Page 89 of The Broken Elf King
“No. I’m fine. I will be healed after the last man is,” I stated.
The Nature of Warhad a very poignant line that had stuck with me.On the day of the battle, be the last to eat, the last to rejoice, and the last to be healed if you can help it. This will earn you a respect among your army that you cannot buy with jewels and coins.
I wanted these men’s respect. I wanted their forgiveness. I led them into a battle where some of them had died. Fathers, sons, brothers. I didn’t do that lightly, and although we’d won, the losses would forever stain this day in our memories. I wanted to honor that. The wound wasn’t bad. I could move my fingers, so the tendons were intact, and the bleeding seemed plugged with the arrow so I knew no artery was hit. The pain was manageable.
Cahal put a fist over his chest and bowed before leaving.
I followed him, slowly hiking my way up the hill to peek over the other side. When I saw the carnage I took in a sharp intake of breath, and then coughed as the smoke entered my lungs. The entire valley was filled with dead Nightfall soldiers. They’d been burned, and the ground was black with soot. Farmers and soldiers carried buckets of water to put out the fire at the edges that threatened the trees.
The healing tents we’d erected ahead of time were filled, and there was a small pile of elvin bodies to be taken for burial.
I tried not to count, but I couldn’t help it.
Twelve. Twelve men died because of decisions I made. If Raife were in charge, would it have been less? Would it have been zero? Would he ever forgive me for going to war with his army and killing twelve men?
As I made my way down the valley to check on the healing tent and see if anyone needed help, the first person started to clap. Then another. Chills rose on my arms when I realized they were clapping for me as I passed them. It was a sign that even though I saw the twelve dead bodies as a failure, they were pleased with how everything went and they saw this as a win.
I waved to them as I passed but couldn’t bring myself to smile.
War didn’t deserve a smile, even when you won, because no one really wins in war when even one person dies.
