Chapter 116 - Results

Zaos, Verkan, and the rest of the company tried to chase the archers, but they were stopped by some riders. They didn't have time to fight their way out, so Zaos changed his tactics. He cast wind magic over the sword again two times, and when he had the chance, he fired wind balls through the tip of his sword and hit the legs of several horses. The attack broke their legs, and the riders became easy targets for the rest of the company.

In the end, Zaos and Verkan reached another company of archers. They began to kill them, but they only could do so much while the enemies were doing their best to escape. Zaos knocked down several archers, but the mana in his sword eventually was completely used. Zaos tried to chase them again, but Verkan stopped him.

"No… we can't chase them too far," Verkan said as he turned around and saw that they were almost two kilometers away from the eastern gate.

"But we only destroyed one company and a half of archers," Zaos said. "We won't have another chance like this, and they will be a pain in the ass with the wind in their favor."

"It can't be helped… Besides, it is not like we didn't achieve an astonishing victory here," Verkan said as he pointed toward some groups of enemies that wouldn't be able to escape. "Let's finish those off and retreat… we need to see your wound in the stomach as well."

In the end, only one company of the enemies' infantry managed to escape. Only one hundred of five hundred. As for the cavalry, they didn't have many chances to do anything when they tried to attack the enemy infantry but noticed that their archers were in danger. They lost half of their forces, adding to the number of killed archers… the enemies lost half of the soldiers they used on the first attack. As for his allies… Zaos had no idea how many of them they lost.

When the last group of enemies that failed to escape fell, Zaos blood cooled down, and he began to feel the pain all over his body. He fought too hard, so it wasn't surprising that his muscles were sore. The pain in his stomach was particularly troublesome, but it was bearable.

"You did well, men," Verkan raised his voice. "We showed these cuts, which are the true warriors here."

Verkan's company cheered loudly, even though they lost forty soldiers. The other companies seemed a little better, so it looked like Verkan was right. They won the first battle. Regardless, Zaos didn't feel that victorious. He felt like crap since he was dirt with blood all over and because the smell of a battlefield was as nauseating as always. Blood, dirt, sweat… even shit. Few people had the chance not to shit themselves before dying, those who were brave enough and didn't fear death, and those that died without realizing it.

While the soldiers that participated in the battle entered the Rustbury, those who stayed inside the walls left to check those who were too wounded to move and also to recover any weapons and armor that death left behind. In a long fight, soldiers had to worry about many things. Wearing a damaged armor or shield that could fail in the last moment to protect them shouldn't be one.

Although the water was as cold as it could be, there was plenty for everyone to clean themselves and their wounds. Zaos was quick to do so and check the arrow wound on his belly, it was small, but he had to clean it and then close it with magic. Those who saw him fighting up close couldn't help but frown when they saw him with no armor. He was slightly big for his age, but his physical didn't scare anyone. He was a kid through and through… but his allies knew it. That kid made even more than most of the captains.

"It isn't as bad as I thought," Verkan said while looking at the wound.

"I healed myself a few times while I was out there," Zaos said.

"You should keep healing. We have plenty of potions for you to use," Verkan said. "Once you are done that, it would help a lot if you could use magic to heal the wounds of the members of our company."

"Not those that are too wounded and might die?" Zaos asked.

"We lost two hundred men, and two hundred others were wounded," Verkan said. "Even with all those potions, you can't save everyone. Believe me, you will save many more by focusing on killing the enemies. No one will blame you for helping your company only… regardless, rest for a while after that. If my guess is right, those worms will return at night."

A battle at night… the last thing that Zaos wanted. After a long sigh, Zaos proceeded to tend his wound. While he was doing that, he couldn't help but wonder if the redhead girl had some potions that could restore health, that probably would save the lives of many soldiers. While the stock in the shop might be limited, it was better than nothing. Then Zaos realized that medicine was one of the first things the soldiers would look for. Her shop probably sold or gave everything since she didn't want to run her parent's business.

After closing his wound, Zaos proceeds to help his allies. Meanwhile, Verkan went to check things with Arlen. He found the old man at the tents where the strategic meetings were held, and there, he was taking into account the losses while he plans for the next battle.

"Verkan… you survived, huh," Arlen said. "I can't say that I bet that you would kick the bucket this time, but I imagined you would return pretty beaten up. You did a good job like you said you would."

"Did you watch everything?" Verkan asked.