We step out of the car, as I quickly get to our wounded to see him over to our medic. As we make a move to walk in, I catch the disciple hauling the body along with the redcoat orphan trailing close behind. I look briefly to the recruit besides me-he’s a little on the pale side, but more or less conscious. He coughs up a spatter of blood as we walk along the tiles. We finally make it to the medic. “How do his odds look?”

“Not great, but he may yet live.” He takes the recruit off my hands, getting him over to one of the nearby beds in our makeshift infirmary.

That was all I stayed to talk about before I turned and walked out, catching the redcoat orphan’s stare along the way. With the way his eyes looked, I don’t think he was gonna forgive me for this one. The disciple meets me outside, and we enter the car again. “Take us to the church.”

As we drive along, I think about what had just transpired. I focus on how I felt myself freeze over, a feeling that I was unfortunately familiar with, and didn’t like. I let one of the orphans die on my watch, and I’m not entirely sure if I can forgive myself for that. I pick up my katana as I exit the car, walking into the church. I pass by a small gathering of students as I walk into Sigmund’s study to find him sitting at his desk. He stands and turns to face me. “So, June, how did the assault go?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“We got a little bit of a lead, but one of the orphans died.” I sigh. “I think I fucked up.”

Sigmund tilts his head. “I’ve known you to be a relatively careful sort, June. I’m sure you did what you could.”

“What if it’s not good enough? What if I’m not good enough?”

“You did well, June, I’m sure of it.” He smiled. “This is a war, after all, losing people like this is just part of the job.” A war. That did feel like a good way of putting it.

I somehow doubted that I really did so well, but what he said made sense, at least on its face. I still frown. “Somehow, I don’t think so, but it’s nice of you to say that.”

“It’s what I honestly think of our results. You got what we had come for-while raiding a mercenary safehouse, no less-and only lost one recruit in the process. Part of me honestly expected worse results.”

“Very well.” I sighed, not entirely satisfied with his standards, but understanding that he had a point. “I’ll be taking my leave now.” I walked out and back to the car.