“I-I’m sorry…I just…” Maxi’s heart sank as she imagined Riftan’s reaction.
Seeing her expression, Ruth hung his head wearily. “I’m not chastising you, my lady. If you had not made that landslide, everyone at Eth Lene Castle would have been massacred. If anything, I should be thanking you.”
Contrary to his words, however, Ruth appearedconflicted. After glaring at her as though he had much to say, he heaved a sigh and shook his head. “I think I’ve said too much when you’ve only just woken up. I’ll go get you some porridge. In the meantime, try not to think too much and rest. I’ve been regularly infusing you with restorative magic, but you’ll still be feeling weak for a while. You haven’t had any food for a week.”
Maxi had no energy to press him to speak further about what had happened. “Wh-Where is…Riftan?”
Ruth stiffened. He regarded her gloomily for a moment before replying curtly, “He’s in a strategy meeting. He should be back soon.”
Maxi swallowed past her dry throat. She was terrified that Riftan might be angry with her. Out of habit, she slipped her hand into her pocket intending to clutch the coin, then realized that someone had changed her clothes. She anxiously ran her hands over her new dress.
Ruth gazed down at her and mumbled, “I’ve served Sir Riftan for a long time, but I’ve never seen him so distraught. He was like a madman.”
Maxi bunched the blanket in her fists, wondering just how overwrought Riftan must have been to make this sorcerer with nerves of steel so uneasy.
Realizing he had said something he should not have, Ruth hastily added, “You need not worry, my lady. You are the hero of this war. Even if Sir Riftan were to get angry at you, the whole of Eth Lene would step in to stop him. And if need be, I’ll come to your defense.” He managed a crooked grin. “I’ve served him for a long time—I doubt he’d kill me.”
His attempt at idle chatter barely eased the worry etched on Maxi’s face.
Ruth scratched the back of his head. “Come to think of it, I have yet to offer my gratitude. Thank you, my lady. We owe you our lives.”
Taken aback, Maxi waved him off. “No need to thank me. I-I am just…glad everyone is safe.”
Ruth’s lips suddenly twisted into a sad smile. Before Maxi could ask why, he was making his way out of the tent.
The short exchange had been exhausting, and Maxi slumped on the cot. She could not believe that she had been unconscious for an entire week. Though all of her injuries seemed to have healed, her limbs felt limp and her head heavy.
After staring at the ceiling with bleary eyes for some time, she forced herself up in an attempt to revive whatever energy she could. As if on cue, she heard hurried footsteps outside. Two female clerics rushed into the tent.
“Lady Calypse!”
Despite her fatigue, Maxi beamed when she saw a teary-eyed Idsilla and Selina. She sighed with relief. Both of them were alive.
Idsilla approached the cot and propped Maxi up with a thick cushion. She immediately began to chide her. “You mustn’t try to get up on your own yet. What if you fall over?”
Maxi pouted. “I-I was…just trying to sit up.”
“If you need something, call for someone to help you. You’ve just woken up. You shouldn’t try to move on your own for a while.” Idsilla continued her nagging as she pulled the blanket up to Maxi’s chin.
Selina placed a tray beside the head of the cot and said gently, “I made you some light porridge. The herbs are mild, but they should help with energy recovery.”
“Th-Thank you.” Maxi studied her as she took the proffered spoon. She had been worried when Selina had disappeared during the chaos, but the female cleric must have found a safe hiding place.
However, Maxi’s happiness was short-lived. The tide might have turned in their favor, but it had still ended up being a large-scale battle with a great number of casualties.
She hesitated. “H-How are things…at the infirmary?”
“Many were wounded, but they’re in a stable condition now thanks to the mages.” Scooping the porridge into a small bowl, Idsilla made a stern expression. “Please worry about getting well first, Lady Calypse. We will manage the infirmary, so you mustn’t be too concerned.”
Clutching her bowl, Maxi glanced about nervously. Though she wanted to inquire after everyone else, particularly whether any of the Remdragon Knights were injured, she did not wish to trouble them when they were already so busy. Blowing on the steaming porridge, Maxi quietly ate her meal.
When she was done, Idsilla placed a partition around the cot for privacy and wiped Maxi’s perspiring face, hands, and back. Though it was slightly embarrassing, Maxi did not express discomfort and meekly submitted to their care. She had administered the same treatment for the wounded men hundreds of times, after all.
She glanced around. “Th-That reminds me…who changed my clothes?”
“I did, and the female clerics took turns tending to you,” Selina replied as she helped Maxi into a new dress she had taken from a small chest.
Thoroughly worn out from the effort of changing, Maxislumped back onto the cushion and asked hesitantly, “Did you perhaps…find a small coin in m-my clothes? There should have been…a c-copper shekel in the robe pocket….”
