The sun was going to rest, taking with it the vital yellows and oranges that had dominated the hue of the skies that day. The trees; the hills; the entire encampment was bathed in stark shadows, the silhouettes of the tents and other shelters blacker than the darkest coal. The soldiers left behind now more so felt another's presence rather than saw their body. Only the whites of their eyes stood out in the melancholy haze that had overtaken Augusta.

The dun-colored cowhide tent in the northeastern edge had hours ago fallen silent after the brief conflict between Bo and the woman. Hildegard and Cadenza were the only that remained awake now, the former performing his duty by keeping watch, and the latter too distrustful to sleep in the same tent with Bo after the incident. Hildegard also had an inkling, however, that she was staying up to ensure that the sisters she spoke of didn't catch her off her guard. He chose not to voice this hunch.

"Shouldn't they have sent word back by now?" the woman asked, referring to the soldiers that had gone on the rescue mission. In the strange dusky gloom, where things were felt primarily, and one's other senses seemed dampened, Hildegard felt her words stirring the air before he could hear them.

He merely nodded his head in answer. It was difficult for Cadenza to make out his response visually, but she could perceive the undulations; the gentle fluctuations in the air.

She was about to follow up her question when both her and Hildegard's attention was immediately drawn to a faint vibration in the wind, and tremors in the ground. Minutes later, hoofbeats could be heard approaching. By Cadenza's judgment, they were advancing in the direction of the encampment.

A great deal of commotion ensued in the following moments. Medical officers conversed with whoever had arrived in low tones. The pace of Hildegard's heart beside the gypsy audibly picked up by a couple of beats. Footsteps came towards the cowhide tent.

A trembling voice called to Hildegard: “C-can you open up, Lieutenant? We need to talk.”

One of Hildegard’s steady hands cut through the foggy twilight, and undid the ties keeping the tent door closed. It then reached out and pulled the owner of the shaky voice inside.

The speaker was revealed to be a young man, with fresh wounds running along his back and arms. When the lieutenant had seized him and pulled him inside, his rattled nerves had made his face blanch.

“What’s wrong?” Hildegard demanded of him.

“T-t-the rescue…it didn’t go as planned, sir. And the prince, he…he…”

“Out with it, man!” Hildegard urged.

“He’s hurt! The medic that was with us does not think he will make it!”

Hildegard cursed under his breath, casting his glance away from the boy and towards the floor. When he finally looked back, his eyes were blazing with vigor. “Well, what the devil can we do then!?” he asked sharply. With his head turned slightly skyward as it was, it seemed more like he was asking the Lord than asking the boy.

The timid young man shook his head forlornly. “I don’t know, sir,” he muttered, “I don’t know…”

Even in the fog, Cadenza could feel the striking intensity of the men’s emotions. She appeared quite placid herself, and imagined if the two soldiers could even see her, then some part of them must be outraged at her for looking so calm.

She sighed and stood. The men sensed her movements before seeing them take place, and so they were already staring intently at her when she had risen to her full height.

“You’re all weak,” she declared brusquely, not even returning their stares. “You should have been expecting the worst. If the man is so important, then you shouldn’t have endangered him.”

The younger man gasped, presumably at her callousness, but Cadenza didn’t care. She--and Hildegard from what she could ascertain from his reaction--knew that there was at least some truth in what she had said. The soldiers had to submit that Choras had not sent along enough troops for such an endeavor.

While the two men exchanged glances, the gypsy drew her peacock feathers from her hair and walked out. The younger man chased after her, followed hesitantly by the lieutenant.

“Just what do you intend to do?” the boy called to her while she was still within earshot.

“Salvage this mess,” Cadenza shouted back over her shoulder. If it’s possible.