Smell of Blood Aftermath

Mary Cruent. Month 10, Day 16, Year A.F 652. Neil Principality.

Ugh, my head hurts way too much. I hold myself up with my sword, stabbing it into the ground. The ground groans and I look down to see a pile of metal and men.

Shock fills me as I realize where I sat. The smell of blood and steel coalesce into an unbearable aroma, inducing in me, nausea I've never felt before.

A shout calls to me, "Hey! Mary! You awake!?"

I look towards the shout and Egon comes to view, I look at him in question before jumping down. My muscle suddenly aches as every part of my body shakes.

Before I could react, I was already spitting blood. I look to Egon in question, "What happened?"

He shrugs, "You went berserk like last time."

That explains the blood scattered everywhere, even my clothing, I smell it and my face scrunched in disgust, "I see,"

I sheath back my sword before looking around. The rubble remained, decorated by the corpses and armors the demon knights came with.

The Albrien Company seems to have surrendered and the barrage stopped. With no sign of battle, Im assuming Lady Ivrida held on her side.

I spoke as I finish inspecting my surroundings, "Then have we won."

Egon nods in affirmation and I show a small smile, "That's great."

I walk away from the pile of corpses scattered all over the rubble, I raise my hand in goodbye then I spoke, "Tell me when something happens, I gotta eat first and refill."

The exasperated sigh from Egon was something I chose to ignore since I still have to rest. I walk through the destroyed streets.

The view elicits from me a sigh of lamentation, the once prosperous streets filled with joy and wealth were now nothing more but death and ashes.

I walk through the city, before looking at its centre. The Prince's mansion, a sign of wealth and pedigree, is covered in smoke and ash.

"Ah, Michael are you really ready for what we're about to embark on," I spoke to myself as I rub my head, smiling wrily from the blood, I forgot was there.

A sharp pain runs through me before I decide to run, my room growing closer each step. I stop to my door, quickly going inside and locking the door.

With my safety ensured, I immediately head to the bathroom. Coughing violently as my nose bled and my stomach churned with a feeling of a thousand needles.

The moment felt like an eternity, my injuries heal as a thousand cuts seemingly pass. I stood up with my legs violently shaking, a small reprieve comes and I sat at my table, eating everything I have stocked up.

A satisfied smile settles on my face as I close my eyes, satisfied from the meal I partook in and the bath I went through, ready to take my afternoon nap. Though my perfect chance for sleep was interrupted by a knock coming from the door.

I sigh before shouting, "Wait! I'll be out in a minute."

A quick change of clothes later, I open the door with an irritated expression.

"What!"

Egon raises an eyebrow before shaking his head, choosing to ignore my tantrum,

"You are being called to the Prince's war meeting."

"I see," I walk in the direction of the former meeting and Egon follows.

I raise an eyebrow, "Will you be joining me there?"

He nods as he replied, "Yes, there would be a need for witnesses to testify for Alvin's betrayal."

The situation will be a bit sensitive, even with the current victory against Don. I cannot let my guard down, since the bastard could lie his way out of this mess.

"I see, then let us go quickly." The words end with a dash and Egon closely follows.

After a few moments of weaving through the rubble, I stop in front of the door. I open it with a stride, taking in the room's occupants.

They all seem to be here, every occupant yesterday. I took a seat as their eyes gather on me, Egon stands by my side as I spoke,

"So? What is this meeting for?"

The Prince looks at me fearfully, his middle-aged features a bit fearful of the current affairs,

"Um, I was wondering if I could have the Prince-heir of Don."

My face contorts in irritation, as the Prince in front of me flinch away. The atmosphere thickens as bloodlust drowns the room, seeing their reaction I spoke in a malicious grin,

"Why should I?"

The Prince looks around fearfully hoping to find help from the three other occupants, he cough before he spoke with hesitation,

"It's part of the agreement."

A smirk was all he got as a reply before I gestured for Egon to speak,

"The contract stipulates that any taken loot are to be given to the company who won it."

The Prince stutters as he tries to respond, "That's a bit." He smiles, "I mean Miss Mary, I don't think he would be even much use for you."

I lean to my chair with a serious expression, resting my chin on my hand

"Perhaps, but doesn't give you the right to demand him from me."

The man panics for a bit, "How about I try to pay you all back today."

I shrug my shoulders, "Sure, I'll be open to negotiations by then."

"I see, then I shall be taking my leave, I'll have to prepare it for all of you." He spoke as he immediately left the room.

The resounding laughter after he left came from Brin, "Haha, let's fucking see if he doesn't pay us now."

Dave nods, "Yeah, kinda glad this shit is done. Hated working with that guy."

"I agree, though perhaps he would pay us in due this time, seeing as he has one less to pay," Lady Ivrida nods her head in agreement.

I only listen to their words, realizing I have the upper hand this time, I spoke to myself,

"I'm gonna have to drain him for all he's worth."