ATASHA’S POV
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<b>78 </b>
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“So he wanted me to stay because of the curses,” I said after reading the letter. “At first I thought he just didn’t want me on the road.”
Grace nodded. “He wants you here when the red moon pulls things loose.”
“What do you know about curses?” I asked.
“They spike before a red moon,” she said. “Witches don’t cast them out of thin air. They build them with blood and names. Most need a sacrifice to start. The more people die around it, the stronger it gets. That’s why they go after crowded ces like mine shifts, caravans, feast days. They don’t bring rain or harvest. They bring death.”
“Can they twist beasts and sickness at the same time?”
“They’ve done both,” Grace said. “We’ve seen marked beasts that don’t break, and we’ve seen diseases seeded in one bunkhouse and spread down a shaft. People here remember. That’s why the north hates them and why we write everything down. If we can track it, we can stop it.”
“What are the signs you watch for?”
“Animals acting wrong. Salt lines disturbed. Patterns cut into door lintels that no one admits to carving. In the mines, stone that hums too high, air that feels thin even when the vents are open,mps that won’t hold a me.” She met my eyes. “If you suspect a curse, you say so. We lock an area down and follow the book.”
Before I could answer, a soldier jogged in and bowed. His breath smoked in the air.
“Report,” Grace said.
“Copse at the east shaft of Frostgate Mine,” he said. “They’re bringing up the wounded now. First wagons in five minutes. More behind.”
I turned to Grace. “Set triage here. Four bays. One for breathing trouble and smoke, one for fractures and crush, one for bleeding, one for observation.”
Grace was already moving.
“Find Annel Briarholt,” I said. “I want hot water, nkets, and warming stones at every bay. Set screens for privacy. Post a runner at the door to log names and injuries as theye in. No family inside the ward.”
“Understood.”
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<b>78 </b>
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“Send for Joren Morrow,” I continued. “Lay out lung tonics, pain doses, and clean saline. Pull the good splints and traction frames. Prep charcoal if we suspect gas. Put the dosing ledger on the center table and countersign every vial.”
“Done.”
I added. “Have Petra set the surgical table, mps, tourniquets, and a bone drill. She’ll take crush andpartment cases first. She should already know what <i>to </i>do.<i>” </i>
“I’ll tell her.”
“Thane Keldar handles intake outside,” I added. “Set stretchers under the awning. Masks on every medic. Strip wet clothing, brush off dust, and check airways before they cross the threshold. No onees in without a quick wash at the basins.”
Grace nodded, then paused. “The mine itself?”
I nodded. “Send word to the guild,” I said. “We need timber braces and a winch crew at the mouth now. Ask Ironsong for two carpenters and a saw team. Ask Frostgate for road clearance and escort for the wagons. Tell Keldar to cordon the area and keep onlookers back so the shaft doesn’t shake.”
I looked at the soldier. “Who’s in charge at the site?”
“Foreman Pell,” he said.
“Tell Foreman Pell to stop all shouting and hammering near the shaft,” I said. “Hand signals only. One tally board at the entrance with a name roll for every crew. No one re–enters without marking in and out. Vent the shaft slow. If themps gutter or the air stings, pull back and report. If anyone sees carved marks or a beast acting wrong, seal the secondary adit and send for me.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” He ran.
“Grace<i>,</i>” I said. “Move the children out of the main ward and into the side room for now. I don’t want them underfoot. Post one attendant with them and keep the door shut.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“Also call Sister Veris,” I added. “We may need extra nkets, broth, and ration chits for families waiting outside. Ask Steward Morrow to release what Petra and Joren request without dy. I’ll sign after.”
Grace inclined her head. “Right away.”
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I tied my hair back. “When the first wagon arrives, send me the worst two from breathing and the worst two from bleeding. We’ll rotate by need, not order of arrival. And get me a te. We’ll record every step.”
Almost immediately, the ward shifted around us, screens pulled, kettles lifted, carts rolled into ce. Outside, I heard wheels crunching over packed snow.
“Let’s go,” I said. “We’re ready.”
I grabbed an apron, tied it off, and pulled on gloves. Then, Annel suddenly stepped into my path.
“Your Highness…. what are you doing?” she asked. “With respect, we can’t let you—”
“Is triage set? Heaters on? Ledgers out?” I asked, already moving toward the doors.
“Yes–yes, but—”
“Then hold your post,” I said. “You run beds and ration lines. I take the ones with the most serious wounds.”
“But your highness-”
“Annel, stop,” Petra cut in, snapping a tray into ce. “Focus on the wounded.”
“But–she’s-”
“Princess Consort and acting lead,” Grace said, stepping beside me. “Chain ofmand is clear.”
I faced Annel. “Is there any problem?”
Annel held my gaze. “Permission to speak my mind, Your Highness?”
“Granted,” I said.
“I heard the new consort has no infirmary experience,” she said. “I thought I was meant to take charge without Physician Mendez.”
I looked past her to the others. They must have known that I am wolfless and had been treated as an omega by my own pack. “Is that what you think too?” It seems that I had been too hasty and eager to prove myself. That thought made me pause.
Petra hesitated, then gave a short nod. “It’s what people are saying,” she admitted. “But you are the Princess Consort. We follow your lead.”
I smiled once. “Good. Then here’s my lead.” I untied the apron, set it on the table, and pulled
<b>11:18 </b>Wed, Sep 10
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off the gloves. “I am indeed inexperienced in this field so handle everything. I’m here to observe the processes.”
Annel blinked. Joren paused with his ink uncapped. Petra’s hands stilled over the tray. Seeing this, I smiled. Did they expect me to exert my authority here? Well, that is not going to happen.
“I understand your concern. There’s no need to take this to heart. I… overstepped. However, I will stay here to observe,” I said. I’m new. And I know that they run this ward every day. There’s no need for me to prove anything in the first five minutes. So, I decided to take a step back and observe everything.
Seeing their hesitant expression, I turned to Grace. “Bring me a chair near the intake table. Tea and something to eat. I’m hungry.”
B