Rozen had been savagely attacked by the mines guards at the end of the shift, Raen and Jethro rescued him but they were beaten too in the process. The issue was calmed thanks to General Melchior, and the boys were able to go to Viktor for help.

─Oh my goodness!! What happened? ─Ingrid exclaimed.

─The empire is what happened! ─Raen replied annoyed entering the inn.

─Don Vik, emergency! ─Elyon advised that the patients had arrived.

The healer at seeing the sittuation, made some signals to indicate to bring the young man inside the healing room. This was spacious, there were two empty beds, each with a bedside table next to them and three small windows; this was where Don Vikt attended his patients daily.

─Rozen! ─Ingrid covered her mouth with both hands of the shock.

Don Viktor quickly checked the patient’s body ─. Ingrid, we must immovilize his left leg and arm ─he was giving instructions while stopping the bleeding.

─Leave it to me ─the scared girl went to the basement for the necessary materials.

─Jethro, help me from that side ─he made signs to stand up in front of him ─. Rozen, I need to relocate your hips… I’m sorry… is gonna hurt.

The young man nodded, they put a rope in his mouth for him to bite it. The curator made his thing, Raen could only watch helplessly as his friend writhed in pain, a few seconds later; Rozen passed out.

─Raen, Jethro, what happened exactly?

─I don’t know why they attacked him. When we arrived he was already on the ground bad injured and without his protector buff ─Raen said and Jethro nodded.

─Elyon, please prepare a lubricanting beverage ─Ingrid and Viktor got so used to have Raen’s extra pair of hands. But now that he was at the mines most of the day or sleeping, this girl took his place at the inn. The mist poison was irritating and burning, this drink would be used to heal this type of internal wounds.

─This is odd, I don’t see any trace of the venom.

─Melchior removed all of it ─Jethro said.

The prince had an intense look full of rage, and Jetro and Vik noticed. Ingrid came back with the materials to immovilize the patient, with her uncle both finished stabilizing Rozen and take a breather.

─Raen! you’re also bleeding, sit in the other bed.

─Ingrid I’m fine, I’m fine. This is not my blod, is his ─his countenance was relaxing, his anger seemed to be diminishing. At the same time, Elyon returned with what she had been asked to do ─. I’ll go to update Leo and the others, they know nothing.

─Maybe you should change your clothes Raen, your aspect will scare the kids ─the red haired guy said.

After realizing the state of his outfit, approved the suggestion, he didn’t took into account his appearance. He tried to remove his tunic, although his right arm did not move naturally, it hurted to raise it. With difficulties he did it, he kinda cleaned his face and hair, he started feeling dizzy and weak.

─Are you sure you’re ok? ─Ingrid asked again.

─You don’t look fine ─Elyon added.

─I’m fine!… I’ll be back soon ─he tried to leave, but he wobble until he fell fainted on the floor.

─Raen!!…

─Hey, look who’s back? ─he whispered.

─Don Vik… ─he touched his head, he tried to move his right arm but it was already immovilized ─. Mmmn, ouch, what happened to me?

─Your arm was dislocated, but now is in its place. Ah! also you passed out for a moment, my guess is… you hadn’t eaten anything since lunch, am I correct? ─the healer was right, the boy forgot to eat since noon ─. Plus all the stress you’ve been trough today, well… it wasn’t a good combination.

─Oh, I get it… Ah! Rozen… How bad is he? ─he turned towards his friend.

─Shhh, he’ll be fine, however it's gonna take some days to fully recover. Now open your mouth ─he was holding a small steaming glass.

─Mnnn, are you going to give me a beverage? ─he made a face of disgust ─. I feel marvelous, Don Vik. I don’t need it.

─You don’t like them and yet, you keep getting in trouble to drink some more. Open your mouth, after it you can eat this ─he showed his favorite bread.

─Ah! I want it ─he snatched the glass, drank its contents quickly, and hastened to removed the bad taste with the bread. He asked about the others, it had been a few hours since he had lost consciousness.

The crimson siblings informed at the lair what happened, the others were already sleeping. Raen looked sad and angry at his friend.

─It’s not fair… this morning we were laughing of his absurd nicknames and now… he’s fighting for his life, this things make me so mad.

─And who doesn’t? ─he patted the boy’s back ─. Tomorrow Jethro will do us the favor of handing this over to the General ─he showed him two letters, those were medical justifications.

─You made one for me too?… My wounds aren’t deep. Shouldn’t I be fine by tomorrow?

─Well yes, but… since you started working at the mines, you don’t spend time here. I miss your company.

─…Don Vik, don’t say such embarrassing things.

•◊◊◊•

Raen watch over Rozen all night. The next day, after some rest, he picked some packages for Don Viktor at “the Golden Owl” with Frank. He helped the girls with some patients, and at night he came back to his friend who was finally waking up.

─Welcome back, Skull leader.

─Agh… haha, ugh… don’t made me laugh, it hurts. Hmph, they hit you too… it was my fault.

─It wasn’t your fault, I got involved on my own ─he delivered a healing liquid, Rozen also refused to drink it, those realy tasted awfully; nobody liked this things ─. Will you tell me why they beat you up this time?

─It was stupid ─he looked away ─. The guards were talking about how submissive Flor is in bed, and the… terrible things they were planning to do next time. I lost my temper… and well, you know the rest.

─Rozen, if you want to protect the woman you love, at leat you should know how to defend yourself and leave them in a worse estate than yours. I can teach you.

─Haha, ngh… No offense, but you’ve been beaten up as badly as I am now.

─Correct. Nonetheless they always use his kivets powers, with you were only their fists.

─Hmph, I hate you.

Viktor and the boys that were coming from the mines entered the room. The healer was checking the patient wounds, while the others listened to the last part of the chatter.

─So it was all for Floralia… again ─Leo said a bit annoyed.

─Did I heard you would teach him to defend himself? ─Jethro asked.

─Yes, I said that. Better yet, I could teach all of you, and together face the empire.

─Raen… ─Viktor spoked in an agry tone.

─Aren’t you sick of this lifestyle? being hit for absurd reasons, heal the same wounds over and over again. Work all freaking day at the mines that are killing us slowly, or that they do whatever they want with the women we care about, eh?

Ingrid and Elyon heard the speech, they stood at the entrance of the healing room where everyone else were.

─All of us have at some point lived freely… We were bent by the empire… Confined in this place. Wouldn’t you be willing to do anything to be free again, even though the possibilities are minimal?

─That's crazy ma fren. They have powers, we don’t. Look how I ended, is impossible to win.

─It only is impossible, if you think is impossible.

─Alright… I’ll join your cause ─the presents in the room were surprised by Jethro’s words ─. I’ll help you fight against the empire. I don’t want they mess up with my sister again ─the prince face lit up ─. With one condition. Prove us that is possible to defeat the soldiers, powerless.

─I can do that.

─At the Kivet Skills tournament, defeat three of them and I’ll do whatever you say.

─Are you serious?...  Don Vik, won’t you say something?

─Oh Isaac, he’s really stubborn. Once an idea is in his head, he never abandons it.

Raen and Jehtro shook hands, closing the deal. The rest doubted he could do it. The soldiers swaggered with their powers in this tournaments. But no comment could win against the confidence the prince had won with that deal. Don Viktor sent everyone to their homes.

─Do you intend to send the kid to a certain deth? They will shatter him from the first fight ─Elyon said.

─Hahaha, of course not. He doesn’t remember where he’s from, right?

─Yeah, Don Viktor says he has amnesia about some aspects, but why is that important now?

─I think he’s a caravanner, but he doesn’t recalls it. Who knows and he might knows Borges.

─Hmph, you still think about that guy? He surely hates us, did you forget how we treated him.

─Mnnn, I wonder why he would hate us? ─he said in a mocking tone.

─Grrr, it wasn’t my fault! ─she punched her brother’s arm.

─Ouch...