Chapter 2009: Annoyed Scar

"You fixed the dogkin’s arm while we were still fighting," Veshara continued, looking from Scar’s broken arm to Seraphiel. "This one’s been broken longer. Does she enjoy the pain, or do you worry less when she’s the one getting hurt?"

Veshara smiled innocently at the healer, pleased with herself. They could refuse her job and keep their homeland a secret, but the crooked arm was right there between them. She’d watched the elf mend the other woman’s injury in moments and not rush to the second one’s aid.

The answer was obvious. Scar was an Elite Soul, able to heal her wounds with Quinlan’s latest Necromancy upgrade and be revived should she be killed. Healing Blossom first was only natural for Seraphiel.

Focusing on the battle itself second instead of Scar’s wounds was just as natural.

But saying that out loud was as good as asking to be investigated thoroughly for the strange existence that Scar was, hence why she wore garbs that fully covered her blue skin.

’What a sharp intuition this woman has,’ Quinlan thought inwardly.

That was when the soul general let out a weary sigh.

"Guard captain Veshara."

Keeping her broken arm against her body, she stepped in front of Seraphiel and met the captain’s golden eyes.

"We don’t owe you an answer, but I’ll offer you some nonetheless. First of all, I’m a bodyguard while Lady Blossom is my master’s wife. Second, Lady Blossom was coughing blood while I could still hold a dagger."

"Oh, I noticed. I was asking why you’re still-"

"Do you know Lady Seraphiel’s mana costs? Her cooldowns? Which spells she’d need ready for casting if you put your fist through someone’s chest?"

The captain’s smile thinned. "I’m familiar with how healers work."

"Wonderful. Then imagine she fixes my arm, and you collapse someone’s ribcage before that spell is ready again. Shall we tell them to stop suffocating until the cooldown ends? Would that suit you?"

Behind Scar, Sera pressed her lips together. Quinlan had stopped on his way toward the inn, turning back to listen.

"I can fight with one hand and I’d quite like our healer to be ready when they need her."

The aloof killer was visibly annoyed at the sheer nerve of this woman. Veshara had broken her arm, watched her keep fighting, then decided that they must be up to something weird.

"Besides, if I take another wound, she can treat both together. If she uses a group heal, my arm gets healed along with everyone else’s injuries. Why spend mana twice when once will do?"

"Yes, but the fight is over. Surely-"

"Is it? The aggressor who attacked us for no reason is still here."

"I apologized and paid up!"

"And followed it by fishing for more information. You’ve had quite a lot to say about the arm you broke. Would you like to ask why I haven’t offered you a hug, too?"

"Pff...!"

Sera covered her mouth with her hand, turning her face away from the captain.

"Or maybe I’m just a dumb, incompetent girlie who couldn’t make proper decisions under duress...? Blossom had to scream at me for a heal, too..." she offered, giggling.

Veshara looked past Scar at the laughing elf.

"...I was only asking."

"Are we done?" Scar replied with perfect flatness.

The captain’s tail dragged a loose tile aside as she shifted her weight. Scar waited, her good hand resting on her dagger’s hilt, until it became clear that Veshara had run out of helpful observations.

"If you have the authority to summon us before your queen, do so officially. Otherwise, kindly piss off," Scar offered.

The Elite Soul then turned her back on the dragonkin. "No? Thought so. Goodbye."

Quinlan resumed walking toward the inn, his companions following him across the courtyard. Sera caught up beside Scar and offered her a hand, warmth returning to her face as she looked at the injured arm.

"Sorry for neglecting you."

"There’s nothing to apologize for. Healing minor wounds should wait until the threat has been eliminated."

Scar laid her forearm in the elf’s waiting palm. Together they followed Quinlan through the doorway, leaving the captain standing among the broken tiles.

"..." Veshara turned toward the street and strode out of the courtyard with a wry expression. "I might’ve messed up there."

...

The innkeeper found them an intact guest room farther along the upstairs corridor, well away from the holes through his building. Quinlan apologized at the door while the others crowded inside.

Black Fang watched the street from the window until Veshara disappeared around a corner. Even then, they checked the room for spying spells and artifacts before Quinlan wrapped its interior in a barrier of wind, using the moving air to muffle their voices.

Only after the barrier was in place did Synchra withdraw from his face.

Golden light spread beneath Scar’s sleeve as Sera finished treating her arm. The bone straightened in the elf’s hands, and Scar tested her fingers before accepting a gentle squeeze from her healer.

"Thank you for that," Sera murmured.

"I believe that’s my line."

"You know what I mean."

Across the room, Lilith was grinning at her friend. "I always knew you were a shrewd one, but what quick thinking. I’m impressed."

The other Lilies looked thoroughly pleased with her too, though they kept their amusement to themselves.

"Beautifully done, Scar," their captain repeated under her breath.

Sera wiped a trace of sweat from her temple, her relief giving way to a troubled look at the curtained window.

"That bitch is scary."

"Blossom would like her to stay away from us."

"Yeah." The elf lowered her hand. "Everything Scar said was true. Any competent healer would’ve understood. But still..."

A perfectly ordinary healing decision had caught her interest, and she’d immediately started pressing the people who had more reasons for making it than she could possibly know.

"I just hope not all lizards are as intuitive as she is," Aurora sighed tiredly.

As Quinlan sat on the edge of the bed, Synchra tightened around his ribs. The movement brought his attention back to the dim crimson seams across his chest, where Veshara’s fist had driven through her protection.

He drew [Soul Reaper] and laid the saber across his knees.

He patted his breastplate while the saber released Lesser Souls from its stored reserves. Their pale wisps sank into Synchra, feeding the armour’s depleted core beneath his palm.

"Sorry, partner. You’ve been getting demolished lately. Your incompetent wearer is giving you a terrible reputation."

A thin ribbon of crimson flame seeped from Synchra’s shoulder and drooped against his arm. His armour was thoroughly dejected. She’d barely taken the first punch before that lunatic came down on him with both feet.

"Oh, don’t beat yourself up over this one."

Vex sat beside him and reached over to pat Synchra’s shoulder plate. The little flame brushed her fingers as she stroked the black metal.

"I wouldn’t be surprised if the cunt was level 150. She was way above those pirates. The fact that you protected Hubby without him sustaining any injuries makes me eternally grateful."

Ayame nodded to Vex, her katana resting across her lap in the chair beside the bed.

"Yes... Waaaay above those fomorians in both stats and skill. I’m confused how she’s a harbor guard and not an elite soldier."