The dagger went straight into the thing’s left eye, the long blade plunging all the way through to the creature’s brain. The Blood stumbled and halted, unable to move another step because of the pain his body was experiencing. Probably the first time he had ever felt pain.
Letting go of the dagger, Lucien placed his hands on the Blood’s chest, and shoved as hard as he could. The thing staggered backwards a couple of steps, then fell flat on his back.
He checked around him for more assailants, but the other Bloods were quickly being dispatched by the soldiers. Johna rushed up from behind. Black ichor splattered her face and chest, evidence she’d taken on a couple of the creatures herself. Like him, she was panting heavily from her exertions. After eyeing the dying creature, she turned and gave him a quick once-over.
“Oh God, Lucien, I was so afraid he’d…” The look on her face said it all. Unable to help himself, he pulled her into his arms and held her shivering body as his parents hurried to meet up with them.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Contamination
“The Blood’s skin was like rock,” Atty remarked. She held one of her shattered arrows in her hand. “I doubt anything would have been able to penetrate it.” She smiled at her son. “That was a smart move, Lucien, aiming for the brain through the eye.”
“I learned that trick from the best,” Lucien jested. It was his mother’s signature kill shot.
Renken walked up to where they were gathered around the Blood Lucien had killed. “Damn things were lying on the ground. The tall grass kept us from seeing them.”
“Iain,” Yulen addressed the physician. “How’s the target?”
Iain handed Atty the arrow he’d removed from the man’s back. She examined it, then wiped it off on the fallen man’s shirt before slipping it into her quiver. “He’s very lucky to be alive, but it hit his spine. He’ll be paralyzed for the rest of his life.”
“Is he Blood?” Mastin asked.
The doctor shook his head. “His blood’s red. He’s Mutah.” Iain pointed to the abrasions on the man’s wrists. “I’d say he was a prisoner, and he managed to free himself. Probably was making his escape when we happened along.”
“More likely he saw us and took the chance on making a break for it,” Renken remarked.
“One thing’s for sure. Those Bloods were taking advantage of the high grass to conceal themselves until they felt we were in easy reach,” Paxton commented. “Which means they were aware of us coming. I wonder how and when they spotted us.” The second looked to the battle lord and lady for the answer.
Atty gave a little shrug. “There’s no telling.”
“If it hadn’t been for his warning, they might have been able to overtake us,” Paas reflected.
Yulen disagreed. “They would have come up from the rear and maybe killed or injured a few of our men, but the results would have been the same. Our strength and skill would have prevailed eventually.”
“Dad.”
Yulen gave Lucien his attention.
“What if there are more Bloods inside? What if there are more prisoners in that compound?”
He saw his father’s brow lower as the man considered their options. Yulen glanced again at the compound where there seemed to be no further evidence of movement. Atty went over and laid a hand on her husband’s arm. “Send in a squad now. Claim the fortress and place it under your banner. We’ll go ahead while they do cleanup here. On our way back, we can replace them with another squad while you decide who should be left in charge.”
The battle lord agreed. “You’re right. Now that we know Whiterock wasn’t empty as we’d originally suspected, we can’t leave it without further inspection. Teeterson!”
The captain hurried forward. “Yes, sir?”
“Take your men, and claim and hold this compound until we return. Oh, and burn the bodies blocking the gate.”
“Yes, sir.” The captain saluted him, then went to gather his troops to advance into Whiterock.
“What about this man?” Iain asked. “He needs continued medical attention.”
Yulen gestured to Johna. “Can you tell if the man’s been infected?”
She barely glanced at the Mutah still lying face down. “Yes, he’s had the maddening disease.”
“But you can’t tell if he’s Damaged?” the battle lord confirmed.
“No.”
Yulen thought it over. “All right. We’ll take him with us. We owe him at least that much debt of gratitude. Mastin, have our newfound friend placed in the wagon with the extra armor. Until we can make the determination as to whether or not he’s Damaged, keep his hands tied and all weapons out of his reach.”
“The man’s paralyzed,” the doctor reminded him. “Even if he is Damaged, there’s slim to no chance he can hurt anybody.”
“Doesn’t matter. If it turns out he’s Damaged, our gratitude ends, and he becomes a paralyzed dead man.” Yulen pivoted to return to his horse, ending the conversation. The others followed suit and mounted their steeds, except for the two guards who were ordered by Paxton to lift and carry the wounded man to the wagon.
Lucien felt a tug on his arm. Johna opened her mouth to say something, when a horrible idea came to him, and he reached out, grabbing her by the shoulders. “These Bloods. Johna, can you tell if any of these things have or had the virus?”
She gave him a quizzical look, then checked the nearby body of the creature with the impenetrable skin. She stared at it for several long seconds, when her eyes widened. “I…I can’t tell.”
“What do you mean, you can’t tell?”
“I mean, I can see their color, but I don’t know what it means.” A worried expression crossed her face. “This is the first time I’ve ever seen a Blood. I can’t tell you. I’m sorry, Lucien.”
Lucien called out to the departing figures. “Iain! Mom! Dad! Stop! Wait!” Grabbing her hand, he rushed over to where the physician had paused. Likewise, Atty and Yulen turned to see what the matter was.
He pointed to Johna’s face and clothes. “Bloods! We haven’t considered the Bloods, damn it! Can they get the virus? Have these things had it, and if so, how has it affected them?” He took her again by the shoulders. “You said you’ve never had the disease. What if you’ve infected yourself?”
“He’s right.” Iain scowled at her. “You need to wash that blood off of you immediately, and hurry!”
Atty raced over to her horse. Grabbing her water bag from her saddle, she ran back and tossed it to Johna. “Strip.”
“Here?”
Atty rushed over to the supply wagon and pulled off a blanket, giving it a shake to open it up. Johna saw her intent, and followed her to begin to disrobe. Using the wagon and the blanket to help shield her nakedness, the huntress tried to scrub off the ichor, using a corner of the blanket as a rag.