Sirih Bäcker - Embern’s Fate - Part 2

“Five wounded, one greatly and twenty two mad killed.” Aloisa informed. She herself had a bandaged shoulder and her mahogany hair had been tussled into a mess but she stood up steady without a waver in her voice.

Sirih nodded and bend down to one of the creatures, now identified as boulder ox, and moved one of its heavy legs to the side as much as she could. Underneath, a dagger had been abandoned and she nestled it out.

“A large hoard than we thought.” Sirih stated gravely.

She flipped the dagger around and followed the detailed engravings along the hilt with her thumb.

“You know who’s it is?”

“No.”

Sirih nodded again and inched closer to the ox’s head, poking at the growths. While not affecting the blade the tumors were still burning to the touch. She picked at the hardened shell and felt a sickening feeling in her gut realising how deep they went into the flesh. Along the side of the head were large spots of skin and scratches from what could only have been the ox desperate attempt to scrape the growths off. Sirih glanced down at the animals glazy dark eyes and reached out carefully to close the lid. Death was better than the pain they had suffered.

She straightened up in the dim glade. The four alchemists worked individually on different ox, taking samples and draining the blood from them in vast glass containers. The blood was to be shipped back and handled in the city.

“Who is it that has fallen worst?”

“Dieter.” Aloisa answered, weak for the first time

Fastening the dagger in her belt, Sirih moved without hesitation towards the crook which had been designated for the hurt. It gnawed at her that she had miscalculated and to have so many hurt to bring back to Embern would taint them in the end.

Three of the Sparrows most competent at medicine had helped the wounded best they could. Sirih saw with relief that almost all of them were sitting up and taking their injuries well but as Aloisa’s voice had portrayed, Dieter looked ghastly. He was in a state of both torment and sleep, making him squirm and winch. His skin was pale and sweaty, bandage was wrapped around his upper body and down his arms and a purple bruise had swelled his right eye shut. In his vulnerable state he looked younger than ever and it pained her to see.

“How is he fairing” She asked, settling down on her knees next to him.

“Hard to say. Those scales burnt through the skin, the worst might still be coming.” Erhard did not met her eyes, keeping his attention on the bandages.

“I see.” She turned to face the others. “I’m grateful to have you in my service, you are all brave and have exceeded my expectations. There will be nothing but rest when we arrive back home.”

They nodded with half smiles of appreciation and one of them waved off the compliment.

“When will we be able move them?”

“We have to move them soon.” He answered darkly. “Dieter needs real medicine”

Sirih looked at him with a newfound coldness. It did not seem he was focused on the task but defiant. Standing up she turned away from him, remembering to handle the situation after they had come home. She did not dare to scold him after such important work.

“Sparrows!” She called. “You have all fought with vigor and valiance. Embern is safer because of what we have done tonight. Our journey now leads us home so please, help the alchemist and pack your belongings.”

Morning sun had begun to poor in over the scene of the battle, casting the bodies of the animals and her resting Sparrows into light. Sirih was proud, they had handled themselves well despite her neglect. She bit back frustration and moved to aid her chief alchemist Martin with one of their blood filled vessels. Then suddenly remembered:

“Hey!” She called out again “Anyone knows who’s knife this is?”