Ratface woke up on the floor. She had one moment of clarity where she could remember everything. Then the emotions flooded in. It was like very important day in her life was suddenly happening all at once she experienced every single thing she’d felt over her life. It was overwhelming, yet it wasn’t nearly as bad as what came next.

A second later and it was all ripped away from her. She was reminded all those people she’d shared those moments with were gone, they were never coming back. She hadn’t even cared that they were gone for a month. Every loss was like a knife to her heart and just when she thought there wasn’t room for any more grief another wave of it would flood her.

She couldn’t move even if she wanted to, wasn’t even aware of the world around her until it finally subsided into an ache. She felt raw still, but she could at least focus.

The first thing she did was check on Halmir. It wasn’t difficult given that he was still sprawled over her. She rolled him off her and examined him. He looked rough. He was covered in deep cuts and bruises. He’d been bleeding but it looked like they’d all scabbed over. Still breathing though.

“He should be fine,” said the glamour. It was rasping and Ratface could feel it was struggling to hold itself together.

“How are you talking?” She asked. She picked up Halmir and slung him over her shoulders then began to limp back to where she thought the first aid area was.

“There’s a lot more room in here with the other glamour gone. I can do more,” said her glamour. Ratface paused at that thought. She couldn’t deny that it had done its best to help her.

“Do you know how it happened?”

“Last thing I remember is the memory, when we woke up, he was gone.”

Ratface dealt with that as she struggled with the door to get through. She recognised where they were, the first aid station should be just down the corridor.

“Hey, I can’t keep calling you the glamour and it looks like we’re going to be together a while. What’s your name?”

“A name, I was never given one.” It was silent for a while and Ratface was beginning to think that was the end of the conversation before it talked again.

“Krysa seems like a good name, call me that.”

“Krysa then,” said Ratface. She made it to the end of the hallway and kicked open the door.

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The first aid station had been set up in the tearoom. The place was filled with injured and Ratface watched as the people who’d been assigned as carers rushed around with bandages. It was a hum of activity but there wasn’t any screaming. Ratface didn’t know if that was good or not. She found Dirthand working on a goblin, desperately trying to keep their blood in. She was surrounded by plants and a bubbling cauldron.

“Stir that,” she told Ratface. Ratface started stirring as she looked at the goblin. Her heart clenched as she realised it was Rabbittail. Dirthand looked at her and gave her a reassuring smile.

“He’ll be okay, we just got to get something in him.”

“We don’t have a health potion?”

“They’re all being kept for anyone who can be sent to fight, has the water changed colour yet?”

Ratface looked at the cauldron and sure enough it had turned a sickly green. She made a face and Dirthand chuckled. She sounded exhausted.

“Yeah, that sounds about right.” She grabbed a cup near her and scooped some of it up. “Press here,” she ordered Ratface. Ratface pressed onto the wound as Dirthand poured the liquid down Rabbittail’s throat. He struggled but managed to swallow.

“This will help him?”

“It’ll help with the pain,” said Dirthand. She sighed and took back over holding the wound. “If you’ve got any fight left in you, you should see Isabelle. My hands are a little full here.” Her voice cracked when she said it and Ratface placed a hand on her shoulder. Dirthand smiled then flicked her head for Ratface to go.

Isabelle was standing by the window looking out of the mansion. The monsters were surrounding the place but not attacking. A lot of them were dead. It looked like they’d attacked themselves. Ratface glanced at the culprit.

“I don’t suppose you can do that again?” she asked.

Isabelle laughed and shook her head.

“Amaranth has direct control over the area. I can’t put any more illusions out.”

Ratface grimaced, there was still too many of them to fight. It was weird though; they were just standing there. Ratface got her answer why soon enough.

“There you are,” called Amaranth.

“She can see you,” said Krysa. She didn’t sound surprised. She did sound worried.

“Come out now, and I will spare the rest of them. You have my word,” Amaranth continued.

A lie. Nothing about her body language suggested mercy. It looked like she was just securing her targets before finishing the job. Ratface glanced over to Isabelle.

“I don’t suppose we can hold out against this could we?”

Isabelle shook her head.

“Not without any of our heavy hitters. With Claudette we might, with the away team it’s even more likely.”

“So we need time?” Ratface asked. Isabelles eyes narrowed.

“I don’t like the way you think.”

“I’ve got a plan; I can manage it.”

“You’re a child!” said Isabelle. She grabbed Ratface’s shoulders. “I know your brave and clever but at the end of the day you’re a child. You shouldn’t have to do this.”

Ratface looked the other woman in the eyes. This was one of those cultural difference she’d heard of. At her age she’d already be expected to help in raids if it all went to hell. She still appreciated the sentiment.

“Do you have another plan? We can win Isabelle. Just let me risk it.” She could see the hesitation in the other woman’s eyes. Even in a situation like this, she still wanted to protect Ratface.

“Okay,” Isabelle said eventually. Ratface smiled and walked out of the room towards the mansion entrance. Now she just had to see if her plan worked.

The good news was if she was wrong, she wouldn’t have a lot of time to regret it.