Time of the Draig

by Lisa Dawn Wadler

  She heard laughter and her lips curved up as the pressure eased off of her back. For show, she whimpered as a blade ripped through the back of her jacket and t-shirt. She assumed they meant to carve some form of a mark on her back as a message of sorts. They were about to get one heck of a surprise.

  “How dare you bear the mark of my god? You defile all by marking yourself with his sacred image!” the warrior priest yelled as air touched the skin on her back.

  It was the diversion she had been waiting for. Before the rest could react, she was on her side and held the wrist of the man who had cut her shirt. He screamed as she raised a leg against the arm and kicked hard. His arm dangled, and she pulled him down and slashed her knife across his stomach. Before anyone else could react, she rolled and jumped to her feet.

  The injured man commanded, “Kill her. She defiles all.” Then he fell to the ground in a bloody pile.

  Samantha stepped back and waited to see which one would attack first but was aware it could come as a joint force. She smiled at the man who stepped forward. “Look behind you.”

  The warrior sneered and missed the opportunity to block Boomer’s attack. Within seconds, the three attackers were dead on the ground. Samantha smiled up at Boomer and Kagen. “Your timing was perfect.”

  “I couldn’t find you,” Boomer explained and pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry, Sam. I couldn’t find you.”

  The smell of blood filled her nose, and she pressed her cheek against his chest. “Are you hurt?”

  “Nothing touches the Dark Mountain,” Boomer teased as he held her tightly. Then he pushed her away and used his large hands to search her body for any sign of any injury.

  Boomer scowled down at her. “You could at least look like you were scared for a moment or two.”

  Scared didn’t come close to the emotion that ran through her when the warrior priest had thrown her to the ground. There were some things Boomer didn’t need to know. She was supposed to be stronger and in command.

  “Why? I knew you’d be here.” Stepping back out of his reach, she said, “I’m good. Just some bruises, so back off.” She glanced around the quiet village, confident these men had been the last of the threat.

  “You bear his mark,” Kagen whispered. His hands pushed the torn fabric away from her back and traced the image of her dragon.

  Samantha turned to face him. “The way I see it, he bears mine.”

  Kagen laughed. “You are a fine pair.”

  The quiet banter was disturbed when one of Kagen’s men handed her the communicator that had suddenly become talkative.

  Rolph’s voice was broken with a lousy transmission. “Jeff . . . requesting back up . . . fields full of men . . . holding . . .”

  Samantha took the offered device and shook the broken case. She knew it had saved her side from the impact of a sword, but it had been damaged. Boomer held out empty hands to say his was gone.

  “I can’t send a reply. But if we just heard correctly, the fields are being covered, and Jeff needs our help.” Samantha smiled as Kagen and the men began running to the path that led to the main gate.

  “Let’s go, Boomer,” Samantha said as she followed. Her mind wandered to the chatter about the fields. The numbers were a bit more even, but it was already afternoon. Faolan had been fighting a long time. She cursed the broken comm in her hand. There was no way to ask if he or anyone else was injured.

  Chapter 16

  The sun dipped low on the horizon as Samantha, Boomer, and Kagen made their way to the open gates. Worry coursed through her mind as Boomer leaned heavily on Kagen for support. The gash in his thigh had already bled through the improvised bandages.

  The last living enemy they encountered had injured Boomer. The three of them had given chase to several retreating warrior-priests. When Boomer tried to walk over a presumed casualty, the man struck him. Thankfully, Kagen had been there to end the struggle before it truly began. With no sign of more men to fight, they finally made their way back to the keep.

  It was impossible to miss the sling on Jeff’s left arm as he approached. He was covered in blood from the day’s events, but a smile lit his face as he stopped in front of her. Samantha asked, “Are you all right?”

  “It was dislocated but fine now. Though I have to say you three are a sight for sore eyes.”

  “Are your eyes injured?” Kagen asked.

  Samantha joined in the laughter that the comment brought. She explained the expression and laughed even harder at his attempt at the appropriate reply.

  “You also pain my sight, Jeff.” No one bothered to explain the error.

  Samantha exhaled a weary sigh. “Break it down for me.”

  Jeff ran his fingers through his hair as he told of his part in the battle that ended almost an hour ago. The enemy had left Draig grounds, and the uninjured men were hunting down any in hiding. He listed who was wounded and how many were unaccounted for and asked if they need medical attention.

  “Samantha was injured in the last round,” Boomer replied.

  Jeff looked the man up and down. “Looks like you have it worse, my friend.” Jeff’s gaze fell to Samantha, and she stood her ground as he circled to examine her back. Her jacket was missing. She had ditched it after it proved to be a liability; an attacker grabbed the flap caused by the cut to the fabric. Her shirt was soaked with blood, though thankfully most of it wasn’t hers, and her pants were no better.

  Jeff whistled as he pushed the fabric aside. “You may need a stitch or two, but it’s not terrible. Heaven knows I’ve seen much worse since I came back.” He walked back to face her. “Was there a party I missed? All the cool kids seem to have dragon tattoos.”

  Samantha chuckled at the comment even as her heart raced with longing to see Faolan. “Is he here?” she asked, almost afraid of the answer.

  “Faolan was here not too long ago. His dragon had a boo-boo too. He saw Miller and went back out with Weiler to find those in need of aid. Though he wasn’t fooling anyone. He went to look for you.”

  Samantha sighed as the worry for Faolan lessened only a little. She knew the danger was still there; Boomer had been hurt by a presumed dead man. Before she could speak, Jeff raised the comm and pressed the button.

  “Weiler, come in.”

  Static crackled before the reply came, “Weiler here.”

  “Tell Faolan she’s back in one piece before he loses his mind,” Jeff requested with a wink for her.

  “Thank heavens you called when you did,” Weiler replied. “One of the men just found her jacket, and we assumed . . . could not be happier to hear, Captain.”

  The communication device crackled again before Faolan’s voice could be heard. “Samantha!”

  She took the device from Jeff’s hand. “I’m here, along with Boomer and Kagen. Jeff said you were hurt.”

  “The only hurt was in nay knowing you lived. Stay within the walls, wife.”

  There was no missing the look from Jeff at the command and title used. She smiled and said nothing to the captain. The only question she had at the moment was for Faolan. “Are you coming back?”

  “Soon, my heart. After the village is deemed safe for our people,” Faolan replied.

  “I’ll be here. I need to get Boomer to Miller.”

  “See to the Dark Mountain.” Faolan’s voice ended, and Weiler interrupted, “We have a few loose ends to track down. I need the comm for intel now, please.”

  Samantha handed the device back to Jeff who pointed to the barracks Miller was using as a field hospital.

  Jeff placed his good shoulder under Boomer’s armpit and pushed Kagen to the front door of the keep. “Your wife is inside. Let her know you’re back in one piece.”

  In a flash, Kagen was gone, and seconds later a woman’s cry could be hea
rd. Samantha shared a smile with Boomer at the happy reunion.

  “He’ll be back soon,” Boomer said quietly.

  Samantha smiled up at him and nodded. All she wanted was to become lost within Faolan’s arms and forget the horror of the day. While battle simulations in training had been brutal, real life battle was exponentially worse. Finding strength from the warm eyes of her best friend, she ushered him into the makeshift hospital. Her voice rang out, “Miller, we need you!”

  It was Dana who approached them first. The old woman grinned as she enveloped her in a warm embrace, and then she did the same to Boomer. When the hugs were complete, she said, “Thank heaven you are both here and alive.”

  “Boomer’s injured. Where’s Miller?” Samantha ignored Boomer’s protests of his leg being a minor scratch.

  Dana led them into the barracks and past bunks full of injured, but treated men. Her stomach churned as she inhaled the combined scent of soap and blood that permeated the wooden structure. There was no missing Boomer’s groan when he sank onto the empty bed. Samantha stood aside, and Dana removed the blood-soaked bandage from his thigh.

  “This needs to be cleaned and stitched.” Dana called for supplies, and Keira brought a tray and a cup. The woman offered the drink to Boomer with an explanation it would dull the pain.

  Jeff stared at Keira with a longing Samantha immediately recognized. Yet the woman would not look at him. It was clear the two hadn’t found peace after the confrontation in the hall the day before.

  “I need to check on the rest of the men. When you are done getting patched up, we need to talk,” Jeff said.

  Samantha knew something important had been left out of the request but was certain when they were alone Jeff would reveal everything. With an answering nod, Jeff left the barrack.

  Dana leaned down to check the wound and began to prepare for stitching it closed.

  “While I appreciate the effort, I want Miller to take care of him,” Samantha said as her eyes scanned the barrack for her medic.

  Dana ignored the comment and started to clean the wound. “I’m more than qualified to handle this. Leave Miller be, he’s taking care of the serious wounds.”

  “I want him to look at it, just to be safe.” Samantha was taking no chances with Boomer’s welfare. She politely smiled and thanked Dana for the care and rose to find Miller.

  “He’s in the back,” Dana called out.

  Samantha walked the length of the building and found Miller crouched over his medical supply kit. Even she could see how empty it had become. She placed a hand on his shoulder and waited for him to stand. Though he had seen no fighting, his uniform was covered in blood. Fatigue oozed from his eyes as he exhaled at her statement. “Boomer needs you.”

  Miller shook his head and turned to the man lying on the bunk behind her. “Unless Boomer is missing a limb, this man comes first.”

  Samantha saw one of Faolan’s men, and her gaze caught on the bone protruding from his thigh. She blinked rapidly at the wound and nodded. Her voice was a whisper, “Can you help him?”

  Miller fixed his gaze on her. “Most likely, but I need your permission.”

  “Why?”

  “There is only a small amount of the materials I need to save his life, and after that, we are down to what the locals have at their disposal. I don’t know if I can, but I want to try. I know he’s not one of ours.” Miller stared at her as he waited for a reply.

  Life and death had just been placed in her hands. The decision of who received the last of the valuable bone-setting medical supplies became a living breathing person. She gazed around the crowded barrack and finally saw all the men Miller had already tended. Bandages covered heads, torsos, legs, and arms. Splints could be seen on a great number of them. A few of the faces of the resting men were hers. Iduna and Jensen occupied bunks and appeared to be sleeping. The rest were warriors of the Draig clan.

  Samantha looked down at the man with the severely wounded leg. She didn’t know his name, but she had seen his face on the battlefield. Neither one of them had questioned who they belonged to when they fought side by side, united against a common foe. The smile crossed her face as the man opened his eyes to stare at her.

  “He’s one of mine, Miller. Take care of him. I want him up and running.” Her voice betrayed no worry or dread, only the strength of a commanding officer.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Miller answered.

  Taking one of the injured man’s hands in hers, Samantha sat on the bed. She whispered comforting notions as Miller injected him with the last of the sedatives. When the patient was asleep, she rose to give Miller the room he needed to work with the aid of one of the midwives.

  “He is my cousin. Thank you for saving his life,” Keira said from behind.

  Samantha turned to face the woman. “Miller is in charge of saving lives. I simply made sure he knew that.” She hesitated for only a moment. “Don’t be mad at Jeff for the stupid things he said yesterday. He was justly angry with me and didn’t mean what he said about leaving.”

  Keira smiled. “My anger fled as he left to fight this morn. His deeds speak louder than his words. I merely wait for him to come to me with a sweet word or two.” The woman winked before turning away to help with more wounded.

  “That was very well done, Samantha,” Dana said from behind. The woman held her in place, and Samantha felt the cloth that cleaned the cut on her back. “Hold still while I seal the wound.”

  Samantha started to argue the use of the precious wound-sealing gel, and Dana laughed. “It’s only good for light cuts, so enjoy the luxury.”

  When the task was complete, she turned to face the old woman. The sharp gaze pinned her in place. “It’s strange. Faolan had a cut in almost the same spot of his dragon. I almost feel like I’ve taken two slashed beasts and made them whole.”

  Samantha didn’t feel whole. If anything, she had never felt so lost and alone. So much time had passed, and Faolan hadn’t come back. Fear pricked her spine as she wondered if he was hurt.

  “Boomer is stitched up, and the herbs in the drink have put him to sleep. Now would be a great time to clean you up. You must be hungry, and you know there is no way I’m going to let you into my kitchen like that,” Dana said.

  Samantha nodded wearily and walked to Boomer’s bunk. Asleep was a mild understatement. Never had she even been able to walk past him without his stirring from sleep. She bent to place a kiss to his forehead.

  “Given his size, we weren’t quite sure how much to give him,” Dana explained. “Let him rest, and you can see him in the morning.”

  Samantha nodded and made her way to Iduna and Jensen. Both men slept, and Dana assured her they would recover. She made a tour of the barrack and spoke with all who were conscious. Her father would have done the same; the fighting men always came first.

  She started to argue about how she needed to stay with her men. The protests fell away as Dana led her out into the dark but fresh night air. Samantha took a breath filled with the clean sea air and sighed at the simply pleasure of fresh air. The old woman led her around the back of the keep to the washbasins.

  While she washed away the filth of the day, Dana explained how the villagers were leaving the security of the walls. The warriors had decreed the village to be safe, and they had offered their promise that a full patrol would remain in place. Dana spoke of the few outbuildings damaged by flaming arrows and a section of the roof on the second floor. Fortunately, most of said arrows had landed on the ground. Those that had struck wood were quickly doused with waiting water.

  Samantha nodded in thanks for the drying cloth and let Dana lead her into the kitchens. Confusion reigned as Dana led her to the bathing chamber to the side.

  “Now you’re clean enough to get into my tub,” Dana explained.

  Silence fille
d the chamber as Samantha allowed Dana to help her into the bath. A sigh escaped as her hair was washed and the stench of blood and gore no longer filled her nose. Though every scrape and bruise protested the soapy water, it was a heavenly treat to feel clean. When the soft clean robe covered her body, Samantha leaned in to hug the old woman. Words wouldn’t come as the events of the day filled her mind. She could only hope her gratitude came through in the simple, yet heartfelt gesture.

  “You saved my people today and more of them tonight. Thank you.”

  Samantha shook her head. “We all saved each other, Dana.”

  Dana pulled back, and Samantha wondered at the strange expression on her face. The old woman asked, “Do you love him?”

  Tears pricked her eyes, and she nodded. Just the thought of Faolan was enough to push her over the edge. The reality of the future that would happen crashed down on her. “I’m going to have to leave him to save time.” In answer to the question written on the woman’s face, she said, “He knows that I will have to leave.”

  Dana held her gaze as she mulled over the response. The smile covered her face. “Maybe you can come back.”

  Samantha shook her head and sighed. After the day, she didn’t have the strength to explain the consequences of fixing the fabric of time.

  “When I took care of his wound, he said you acknowledged his claim to you.”

  Once again, she had disappointed Dana. The woman had been very clear she didn’t want her grandson hurt. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t let him leave without him knowing that I had no regrets about last night.”

  Dana nodded. “No regrets is a fine thing, and I envy you the certainty that came with your night.” The woman surprised her by leaning down to place a kiss on her forehead. “Go upstairs, eat and sleep.”