RICH’S POV
I was in the middle of the battle when I felt a sharp and magnanimous pain cut across my chest. I screamed out loud and I dropped my sword, falling to the ground myself.
‘My chest’
I groaned quietly, I had been feeling this way since yesterday, but I thought I could manage it and that it would be gone soon. Even Scarlet begged me not to come to the battlefield today but I would not listen to her.
The battle with Diamond Cut Pack gets fiercer by the day. They have been expecting us to give up, but thanks to the fortification, we don’t easily get weary. But they are strong, the army of Diamond Cut Pack, the strongest there ever is.
I was still on the floor when an enemy attacked me from behind. I could sense him, so I quickly grabbed my sword and slit at his throat. It was an unexpected move, so he did not put up any resistance.
My feelings. Something must be wrong somewhere, but what is it? Or is it a premonition that we would lose this war?
No, that cannot be so.
We can’t lose to Diamond Cut. We have gone too far to lose now.
Everywhere was gradually becoming blurry, but I struggled to remain awake. The shouts and screams from the battleground were deafening.
I looked around, no other enemy had noticed my weak state, if not they would have come for me in their numbers.
I lifted my helmet a little for some fresh air as it was almost becoming suffocating, and then, I made my way out of the battleground discreetly, crawling.
Watching soldiers fight. It was not a very pleasant sight to behold. There were heads rolling, wolves whimpering, and blood spilling.
“General, are you okay, general?” one of our men ran up to me.
He must have noticed my distressed state and decided to check on me.
“You go back now, the fight needs you” I ordered in a very low voice. I could barely make use of my voice anymore due to how weak I felt.
“General…” he whispered in shock.
I looked around, we were some distance away from the field, but that would not stop an enemy from noticing us and coming for us. Even if they should come for me, I would want him to be safe. I wouldn’t want any of them to lose their lives because of me.
“The fight is going on, your brothers need you,” I urged and held on to my chest.
“You are not well, General, I need to be by your side at a time like this. The enemy would come for you as soon as they notice how vulnerable you are” he persisted.
I tried to open my failing eyes wider. He must be made to realize just how serious I was. “It is an order, boy, go back to the field,” I said.
He bent down and moved closer to me. “Even the Chamlar would never forgive me if I should leave you at this time. We need you alive” he whispered and continued to crawl with me.
I grinned. “And the Chamlar would kill me if she should find out that she lost you as a result of me. Can’t you just get it? Stay alive” I said.
I know he means well, but he was beginning to be a pain in the ass. I could barely protect myself right now, why does he want to jeopardize his life as a result of me? I can risk dying in this, but I cannot risk losing him as a result of this.
“I will get you back to camp safely right away, sir, and as soon as I do so, I will return here. You are of paramount importance to us all” he replied.
I hissed painfully and refused to look at him anymore.
“You have been fighting nonstop, General. We all know that you deserve some rest. Please let me get you safely to the Chamlar” he added.
I was weak, his plea made me so. Now I doubt if there is any need to go over this with him.
“I will take myself back, trust me” I assured him, still trying my luck. I sincerely doubt he will ever agree to willingly give up on his quest.
“I trust you, but do I trust them…”
Immediately the words left his mouth, and he sprang to his feet and started to fight with two of the enemies.
It was a surprise attack, and I did not even smell their presence. They must have seen us and believed that we were both helpless. Should I be alone, I would have been easy prey to them.
I watched my companion fight, I was intrigued. He was swift and full of energy. How come I have never noticed his prowess all along?
He took on the two enemies as if they were nothing and I saw no need to join in the fight, I was still very dizzy.
He was winning in the battle when one of the enemies drew back and before we could realize what was going on he shifted into a fierce wolf. Seeing this new development, my wolf took charge immediately, and before the enemy wolf could pounce on my companion, I was already on him, fighting him with all there was in me.
It didn’t take long for us to have their lifeless bodies on the floor, and as soon as this was achieved, I fell on the floor and shifted back into my human form with my eyes rolled out.
“General… General, are you alright” the young man cried as he leaned beside me.
He squatted and went on to feel my pulse, he was very anxious.
I opened my eyes, and he almost jumped up in fright. “I am fine” I murmured with a grin.
I grabbed him and brought him low beside me. “We would have to conceal our presence as much as we can this time. We cannot afford another attack” I warned.
“You seem much better, General,” he said with a thin smile curled up in his lips.
“Yes. I think this fight was just what I needed. I am still a little bit tense though. And the pain on my chest is still there” I replied.
“I will need to get you to camp, General” he offered.
“Yeah, sure” I murmured. I know better than to say no. “I have to make sure that the Chamlar is okay. And then, we have to send words back to the palace. I know the Chamlee is there to take care of everything, but we still need to know how things are going on there”
“Yes, sir” he replied.
“And what is your name?” I asked, eager to know the name of this brave soldier.
“I am Robin” he replied.
“Thanks for that, Robin” I smiled.
He smiled, and I could see the shyness in him.
“Are you a Pixie? Your height, you are at the average, but the shifting” I said.
He was terrified when the enemy shifted, but was brave and tried not to show it. That was what prompted my wolf to take action immediately. I should have known his status if my sense of smell had not gone to sleep.
“I am a Pixie” he replied, still shy.
“That was a good one, Robin, you saved me,” I said.
“You fought very bravely, sir, you actually saved me” he replied.
I placed my hand on his shoulders. “Now we have to leave,” I said.