Chapter 26: Past memories (7) - Great news

Sun soon set on the horizon and the weather turned cold but not chilly to an unbearable extent. Darkness followed and the temperature continued to drop as did Lireesa's mood at the moment. Sena besides her who always seemed to be optimistic was now biting her lips, showing how nervous she was at the moment. They were now expecting the worst and had to decide to leave. Because time was never on the sight. The best result would be the other two groups were still alive and had some difficulties in meeting strict time demands. Even then if they didn't regroup fast enough, their chances of survival behind enemy lines become slim.

Lireesa turned her head and glanced at the rangers who gather around together except for necessary personnels responsible for sentry. She looked at their faces carefully and sensed the dull atmosphere surrounding. Although no one said it out, they didn't feel their remaining companions had their luck, because even they themselves had to face severe and most dangerous battle. Fortunately, they were able to overcome the crisis together and not one elf was hurt seriously. Lireesa even contemplated whether she needed to check on the lost troops' status by herself and shook her head denying the option.

Ella came beside Lireesa and whispered in her ears softly, "I'm afraid of the fact that they were alive and lost the sense of direction rather than meeting their unfortunate fate. Do we wait one day longer in case?" Lireesa's eyes now rarely showed her confusion. As a leader, her decision meant life and death of her subordinates and there was no right or wrong in these circumstances. To decide on other's life just based on her mouth gave a sickening feeling. She was even sure to be disgusted at herself, if she really made a decision.

Currently, apart from worrying her fellow comrades, she was also undecisive on the matter of starting fire. Because the temperature would get colder as time passed by and she wasn't sure if her subordinates could bear the coldness. She wasn't worried of herself or her friends, because high-level physique was stronger and more resilient. At last, even though lighting fire brought incredible risk of exposure, it was better than people freezing to death. She ordered her subordinates and decided to scout the area around, to increase the protection. She was going to take away Sena and with two high-level ranger she believed scouting became an overkill. Leaving Ella to manage her subordinates was much more stable than appointing Sena.

Before she was about to talk with her sister, one of the rangers who was responsible for sentry came to report quickly to her. Lireesa raised her eyebrows predicting why she was in a hurry, but her face turned into relief when she discovered the sentry's expression was emitting happiness. She asked, "What happened that your face is blooming."

The sentry blushed her face and asked, "Am I so obvious, Captain?"

Receiving a nod from her captain, she continued her report: "We've found the rest of our sisters. Although, at the moment, only five of them had arrived."

"What!" Sena who just came heard the information exclaimed in shock. "Why only five?"

"Ah. Ma'am, you didn't let me finish." The sentry was also dumbfounded, why her superiors were quick in their judgement. Lireesa shook her head amused because she'd already read the sentry's mind, she expected only good news. As she thought, the sentry quickly completed her reports: "I mean five of them had reported they're safe for the moment, but they need our help to move the rest of the sisters, because many are injured."

Lireesa tensed up after hearing many were injured. "How many?"

The sentry shook her head. Lireesa decided to ask personally and said, "Take me to them."

Sena also followed her to observe the coming five rangers. She understood what Lireesa had in mind. A commander must be cautious in every aspect even the options of being betrayed must not be scratched out. After they arrived at a place where five of them were waiting for them, Lireesa was relieved but at the same time her suspicion didn't decrease. All five of the women had their clothes worn out. There were even some tears and wears showing the whiteness. They all looked horrible, but their eyes instantly brightened when they discovered Lireesa welcomed them personally.

"Can you tell me in detail why only five of you come," asked Lireesa.

They looked at each other and one of them came up and replied, "Most of us were injured to an extent, and some cannot move. So, they are placed in secure locations before the five of us come and contact to bring some help to our remaining sisters."

Lireesa's and Sena's eyes met in the middle and believed what they were told was already the truth. Besides, it wasn't best for her to show suspicions toward her own subordinates. Lireesa could only comfort them and said, "You girls can take a rest, but I'm sorry to ask one of you to lead the way for me and my companion. We want to see your situation with our own eyes and decide our next plan. I hope that doesn't trouble you."

"No trouble. Not at all, Ma'am." The same girl replied and volunteered to serve as a guide. Lireesa nodded her head and asked her to wait for a while. Meanwhile, Ella arrived as soon as she received the news. Even though she didn't say it out, among the three, she was definitely the most worried.

Lireesa told her what she intended to do next and said, "I'll take Sena with me to study the situation there." Ella agreed giving an imperceptible nod and smirked at Sena, whose face turned bitter. Sena initially thought Ella was following Lireesa, but the realities was different from her expectations. She really didn't want to go. So, she refuted, "Why not Ella but me?"

Lireesa didn't say more, yet she merely ogled at Sena without changing her face. Sena also stared back, not wanting to back off from what she wanted to do. At last, Sena was really helpless and no match with Lireesa. She raised her hands to indicate her surrender. "Okay, you're captain. Your decision is final."

Lireesa said to the volunteer girl, "Do you want to rest before going?" To which, she refused and added that her companions needed her more now and the sooner this finished, the better the overall situation would be for her sisters. They were already expecting to regroup soon. Sena with an impatient face came along nearly frightening the girl if she did anything wrong. After discovering her effect on someone unrelated, she explained to the girl, "I'm just angry at unscrupulous boss who regarded her subordinates as clothing."

Sena then snorted and walked in front. The girl was puzzled and her eyes drifted to Lireesa and to Sena. She remained silent and resumed her role. She said silently in her heart, Gods fight, mortal suffers. It's better to be ignorant.

Lireesa was puzzled at first after the look on the girl's face became more and more wrong. She knew Sena must be responsible. Never mind, she thought, I'll bullied her when we return home. Let her know who her superior is.

Three of them raced across the forest during the darkest hour. Luckily as the elven race, their night vision was still there. Their footwork seemed very light and powerful; even after running for a long time, their stamina was sufficient. Their movements were as nimble as a cat, producing a very soft sound, which was still louder than the buzzing insects. The sound was still deceiving if other heard it, because most would regard it as a passing-by beast. The girl leading in front of them had a mid-level peak power and could be regarded as elite of the elite in the Windrunners family.

Only after an hour of quick travel, the girl stopped and initiated a secret communication by imitating the owl. She soon received a reply. Even Lireesa didn't know their meaning, but their tone of owls had a slight difference in terms of rhythm and pauses, as if anyone other than them replicating would instantly be discovered. The girl signaled both Lireesa and Sena to follow her in weird directions. Both knew there must be trapped laid down for early warnings. Before Lireesa and Sena had elevated level of cautions, extremely vigilant on the route. Only now their wariness dropped but remained slightly guarded.

As soon as they arrived, their most wanted two fellow officers quickly came forward to greet the girl and turned toward both of them. After seeing both Lireesa and Sena, who were completely relieved after seeing the situation of the camp clearly, their expression changed from ecstatic to bitterness. As someone in their position, they already knew the meaning expressed by Lireesa and couldn't help but have some sadness. Lireesa, prudent in every aspect in her groups, would never chill the hearts of her subordinates. She rushed quickly toward the two of them and hugged them by the waist, catching them off-guard, since they weren't really familiar with Lireesa.

Lireesa said, "My sisters, Sariria and Tarilia. We're always worried about you. Luckily nothing happens to your group. Forgive me sisters, every decision I make must be prudent to avoid jeopardizing my soldiers. I hope your heart can understand my decision."

One of them replied, "It's okay. We understand. We must avoid what we can if necessary. We heard you." The other continued, "It's a bit of disappointment at first, but we still feel happy for your care."

Sariria Sharpgaze and Tarilia Sunburn, if not for the different surnames, Lireesa would have thought they were siblings, because their synergy was actually stronger than the twins. They were separate detachment who weren't with Lireesa when her group retreated to the rally point, which was to gather people at the end of the day after finishing scout missions. Their missions were completely in a different direction from Lireesa's location and didn't experience what Lireesa's group had. Fortunately, it never was; otherwise, Lireesa and Sena would never see them again.

Speaking of different experience, what did they encounter to have suffered so many casualties, Sena had an explicable thought.

She asked her doubts at the two sisters. After listening to their stories, there was only two words in her mind including Lireesa. What a 'shit luck'.