Lightstar Family/Xarnelf/Roleplay 12

The Journey Home

En route to Lasop, the Farsighters trod onwards with steadily rising spirits. They had formed tighter bonds over their recent ordeals as they became more familiar with each other, both on the field at battle and in the single healing tent at camp. Now, marching in two columns on the road home, with recovered ones supporting those still injured, many exchanged stories of their past adventures and escapades before being recruited. With the danger behind them, they felt safer and more at ease in allied lands.

At the rear of the unit, Xarnelf strode beside Urjintah, who by now was still not fully recovered. The captain walked stiffly with the tight bandages wrapped around his left shoulder and waist.

"We will need to recruit more boys once we have reached the capital. Hopefully, we shall have an easier time whipping them into shape with the not-so-green-anymore men in front of us."

"Yea, Jint. I think I'm also going to look into hiring the services of another healer or two." Xarnelf looked at the back of the short and slightly balding man, who was walking in front of them several yards away next to the sergeant that had survived Akanos. The middle-aged healer was dressed in a rather dusty and bloodstained robe that an outside observer would never have guessed was originally white. "Our poor Arvutiel there has been working tremendously hard all by himself these past couple of days, trying to save as many lives as he could with just two hands. I'm starting to worry about him; he looks as if he hasn't slept for a week!"

Overhearing the young knight's comment, the healer looked back over his shoulder and smiled tiredly. "Ehh sire, ye dunna hae ta woory 'bout mae. Me bones're joost aie wee bit steff'sall. 'Tis whut ye paie mae fur ainyweys."

Xarnelf hid his grimace with a tight smile and a thankful nod directed at Arvutiel. Sighing softly, he turned to Urjintah and remarked almost fondly, "Arvutiel's a good man dedicated to his work, but half the time he's speaking, I can barely understand a word he says. I find it rather frustrating."

Captain Feralgem merely grinned silently by his friend's side.

"Ah well, perhaps I'll be blessed by the Aenil and find another healer who can understand this one's speech. I don't much like the thought of just abandoning him once we reach Idapur since he's already done so much for us."

The Lightstar scion nodded to himself and then turned his thoughts inward, ruminating about what the future might bring for his depleted unit. He had a dreaded feeling that they would be fighting again all too soon.