Chapter 6...b lol

Formatting error mixed with lack of sleep.  Here is the last bit of Chapter 6 ya'll :)

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It took another eight hours, but they made it safely back to the village. A few beasts and monsters challenged them, but the sprite archers made quick work of them. Richter and Alma summoned mist workers as quickly as they could, and before long, hundreds of the tireless grey constructs were traveling with them. They carried the wounded, the dead, and also spoils of war that the armies had brought along with them. 

Everyone, including Richter himself, was worn through by the time the village walls came into sight. A debuff, Moderate Fatigue, had appeared in the corner of his vision and his Concentration, Endurance and stamina regen had taken severe hit. He had placed his Belt of Sustenance back on, but the damage was already done. He needed a rest. Thankfully, Randolphus had worked wonders again.

By the time they were all back inside of the village walls, a tent city had been set up in orderly lines. Rows of crude tents, often no more than four poles keeping a tarp in the air, were set up in the empty southeast corner of the village. A feast area had been set up in the middle and over a dozen large campfires had been lit. 

The chamberlain had also had a large grave dug outside of the village walls. The size of it once more threatened to overwhelm Richter’s emotional control, but Alma flew down and comforted her master. Being in contact with the dragonling always helped his mood. She sent him calming thoughts and Richter felt his heart ease. It helped a great deal that Randolphus took control of the refugees. 

The chamberlain had Futen next to him and greeted each former prisoner as they entered the village walls. The remnant removed their immunity to the mists as while they passed. This caused some fear and consternation among the released captives, but Randolphus was there to soothe them. Between his reasonable countenance, and the promise of hot food, healing and shelter, none of the refugees complained overly much as they were guided to the tent city.

Randolphus also arranged for the dead and wounded to be seen to. The mist workers carrying the fallen were taken to large grave. Family members of the guards rushed outside of the village walls. Soon wails of desolate pain rose into the air, mixed with cries of relief depending on the fate of their loved ones. After a few moments, those whose husbands, wives or children had survived turned to those who had lost someone and helped them care for their dead. 

Richter started to woodenly walk towards the grave when Randolphus grasped his arm, “My lord,” the chamberlain said softly. “You have done enough. You must rest.”

The chaos seed shook his head. His eyes were locked on one woman draped over the body of her dead husband. The two mist workers carrying his litter stood there, motionless and unaffected by her sorrow. She clutched at his armor, weeping and paid no attention to either the large gash in his skull nor the gore that smeared his body. Richter started to pull his arm away, saying, “I need to help them.” His voice sounded wooden even to him. “I have to-”

“You have to be our leader,” Randolphus said firmly, but with deep understanding. “We will hold the burial ceremony tonight. That leaves you several hours to rest.” Richter started to argue again, but the chamberlain didn’t give him a chance, “Your people will need you to make them feel safe tonight. Remember that you are not alone, my lord. Trust me to tend to what needs to be addressed. You do not have to do this alone.”

Randolphus’s words touched a chord in Richter. He had made the mistake before of trying to do everything himself. People had died as a result. His chamberlain was right. Tiredly, Richter nodded his head. Before he left though, he let Randolphus know about kindir they had met and his seeming immunity to the mist. 

The chamberlain’s eye’s narrowed at that, but after he heard about the quest and the man’s Vow to return, he just shrugged as it was beyond his control. By this point, Richter was almost asleep on his feet. At Randy’s gesture, two of the village women came forward to attend him. He tried to tell them that he could make his own way, but they just ushered him along. 

Soon he was walking across the Great Seal and entering his room. To his great surprise, a large wooden tub sat in the center of the room. Randolphus had thought of everything. The two women helped him remove his armor and clothes. In the past he might have protested being treated like a noble. Between his exhaustion and the months he had spent as a ruler however, all Richter felt was silent appreciation for the two women. Soon he was eased into the tub. They started scrubbing his body with soft cloths, cleaning away the blood and grime of the past day. 

Richter fell into a peaceful lassitude despite himself, enjoying the massaging fingers of the two village women. He dozed a time or two, until they pulled him from the tub and dried him off. He fell into bed and Alma lay atop his chest. The dragonling curled into a ball and closed her own eyes, completely at peace. He was in a deep slumber before the women left his room, taking his dirty clothes and armor with him.

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