[PuppetShadow]

Okay! Here!


The wind was harsh, but Remiah walked on. When she finally reached the cave, she was near death. Luckily, Venisia was there. Remiah collapsed.

“Oh! Milady!” She scuttled to bring her into the shelter of the damp cave. Pulling out a canteen, she poured some cool, fresh water into her mouth, slowly. Remiah made a slight moaning noise, and Venisia knew she would live. Carefully, she pulled off Remiah's cloak, exposing her scarred and wounded body. Venisia walked further into the cave, into a room carved from the glimmering crystal. She took some herbs, ointment, a few vials, and a mortar and pestle. She walked back out to Remiah, and applied some ointment to some of her burns and rashes. She then took a combination of herbs and liquids, poured in a bit of water in, and began mixing the medicine. When it was smooth, she took the medicine, now a light green color, and put some of it in Remiah's mouth. After washing it down with a bit of water, she rinsed the mortar and pestle out with more water, and mixed another medicine. She poured this reddish-brown liquid on Remiah's open wounds, and then bandaged them up. She then picked her up (as she was very light from lack of food) and carried her to another room, deeper in the cave. She placed a canteen of fresh water from a spring deeper in the cave as well as a tray of bread and a few herbs for her to eat when she woke up.

“Venisia...” The dry, cracked voice came softly, but Venisia was only dozing.

“Remiah! Here, drink.” She handed her the canteen of water, but she refused. “Don't worry, we have plenty, there's a spring in deeper in the cave.” Finally, she took the water. Venisia examined the woman. Washed clean, Venisia felt jealous of her beauty. The warrior had raven hair and eyes of deep green. Her skin, dyed a light golden from the sun, was covered in battle scars. Venisia looked in a mirror. Her pale complexion and wispy blonde hair were simple and ignored. “Here, milady, eat this. It'll help you regain your strength.” She carefully gave her a small handful of small berries, and Remiah ate them slowly, one at a time.

“Ryvanion has ordered the attack in one month. I will stay here as usual, attending the outpost. You can't stay more than a week, or else you won't make it it Eteallsan by then, but I'm sure you'll be in good health ...” She took the empty dish from her. “Here, let me examine your wounds.” She stood up, and began checking the bandages.

“Ho...How long...?” Remiah said, her voice already a little bit clearer.

“You've been asleep for two days already, milady. But don't worry, you'll be okay by tomorrow.” Remiah fell back asleep.

Swish! CLANG! CLANG! Swish! CLANG!

“You...You seem as good as ever!” Venisia said, hiding behind the kite shield as Remiah practiced striking with her blade.

“But not good enough.” Her wounds had healed, and her strength was returning rapidly. She dropped to the ground and did fifty push-ups. She then took up her sword again.

“Oh, and milady, one more thing.” Remiah stopped striking for a bit. “Jagiril stopped through for a while, in a similar state as you were, about a month ago. He's been promoted to Ryvanion's second in command. That means he'll be at the front of the battle field. I know the Vankyrions will be aiming for him.” Remiah paused.
“Then that is his duty.” She said, trying to ignore the worry she felt inside.

“You should be leaving tomorrow. Any later, and you won't be able to make it to the station in time.”

“No... I will leave today. I... I need to see him as soon as I can.”

“V..Very well... I will pack you with more provisions. You should be able to make it there safely.” Venisia knew, once Remiah made up her mind, there was no changing it.”

An hour or so later, they returned back to the entrance of the cave. “Remiah... Stay safe. I will have all of the soldiers in my prayers.”

“I am forever indebted to you, Venisia.” With that, she walked back into the desert sun.