111 A Fractured Empire XV

Jack was unconscious and there was very little anyone could do about it. Even Jacob with his enhanced healing due to his unique trait was unable to awaken Jack via healing. The wounds on the outside were healed, but Jack's problem was something else.

Amelia looked worried as Jacob was silent this entire time. She wondered if he could somehow 'fix' Jack who the other priests could not heal. However, upon seeing him sigh she knew that was not the case. Maybe she was looking at him as if he were some celestial being that could make miracles happen, but, he was still human and could only do what he was capable of.

"How long has he been in this state for?"

"Ever since we found him basically. He was conscious when we found him, but barely. Me and Eliza did our best to keep him alive, but, maybe it was not good enough. Maybe, our abilities failed."

Amelia started to doubt herself. Leah trained her and taught her all she knew about healing, but there were various levels to it. Everyone started out the same with the basics, but not everyone's talents were the same. Some could heal wounds that would otherwise leave a scar, others could return a blind person their sight. For Amelia, she was only at a stage were the best she could do was mend open wounds.

Eliza was more adept in all manners of their holy magic. Amelia was not jealous of the woman, she just knew that she had to work harder to make up for her lack of talent. Granted, Amelia was also not part of the order for long, so she did have that going for her.

"I see. I have no plans on leaving him behind, once the others arrive we will have someone carry him or put him in a cart."

"You plan on taking him along? He will only slow us down. My lord, please reconsider... for your own safety."

One of the older priests spoke up. He observed everything from the moment Amelia's group came back and even took a look at Jack himself. Seeing the guards condition, he understood that Jack would be nothing more than dead weight. Which meant someone would have to care for him, and their groups pace might slow down. Something he did not want to happen, considering there were rebels running amuck.

Jacob glared at the older man coldly. His glare was enough to cause the man to shiver slightly, but he did not back down nor look away.

"What does my safety have to do with you? I can take who I want and leave behind whoever I see fit. If you don't like it, then I see no reason for you to stick around. And if my safety is of your utmost concern, why don't you carry a sword and become one of my guards. That way you can protect me."

The older priest quickly backed down once he heard those words. Him carry a sword? That would never happen. As much as he tried to convince Jacob it was for his own protection, Jacob knew that the priest really meant it was for his own safety. The man was simply a coward trying to influence him.

What the priest did not know was that Jacob had no mind to listen to his selfish ideas.

Amelia wanted to interfere but did not know what she should do. On one side there was the lord, and on the other a superior of hers. She had something to say to the older priests about Jack, but felt she should not speak up. Even if he was someone she cared for. Then there was lord Lezhalt, whom she most definitely could not speak against considering his rank and hers. Even in a time like this, all nobility had to be respected.

Luckily for her, the old priest simply shook his head and walked away.

"Is there a cart or someplace we could put him? I'd rather not have someone carry him on their back."

Jacob asked Amelia.

"There is a wagon out back, we use it to transport goods we need. I'll bring it up front."

Amelia said before she scurried off to grab the wagon.

Jacob rubbed his temple, things were stressful and he just wanted to be done with this all. The way everything was going, Jacob wondered if the events in the future would even play out like in the game world. A lot of the world was player driven, their actions had a huge impact on the continent. However, some things were set in stone.

With him being here, the balance might have already shifted. The only thing he could count on were places he knew would hold the items he'd need.

He did not want to lose faith in those that should be here in the capital helping defend against the assault. However, he also knew the generals personalities. The few that may help during this time would turn away as soon as they saw the gates were breached.

Their best option was to retreat out of the city. Something he should have done at the start instead of trying to play hero. Now he may lose someone he thought of as a friend due to his actions.

Jacob sighed.

"Lord, a moment please."

A female priest approached him. She had dirt on her robe and wore a veil that covered her Facial features just like the other women in the order. One thing Jacob noted was that she was a head taller than Amelia and from the way she spoke she seemed to be young.

"Yes?"

Jacob asked.

"I did not mean to pry, but you did not hear anything from Amelia concerning the path. I understand your concern for your guard, but this is something you must know about."

Jacob was worried about Jack so he put learning anything of what happened in the back of his mind. It was nice of her to remind him because he would have forgotten all about it.

"Who are you?"

"Eliza, Lord."

Eliza answered him.

"Tell me what you know."

"Yes, Lord. Our group was heading towards the watchtower when we stumbled upon burning buildings and rubble. The watchtower was utterly destroyed, and with the debris from the building fallen it blocked the path to Dauntless. That's where we encountered your guard and eventually your knight as well."

Eliza started to explain but stopped talking when she saw Jacob raise his hand.

"You only saw one of my knights? Who was it and what happened to the other one?"

Jacob asked her. He sent both Amber and Teressa together so naturally he assumes they would be together. Now he found out that they weren't.

"We met Teressa, Lord. She said they were there when the tower got destroyed and the explosion tossed them in separate directions. She too was injured but not as bad as your guard. After you sent her a message, she mentioned that your other knight would head towards Dauntless. So I assume that is the case."

Jacob rubbed his chin. That was possible, but he felt that there was also the chance Amber was injured. Jack was and so was Teressa. It was logical to assume Amber was too and if that was the case, how bad was it? He wished there was a way to check on her but there wasn't. All he could do was hope she was safe.

"I see. She's probably fine."

Jacob said trying to sound optimistic.

"I've been told that the path is blocked but there is a way around it. The path would be a bit longer, but we should be fine."

Jacob told her. He thought they would be fine as long as they did not run into a monster like Ian.

"Might I offer a suggestion Lord?"

"What is it?"

"I discussed this possibility with your knight, Teressa earlier. But can't we move in the sewers? We'd be undetected and will be safe."

Thinking back on the games development they did include a sewer system. It was one of the many ways a player could enter cities and castles. They were relatively safe as far as he could recall, but hard to navigate.

"Do you know how to go to Dauntless from the sewers? If not, then we would be better off taking the streets above ground."

Jacob told her.

"No, but..."

Eliza could not find any words to finish her sentence.

A black mist swirled around the area between them and a moment later Angelia appeared.

"It is possible. My father had a map of the city including the sewer system. And we don't have to head to Dauntless. There's a path that leads out of the city."

Angelia said.

Jacob eyed her and wondered how she knew what they were talking about. It is not as if they were speaking loud. The more he wondered about this young woman the more confused he became.