A Debt To Be paid

Shena awoke screaming and gasping like a maniac at hearing the sound of thunder. Hitting her head atop the ceiling of the small cave from her impulsive movement of reaching for her rifle normally beside her. She never parted with it.

Only this time It wasn't there.

Shena started to rub the painful bump growing atop her forehead and felt a wet damp rag in it's place. She set it aside and began to survey the damp dark cave covered in moss she now found herself to be trapped in, trying to get a feel for her new surroundings before it was too late. She looked outside to the opening. It was raining outside again. Because of course it was.

As Shena rubbed her eyes. She suddenly noticed she was missing her uniform. Her wound's had been properly dressed. And she was covered in layers upon layers of warm expensive fabrics the kind of which she had never knew existed in such vibrant colors.

"What..Where am I?" Shena grunted still a bit groggy. She started sniffing the cold air and tried to get out of bed. Only to feel an intense sensation below forcing her back down. Shena abruptly shifted the sheets aside to better see the intense feeling which had suddenly invaded up her leg. Only to become silent and have her curiosity dashed at what she saw beneath her. Or what was left of it.

Shena closed her eyes and looked away in sorrow. Covering the missing limb with the blanket, trying to imagine her leg was still there some how. Maybe it would magically reappear she tried to lie to herself like a child for a moment.

As Shena sat in silent pain, mourning the loss of her limb. She sensed someone approaching silently outside in the cascading rain. Shena began to panic. She had no weapons. She would have to make do with her teeth yet again, even if she hated to resort to such savage methods.

Shena quickly turned back in bed pretending to be asleep as the stranger approached behind through the entrance, carrying a lantern and slowly illuminating the small cave. She felt a familiar three fingered hand reach over and grab her shoulder ready to strike. A touch she was all too familiar with. A touch she feared and despised more than any other. She began to tremble. She was hyperventilating. There was no other way. Shena raised her head and opened wide to go right straight for the army ant's throat. They wouldn't take her.

Not again.

The woman in front of her screamed at seeing the shark's monstrous maw of teeth coming right for her face. Causing her to trip and fall back against the rocky ground, spilling the pitcher of water over herself held in one of her hands.

Shena's eye's widened and she desperately pulled herself back from her blind fearful rage which had consumed her, hastily siting back at the far end of the corner of the makeshift bed in shame for her actions.

"I'm...., I'm sorry Ma'am." Shena tried to explain. A task she was failing immeasurably in. "I'm just a bit jumpy."

"No..I understand." Esvia panted quickly on the ground trying to catch her breath and recover. Shena had given her quite a shock. "We're all a bit on edge from yesterday as well I suppose."

Shena slumped and pulled back the blanket to cover herself. Feeling stupid that she made such a fool of herself against the people who had saved her. And even worse, almost harmed an innocent by letting her own foolish fear and buried instinct take over. She had to be more controlled. She had grown sloppy.

"....Thank you for the blankets. Shena slowly said aloud. Trying to quickly show gratitude any meager way she could. "They're very comfortable."

Esvia just stepped forward, set the lantern aside them both and looked the soldier dead in the eye.

"No. Thank you."

The two sat in an uncomfortable silence for quite some time. They were both from two different worlds. One that knew how to create and nurture, one to defend and kill. But despite their differences they were both engulfed and surrounded by war. And both were still determined to fight for survival in these chaotic times no matter what. But that didn't mean it was easy. Far from it.

How...How long was I out? Shena asked, rubbing the backside of her neck and clearing her throat.

A few days. The woman responded. You were overtaken with fever and exhaustion and I feared the worst. You were delirious, and hardly said a word in your sleep when we brought you here.

And where exactly is here? Inquired Shena.

The ruins of Korena's tomb are nearby. The path is difficult and overcrowded with rubble with steep terrain in-between so it will be quite difficult for anyone to find us while you recover. At least for now. We should be safe for the moment.

That was a relief. Thought shena. Although she knew it wasn't true. A hidden location from enemy eyes was much appreciated. But she they couldn't stay here long. Savanese trackers were probably already investigating the missing soldiers she had killed and were scouring the jungle looking for them even more determined and aware. Shena knew all to well that causing harm to one's friends would certainly invite deadly retribution.

"I..I brought you some water." Esvia said awkwardly while handing Shena the pitcher. You looked thirsty. There's still some inside but I can get more."

Shena reluctantly reached for the water before slowly losing composure at feeling the clean cool liquid touch her parched lips. Shena drank the water rather profusely from that point on, having been without it's nourishment for so long. Aquatic's need to hydrate more so than others. And only now, Shena had begun to realize her extreme dependence on it from the sheer thirst which had taken her in her sleep. No wonder Fereen liked it so much."

"Thank you!" Shena gasped. Wiping her fanged mouth and finishing the contents of the jug eagerly before handing it back to the woman clumsily. As Shena looked down ashamed at the small mess she'd unintentionally spilled on the extravagant sheets beneath her like a toddler, she then noticed her own exposed shoulder which had been nothing but a bloody mess the day earlier. It had been remarkably re-stitched together in such a skilled manner, it looked as if her very skin had never even been cut apart, with the only exception being a small scar serving as relic of the experience. Not even Vesa had been this skilled, bless her heart.

"You did this?" Shena asked impressed, rotating her shoulder in place against it's socket to test it's capabilities.

"It's incredible stitch work."

"It's no trouble at all." Esiva smiled humbly. Setting the empty pitcher gracefully aside and crossing her legs to sit in place beside their guest she was beginning to trust more and more. "I washed and cleaned your wound as best I could, as well as any other's cut's I found. It shouldn't trouble you now. But... I have to say, whoever did such a shoddy job really could have spent more time learning the needle properly." She chuckled slightly.

Shena grew silent. She wouldn't scold the woman for insulting him. She didn't know.

Instead she just remained quiet as best she could. Trying not to think of him and the painful experience which was still fresh in her memory. Wanting to remain in sheer gratitude to the woman for treating her injuries and saving her life. She must stay focused for the time being. For all their sakes.

"Thank you. It feels much better ma'am. But. If you don't mind me asking. Where are my weapon's and clothes? Shena asked worried. If they were stolen or missing her chances of survival and defending anyone from harm had significantly diminished.

"Your weapons are safe with my husband." Esvia reassured the anxious lieutenant. "He has been cleaning them for hours trying to remove the dirt trapped inside your weapon. He's something of a weapons enthusiast and he hated seeing your device in such poor quality. I hung your uniform and underclothes to wash in the rain and they should be dry when it eventually passes. I couldn't get the blood stains out, but at least they're stitched back together.

"Shena smiled happily at the pleasant news. Greatly appreciating the kind gesture even if it seemed a simple one to the woman.

"If you don't mind", Esvia suddenly asked cautiously. "I'd like to check the bandage on your face. It was the injury I was the most worried about. I'm not much of a medic, but I patched it up the best I could I swear."

"Her face...,Right Shena had forgotten all about it."

"...Is it bad?" Shena asked hesitantly.

The woman hesitated.

Shit it was.

Shena tilted her head back to rest against the pillow behind her in silence. Trying to keep it together.

I'm so sorry. Esvia said regretfully. "I wish I could have done more."

"Ehh." Shenna shrugged trying to act untroubled at her disfigurement. "Occupational hazard I'm afraid. It's not you're fault. I'm just happy it hurts less and that I'm still alive to help you and your family..."

"That's all that matters."

Shena calmly let the woman approach closer and peel off the bloodied silk bandages stuck to the scarred side of her face. It hurt, but she swallowed the pain while her temporary caretaker did her work. She wouldn't flinch like a fidgety child and be difficult to deal with.

The woman washed the bloodied side of her face with a clean cloth, covered it with fresh golden silk bandages to help it finish healing, and rested Shena's head back against the pillow gently for more rest.

"I'd keep it on for a few more days." Esvia said calmly. "just to help it finish healing and so it doesn't risk getting infection.

Shena nodded in a dispirited silence.

Esvia washed her hands in a basin beside her, greatly relieved at being in a more calm state of mind this time while treating the soldier's injuries. Yesterday was pure chaos for the both of them.

"Is your family alright? Asked Shena.

Esiva breathed a loud sigh of relief and replied quickly. Immensely fortunate she was able to answer the question in a way that did not fill her with sorrow.

"Yes. They're all alive thanks to you." They're sleeping in a tent outside and I wanted to make sure you were recovering. So I've been checking in every few hours. You're doing much better. You were exhausted when we carried you here."

"Yea I feel better. Shena smiled. I haven't slept in days until now. Thank you."

Esvia nodded. "Breakfast will be ready in a few hours. I can bring it here in the cave if you like, or me and my husband can help you outside. Whatever you prefer."

"I'll eat outside. Shena said confidently. "Fresh air would do me some good. And besides, can't get too comfortable with so much danger going on around us." She smiled.

"Right.." Esvia said quietly in dispirit. Tilting her head slightly from being reminded at their new predicament.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean..." Shena said quickly said ashamed. She hadn't seen war like she herself had.

"No no...It's not you. I'm just. Having trouble adapting, that's all. It's been hard these past few days. And I know I'm just scared. But.."

Esvia grew silent. Trying to stay strong. It was her responsibility to help keep them all in high spirits. And if she herself broke down. The first link in their familial chain had well and truly been broken beyond repair.

"I've tried to forget what I saw. I saw my whole life I had loved for so long destroyed in a matter of hours. I want to wake up and think it all just a bad dream. But I know I can't keep pretending what happened didn't happen. It did. And I have to deal with it. For the sake of my family, and for you being able to give us a second chance."

"You're very brave ma'am. Shena said reassuringly. "Your children couldn't have a better mother taking care of them through this mess. I know it's dangerous. It's war. But I promise. I'll help any way I can in keeping you all alive.

"You have my word."