Helen marched both men over the final dune while the recovery fire grew brighter beyond her shoulders.
Hajin kept one hand away from his split lip, since touching the fresh injury would invite another speech before Vella began healing it.
The Captain walked on Helen's other side with both gloves held beneath one arm, looking less like a commander than a recruit awaiting punishment.
"Wounded knights are sleeping under half our blankets," Helen said as she faced the camp. "Their Captain spent midnight trading punches with a rookie beyond the watch line."
"It was not a game, even if the bruises suggest otherwise," the Captain replied while sand moved beneath his heavy boots. "The result changes tomorrow's complete command plan before anyone enters another ruin."
Helen stopped before the first treatment blanket, causing both men to halt beside her.
"You can explain the result after every night post receives coverage," she said as one finger pointed toward the watch line.
