Dorothea didn’t have the proper words to describe the sheer brutality of what she had witnessed. At the moment, though, all she needed to do was hurry and get her job done so they could all leave the area and be truly safe. “I’m almost done, sorry,” she said softly as she moved to the next body. It took more time and effort the more decomposed or destroyed a body was. That was why she had rushed out of Shark’s grip at the start; she’d needed to hurry before the corpses got caught up in the carnage.

With their organs restored and flesh resealed, the fallen Sacerian soldiers woke with gasps and starts. Before they could get a single collective moment to process, Cerid had bowed with his forehead and palms pressed to the dirt.

“I am sorry!” he declared. “I am so sorry for my failure. I hesitated when it was the last thing I should have done.” The words were pleas for forgiveness that held no hope of it being granted.

The soldiers looked winded, but one bent beside Cerid, encouraging him to sit up. “You survived. That was all you were tasked with.”

“Don’t forget, Cerid, that you’re the reason they’re all alive. You brought Thea here,” Shark offered with an encouraging smile.

“I… I did…” Cerid didn’t look comforted.

“I can’t believe it,” another of the revived soldiers gasped. “Brought back from the dead. Extremis must have been watching over us.” He clasped his hands after invoking the name of the Pantheon of Old’s ruler of life and death.

“Or Pico,” Rhys murmured, looking at Dorothea with a slight smile.

She shook her head at his reference to the God of time. “That’s not a comparison I’m special enough to deserve.” It was difficult, trying to keep up with how easily they shifted from battle to casual chatting. Fear still coursed through her so intensely that she wondered how she was going to get to her feet.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Rhys commented offhand before continuing to everyone. “I’ll explain everything on the way back to Springen. We’ll also need an official incident report from all of you to corroborate with Cerid’s.”

Formality and duty snapped back in, and any semblance of celebration ended. “Captain Tamlin. Of course,” one soldier replied. “Thank you for your efforts on our behalf.”

Rhys explained Cerid’s actions, which he painted as nothing short of heroic, much to the boy’s flushed embarrassment, and Dorothea and Shark’s presence. As Cerid continued to act dejected, Rhys addressed him gently but firmly.

“You made a mistake and you rectified it,” he said. “There’s no shame in this if you learn and grow. Don’t become a victim to that shame by letting it hold you back. In other words, don’t let one mistake breed more. You did a wonderful job today; you can have some pride in yourself.”

Cerid bit his lip and looked at the ground, nodding.

Rhys frowned and spoke almost to himself as his brow furrowed in thought. “Bold of them… Attacks like these.”

And those bold methods were paying off, it seemed. “Is it much different from their tactics up to this point?” Dorothea asked.

“It’s more like a return to the tactics they commonly used at the start of the war,” Rhys noted. “Back when we could all afford to be vicious.”

“It’s a sure sign of desperation, isn’t it?” Shark posited.

“Maybe…” Rhys shook his head. “For now, everyone, spend the rest of the day with your loved ones. They’ll be happy to see you back.” He looked at Dorothea and Shark next. “And the two of you should be able to go home after we’ve created an incident report and formed a contract between Sacer and Sirpo. Sorry for the delay.”

Dorothea shook her head. “Not at all.” It was a small trade. Sacer got back a few lives that could easily be lost again and Sirpo got protection. Really, the Sacerians were getting the raw end of the deal.

“And thank you, too,” Rhys added. “For doing what you did.” Thanks, polite but not grateful, had passed along the revived soldiers to her. Given that their battle wasn’t over yet, it made more sense for their enthusiasm to be on the lower end.

“It’s no problem.” And on that note, Rhys had been injured as well. In grappling with the unnamed Ghurian woman, he’d sustained what looked to be light frostbite, small but angry patches, on his face and wrist. It didn’t look too bad, but it was better to treat it. “Hold still a moment, please, Rhys.”

He looked at her questioningly as she approached, but, when she reached up to touch his cheek on the afflicted area, he flinched away. Surprised, she tried once more and got the same reaction. There was no way he wasn’t aware he was hurt, so what was the problem?

“I’m sorry. I should have asked permission.” Maybe that was it, and, if so, he had a point. “May I help?”

He shook his head, looking guarded. “Let’s keep moving.”

Well. Okay then. Dorothea looked at Shark, who returned her cluelessness and answered it with a shrug. The trip resumed with that awkward moment hanging in the air.

When they got back to Springen, a sweltering early afternoon awaited them. As ordered, the soldiers dispersed. Dorothea and Shark were left to their own devices as Rhys left to do whatever military leaders did, and Cerid left for home.

She didn’t know what to say to her friend. “So,” she began, “how do you feel about today?”

They shrugged and stretched their arms behind their back. “I don’t feel one way or the other, really? Besides super hungry. I dunno. But how are you? Feeling tired or weak?”

How was it possible not to feel anything? The two sides had done horrible things to one another. “I’m fine. I didn’t have to strain myself.” She’d thought she wouldn’t have the stomach for food after seeing what she had, but Shark’s words made a growl stir up.

“Good.” Shark grinned and threw an arm around her shoulders as they ambled along towards the soldier’s barracks. “So are we going to talk about how shamelessly that guy was flirting with you?”

“Sorry?”

“Rhys. What, you didn’t notice?” Shark puffed their chest out and mimicked Rhys’ voice to almost humorous effect. “Oh, Dorothea, I think you’re real special.” They laughed.

It hadn’t occurred to her that that constituted flirting. It had just been a few random words, right? “How am I supposed to care about that given what had happened?” Dorothea couldn’t keep her fearful anger down. “How are you being so casual about this? Why does it matter when all you were focused on not too long ago was killing other people?!”

“Woah, Thea. Simmer down.” Shark patted her back. “Would you rather us constantly wallow in the horror of it all or be able to pick ourselves back up and live life? We don’t have a choice, or else it’d kill us.”

Good point. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” Dorothea sighed. “I’m really sorry. I just… What’s terrible to me is routine to the rest of you. And Shark, you’re just…falling right back into it. You talk as if you haven’t left it for a day.”

“Hey, this was a one-time deal. I’m looking forward to going back home just as much as you are.” Shark paused, reflecting. “This life was drilled into me for a long time. I don’t think I’ll ever forget. It surprised me too at first, but I’d rather be able to fight when I need to. I like being able to protect you.” They drew her closer. “Before, I didn’t fight for the things that were precious to me. I fought to get by. But it’s different now with you here. After today, with having you vulnerable behind me, I’m glad I’ve held onto some of what I was taught. I wish I was stronger, even.”

Newfound gratefulness and affection for Shark washed over her. Gods, she was selfish. Self-pity wasn’t helpful to anyone. “I just… It’s really nothing, isn’t it? The legacy of my family, my fate, my parents’ deaths… It’s just a droplet in a rainstorm. Every single person is suffering in some way.” She’d never realized just how uselessly sorry she felt for herself until now.

“That’s the way it is. They made their choice and we made ours.”

“Right.” No, not right at all. She’d been born into Equin’s calm security and thought that, by reading history books about war and having a veteran as a friend, she’d understood the nature and logic of it all. “My head’s spinning, Sharkie.”

“That’s okay. It’ll set itself right once we get home.”

Somehow, those words sounded like nothing more than an excuse.