Chapter 90: Neverending Tears
A cry was ripped out of her throat painfully as she was dragged away from her father.
Once the other monsters were taken care of, the knights realized the true extent of the battle. Sir Gunnar was the first to look for his apprentices, seeing one of them in shambles on top of their father who was out cold for the time being. However, the blood coming from his body would make anyone believe otherwise if it weren’t for the faint rise and fall of his chest once his child was no longer over him.
Gunnar remained steadfast as he wrapped his arms around Irene and prevented her from going to her father again.
"We must allow them to do what they need to save him," Gunnar persisted gently despite the sheer strength of someone who was coming out of shock and feeling everything at once. "We will wrap his arm and take him to the mages immediately."
"I-I’ll do it," Irene uttered. "I’ll save him. Please, sir."
Her pleading caused the knight to squeeze his eyes shut for a moment. He had seen Iro in a few emotional situations but none quite as severe as what he was witnessing unfold. It seemed he and all of the apprentices he cared for were bound together by horrible events. This was the last way he ever wanted to bond with the youngest apprentice.
He could feel her trembling in his arms as he sat with her and they watched the other knights remove his helmet and simply make sure his head was alright before they would move him. Leif was tasked with retrieving saddlebags with supplies and they did what they could to wrap his arm, making sure there was adequate pressure so he wouldn’t bleed to death on the way back.
"Take Iro, please," Gunnar ordered quietly.
Irene soon felt someone else handling her and she turned her head to see Felix gently guiding her. He helped her to her feet and began to take her to the forest where squires were gathering as many horses as they could.