The Castaways II

I rush inside the Infirmary and the young boy greets me but I run past him, I go to He Rang side and grabs his arms -We need to leave- he looks at me confused -What are you taking about ChangLai?-

I turn around and rise my voice -Everyone who can still hold themselves up, go grab a horse RIGHT NOW! We need to evacuate the camp as fast as possible! I'll prepare some beddings to attach to the horses for those who can't walk!- the men looks at me confused -Miss Ying what's wrong?- -There's no time, go go go! Enemies are coming in the distance!-

...

Everyone runs away at full speed while grabbing weapons of any sorts. They rush to the stables and get the horses ready as fast as they can.

I remain back and grab a few carts, throw some blankets in and go back into the infirmary to help get the injured ready.

The young boy approaches me panicked -What am I supposed to do?!- -Get some medicines ready, I don't know where we're going or how long it will take so make sure to pack enough-

He nods and begins stuffing his bag with little sacks of herbs and fills up as many water bottle as possible, I look back at the men in panic -I'll go check the situation out, you all pack some food and get ready to leave-.

I run to the end of the camp again where the black smoke is colouring the sky in the distance... There's not much time left.

...

I run to the stables and help bringing more horses back, I attach the carts to some of them while keeping my eyes fixated on the nearing figures in the distance... It's so close that the other men can notice the smoke too now, without need of any enhanced vision like me -Are those... Sand men?!- yell one panicked -Oh god we're dead for!- another lets go of a jar of water and it goes to the ground, breaking

-Get yourself together men! There's no time to panic-

-B b b but Tongjun... We're never gonna make it out alive!- panic starts to spread -If you all cooperate I'll make sure to- -To what?!- asks another hysterical -I'm sorry Miss Ying, but this time we're done for and you know it well too. We all know you cannot fight those men, and all the men left here are in bad shape so...- I see a man grabbing his head between his hands and murmuring prayers...

I tighten my grip on the cart's ropes, I almost give in at those words. The panic these men are feeling now are the same of those poor civilians who's villages got raided and who's children have been killed in their bed or burned alive...

-It's true, I cannot fight them. That's exactly why we're running away like cowards... It hurts the honor doesn't it? I bet everyone's glorious idea of me just disappeared, but does that matter now!? As the one in charge I have to ensure your safety before anything else so fuck my honor and those useless divine powers. Now get on the damn horse and prepare to escape!!!-

...

I enter the infirmary and call forth the young military nurse -Help me move the most critical ones while we still have time, everyone else who can walk, drag or crawl please move toward the carts! Alright, who's the first one?- I ask toward him and he nods before pointing to a few beds at the back of the tend -Be extremely careful in moving them-

-Will do- I grab a straw mat and tie the ropes to my body before approaching the man. He's barely breathing, a big wound is visible in his abdomen, I try to move him on the straw mat without bending his abdomen... Still, a trail of blood is visible behind him as I drag him out of the tend -Help me rise him up!-

Once he's secured on the cart the young boy begins treating to his injuries -Be fast- I warn him, he looks terrified at my words but eventually nods and move back in with me.

That's right, he's sadly one of those inevitable sacrifices that always happens in war. We don't have time to be too meticulous or every single man will die because of a few.

I grab the next man and hear the one behind the nurse coughing up, I look to his side and see blood gushing out his lungs -He's having a respiratory deficiency! He has a perforated lung so I...!- the nurse scream and everyone else around us freeze, looking at me for orders.

I shake my head and a few men gulps down knowing that he's going to die soon... Yet nobody does anything and keep moving out to save themselves, that's the human instinct kicking in.

The dying man keeps loosing blood, I walk toward him and take my sword out -What are you doing?! No... Miss... No...!- he yells, crying for the pain of seeing one more life ending in front of his eyes.

The nurse grabs my leg -Why do you have to kill him...?- he asks but I've already pierced the man's heart to put an end to his suffering -I had to do this a hundred times already, that's how we soldiers help eachother in one last act of compassion- I feel bad looking at those teary eyes that so much resembles Nan -I'm doing it for him and for us all too, you will eventually understand-.

...

Once everyone's on the carts I take out a sword and turn around -Go now!-

He Rang turns around before jumping on the cart attached to the nurse's horse -What?-

-It's an order! Go!- at my words everyone departs but not He Rang and the Nurse -Not without you!- I look at him briefly as I feel the black smoke approaching me and clouding my mind -It's me they're after, so just leave now!- but he doesn't listen and comes closer -Was this your plan since the beginning?! Are you crazy?! What are we gonna do anyway, if you die here uh?!!! You're the one meant to save us, remember? Now get on that damn cart-

-He Rang, if I get on that cart we will only get chased endlessly and won't be able to hold out more than a day... You have someone waiting for you at home, so think about saving yourself now. I'll manage something-

He growls frustrated and hits his head against the sword in his hand -Manage my ass, I know you have no powers left now and will die as soon as you start fighting-

I turn around and try to reassure him with a smile -I'm not that weak- but the next thing I feel is a heavy hit on my neck and I loose consciousness -That thing is not gonna work on me, Lai'Er. I'm sorry- his voice appears distant before it all turns black.

...

-Not so weak... Yeah sure... Talking big and playing the hero as always, as if you don't have someone waiting for you too. You can be an idiot too sometimes, Miss Ying- sighs He Rang hissing her on the cart -Start the horse-

The nurse looks back worried -Are you alright?- his eyes falls on the injured leg -Yeah, I am fine don't worry and just go please... We need to reach the others and come up with a plan before it's too late-