Madris had been missing for too long. Her planned mission should not have taken this long. But few people seemed to have been concerned, regardless. She was an indomitable figure, projecting an aura of assurance and power. A five-hundred year old dark elf who could see your concerns before you realized you had them yourself. The most powerful psychic they knew, a teacher and leader and more; why would you assume she'd fail?

Galatea was currently cursing herself for the neglect.

Still, what Madris had accomplished was clearly impressive. Just keeping herself alive … She was clearly seriously injured, and yet she was in a position where Galatea could rescue her. With a bit of help.

Right now, Galatea was trying not to pick up bad habits and pace up and down the room. There were healers stationed in the royal palace of Cera, though unfortunately, they weren't the best. Many of those had left to join the various military forces. At least Via was in the city, she'd been visiting a hospital and was now hurrying back. In the meantime, those present tried to do the best they could.

Iseis was also present, on the other side of the room, holding her hands clasped in what might have been an attempt to settle a nervous tic of her own. Galatea could tell she must be tired, her mana pool significantly depleted, but she showed no outward sign of it.

"My lady," the senior healer spoke up tentatively. A human man she didn't know.

"Yes? Will she live?" Galatea asked.

"We can only hope so," he replied solemnly, inclining his head. "She is in a coma. It might have been magically induced. She also shows signs of hypothermia, and blood loss, likely related to her injuries. We have been attempting to stabilize her, gradually adjusting her temperature and closing the wounds, but there is deeper damage. We must also ensure she breathes properly."

"With enough oxygen," another healer added. This one was a drone.

"We can Conjure oxygen," Galatea offered.

"That will help," they said. "Perhaps with a mask?"

Galatea did her best. A primitive oxygen tank was simple enough. A proper tube was a bit more complicated. By the time she had what she thought was acceptable, she also felt quite drained. At least they could use some air magic to encourage the cycling of gas and the breathing of their patient.

While watching them affix the mask and get the process started — hopefully ensuring Madris suffered no brain damage from oxygen deprivation; but Regina would know better — Galatea glanced at the injuries. None of them were truly life-threatening on their own, Madris had gotten lucky in that regard. Though some of the slashes seemed quite deep and those on her torso might actually have caused some damage to her organs. She must have several broken ribs at least.

Via was hurrying back, she reminded herself. "Is Regina coming?" she asked.

One of the drones glanced up. "Yes, our Queen has just mounted Thor and is flying as fast as they can," she confirmed.

Well, that was good. Galatea let her form become less material for a short time. It helped a little with the urge to move and do something.

She had never looked too deeply into medicine. While she certainly had some knowledge and some magic that should be able to help, she didn't have much practical experience, which also counted for a lot. With Regina being a doctor, it had never seemed like a priority. She wouldn't have been able to gain the same education her friend had anyway. Now, Galatea wished she'd made a bit more of an effort.

Luckily, Via arrived soon. She must have hurried almost dangerously quickly. She breezed into the room, demanded one of the others cast an area-wide disinfectant Spell, and focused on Madris while barely acknowledging Galatea. Or Iseis, who was still squeezed against one wall and looked like she was unsure whether she should be here at all.

Galatea let Via work instead of bothering her about it, watching closely. Unfortunately, even her magical senses didn't really catch all the details of what they were doing. After a while, she forced herself to stop and instead to consider the larger implications.

It would depend on what exactly happened, which they'd only learn when Madris could answer some questions. But in the meantime, the timing of this was pretty poor. The Esemen were advancing on Prekan while the Imperial defenders readied for a battle — they might have even started an attack already, at this moment. It would be the first proper battle of the war. Madris had not been involved in the war so far, though obviously she was a major asset. But if she was gravely wounded or worse doing what was, essentially, a favor for Regina, it would have serious political implications, especially regarding the Eternal Dark. Galatea wished she knew better what consequences those would be exactly, but her heart wasn't really in worrying about it; she was too concerned about Madris personally.

It seemed she'd underestimated how much she actually cared for the dark elf psychic. Not the first time, perhaps? But we have grown closer. Madris was something of a peer — and without trying to be arrogant, Galatea didn't have many of those. They'd worked with Regina together, or occasionally with the others like June. They'd fought to rescue June together. Probably becoming a friend, not just a peer, somewhere along the line.

This is a bit of a bad time to discover that I care.

Luckily, Via chose that moment to look up. "We've stabilized her," she said. "The wounds are not finished, but they're noncritical. I'll keep ensuring her oxygen intake and monitor her system. General low-level healing should help counter the symptoms of hypothermia and also help with replenishing blood and clearing any built-up toxins. Except for that, we'll wait, Regina is the one who should be able to take care of the potential brain damage."

Iseis grimaced and Galatea felt inclined to do the same. "Thank you," she responded quickly. Via was already focused on her patient again. At least Regina was their best healer and a psychic, she'd be able to deal with it.

The next little while was frustrating, and she suspected it was worse for the others. Galatea stepped out briefly to ask another drone about Regina's progress without disturbing the healers. The answer didn't help much, although she wasn't surprised Regina was moving with all speed.

Before she could go back in, Galatea was intercepted by someone else. She'd sensed them outside before, but not paid it much attention. Now that they came closer, she turned to look at Icnes Oliren. The dark elf ambassador was noticeably tense, her brows slightly furrowed, although her skin tone hid any paleness.

"How is she, Lady Galatea?" she asked.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"In the healers' care," Galatea answered, trying for a gentle tone. "Madris is stable now. Via has arrived and is taking care of her. They are waiting for Regina to arrive to look at her brain. There is the possibility of brain damage, but they are confident."

"And the Empress is coming?"

"Yes. She's moving quickly and will be here soon."

Oliren ran a hand through her hair, looking more frazzled than Galatea had ever seen her. "Thank you for the information, it is good to know more. Is there anything I can possibly do to help?"

Galatea was about to say no, before she stopped. "Do you have a healer in your embassy? Or know a non-dark elf healer who has treated them more than once? The local healers are not very familiar with dark elf physiology."

Icnes slumped slightly, nodding. "I can do that. We have a healer, though they're more of a field medic and not a specialist. I'll send him."

She turned and left quickly. True to her word, it only took a few minutes until a middle-aged dark elf man showed up. Galatea carefully watched him have a whispered and passionate discussion with the other healers, remaining in the room to keep an eye on Madris. She looked better. Slightly.

The new healer insisted on treating Madris' less critical wounds, then used some kind of paste and burned a few herbs that he added to the air she was getting, with a bit of trouble. Galatea wasn't sure if that would help, but at least Via didn't stop him, so maybe. Icnes returned and stayed in an outer room with a few others, but she remained quiet.

Then came a lot of waiting.

After an hour with no change whatsoever, Galatea sought out one of the drones nearby to get an update on what was happening. She could tell the young Attendant was anxious, but he still answered her questions readily.

Most importantly, they hadn't heard anything from Esemen. Their surveillance drones reported no changes that weren't in line with what they'd expected.

In the meantime, the Esemen army had made its way to Prekan. They'd been slowed by some Imperial field fortifications and skirmishes in — and for control of — the tunnels, but their progress hadn't really been in question. Now, they were starting their assault on the city and castle of Prekan.

And they had revealed a new trump card: cannons.

"How many and what kind?" Galatea asked, concerned. "And why didn't we see them before?"

Kay grimaced slightly. "They hid them on purpose. We never did get a clear look at many of their supply wagons. And they might have used illusions. Apparently, there are —" He got a distant look, clearly checking the psychic link — "Thirty-two proper heavy artillery pieces that we've seen. As well as at least thirty smaller, man-portable versions."

"Man-portable artillery?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

He nodded. "They seem to be heavier than conventional firearms, and they're not just grenade launchers. They're portable at least by some of their soldiers. Presumably for those with high Str and End stats."

That wasn't really a small amount of guns, but still nothing that should concern the Empire. At least not on its own. But the army must also have quite a few Champions.

"If we don't win a decisive enough victory there, they will turn it into a siege," Kay added unprompted.

That made sense, she supposed. Galatea wasn't a general, regardless of how many records of historical battles she knew. The conditions were very different. With artillery, a siege would not last long, though. "I see," she muttered.

Galatea turned and put some of her magic into a scrying spell, trying to look at their positions and how the battle was developing.

Kay flinched slightly at the sight of blood and bodies strewn around the ground. Feeling some distaste herself, Galatea quickly moved the focal point of her spell, zooming further out.

A faint, blue shimmer guarded the border of the city, extending from the walls. It was centered on the castle, and faded so it wasn't visible all around the city. As she watched, it was hit by both artillery and magical attacks, or perhaps effects caused by Class Skills. It showed no visible change, but the mana it stored must be depleting. Unfortunately, she couldn't very well sense that through the scrying spell. Interestingly, the Esemen army had also put up magical defenses. There were several, slightly overlapping shields guarding their troops and artillery emplacements. Some of their soldiers were digging trenches and making better emplacements for the artillery.

The ranged 'duel' wasn't the only fighting happening, though it seemed like the main attraction for now. There were figures flying in the air around the Esemen army, or jumping in supernaturally large leaps and bounds to the walls, trying to get on top of them. Some managed it and engaged the defenders. Unfortunately, the Esemen weren't stupid enough to try a ram — it wouldn't fall under their shields and could be easily exploded, wasting their time and effort — but it looked like they were preparing other types of siege engines. Surely not conventional siege towers? Some of those trenches looked to lead deeper into the earth, probably trying to tunnel under the walls, weaken them or get around the magical defenses. They'd be facing an uphill fight, but it clearly wasn't their main tactic. Galatea frowned, moving her point of focus around a little to get a better view, trying to stay out of the path of any magic.

As soon as the magical defense failed, those walls would come crashing down rapidly and any defender caught on them would be very lucky to make it out unscathed.

Still, the Imperial soldiers held their positions and fought with admirable discipline. They didn't quite have the coordination that the Hive drones did, except for the actual Hive drones of course, but they were clearly better than the Esemen men.

As she watched, the first flickers spread in the shield. Galatea tensed, looking more closely and trying to get a better view. The 'screen' she'd conjured flickered out for a moment as a magical attack passed by, effectively shorting out her spell, before it reactivated.

The shield held, but there were small ripples spreading in the uniform blue surface now. As she watched, another large, overdone Fireball hit the shield, and it flicked briefly to a turquoise color at the border. A sign of a large discharge of mana, presumably; the defenses were struggling to hold.

Galatea glanced back the door behind which she knew Madris was still being treated. It would take hours yet, even once Regina arrived, and there was little she could do to help. Not here.

"This doesn't look good," Kay muttered.

"No, it doesn't," she agreed. Then she pulled in her mana, ending the spell. She was going to need her reserves. "I will be joining them for the battle."

The young drone's eyes widened. "Are you sure? I mean, I'm sure Tim would be happy, but you only just brought back Madris — and didn't you always try to stay out of Empire business? That's just what I heard."

Galatea sighed. "I think the time for that passed a while ago," she admitted. "I participated in June's rescue already. I've fought them. They're unlikely to forget about that."

She didn't like the thought, but at this point, trying to sit on the fence would only end up hurting her. And it wasn't like Galatea hadn't been helping Regina and the others before, for all that she insisted she wasn't one of her subject. Maybe she'd been kidding herself, when it came to how independently she acted.

Kay nodded. "Well, thank you." He seemed hesitant. "But what about your rescue of Madris? Mother is going to want all the details."

Galatea paused. No one had pressed for the details so far, but she supposed it might be important.

"Unfortunately, there's not much I can say," she admitted. "I found her lying concealed in a trench. It looked like a ditch around a field, for an abandoned farm. East of Darikene, about fifteen kilometers away, maybe thirty kilometers to the closest border. She had a magical concealment in place, though it wasn't strong enough to stand up to me, or to hide her completely from my scrying, at least. I'm not sure if she caused the coma herself, it might have been to heal and it would certainly have helped hide her. Unfortunately, I'm not a good enough psychic to say if she'd put up a passive psychic defense, too, but I wouldn't be surprised. I got Iseis to help me transport her — she'd been the one to point out that we should go searching for Madris in the first place." Well, Galatea had been thinking about it before, but it was probably the push she'd needed. And a good thing, too, or Madris might not have made it.

"Thank you," he nodded.

"You can tell Regina everything I've told you, and I'll let her try and view my memories later," Galatea decided. "And tell them to alert me if there's any change."

With that, she turned to go away, then paused.

There were a lot of enemy Champions. Having one of their own would be good, or at least a priestess. She turned to find Iseis again.

Hopefully, she had a little more magic remaining.

Galatea knew methods of replenishing her mana pool that would be effective, even or especially on a battlefield, but they could be — distasteful.

Well, she was about to go and kill some people. There was that. Tim better appreciate it.

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