A few looked over at us, but I kept going, guiding Ayla to the chair closest to Jerlis. "Sit here," I told her, moving back to stand behind her.
Then Jerlis gestured to Rymar, who was standing the same way I was. "Fill us in."
"Yrena and Nyco, from the Reapers," Rymar told the group packed in here, gesturing to indicate the pair, "rode in less than an hour ago. Moles attacked their camp. They have more than two dozen seriously injured and headed this way in carts. Moreare in camp, but they don't have enough carts to transport them all."
"So we're going to help?" Drozel asked.
"That's the plan," Zasen agreed. "They need protection as they pack up to head to their winter campsite. They no longer have it, so we need to help with that."
Shit. That was exactly what I was afraid of.
"How are we getting there?" Wilm asked, partially lifting one of his iridescent black hands to show who was speaking. "That's going to determine how much medicine can be carried, and it sounds like they're going to need as much as we can send."
Rymar looked at the woman who'd ridden here. "How are the carts?"
"The horses would mostly have walked here," she said. "If they can have a few hours of rest and a good meal, we can probably take the carts back. In truth, that would be best, because without them, we won't be able to move."
"So let's plan for that," Rymar said. "If we leave at dawn, will that be long enough?"
"Yes, that would be perfect," Yrena assured him.
"Which means," Naomi said. "We need to load those carts tonight. Antibiotics, numbing agent, bandages, and pain medication at least."
"And I'm going," the Python said.
"You can't!" Jerlis snapped.
Wilm just gave him a tired look. "I will help with the wounded who come in tonight. If we're taking carts, I can sleep in one on the trip there, but I am going, Jerlis. Weknowwhat the Moles do when they hit here. Reapers don't have doctors. They have medics, and that's not going to be enough for the damage they just took."
Okay, he had a point. If there were carts, then I could go too. I didn't know what I would do, but I had to be able to help in some way! If nothing else, I would make a good assistant for someone.
"I'll be going too," Rymar said. "Jerlis, the first responders will be here to serve as defense, but we're taking the militia."
"Is that a good idea?" Jerlis asked, looking over at Ayla for the answer.
She nodded. "I think so, but I can't be sure. You don't understand. Moles do the same thing over and over. It's a competition between them, because the man who brings back more gets a bigger share of the rewards. That could be better rooms, a better wife, or anything else that can be offered. This? It makes no sense!"
"What do you mean?" Jerlis pressed.
"They changed something!" Ayla snapped. "Moles always do the same thing, but they didn't this time! They used to only take the vegetables. This time theykilledpeople. They changed where they go and what they do there. Don't you get it? They changed, and I don't know why, but I want to, so I'm going."
And that cemented it for me. I'd had surgery six, maybe seven weeks ago now. I should be on light duty, but if she was this determined to go, I'd be damned if she did it without me at her side.
"It's also closer," I said. "Means we can get a look at their compound - now that we know they won't come out during the day."
Zasen pointed at me and nodded. "Not a bad idea."
But those words? They made the entire room erupt with discussion. Some were yelling it was stupid to antagonize the Moles. Others wanted them dead. Ayla looked back at me and smiled, making it clear she appreciated my help.
And while people bickered between their groups, Rymar made his way over. He didn't try to draw attention to himself.He simply slipped in beside me, then leaned in, keeping his voice down.
"You up to this?"
"I'll make sure of it," I told him. "You?"
"Same." And he turned a little more so Ayla couldn't look back and read his lips. "I can fight, you know. My colors stand out in the forest, but it's fall, and it sounds like their camp will need someone to serve as the defensive line. You willing to help me with that?"
My entire body relaxed. "Yes! I've been trying to figure out what I can do, but that? I know how our militia works. Eriska will need someone to explain it to her. We can organize the Reapers so we're not tripping over each other, and make sure they can relocate."
