Aftermath of the battle

Regaining consciousness, Urug saw the familiar ceiling of his bedroom in front of him. Not feeling his body from fatigue and the loss of an abundant amount of rashu, he began to remember what had happened. While thinking, his sensitivity slowly returned, and he felt that someone's soft and gentle hand was holding his hand.

Looking around, Urug saw a sleeping young girl sitting next to his bed on an upholstered chair. Her blonde hair was in disarray, and traces of fatigue and worry were visible on her beautiful face, two strips of frozen tears stretched from her closed eyes.

Seeing her, a warm fatherly smile appeared on Urug's face, just at that moment the girl slowly opened her clear blue eyes and met his gaze. Immediately after that, tears began to flow, and she rushed to hug Urug, who forcefully put his hand on the girl's head.

- Father, I was so worried. I thought you were going to die... The girl whispered softly.

- Forgive me, Elizabeth, I didn't think there would be so many death eaters. But it ended well, stop crying.

Urug said in a soft voice, lifting Elizabeth's head and wiping her tears. Calming down a little, she sat back down on the chair. When she sat down on a chair, Urug carefully looked at her slightly protruding stomach.

- How long have I been unconscious? Urug asked.

- Father, you were unconscious for eight days. I was very worried thinking that you wouldn't wake up... - Saying the last part, tears began to flow again.

- Well, stop crying, I'm all right. Better tell me, are you all right, as a child?

Hearing the question, Elizabeth calmed down a little and put her hand on her slightly protruding stomach.

- It's all right, I've just been feeling a little tired lately, but it's probably because of worries. Elezabeth replied with a smile, stroking her stomach. After a short silence, Elizabeth lightly hit herself on the forehead and said.

- Oh, yes, Father, Vladim wanted to meet with you urgently, he also brought some teenager and a child, saying that you saved them.

After hearing what his daughter said, Urug remembered a teenager with a stronger soul, whom he wanted to take as an apprentice. Sighing, he said.

- That's good, tell the servants to put them in a separate annex and give them the necessary food. - Looking at her appearance and smiling, he added. - Don't forget to put yourself in order, you look like a homeless thief, oh, and please call Vladimir.

Hearing her father's joke about her appearance, her expression slightly distorted. The cromors were round and covered with long hair, small creatures with small legs, most often they are not aggressive, but they really like to eat meat and drink blood. Some rich extravagant people like to keep them as pets.

- All right, Father. Elizabeth said with an empty face, rising from her chair, quickly leaving Uruga's room.

A few minutes later, Vladim entered the room. He was wearing a black linen cape and grey linen trousers. On his feet he had boots made of the skin of some animal. Numerous reddened bandages were visible under the clothes. On his slightly thin and pointed face, calmness and seriousness were visible, and deep in the brown eyes that looked at Urug, devotion was visible.

Entering the room, he bowed without wincing from the pain he was experiencing. Then he said in a serious voice.

- Mr. Urug, I came at your will.

Standing up and leaning on the headboard of the bed, Urug looked at the serious and devoted expression on Vladimir's face, sighing and smiling, he said.

- Vladim, stop being so serious, even though you are my subordinate, you are also my daughter's brother-in-law. Sit down and tell us what our losses are.

Hearing what Urug said, sadness flashed in Vladimir's eyes, and a crooked smile appeared on his face, but it quickly disappeared and after walking around the room, he sat down on a padded chair next to the bed.

-I understand that, and I'm sorry. - After being silent for a while, his face regained a serious expression, and in a serious voice he began the report. - North Gate lost a significant portion of its fifty soldiers, fifteen people were killed and thirty-five wounded. Four people were seriously wounded and unable to fully perform their duties, nine people received moderate injuries and will be able to return to service in the coming weeks, or have already returned, the rest received minor injuries and continue their service. I have already compiled a full written report and will give it to you in the near future.

Having finished his short summary report on the losses, Vladim fell silent. Hearing the losses, Urug frowned, it was too big a loss and the balance of power in the settlement may shift a little.

There were four people in charge of everything in the settlement, they were called the gate managers. Each of them has gone beyond the limits of man and is responsible for the protection of one of the four sides of the settlement. Together they are also responsible for the publication of new laws in the settlement, the implementation of which is monitored by the internal patrol. Under the leadership of the gate managers are a personal detachment of warriors called the outer troops, who are recruited from members of the inner patrol who have reached the human limit.

- Have there been any actions from other managers? Urug asked in a serious tone.

- No, they don't dare to do anything yet, fearing each other. Moreover, Mr. Boa has sided with us and so far he is holding the other two rash actions. - Vladim answered.

- That's good, okay, let's close this topic for a while. Do you remember the teenager and the boy you brought? - Urug asked in a slightly joyful voice, to which Vladimir's expression became slightly interested, and he nodded.

- From what I've seen, although a teenager has a weak body, he should have a stronger soul. When escaping from the devourer, he was able to feed his body to rashu for a few seconds. If we can raise him properly, our family will have a strong protector who will be able to protect her after my death.

Hearing the last part of the sentence, a lot of emotions flashed in Vladimir's eyes and opening his mouth, he wanted to say something. But seeing the flash of emotion in his eyes, Urug's expression became relaxed and smiling, he said.

- Don't worry, until our family has someone who can take my place, I won't do it. - After hearing the comforting words, Vladim calmed down a little. Meanwhile, Urug continued.

- I have a task for you, while I am bedridden, we are taking on the training of this teenager, his name is Nor. When I get better, I will continue his training.

Having heard the order, Vladim got up from his chair and walked away a few steps, bowing respectfully said.

- It will be done, Mr. Urug. Let me go.

Smiling, Urug nodded.