Chapter 10: Not Safe!

Serenah had lost track of time as she continued healing the wounded. She saw the worry in her aide's and knight's eyes, but she ignored it. The one thing she was confident about was her healing ability. From the first time her ability manifested, she knew she was different from other healers. Her power seemed limitless. While others would get tired after an hour or two of healing, she felt energized.

"My Lady?"

Startled, she jerked her head up and looked over her shoulder at Lael. "Yes?"

"You need to take a break. Everyone else has had one. Please don't push yourself."

She smiled at her maid and friend. "I'm not tired. I can do more. Let everyone else rest. This battle will go on for a while longer because father and Amanah want it that way. It won't be thrilling for them if it ends too soon."

The flap to the tent was abruptly jerked open and a soldier ran in, red faced and panting.

"The enemy has broken completely through and are heading this way!"

Serenah jumped to her feet. Without hesitation she gave orders.

"Everyone, we're leaving! Help the injured. If they are able to walk, pair them up. Grab the stretchers. Anyone here with levitation magic?"

A nervous-looking nurse raised her hand. She smiled softly. "Good. Use your powers to help the ones that can't walk. Let's go, everyone."

All the tent's personnel burst into action. Within five minutes, the group was heading out the back of the tent. Serenah took the lead with Alastar and Lael close by her side.

"Princess, once we relocate, we must leave," Alastar informed her, his stoic expression giving nothing away.

She frowned and nodded. She trusted his instincts more than her own. If he felt it unsafe, he wouldn't hesitate to throw her over his shoulder and make a run for it. He had done that on a couple of occasions throughout the years. It was not something she wanted to repeat.

Glancing at the sky she noted that it was getting near evening time. In the distance, the sounds of fighting continued. When would it all be over? She wanted to go home but fear of Autem's retribution if she left kept her from fleeing the battlefield.

"My Lady, there it is." Lael pointed to a big tent toward the back of the troops heading toward the center of the plains.

"Alright, everyone! Let's get the wounded inside."

The healers rushed to do her bidding. It took fifteen minutes and then everything was settled. She sighed and rubbed her neck. This was turning into a long day. She closed her eyes, took a fortifying breath, and went back to healing.

~***~

King Bayrel glared at the messenger before him. The battle was going well. They were winning, just as Autem had promised. It was a glorious day indeed until the young soldier before him had arrived. He scowled. How dare his youngest come to the battlefield in secret? He had told her to stay home. And what the hell was her guard doing letting her come here? He would have words with Alastar when he returned.

"Where is she now?"

"She and the healers had to move when the right flank was breached by the enemy. They are now in the main healing tent in the center of our encampment."

"Well then, shall I pay my brave soldiers a visit?" Smirking, he strode from the tent followed by the nervous news bearer.

He climbed up into the saddle and swiftly rode to the center of the camp. He arrived, ignoring the bowing soldiers, and entered the tent, stopping when he spotted his daughter in the far corner. The silver and violet glow of her healing a bright beacon for all to see. He hated the color which matched her hair. It was a constant reminder that she was useless to him.

"Serenah!"

A hush fell on the tent's occupants at his growled tone. Bayrel stalked toward her. He watched his youngest stiffen before gently patting the wounded soldier's hand and standing.

She turned; her face expressionless as she bowed in his direction.

"My King, welcome to the healing tent."

He studied her closely, aggravated by her calm demeanor. It was another thing he hated about her. The calm she exuded goaded him into doing things to rattle her cultivated façade.

"Pray tell, Daughter, why are you here?" His tone was pleasant and mocking.

She blinked, wariness filling her eyes. He almost laughed. He enjoyed seeing her off balance. It made disciplining her so much fun.

"I was ordered by Autem to attend this battle."

Fury rose at her words. Did she dare disobey him to follow a god's orders? Without hesitation he slapped her hard, splitting her lip.

She gasped but stood her ground. Her defiance irritated him. "You will return home. Prepare yourself for punishment."

A hint of tears glistened in her eyes. Good, he had hurt her feelings. She would obey or suffer. He preferred watching her suffer. More enjoyable for him.

She opened her mouth to reply but snapped it shut when a messenger ran into the tent shouting, "Your Majesty, come quick! The enemy is charging straight toward us!"

The tent erupted into chaos as Bayrel, hurried from the tent, the messenger on his heels. Time to seal his victory and put an end to his enemies. He would worry about his daughter later.