” Ann asked the current priestess providing healing.

“Probably tomorrow. It’s a delicate process, and takes a good deal of focus,” the woman explained, dropping her hands and taking a breather. “Whatever did this to her is something awful. It almost seems like it corrodes healing magic.”

“You think it’ll be a problem for her later? After she’s healed?”

“Hard to say. We’ll do our best, Holiness, but she’s in rough shape. Better than the King though, Illdall protect him.”

“Been in this room since. What’s the word?”

“The healing is proceeding much like Princess Katlyn. It’s slow, and every step is being fought by the wound itself. He… he suffered damage to his brain. I’m not sure if he will even be back if we do get him properly healed.”

“Fuck,” Ann muttered. “Orlana?”

“Her Majesty hasn’t moved. She sits like a statue by his side, eyes only for him. We’ve given up trying to get her out of the room. She doesn’t make trouble, thankfully. I’ve been praying nonstop since I got called in to help.”

“Yeah,” Ann nodded.

“Have you heard anything from your Goddess?” the healer asked, resuming her work. “Is Orenous listening?”

“She always is, somewhat. She’s… busy. Not sure what with. Probably God stuff. Says She’s sorry this happened.”

“At least She’s aware. I hope my Lord Illdall is doing the same. We need it now.”

“Sure do. I’ll get out of your way.”

“You can sit if you’d like. I just need to focus.”

Ann did just that. She reached out and took Kat’s hand in hers. The big fingers, covered in callouses from endless hours of training. So limp and still. Nothing of the burning life they normally possessed.

Rosalyn joined her soon after. “What’s up?”

“She’s getting there. Probably tomorrow. Take a look yourself.”

“Oh that’s nasty,” Rosalyn said. Maybe Ann should have expected it, but she was surprised at the interest in the Druid’s voice. “The zygomatic arch is growing back pretty well. It only grazed the sphenoid and temporal. Ann, see this? That’s the orbicularis oculi. It’s what does your blinking and all that. Looks like it got completely fried with her eyelids. Glad that’s regenerating. Let me see,” Rosalyn craned her neck trying to get a different angle. “Yup, the optic canal is toast. Not surprising. Woman was stupidly lucky it hit the way it did. Anything else and she’d be gone.”

“Are… are you a medic?” the healer asked, focus still on Kat.

“Who me? Nah, I’m just a Druid from some podunk town.”

“Your command of medical terms is shockingly accurate.”

“Well, I do kinda dig around in Warped a lot. Been studying them, and a mentor just assigned me a lot of anatomy books. I’ve been reading a lot, which is fun, cause we never had any books like that in town. So many interesting things I never knew, but also knew because I dissected a beastie or twenty.”

“Is she alright?” the healer asked Ann. The woman looked concerned.

“Yeah. She’s always like this. Don’t mind her,” Ann waved the worry off. “So, Rosalyn. How do you think she’s doing?”

“Well, the bone looks like it’ll repair fine if this keeps up. Muscle regrowth is going to be interesting to watch. I wonder if they grow from both ends and meet at the middle or from one end to the other? The last part will be the skin. Ooh, we’ll see her eye socket regrow and how that looks like without an eye. That black and white Warped kinda had that going, but its skin was so tight that was basically a skull. Kat’s got a lot more substance to her.”

“Yeah, she’s tough alright. Still can’t believe she took that for me.”

“How do you mean?” Rosalyn asked, still staring at Kat’s face.

“That shot? That was aimed at me. She tackled me, so it missed and hit her instead.”

“Woah,” Rosalyn gasped. “That’s kinda awesome. You know she’s gonna be proud of that.”

“She better be. I owe her my life.”

“I mean, we kinda all owe each other our lives to some extent. Don’t think anyone’s counting t’be honest. For me alone, I can think of a dozen times I’d have died without Bren there. Neither of us are keeping track.”

“Still. She deserves it for that one. Wonder why they’d try to kill me too, if they were gunning for the King.”

“Probably opportunity,” Lucia said, walking up. “He sleeps. Is safe. Big speech. Probably listening. Orlana too armoured. Try a princess or herald of Gods? Expected to die. Knew Orlana strong.”

“So I was just convenient,” Ann sighed.

“No. Also dangerous. Different reason. Have religious backing. Many people would follow if asked. You don’t. Makes you good. Like that.”

“Tell that to Rowena,” Ann sighed. “Surprised she hasn’t shown up yet.”

“The Mother Superior has been on rotation with King Farragher,” the priestess informed them. “The strongest healers are all focused on him.”

“What does that make you?” Ann bristled at the insinuation that Kat was getting worse treatment.

“A competent and well-learned healer. Just because they’re the best doesn’t mean we’re not excellent as well.” The woman sounded strained, frustrated. She had good reason to be. Ann had just basically insulted her skills.

“Shit, sorry. Everything is just stressful as hell and… I just want to see her safe.”

“I understand, but measure your words. Grief makes us do many things we normally wouldn’t.”

“No kidding,” Ann sighed. Her head fell, hair cascading around her. She felt Rosalyn gently start stroking her back. She wasn’t quite sure why, but that’s when the tears started. Started and wouldn’t stop. Loud, mournful cries escaped her throat. Her hand shook in Kat’s. Snot ran down her face as the crying turned ugly.

“Shhh,” Rosalyn cooed next to her. “I know.”

“So… so scared,” Ann trembled. “I didn’t know what was happening. And then… and then Kat was hurt. What the fuck? I’m not some soldier. I… god, oh god,” Ann trailed off as she kept crying.

“I know,” Rosalyn repeated. “We almost lost her. I know. I’m still barely keeping it together. Everything’s so crazy. People have died helping me with the Runestone, but no one I was super close to. This… this hits differently. At least she’s safe, and will be mostly alright.”

“And what about when she wakes up? Finds out what happened to her dad?”

“We’ll get to that when we do, but for now, we stay here until she’s better. One step at a time. Think I remember someone telling me similar at one point.”

“When did you start being the rational one,” Ann sniffed, wiping a disgusting streak of snot onto her arm. “Thought that was Bren’s job.”

“Well, he’s asleep, so I’ve gotta step up. Lucia’s helping too, in her own way. It’s ok. We can handle things. If you need to just be here, then do that. I love you.”

“Love you too.” Ann turned her head and tried to give Rosalyn a smile. It wasn’t very convincing. The Druid returned a sad smile and patted Ann on the back.

“I gotta run to the restroom. You gonna be alright while I’m gone?”

“Yeah, I’ll be good. Hurry back.”

“I will, my big wolf.” Rosalyn’s fingers trailed down her back, then she was gone.

Ann just sat there. Her arm grew numb over time, and she changed hands. Rosalyn came back, and they had a small chat. The servants were all hushed. It seemed like everyone in the palace was trying to keep as quiet as possible. Rosalyn was stopped three times by guards checking her identity, and had an escort assigned to her after the second.

A long time passed. The room was windowless, so they couldn’t really tell how long. Priest after priestess rotated in and out. Exhausted, Ann relinquished the chair to Rosalyn, and did her best to fall asleep on a couch that had been brought in.

Her dreams were awful. She kept reliving the day. Seeing Kat’s face twisted and mangled. Hearing those screams. Hers and Orlana’s mixed into a cacophony of pain. Her self doubt, her fear of being useless, reared its ugly head again as the shades of the wounded accused her. Holes in their heads as they berated her for not protecting them.

“I can’t. I couldn’t! I didn’t know!” Ann cried, backing away.

The world swirled as she tripped, landing on her back in a patch of snow surrounded by dark woods.

A deep, rumbling chuckle came from the trees as Waheela dragged her massive body to the edge of the clearing, snout just barely poking out. Didn’t expect you here so soon, pup. Come running for help?

“Leave me alone,” Ann groaned, curling up in the fetal position in the snow. She was always naked here. So vulnerable. So alone.

Waheela cocked her head curiously, then let out a huff. You are weak. So very weak. Your mate suffers for it. But what could you have done? Nothing. A weak little whelp like you was powerless. They took something from you. What will you do now?

“I… I don’t know,” Ann whispered.

Hm? Couldn’t hear you.

“I said I don’t know,” Ann yelled. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’ll go to war if I have to, but that’s not what I want to do! Orenous gave me a mission. Sure, I knew it was a dangerous one, but fuck, man. This wasn’t even out in a Seed! This was home. In the city. Supposed to be safe! FUCK!” Ann slammed a fist into the snow, a small puff rising.

Hmmm, and what would you do to be stronger, Annita Kronforst? What would you be willing to give?

“Fuck you. I’m not making a goddamn deal with a monster. That shit never goes well. Just let me hurt so I can get back to hurting in the real world.”

Waheela stayed there for a long time, just watching her. Those evil eyes focused on the only other creature in her soul. Ann tuned out everything as she lay there. She was asleep. The nightmare would pass.

It would not do for my vessel to be… broken, Waheela rumbled at last. I offer you this. A small portion of my power.

Ann glared up at the she-wolf.

Only when you want it, Waheela clarified. All you need do is ask.

“I won’t do it,” Ann growled, baring her sharp teeth. “Not relying on you for shit.”

A magnanimous offer so easily scorned. Fah. Suit yourself. The offer stands. I will be waiting. Now sleep, tiny one. I can hear the lizard waking up.

Ann’s dream became blessedly quiet, the forest fading to empty blackness.

“Ann!” someone hissed. “Ann wake up!”

“Bwuh?” Ann groaned. Her back hurt from sleeping on the couch, but she sat up anyway. Rosalyn was there, shaking her.

“The sedatives are wearing off. Most of her face is back. They’re gonna let her wake up.”

“How long was I out?”

“A few hours. Bad dreams? Your claws came out at one point. Gave the priest a scare.”

“Waheela is being all Faustian with me,” Ann grumbled. “Don’t worry about it. Bren? You ok?”

“Yes. I am better,” the man nodded. “I woke not long ago. The priests will not let me help, so here I sit.”

“You did kinda push yourself to exhaustion. That many Mind potions can’t be healthy.”

“My stomach agrees,” Bren chuckled, then clutched his stomach. “I feel as if I’ve slept for a day. How long?”

“Almost,” Lucia informed them. “Is next day. All needed rest. Didn’t disturb. Kept watch.”

“Are you doing alright?” Rosalyn asked.

“Eh,” Lucia shrugged. “Been up longer. Hunts. Will sleep later. Kat waking?”

“Yeah. She should be awake within the hour.”

“Let’s go get a look at the big ol’ meathead.” Ann groaned as she stood, stretching very stiff limbs. Staggering slightly, she made her way over to the table that had been Kat’s resting place.

She was looking better. The bone was already done, and muscle regrown. Skin looked like it was re-growing but slowly. Her ear was entirely back, thank the Gods. Ann’s heart sank a little as she realised that losing the ear meant her earring was gone as well. She’d have to find Kat a replacement.

They all gathered around, waiting. No one spoke as anxiety filled the room. Many minutes later, the priest looked up. “She’s coming to. I need to keep healing her, so please don’t let her take hasty movements.”

Ann reached out and grabbed Kat’s hand in both of hers, holding it close. Rosalyn did the same with the other.

After an agonizing moment, Kat’s eye blinked open. “Mmm, mornin’ girls,” she said with a wry smile. “Ye look like shite. Did I miss somethin’.”

“Kat,” Rosalyn started. “You, um. Your… how do I say this? You…”

“You have lost an eye, Katlyn,” Bren interrupted. “You got hit by the attack, and it took a chunk of your face with it. There is a good amount of scarring as well.”

Kat lay there for a moment, processing the information. “Was that it? Coulda been worse, I guess. Not havin’ me eye is gonna be rough, but now I can wear a cool eyepatch. Gonna look proper fierce wit’ that. Plus, some scars are sexy. Ye like scars, Ann?”

“Gods damnit, Kat,” Ann couldn’t help but laugh. “We were so worried.”

“Sorry,” Kat said, her tone concerned. “Didn’t mean tae give ye a fright. Just acted an’ got ye away from danger. That’s me job, right? At least I’m still mostly here. Let me tell ye, though. Bein’ knocked out lets that damn Dragon in me skull talk a lot. Thing wouldn’t shut the feck up.”

“Waheela’s been pretty noisy, too,” Ann nodded.

“Kat, um. There’s more,” Rosalyn interjected.

“Hm? What else? Any o’ ye get hit? Know there were two flashes, but I didn’t see what happened wit’ the first.”

“That’s… that’s the hard part,” Rosalyn stammered. “It’s… it’s your dad.”

Kat sat up immediately. The priest scolded her, but she ignored the man.

“What happened?”