Tales of Aranth: The Girl and The General

Chapter 5

The next day Alarana is still with me. I'm feeling better and look around in the tent. Only then do I notice that we are not in the general tent because there are no wounded people, only we two.

“Where are others?” I ask.

“Who others? Wounded?”

“Yes.” There should be many of them.

“Oh, in the other tents. There are at least three tents. The doctor managed to put you in a padded tent on the personal wish of the general. I think he took an interest in you.” Oh, not good. “Anyway, Ole was here.” She blushed again. “He is asking if you wish to use the general’s offer.”

“You have to set off today?” I ask. I don’t want to stay here alone and Alarana is the only person I know in this world.

“Yes, I have to, I’m not the medical staff. I'm here unofficially because Ole was so nice to put me in here.” I have to figure out how advanced is this relation with 'Ole'. Maybe they just like each other.

“In that case, I will use the offer, but could you ask the general if they could take also at least one severely wounded soldier, who should use medical treatment in the hospital, with? There will be enough room for both of us.” I have a plan. She will go to Gravian and show her caring nature. He will be impressed and the plot will jump on the proper track. 

“Ok, will tell him. Now, I’ve got fresh clothes for you. Do you need help with washing and dressing?”

“Ummm… I think I’ll manage on my own.” I would be so embarrassed to use her help.

“Ok, then I will leave you for a moment.”

I’m putting some effort to stand up on my feet and think that this assistance wasn't a stupid idea. Doing my business is harder than usual as the world starts whirling in the most unexpected moments. Alarana prepared me a bowl of warm water, clothes, a comb, and a toothbrush. Luckily, the author of the book included some modern things in this world. If he didn’t, my mouth would be stinking.

When Alarana returns, I’m washed and dressed, but my hair is a mess. I can’t comb it without hurting my wound. She grabs the comb and very gently combs my hair and then braid it.

We are ready when the general’s aide comes in with the doctor.

“We are ready to go,” he says.

“It’s time we part ways,” Alarana says.

“Why?” I ask. “I thought we will be going together.”

“You will go with a carriage, faster than the regular troops, so you will come to King’s City a day or two earlier. But if you want to meet with me, my house on Copper Street, Fourth quarter. It’s a small street, everyone knows each other and I used to live just a quarter from it. If you'll ask about my house, they will show you the way.”

“Sure I will,” I say and hug her.

“Here are your things.” She shows me a backpack. “I also packed you some of Karina’s stuff. She didn’t have a family and it’s a custom that your fellow soldiers get something from your belongings if you die.”

“Thank you, doctor,” I say and he bows slightly. Not a very talkative person.

The backpack is heavy, so the aide takes it from Alarana and I can see their fingers touch for a second. Not good. I hoped I can make her go with me, create some opportunities for her and Gravian. It’s strange, but I don’t recall if their first meeting was detailed in the book, but by the time they got back to the capital, they were both in love. Crap. Crap. Crap.

Alarana supports me and I go out of the tent. The carriage waits already. It’s big, painted black and looks comfortable. We are watching some men bringing a severely wounded man in it. He was unconscious. I and Alarana took a final goodbye and I hopped into the carriage.

I sit on the bench opposite our direction and watch the man lying on the other side of the carriage. He doesn’t look like he is going to make it.

“I’m Ole Riggel. Please, call me Ole.” I hear suddenly from the window. It’s this man, the general’s aide, I’m thinking hard trying to remember any information about him.

“It’s not appropriate, you are the heir of count Riggel and I’m just Mia no one.”

He smiles a little.

“You are my fellow soldier who saved my friend and commander. We are equal.”

“Well Ole, if it pleases, you are the rebellious one.” He bursts into a happy laugh.

“You’re lucky that this one there is can’t hear it. This is Evor. The leader of the ragged.”

Ragged? That rings a bell, but my cluelessness makes Ole talkative.

“You know, those from the fourth quarter. He committed some crimes against the crown and was convicted. His popularity among the crowd made the council offer him a deal. He was magically compelled to fight in the first line. He managed to stay alive, so he will be free when we’ll get to the capital.”

I finally remember the ragged were the thugs used by the villainess to kidnap Alarana at some point of the story. But their leader was Kartan, not Evor.

“Why did the general take him?”

“You asked to point the one that needs the urgent help. He definitely needs.”

“That was Alarana,” I mumble.

“She said it was your idea. Besides he doesn’t want him dead. I think he likes him.”

“Likes? Who?”

“Yeah, Gravian, I mean the general,” he corrects himself. “He isn’t very aristocratic on. At least when you manage to know him better. I must leave you now, see you at the halt.”