Tales of Aranth: The Girl and The General

Chapter 4

I’m waking up, but this time virtually every cell in my body hurts like hell. I promise to myself I will never try to act heroically again. No more saving butts again. If there will be any again. For a brief moment I hope that the pain I feel means this all was only a dream and when I’ll open my eyes, I will be in a hospital, with mom and dad.

“Mia!” I hear a familiar voice and lose my freshly gained hope. This is Alarana and her tone is both happy and concerned. I try to say something, but I can’t. My throat Is swollen hurts and my lips and tongue are dry as the sand on Sahara.

“Easy,” she says. “You’ve been unconscious for two days. The doctor said you will be dehydrated.” She gave me a cup with a small amount of water. “Drink it, I will give you more in a few minutes. The doctor said so.”

The water is so sweet and cool. Delicious. It feels so good. My tongue and throat loosen a bit.

“We won?” I rasp and saying these two short words makes me so tired, that I almost fall asleep. Or lose conscience again. The second one is more probable.

“Yes, we did.” She isn’t happy about it. She looks tired and discouraged. No wonder, so many are dead. I didn’t know them and it’s hard for me to even think about it. She contrary, knew them at least for the period of time then they marched to the Red Hills from King’s City. More than enough time to form a bond with somebody.

Wait, what is she doing with me? Why is she here? If it’s two days after the battle, she should already have met the general and he should be starting to court her. But she is here, in a field hospital, tending to me. Does it mean I didn't make it? He died from the blast? Or is hurt?

I raise my hand and touch my head in a place where it hurts most. I can feel the bandages. They are clean. The tent is clean. That is good, I won’t get an infection.

“The general?” I ask. I want to add ‘why aren’t you with him’, but it exceeds my strengths.

“He brought you here himself and his aide asked about you every few hours. He is such a caring person.” She blushes speaking about it and, remembering our conversation at the breakfast, I'm not sure she means the general or the aide. I want to say something, but an older man with bloodstains on his coverall marches in.

“No speaking,” he says and starts examining me. He looks me in the eyes, shows fingers, and demands I tell how many, asks do I see yellowish. He doesn’t say much after he is finished but mixes something in a cup and hands it to me. “Drink it.”

I drink obediently. The liquid is warm and has a bitter herbal taste. I’m starting to fall asleep the second I finish it.

“Let her sleep. It will help her better than anything I can do.” I hear him saying to Alarana before everything turns black. Again.

***

When I wake up, it’s dark, but Alarana is still with me. She smiles at me and hands me a cup. I’m tempted to drink all the water in a single gulp, but I know I have to take just little sips. I’m feeling much better, still sore, but I can focus and speak.

“Were you here all the time?’

“Well, yes. The doctor gave me the pallet to sleep on.”

“Why?”

“You saved me. If you didn’t push me, I would be as dead as Karina." Her expression saddens. I think she liked Karina. She was described as a person who likes everybody.

I don’t know what to say, so we sit in silence for a while.

“Probably tomorrow we will strike the camp and march back to King's City,” she finally says. Well, I’m not fit for walking. And I don’t really have where to go. I want to tell her about it, but there is a commotion outside the tent. Two men march in. Alarana leaps on her feet and salutes.

“Leave us.” The taller man dismissed Alarana not like he barely noticed her. She and the second man go out. The man sits on the chair previously occupied by Alarana. I take a look at him.

“General.” I try to stand up, not sure what may happen if he thinks I disrespect him. I immediately feel dizzy and would fall, but the man supports me.

“Don’t try to stand, I won’t ever feel disrespected by a soldier wounded in combat.” He has a deep and calm voice. I take another look at him. The light is dim, but I can see that he doesn’t look like the commander from the morning before the battle. He is dressed plainly, like every soldier, only the fabric of his clothes is better. He is tired and tense. Not winged by the victory.

“I’m glad you’re better,” he says. “Ole told me you’re Mia. The quartermaster says there is no Mia in his books.” Oh, crap. “It’s unbelievable what a mess they have there.” He sighs with irritation and my pressure drops abruptly. “Incompetent fools I’m forced to deal with. Anyway, it’s fixed, you need to fill in some additional data that Ole couldn’t find by himself.”

“Thank you, sir,” I mutter and he just waves his hand.

“I believe you will be not fit for marching for the next few days. But doctor Rin says you can travel by other means. The main troops will be heading to King’s City tomorrow. You can stay the rest of the wounded soldiers until some more carts will be sent, but if you prefer to go back home, I’d like to offer you my carriage. I won’t use it anyway,” he adds. “No need to answer now, just pass it to my aide. Now get some rest.” He doesn’t wait for me to answer and walks away.