14 Aftermath

Nathan's POV:

The Captains have decided to send everyone to attack the Dark Clouds reinforcements at the same time. We have near a hundred troops in the field at the moment, that Carnotaurus doesn't stand a chance.

My friends have been doing a great job destroying the buildings in the outpost with their Triceratops. Leonard has even dismounted his dinosaur and is fighting the enemies with his new battle axe. The others are still on their tames.

Wait a minute... where did my Parasaur go? I left him on the backlines near captain Lafina, but I never saw him again... Did he just run away?

Whatever... There are more important things to worry about. For now, I can be glad that my mother is safe.

Finally arriving at the frontlines again, I see the Carnotaurus and the Raptors that came with it being completely destroyed by our side. Those giant Bears that the members of Captain Lafina's division have are super strong as well, they're a bit bigger than a Raptor and can easily push back the Carnotaurus. It wasn't long before the reinforcements got annihilated, the difference in the number of tames was just too great. The surviving enemies started to evacuate, running north in hopes of going past the True Ice Mountains, where they'd be safe in their territory, but Captain Zlodey and Captain Lafina made sure no one escaped by using their Dimorphodons. Each time they dived in from high above, it was like the air was being cut by their tames wings, making some sort of loud 'cutting' sound in the air. Following that, there were only the screams from our enemies.

It wasn't long before the battle was over. The Carno rider and a few other soldiers were made prisoners so we could get some information about their plans from them.

But it seems that their Captain Tellius is nowhere to be found, he must have retreated back north even before the battle started. I wonder if he thought his people could easily defend the outposts, or if he knew they were doomed and decided to run away. Either way, he's till alive.

It seems Jason managed to completely burn down the other outpost that was nearby, and by himself too... I wonder if he got out alive.

Everyone is returning from the battle. It seems that everything is over now. I only got to kill two of the enemies, not much compared to the others, but since I was on foot, I couldn't get too close to the big battles, otherwise I'd probably get a Raptor running towards me and ripping me to shreds.

Either way, it appears that we also had a few losses. Some of Lafina's guys are carrying their fallen comrades bodies back to the tents... I guess deaths are inevitable in a battle like this.

The people that were captured also seem the be alright, they seem relieved to be finally free after a few days of starving.

My friends also return with their tames, it seems none of them are injured.

"Hey guys, good job out there." I say, glad they came back in one piece.

"Thanks. This is much different than I thought it would be. Killing people I mean." Miguel says, and all of them look down... I guess they had their first kill today.

I also felt really weird when I first killed a person. But I couldn't feel bad, they are pure evil and attacked us. We must not hold back.

Behind them, Captain Zlodey also returns from the battlefield.

"Good job you all. Not gonna lie, It's great seeing all of my division finally coming back alive from a battle."

"You say that like you're used to your division getting killed all the time..."

"Well, I am used to that."

.......

A soft voice breaks the awkward silence.

"Perhaps if you trained them a bit before going to war, they would have more chances of returning with their lives you know?" Captain Lafina joins the conversation.

"I knew they'd manage. They even saved their Triceratops on their own when they first met."

"If you say so... Now come." Lafina grabs Zlodey's arm and starts dragging him off to her tent.

"You guys can return to base... don't wait for me." Captain Zlodey says while being 'kidnapped' by Lafina.

"I wonder if there will be any babies out of that..." Daniel says, while we all witness our Captain being defenceless against his worse enemy, a woman...

They disappear into her tent.

"I'll go see my mother and help the others that were captured. You guys can go back to base without me."

My friends nod and start having their way back to base.

I wonder where my Parasaur Skye is... I hope it didn't get killed.

Once again I go to the tent where my mother and Allen are, so I can check up on them.

I enter it, and realize my mother has fallen asleep. She must really be tired after everything that has happened to her... Nick's body is in the corner, waiting to be properly buried. Allen is next to my mother, but simply sitting and wide awake. I should see if he needs anything.

"Hey there buddy, are you alright.?"

"Hi..."

.... He must still be scared, I should try being friendly.

"Do you need anything? There is still lots more food if you're hungry?"

"My leg hurts..."

"Let me check."

He has a little scratch near his foot, must have hurt himself while running here. I reach my bag to check if there are any healing plants left, and there's one.

"This will burn a bit okay? But I promise you'll feel much better after."

I crush the plant to little pieces and tub them on the wound. Allen doesn't react at all but I know it's hurting a bit.

"There you go, it will heal much faster now!" I tell him, positively.

"Miss Kat is also hurt, Nick pushed her so an arrow didn't hit her and she fell on her arm. She didn't tell anyone but I saw a bit of blood."

I lift the sleeve of my mom's shirt just a bit to check her arm, and there is indeed a bit of blood, although it doesn't seem to be anything serious. Either way, I'm out of healing plants now, and I'm sure she'd tell me to use everything I have to heal Allen instead.

"Don't worry, it's not too bad. You should rest as well Allen, it's been a long time since you last slept properly."

"Alright..."

He lays next to my mom and covers himself with the same blanked she is using.

"I'll be leaving now, someone will come to tell you where to go at a later time okay?"

"Okay. Thank you."

I give the kid a quick smile and leave the tent.

I would like to ask Captain Zlodey about that Endwalker diary stuff now, but he's busy with Lafina...

Guess I should search for my lost Parasaur.

I return to the last place I had seen him and try thinking of where he could have went.

The outpost is right up ahead, I doubt he ran into the battle. He also didn't run back, otherwise I would have crossed paths with him by now. To the sides then.

If he went to the left, then he must have crossed the forest to run from the battlefield. He'd eventually come across a huge lake and stay there.

I decide to look that way. Crossing the forest, I see some broken branches on the ground, indicating that something or someone has been here before. According to Captain Zlodey, this woods are not used as hunting grounds, so it is likely that it was my Parasaur that came through here.

"Skye? Are you here? Skye?"

I call out for him, hoping that he'd show up.

A few more steps ahead, I finally find clear evidence that he was here. His saddle was on the ground, not sure how he managed to get it off, but at least I know he's nearby.

I keep going forward, until finally leaving the forest, and reaching the lake. This lake separates the Warrirors territory from the other tribes on the other side, to the east. Though I have no idea who they are.

I hear some noise from my right, and looking over there, I finally spot him. Drinking from the lake, there he was, Skye. And he wasn't alone. Two more Parasaurs were next to him.

I guess I should leave him with his new family... I'm fine with walking anyway.

And so, I entered the forest again without making any contact with the Parasaur. On the way back, I pick up the saddle, it can be useful someday, and it isn't that heavy so I can easily carry it.

I really am unlucky when it comes to Parasaurs.. I first eat the one I stole some eggs from, and now my mount leaves me for another of his kind...

Well, it is what it is. I hope the Captains have finished their private business by now, I'm really curious about what mom told me. Jason has always been a very secretive man and never shared anyting, maybe this is important.

I return to camp, after a very tiring day.