Jack walked outside of the cave to a very different environment to the one he remembered arriving to when they"d first gotten to the camp. It was light outside, and overcast. From the way things looked overhead, it couldn"t be much more than mid-day. The central clearing that had once been tall gra.s.s with scattered firepits was now largely a torn-up mudpit, with standing puddles in ruts torn by fallen bodies that had since been removed out of sight. The couple of wooden tables that had previously been located in the s.p.a.ce were all broken, as evidenced by their absence, and large wooden splinters pressed into the dirt where they used to be. There were no bedrolls either, but considering the fact that the ground was a soggy disaster area, that wasn"t much of a shock.The makeshift kitchen still stood at the end of the clearing to his right. There was a slow fire burning underneath a large metal pot supported by a metal stand. Several people stood around it, talking in low tones amongst themselves as they ate spoonfuls of something steaming out of wooden bowls.
Directly across from him, on the far side of the ruined clearing, stood a large dark canvas tent that had not been there previously. As he watched, several forms walked in and out, carrying things in or out. Those who carried things in seemed to be in a hurry. Those who left were often covered in blood. Probably a makeshift hospital for the wounded, he guessed.
To the left of him, where they"d initially entered the camp, several armed men were talking rather earnestly with Farien, who, even at this distance, looked pale and tired. His left arm was in a sling, and he had a bandage wound around his head. In spite of this, he seemed to be giving instructions, as he pointed to several places around the camp as he spoke. Once he finished, the men dispersed, leaving him alone. As Farien turned to survey the rest of the camp, he made eye contact with Jack, and his expression contorted into disbelief, then confusion. Jack waved to him, and the younger brother walked over.
"I have to say, you"re made of awfully st.u.r.dy stuff to already be up and about." Farien said, appraising him. "Most of our healers were convinced you were a dead man."
"So was I." Jack said, scratching the back of his head. "One of the benefits of my Talents is that I have the ability to heal incredibly quickly."
"Among other things, apparently." Farien replied, glancing at Jack"s armor. He looked Jack in the eye as he offered him his good hand. "Well, I"m glad you"re alright. You took a h.e.l.l of a beating out there."
"Same with you." Jack said, shaking the young man"s hand. He motioned to the sling around Farien"s left arm. "What happened to your arm?
"Eh, one of the b.u.g.g.e.rs hiding in the trees around the edge of the clearing caught me with a crossbow bolt. Didn"t do any permanent damage, but the healers tell me I need to keep it from moving much until it has time to heal properly so it doesn"t make itself worse." Farien replied, looking at the sling in irritation.
Jack grimaced. "Sorry to hear that."
He looked around, then asked "So, my two traveling companions... do you have any idea where they are?"
Farien glanced around over his shoulder, then shrugged, before flinching at the pain this action caused.
"Can"t say I know where Rose is. Madeleine is currently recovering in the hospital tent." Farien said, motioning to the canvas building behind him.
Jack"s eyes widened.
"What do you mean she"s recovering in the tent? What happened?"
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