Selena bowed her head. “As I said, I will not decide anything until my anger lessens. Whoever Yanti is, it is clear he escaped before we arrived.”
“He may be among the prisoners,” offered Theopolou. “If not, they may know where he has gone. I will have them questioned.”
Selena nodded in agreement. “Thank you. Let me know what you discover.”
The rest of the day was spent tending to the wounded. Once Nehrutu cared for Mohanisi, he and Kaylia began treating the most severe injuries. Mohanisi was too weak to assist and was taken inside the temple and given a bed. Selena ordered that the wounded from the first battle be brought in and soon the entire courtyard was filled. King Lousis refused further treatment until all of the men and elves had been seen to first. By nightfall Nehrutu and Kaylia were exhausted, and stumbled from person to person as if in a daze. Finally, Selena decided to intervene.
“You must rest,” Selena said to Kaylia. “We have other healers among us. You have already saved the most critically wounded.”
“I will rest when Nehrutu does the same,” said Kaylia.
“Then that time is now,” came the voice of Mohanisi from behind. “I am well enough to continue what you have started. I will take over until morning.” He strode off to relieve Nehrutu.
Linis and a small group of elves were gathering the bodies of their fallen kin, preparing them for the funeral rites. King Lousis ordered the slain humans to be taken back to Althetas. The bodies of the enemy were to be burned and buried near the passage entrance, along with their weapons and armor.
Selena found that her chambers remained as she left them, with the exception of Salmitaya's clothing and a few extra books. She ordered the bed sheets to be burned and replaced, then she had Salmitaya's belongings packed away. She had a basin of hot water brought in, and changed into a plain, tan cotton dress and suede moccasins. Sitting in her plush chair she closed her eyes, trying to push the visions of battle from her mind. Just as she opened them, there was a light rap at her door. King Lousis entered, with a guard helping him walk on his broken leg, followed by Theopolou, Linis and Nehrutu.
“It is good to see you back where you belong,” said Linis, smiling.
Selena stood. “As soon as possible, I want the injured in the courtyard brought inside the temple.”
“We are already clearing out the rooms,” said Theopolou. “I can have the beds ready within the hour. Though I am not certain what to do about the prisoners. We cannot keep them here indefinitely.”
“I will decide what is to be done with them in the morning,” said Selena. “Keep them under guard until then.”
“And Salmitaya?” asked Linis.
“I will speak with her again shortly,” Selena replied. “She will be kept apart from the soldiers. We have a small holding area in the west wing.”
“I would like to be with you,” said Linis.
“No,” Selena replied. “I will speak to her alone.”
“Should you decide to spare the soldiers,” said Lousis, “I can have my men construct cages in a small compound outside Althetas.”
“I will keep that in mind,” said Selena. “How many did we lose in battle?”
“More than three-hundred men and elves,” answered Lousis. “Our enemy lost three times as many. Angraalwill think twice before moving against us now.”
“This was nothing,” said Theopolou. “A skirmish, at best. When the Dark Knight sends his armies south, we must be ready. This defeat may only serve to anger him. And it may cause him to march sooner than he had originally planned.”
Lousis furled his brow. “Are you saying we should have held off our attack?”
“Not at all,” Theopolou replied. “This victory has solidified the bond between elf and human. And it will show potential allies that our defeat is anything but certain.”
“It will go a long way toward helping our cause when I assemble the kings and queens,” said Lousis. “That must be my first priority. I shall leave tomorrow.”
“Are you well enough to travel?” asked Selena.
Lousis held his head high and smiled broadly. “The King of Althetas will not be laid low by a broken leg, high lady.”
Nehrutu leaned over with his hands outstretched to Lousis' injured leg. “With your permission.”
The King nodded. “If you are well enough.”
Nehrutu touched the leg, eyes closed. The king gasped, reached for Nehrutu's shoulder, and cried out in pain. The king’s guard rushed to his side, but by then it was over. Nehrutu straightened his back and heaved a sigh.
“It is done,” said Nehrutu.
Lousis tenuously put his weight on his leg. He began stomping his feet hard as a low chuckle turned into a full-on belly laugh. “If only my people possessed such power.”
Nehrutu smiled weakly. “Perhaps one day they will. I cannot say with certainty that such abilities are beyond your kind.”
Lousis slapped Nehrutu on the shoulder. “What a wondrous notion.” He turned to Selena. “I must beg your leave. Thanks to our elf ally I can see to my soldiers as a king should. Unless you object, I will be leaving fifty men here to give you aid, and I will send men and materials to repair damage done during the battle.”
“Your help is well-received, your highness” said Selena.
The king bowed low and left, his guard struggling to keep pace.
“A strong leader,” remarked Linis, with an approving nod. “We could use many more like him.”
“Indeed,” Theopolou agreed. “And his haste is warranted. We must decide our next course of action.”
“I intend to join Millet and Dina in Sharpstone,” said Linis. “Angraalwill certainly move their armies down the Goodbranch. If they secure it, they will have a supply line leading all the way to Baltria.”
“I agree,” said Theopolou. “But we must remember that elf and human are not united there. Your presence may be disruptive.”
“I can ask Lord Ganflin for assistance,” said Linis. “And Lord Broin as well. The sight of human lords alongside elves may ease fears.”
“Then you should depart with King Lousis,” said Theopolou.
“I will send what is left of the knights of Amon Dahl with you,” Selena added. “Dina sent out a general request for aid, and in light of the attack, I doubt many, if any responded. I would not have her mounting a defense with nothing but sell-swords. I can send instructions ahead of your arrival by messenger flock.”
“That will be wise,” said Linis. “If Broin and Ganflin are able to help, it may take time for them to assemble men and supplies. Millet and Dina should be made aware of the situation as soon as possible.”
“And what will you do?” she asked Theopolou.
“I must see to the situation with my kin from the Steppes,” he replied, mournfully. “I cannot allow Angraalto divide us further, and I am certain that once the elves have served his purpose, they will be disposed of.”
“How do you intend to accomplish this?” asked Linis. “Will our people even accept them, now that they have spilled elf blood?”
“I have spilled elf blood, Linis,” said Theopolou. “During the first split, I led thousands to their death, against our own kind. I will not sentence our brothers and sisters to death for sins I have committed myself, unless all hope of redemption is exhausted.”
“So you will go to the Steppes yourself?” Linis' face was dark with worry. “Then you should see if Mohanisi or Nehrutu will go as well.”
“I cannot,” said Nehrutu. “I must await Aaliyah and Gewey. But I agree that one of us should go. I will speak to Mohanisi tonight.”
“And what shall you do, Kaylia?” asked Selena.
“I will wait here for Gewey,” she replied. “If you will allow it, high lady.”
Selena smiled. “You are now a part of this temple, and can stay if you wish. And I could certainly use your help in the coming days. At least until Gewey's return.”
“With your approval, I would like to leave some of my people here in addition to the king's,” said Theopolou. “The elders will be returning to their homes to organize a defense of their lands, and to help other elves understand our cause. There will still be much resistance to these new ideas. Though, considering what has happened, I doubt that resistance will persist.”