Alexander's smile faded hearing her last sentence. He immediately applied pressure on her wound. He gently kissed her cheek. "Hang in there, okay?" Alexander stated softly, trying to remain calm. He rode faster, camp only a few hundred meters away. Alexander thought a bit. Was the kiss too much? Was it not enough? He didn't know, but that wasn't the main thing to focus on at the time.

Rosline smiled when he kissed her cheek, it felt warm. That was about the only thing warm besides her blood drenched armor. "Wake me when we get there. My eyes are getting tired." she muttered as her eyelids grew too heavy for her to keep open. She closed them softly and took in the feeling of his arms around her.

Alexander nodded, placing another hand on her chest to make sure her heart was still beating. "Don't you die on me." Alexander said with a small smile. He hoped that she'd survive, knowing the time she'd been bleeding out was way beyond fatal. He was surprised she didn't die earlier. He was glad she wasn't.

After a while of riding, they finally arrived at camp. He tapped her shoulder gently, trying to wake her up. "Hey...Rosline. Wake up. We're here." Alexander whispered, getting off the horse afterwards.

Rosline barely felt the tap and was half awake now. By awake, she was half alive. "bath.." she spoke as she leaned to the side of the horse and fell off, landing on the ground with a loud thud and a wave of pain.

She laid there for a moment, still and not moving, then took her hand off her stomach. "ow..." Roz groaned, not trying to get up.

Alexander rushed to her side and picked her up. "Damn it, Rosline!" Alexander said as he slung her over his shoulder. "I don't know if this will help, but if you pull through, I'll consider pairing up with you..." Alexander said, his face turning a bright red. "Maybe even marriage..." Alexander mumbled.

Rosline could barely comprehend what was going on around her, but she comprehend what he was saying. He wee the only thing she was focusing on at the moment. Everything else was either a blur or bright colorful lights.

"If I pull through, I will marry myself." she wasn't sure if she even talked or if he heard her, but she cracked a small smile anyways. Being with him is what she wanted out of all of this. She would win the war for him, if I meant he was her spoil.

Alexander placed her on a medic table, helping them with procedures. They worked quickly and efficiently. Alexander helped clean her wound, stitch her up, and bandage Rosline. After a long, tedious process, Rosline was finally patched up. Alexander sat by her side, monitoring her condition.

When Rosline woke up the warm spot on her chest was gone and she felt a bit tingly. Her eyes fluttered open but the light was a bit bright for her so her eyes shut tight and she let out a groan.

Roz didn't dare sit up, she knew if she tried she would feel pain like every other time. She tried opening her eyes again and this time waited for them to adjust to the light. Realizing it was a dim light and the sun was setting she turned her head and looked for anything recognizable.

As she did, she saw Alexander there beside her. Seeing him made a smile appear on her face. He was there for her. "How long?" she said in a rather hoarse voice.

Leo sat at the head of the table in the war tent. The news that the "King Goldenblade" as the soldiers had taken to calling their leader, had perished in battle, came as a shock to many. In his absence, Leo had volunteered to take over the politics of the Goldenblade cause. Some of the more popular debates were, where should the capital be and what should the fate of Astal be, the popular opinion being, completely destroy the seat of the Empire. Another issue was who should become the new king of Vedrus, some people had even suggested Leo but he turned the offer down instantly, happy to rule his own, peaceful kingdom. Leo glanced around the council table, seeing Crim, a man with a thick, blonde beard, who was Illyn the Gold, the Chief Commander of the entire Goldenblade army, a middle aged mage in blue robes with long brown hair and a brown beard. He went by the name Geirand Owlkin, and had been the King's chief advisor. Finally Leo's eyes rested on an empty chair which would have belonged to Alexander, but he spent most of his time with Roz as she recovered. Leo sighed and closed his eyes before speaking, "I say the ruins of Astal should be left, as a monument to this war, and Duplil should be made the new capital. Have the Scribes review our records and carve the names of all those lost in this bloody conflict in the walls of Astal, as a reminder of the cost of war." Leo rested his hands on the table and looked around at all the faces once again.

Crim gave Leo a nod as she sat on her chair rubbing her belly. By the time they were going to have returned to Ritland, she would go into labor.

As the council left the tent Crim walked over to Leo and stood beside him. "Do you think its a good idea to leave when we are. If there are any mishaps on the rode, they may be born on the rode. We didn't exactly bring medic experienced in such procedures. It could be risky." there was more worry in her voice than she had intended. She didn't want to worry Leo either. "What do you suggest, my love?"

Alexander had been there for hours. He didn't notice Roz was awake until she spoke. He quickly turned to her, his head perking up. "How long? What do you mean?" He asked, taking her hand. He gave it a kiss, holding it close to his face.
@jaybreezy

How long have I been out?" she smiled slightly. She went to sit up a bit but groaned and winced and laid back down. "How long?"
@SaikaAnge

"Ritland wouldnt let any harm come to her queen." He said, knowingly as he patted the sword that rested on the arm of his chair. He had confidence the magic in his blade would help if need be.
@RangerOfTheRit

Crim nodded, trusting him. "Alright," she let her head lower and curtsied before leaving Leo's side and picked up a dragon up from the foot of her chair.
@SaikaAnge

"Hours." Alexander answered. He stood up and lifted her shirt to put bandages on her. He took the old bandages off and gently applied new ones.
@jaybreezy

Rosline blushed a bit and laid still for him. "Thank you. Have you been tending to me the whole time?" she looked at him.
@SaikaAnge

Alexander chuckled. "Yes. I didn't want to leave your side." He answered.
@jaybreezy

Her blush grew more intense as her happiness grew. A smile appeared on her face. "Thank you, really. But can you do me one more favor?"
@SaikaAnge

Alexander began to take his armor off. "Yes?" He asked, now in his undershirt and leggings.
@jaybreezy

"Help me stand?" she asked a bit embarrassed. She couldn't sit up on her own due to her injury right now, but she would heal quickly especially with her gift.
@SaikaAnge

Nicolai sat in his tent killing the blood off of his armor and everything else. "This is why I do not like war. So dirty. Yuck!" he complained. He kept making faces as he cleaned his things. "I rather be Queen Crim's dress designer and live in the castle. Why are we always in the forest?" he added. Nicolai sighed and left his tent to find Crim.

After being unconscious from the rubble of the castle he was told to go to, Colt found a camp. Maybe there was a medic that could access him, make sure he didn't sustain any brain injuries. His body felt sore but not broken. His head injury was making him dizzy, he could not think clearly. Colt was lost and disoriented. Slowly and carefully he walked through the camp, many staring at him as he went. Looking around he saw a couple soldiers run off to a fancy dressed woman with a tiara like crown.

Crim looked at the soldiers in confusion as they kept talking to her all at once. "Alright, alright. One at a time please." she finally said shaking her head. One by one the soldiers told her what they say and pointed toward the giant man. Crim was surprised and a bit scared. "Watch him, I will find our king." she said softly as she went off to find Leo again.

When she found him she almost sounded frantic. Luckily he was with Alexander. "Leo! Alexander!" she said close to a yell. Crim ran up to them. "You two need to see something. We may have a BIG problem." Crim spoke in a frantic but harsh voice.

Still wobbly but still on his feet, Colt went to speak but the words came out in a hushed low voice. "Where is your leader? I need to ..." He fell to his knees still trying to fight his fatigue, he wasn't even able to keep talking. He looked around in desperation trying to find a friendly face but all he saw was the fear the others had of him. He put his hands up to show his resignation but that was when he lost consciousness again, right there in the middle of the camp.

Leollys strode up to the giant man, his fur-trimmed cloak swirling behind him, his crown sat tilted on his head. Others might say he had emitted a feeling of casual and comfortable power, but for the look on his face, it was set and concerned. Leo rested his hand on Ritterstihl's pommel and knelt next to the big man. He seemed rather barbaric, but weak. Leo noticed the Ironebane sigil on the giant's spaulders. Leo rose to his full height and called "Bring rope! Tie him up!" He drew his blade as the unconscious man gave a loud, involuntary grunt. Realizing he wasnt waking up, Leo sheathed his blade and sighed, "Bring some very big rope!" he shouted, hearing some of the men chuckle as they walked away.

Crim stood behind Leo cautiously. If the big man stirred or thrashed as he woke up, Crim didn't want to be too close. She couldn't exactly risk it in her current state. "What is the rope for? Leo, who is he?" Crim asked concerned. She put her hand on his shoulder blade. Concerned seemed to be the only feeling she had recently. Concern and protectiveness over her younger dragons. She acted as Seralth did with the little ones.

---

Rosline stayed with Alexander, using him to keep herself up and to walk. Her stomach still ached from the pain but she was healing quicker than everyone expected. With her enhanced healing it became harder not to shift. When she got mad she felt as if she would turn into a bear in front of everyone. Upset was always a small fox. Roz was unsure why her shifting ability seemed to be acting up. "Should we go check it out?" she looked up at Alexander and asked. She was curious but still unsure of the situation. "I mean, Crim is down there. Why cant a cripple like me join in the fun?" Roz added jokingly to held his arm tightly to keep her balance.

Alexander was about to carry Rosline, wanting to take the easy way out instead of her leaning on him. He manned up and let her do as she pleased. "Yes. Let's go." Alexander said. He looked down at himself, noticing how dirty he was. He had dirt and dust on his skin along with spots of blood and other bodily fluids like sweat. He smelled of war, hard work, and "manliness" in his words. He couldn't even remember whose blood was whose, unable to identify any major injuries on himself. He had some of Rosline's blood on his hands, but that was all he knew. He shrugged the topic and continued to Crim.

Rosline winced a bit as she walked and tried to keep from showing the pain she felt. "So, about that offer." she started to saw then realized how much of a mess she really was. There was still blood on her clothes and her body was caked with dirt and grime mixed with sweat. "After we see what is going on, could you possibly help me to a river or creak? I need to wash up. Unladylike like to be filthy." Roz shot him a smirk and smiled through her pain.

As they got up to Crim and Leo, Rosline stumbled a little and fell onto Alexander. "I'm sorry." she groaned out, holding her stomach. It felt as if her insides would spill out if she didn't. When the pain grew to much Roz knelt down near Alexander and Crim.

---

When Rosline knelt down, Crim knew something was very wrong. She knelt down beside her and took her hand. "Roz, do you want my help? I can heal it enough that the pain will be standable." she was concerned, but at the same time she knew her friend was strong and would prefer to deal with the pain on her own.

---

Rosline shook her head and knelt on the ground and smiled. "It's alright Crim, I'll be fine on my own. Just need to take it easy. Almost died today and I'm up and walking already." she laughed a little until it hurt then looked up at them. "Give a lady a hand?" Roz asked Alexander with a smile.