ALL NOVEL 51
Herd Population: 3450
I checked my herd’s population. There’s at least 4200 before the battle. There’s at least 800 casualties. With one thousand and maybe more newborn with Valeria’s expedition herd, that’s almost half of the main army led by Kal and Druig. Looks like my ascension will be delayed.
A shiver ran up my spine as my herd returned to my territory. The stain of Nurgle clearly felt crawling on my skin as more and more beastmen returned. Immediately I turned to focus my Divinity to forbid further spread of disease. Don’t know how effective it would be against Nurgle but we will see.
“Remember what I taught to all of you?” I asked Lak, Mal, and the rest of the lesser daemons. They nod, a bit unsure on what to do.
I did a crash course on micro bacteria and disease in general and taught them the magic on how to. The magic from my Herdstone is shared through me and then to my children. I also tell them if this fails then better to cut off the afflicted part and focus on regenerating the removed part. There’s more than 1200 beastmen returning and at most there’s 150 lesser daemons remaining as most join with Valeria. There’s a significant lack of magic capable beastmen, including Lak and Mal, at most there are 10. I need to increase this after this.
The first batch of beastmen arrived. They have the least wounds but they carry the most wounded ones. We immediately went to work as the rotting smell immediately assaulted our nose. I channel the magic through me and then to my lesser daemons. Then they start to do their part. Healing with the magic I taught and using the medicinal herbs they have gathered. I don’t know how effective it is as I closed my eyes to focus channeling the enormous magic. What’s certain is I hear more and more beastmen returning, dropped to the emergency triage spot, and the smell is unbearable even with the leather face mask I wear. Not one lesser daemons and neither Lak and Mal call me in case of nothing work like I tell them. So it should be working, somewhat. Right now, I could only trust them and do my part.
—
“It’s done Mother.” Lak tapped my thigh as she sat beside me.
“How long has passed?” Opening my eyes, many beastmen are still sleeping around and recovering.
“Two days.” She answered. “We need to cut off plenty of flesh. The magic you taught works but not to the severely afflicted ones.”
“How many died?”
“Kal counted another hundred and twelve.”
“Good. Less than I thought. Burn the rotting flesh away from the main camp.”
“Already done, Mother.” Mal then said as she arrived. “The werewolves however are still berserk, Kal and Druig have made makeshift cages for them. I cannot help them. Also, Kal and Druig wants to speak with you.”
I hold back a sigh. Both will no doubt try to blame themselves on the massive loss. Then I stood and went to my tent.
“Tell them to come to my tent.” I said as I left.
I need to tell them that it's not their fault and maybe try to cheer them both up a little.
Entering my tent, I sat on the pile of furs and heaved a sigh of relief. This time I won. The werewolves going berserk are still a concern. Wonder if I can calm them down using my divinity and cure them with magic. One thing for sure madness will be a bit harder. For now I will rest. Channeling magic and enforcing my divinity against Nurgle for two whole days are quite much. This would be my first time feeling a genuine fatigue since arriving. So if the werewolves can be held for two days, they can be held for one more day.
Two beastmen entered my tent. Kal and Druig. Kal looks visibly fine but I know what he is thinking. As for Druig, there is a new horizontal scar on his right flank just below the ribs and his right horn is still broken.
“Your horn is still broken?” I stood and approach Druig
“Mother.” A long pause as Druig starts. “Wolfe is dead.”
I stop and feel… nothing. There’s nothing. I wait for a while. Still nothing. This is where people should feel sad right?
“It’s uh.. It’s not your fault.” I fumbled the words I had prepared. “Other Gods got too involved in the battle. Yes, it’s not your fault.”
The silence felt like a long time
“Anything else?” I shift the topic
“How about the werewolves?” This time Kal asks
“I can help them, I think. Can be done but will be harder than healing the disease we just did. But I am tired, so they have to wait for another day. Anything else?”
Both shake their heads and about to take their leave.
“Wait. Both of you can stay. Maybe we can sleep much better together.”
—
This is not what I am expecting. The pile of furs are spread so that there’s space for Kal and Druig. But right now, I am sandwiched between both. Each of my arms are now their pillow as they slept. I was expecting the other thing but I guess this is fine too. Looking at both of their sleeping faces, it seems like they are really sleeping and much calmer than before. This is… not bad. I will invite Lak to join in tomorrow. We can always sleep together like this. Then I close my eyes too. There’s still many things to do tomorrow.
I returned to Sanctuary as soon as I slept. Valariel hugged herself as she slept near the Soulforge and the last place I am within the Sanctuary. I sat beside her sleeping soul, making sure that I didn’t touch her. Seems like I still have another child to take care of. Should I make a body for her so that she can experience the outside again? I still think there is too much risk. Me and her are connected in a deep and strange way. I don’t know what will happen if I lose her.