After a few hours of scouring the battlefield for any survivors, the infirmary was packed with limitless injuries. Because Miraj had badly injured her left hand it was even harder for her to keep up with the count of the wounded. She and the others who were capable enough had divided those who were hurt into groups depending on the critical level of injury so that those most in need could be tended to first. Miraj knew that many of the wounded would not make it through the night, but she had to try. Miraj delegated responsibilities to all who were not fatally injured to help with the more severe cases. But she was afraid that many of the severe cases needed someone with intense medical training.

"Excuse me! Does anyone in this room have any medical experience?" Miraj called out, while tending to a patient who had lost an arm and a leg.

"I have experience causing medical issues, so technically that counts." The Kapybara piped up from the back of the room.

"I guess you could help with the cases requiring amputation." Miraj replied glumly.

"Oh. In that case..." The Kapybara said, before Miraj heard a large whacking sound.

Miraj spun around in alarm, to see the Kapybara smiling and holding up the lower portion of her own right leg from just below the knee.

"I do believe I'm bleeding. Would you mind grabbing me some bandages?" The Kapybara said calmly. Miraj was stunned beyond words, and when she finally regained her senses, she rushed over with some bandages and said, "How could you do that? It's completely stupid and dangerous to just chop off your own leg like that! And we have already seen enough horrors! Why in all the Valdt did you...Never mind."

"I cut it where there would be the least long term damage. It was no use any more, all full of sword shrapnel and the like. And I cut it too far back for any infection. Now I can make myself a metal leg. Much more useful." The Kapybara said, bandaging the end of the amputated leg.

"Now we have to properly dispose of the part you chopped off to prevent others from infection! And we don't even have a disposal system set up yet!" Miraj said.

"I'll just keep it for my collection." The Kapybara replied. Miraj stared at her with a look of disgust, before turning away, shaking her head, and going back to the patient she was attending to.

"I can do other amputations if you like!" The Kapybara called enthusiastically.

"No thank you. I think you've done enough of those on the battlefield." Miraj replied.

"Then how else am I supposed to amuse myself?" The Kapybara asked

"How about something that doesn't involve the severance of limbs or any other body parts for that matter, something harmless and quiet that doesn't get in my way. Deal?" Miraj said, beginning to lose her temper.

"But I can't think of anything that meets those requirements that is fun!" The Kapybara complained.

"Well, how about you try, I dunno, arts and crafts? Maybe you could sew something. There are plenty of needles and thread in here, and I am sure you could find something to sew." Miraj said.

The Kapybara thought for a moment, before her face lit up with excitement like a christmas tree. And for awhile she was very very quiet, concentrated on working on something. Miraj was relieved to return to business as usual, and she was able to make significant progress tending to the injured.

Not long after that some of the palace medics came to her aid in tending to the injured and Miraj was able to relax a little more, And when she had almost forgotten that the Kapybara was even in the room, she heard a loud blood curdling scream.

Miraj snapped into action and yelled, "Quick! What's wrong! Who's hurt?"

"Get it away from me! It's terrifying!" Ravenna shrieked.

"Barnaby doesn't mean any harm." The kapybara replied, cradling something wrapped in a white cloth.

"You named it?! That is the most disgusting thing! Please get it away from me!" Ravenna shrieked, standing on a chair.

"Is that a child?!" Miraj asked, still not knowing what the object was, and assuming it was a child because of its size and the fact that it was wrapped in a blanket.

"Barnaby is my baby." The Kapybara proudly exclaimed. Miraj rushed forward and gently pulled the cloth back, and she shrieked in surprise.

"Oh good heavens, what have you done with that fabric?!" Miraj gasped, seeing as it was staring up at her with button eyes and smiling through its 'mouth' made out of a line of stitches. It was just a small fabric doll, but it had the most unnerving look on its face like it was going to watch you in your sleep all the while smiling that crooked creepy grin.

"You told me to sew something, to make art. Well, what do you think?" The Kapybara asked with a grin.

"Well, that is the most horrifying thing I have ever seen. I mean, um, very er...creative." Miraj said.

"Thank you." The Kapybara replied, beaming.

Miraj shook her head and said, "How about now that you're done with er...'Barnaby,' you can maybe give him a nice er...outfit, and um, a cute hairstyle to match with his terrifying button eyes, okay?", hoping that would keep the Kapybara busy for a little bit longer.

Soon Miraj had moved on to treat Vaskin's injuries. Earlier she had washed the wound on the back of his head and loosely bandaged it because she could hardly keep up with all the injured, but now she had more time to do a full assessment of how badly he was injured. It had seemed the bleeding had stopped, but she couldn't see how big the injury was or how deep because of his thick brown hair. Miraj sighed and reluctantly grabbed a pair of scissors and started to snip away at the hair on the back of his head.

"What are you doing?!" The Kapybara said in alarm.

"I have to cut his hair to see how deep the wound is." Miraj replied.

"No. Not like that. You can't just chop the hair off the back of his head and expect nobody to notice. You have to make it work." The Kapybara said, standing on her one foot and hopping over and sitting down in a chair next to Miraj and Vaskin. Miraj sighed and said, "I'm a healer not a hairdresser. If I try and style it he'll end up bald because I'd have to cover up my mistakes."

"Leave it to me." The Kapybara said, reaching for the scissors in Miraj's hand.

"Oh no. I think you should stay as far away from sharp objects as possible. You've already caused enough trouble and since you already treated your own injuries you are free to go." Miraj said, holding the scissors above the Kapybara's head.

"I'm experienced in cutting things. I can cut hair!" The Kapybara protested.

"What if you severed his spinal cord or something equally horrible!" Miraj squealed.

"I can assure you I would be cutting much to delicately for injury to occur. Now give me the scissors!" The Kapybara said.

"Can you promise you will be good? No bloodshed?" Miraj asked skeptically.

"As good as a little baby kitten. Now give me the scissors." The Kapybara sincerely replied.

"Can I at least look at his wound first?" Miraj said in exasperation.

"Wound is fine. It's mostly a bruise. Now you let me fix his hair or I fix more than just his hair." The Kapybara replied.

Miraj looked down at Vaskin's head, and realised that the Kapybara was right and that the wound was just a small cut that would probably not even scar, but what was more seriously bruised were his ribs, with two ribs in the very front just slightly broken from being knocked back by Lyrica's tail. Miraj put a lot of bandaging around Vaskin's chest and shoulder over the numerous small cuts he had received during the battle, not being able to do much for his ribs because those would heal themselves. As soon as she stood back to admire her handiwork, the Kapybara pulled the scissors off of the nearby table holding medical supplies before Miraj could stop her and she set to work on Vaskin's head.

Miraj watched, nervously at first, as the Kapybara snipped away at Vaskin's hair until the sides were completely trimmed off and he only had some long messy hair jutting out in almost spikes on the top of his head. When she was finished, his shaggy mop of hair was completely transformed into something much more suiting to his cute but feisty rogue look. Except for one small detail on the back of his head.
"You are really lucky he slept through all that." Miraj said, looking at the end result.

"I told you I can cut hair." The Kapybara replied smugly.

"I'm sure he'll like it...except for the back." Miraj commented.

"What's wrong with little baby Kittens? And there's only one." The Kapybara said

"I just realized, I have to bandage it, so nobody will see the er...little baby kitten. I'm sorry." Miraj said, shuddering at the look of the "kitten" shaved into the back of his head, which looked like it was a little bit too happy in an unsettling way.

The Kapybara nodded and said, "I can always cut it again when the bandage is gone. And the bandage will help make the look."

Just then, Vaskin's eyes fluttered a little and he groaned.

"Well, I guess you can ask him soon what he thinks of his hairstyle." Miraj said, before walking out into the hall.

"Where are you going?" The Kapybara asked her.

"Manx told me to let her know the second he shows any progress. She is just waiting out in the hall because she couldn't stand the crowd of people in there earlier." Miraj replied.

"Alright then. Can I give more haircuts?" The Kapybara asked.

"Only if people ask for them." Miraj sighed.

"Can I set a fire?" The Kapybara asked.

"NO!" Miraj called back.

"Can I dissect something?" The Kapybara begged.

"Please don't." Miraj replied.

"Can I have a little baby kitten?" The Kapybara asked.

Manx limped into the room and replied "Sure, if you stop asking questions. And you can give the little baby kitten a haircut too if you like."

"Wait a minute! Manx, I thought I told you not to walk much on that foot." Miraj said.

"Well, I did. You were taking too long. How's Vaskin?" Manx stubbornly replied.

"What about my little baby kitten?" The Kapybara asked.

"KHASHMYR!" Manx yelled.

"Manx!" Miraj scolded. Manx rolled her eyes with a slight smirk and replied, "What? She deserves it."

"Who deserves what?" Khashmyr purred, casually strolling into the room.

"Cat!" The Kapybara shrieked, holding up the scissors enthusiastically.

"Um, What is going on here?" Khashmyr asked, just as a finger lightly touched her nose and the Kapybara said "Boop!"

Khashmyr hissed and swatted the Kapybara's hand away, yowling, "How dare you boop me! I have been violated!"

"How about I shave a nice butterfly into your fur." The Kapybara said happily.

"How about I carve a nice butterfly into your flesh!" Khashmyr hissed.

"Ooh, I like this cat." the Kapybara said.

"Don't you dare come near my beautiful fur with those scissors!" Khashmyr growled.

"Okay, you two, that's enough! We've had enough violence for one day!" Miraj said, stepping in between Khashmyr and the Kapybara.

"What happened to his hair?!" Manx suddenly yelled in surprise and alarm.

"I couldn't keep someone here away from the scissors." Miraj said.

"You wouldn't let me dissect anything." The Kapybara complained.

"No seriously, this is the best choice in fashion he's ever made." Manx said.

"Thank you!" The Kapybara exclaimed, before looking down at Manx's bandaged leg.

"You have a problem with that? I could happily amputate it for you." The Kapybara asked.

"You have amputated enough legs for one day, dare I repeat myself." Miraj warned.

"Well how about hands then? I see you've been having trouble with your left one today." The Kapybara asked.

"I would rather do it myself, and that isn't necessary." Miraj said.

"I'm hungry." The Kapybara stated. Miraj, Manx, and Khashmyr gave her a look of horror and disgust, before she said, "You idiots, I'm a vegetarian!"

"And yet you like severing body parts and killing people?" Manx asked

"Which is why I'm vegetarian." the Kapybara replied.

Manx narrowed her eyes and shook her head, before limping over near Vaskin and sitting down in the chair by his bedside. She then looked up at Miraj and asked, "Any word of my dad yet?"

Miraj solemnly shook her head and replied, "He fought bravely in the battle, but I haven't seen him come in yet."

Vaskin coughed, and Manx gently put her hand on his shoulder.

"What about the empress?" Manx asked.

"She's resting. Thank the Creator she sustained no sufficient injuries besides the cut on her chest." Miraj said.

"When do I get to meet this Empress that everyone fought and died so bravely for?" the Kapybara piped in.

"Eventually. But please, can you make yourself useful? You've been nothing but trouble all day." Miraj said.

"I want to help clean up the bodies." The Kapybara replied.

"I'm not stopping you, but you need a way to get around." Miraj said in relief.

"Get me a good stick and a lot of bandages." The Kapybara said.

Miraj shook her head but she gathered the necessary supplies and watched as the Kapybara made a makeshift peg leg out of them. The Kapybara then confidently strode out of the room and down the hall almost as if her leg was never severed below the knee. Soon after, a large peacock green and blue green dragon with neon orange wings crashed through the glass window carrying something in her claws.

"Glaedyn?" Miraj asked in surprise, having met the dragon just before the battle. The dragon nodded and her rider dismounted, his blue fur stained with sweat and blood.

"Hurry! Set him down here! Please, you're a medic, right?" Clout said desperately.

"Yes. I am. And you are wounded." Miraj said.

"It's nothing. Save him first!" Clout replied, somewhat out of breath and with three arrows sticking out of his back.

Manx stood up shakily and looked at the wounded man Clout and Glaedyn had brought in and she instantly recognized him. "Dad!" Manx called, limping to his side. He was barely conscious, and a trickle of blood ran out of the side of his mouth when he coughed. Miraj immediately set to work on his injuries.

"Is this man your father?" Clout asked gently.

Manx nodded, and Clout looked deeply into her eyes, got on one knee, and said, "Then you are one lucky girl. He lived a long hard life, and made his share of mistakes, but in the end, he was a hero."

Manx clenched her fists and angrily turned away and said, "He could've been a hero sooner."

"Aye. But what counts is he chose to be a hero at all. I don't know if he's going to make it, but at least I know where his heart stood in the very end." Clout said.

"You can't say that! You can't talk about him like you know him! You don't know who he really is!" Manx said, trying to control the shadows rushing out of her palms.

"Truth is, lass, I know him very well. We grew up together. And really, I know that if you know him like I know him you're in pain from his choices. And I see you carry his gift. The family gift. All that our parents left us with." Clout said solemnly.

"What do you mean?" Manx asked angrily.

"I don't know how to say this, because he must've never spoken about me much seeing as you don't have an inkling as to who I am. Your father...He is my older brother. We met when we were young, and he took me in, looked after me. But then, he started to change once he got back from that quest of his. And I've been trying to track him down ever since." Clout said.

Manx looked at him, with eyes wide, speechless.

"Come here, sweetheart. I know it hurts, but we're family. And if anything happens to him, I promise I will never let anything happen to you. I wish I was there to see you grow up." Clout said, holding out his arms.

"You aren't the only one! Please, if you know what's good for you, stay away." Manx said, crying.

Clout sighed slowly and said, "He calls you Tamira Jade, doesn't he? He always said that if he had a little girl he would name her Tamira Jade."

"Don't you ever call me that! I don't let anyone call me that! Please, just stop!" Manx sobbed, running out of the room.

Clout turned and looked at his brother, and asked, "Kaeoryn, why is your daughter so afraid of me?"

Kaeoryn coughed, and said, "She...she blames me. She blames me and I...I deserve it. I'm not...not a hero. I tore my family apart..trying to...trying to protect them."

Clout looked at him with a deep sadness in his eyes, and he said, "You were such a dreamer once. No cares. No fears. And I watched all that wither away under years of pain and rejection. The only reason I could control it more was because I hid my emotions until I forgot that I was sad. And I know it made you suffer. I am so sorry. I forgive you, brother. And I wish your little girl could forgive you too."

"I...missed you. All those years...I ran away. All because I didn't want you hurt. And I ran away when...when Ta-Manx was born because I didn't want the Red Shadow to know I had a family." Kaeoryn choked out between shallow breaths.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but can you hold still for a moment? This is going to hurt." Miraj said gently, as she applied pressure to a large gaping hole on his stomach to try and realign his internal organs. Kaeoryn winced a bit and then relaxed after a second.

"I don't see any internal bleeding yet. This one just grazed your intestines, but it looks like the worst is yet to come." Miraj said, before shaving off the fur around his belly with the edge of the scissors and reaching for a needle and thread, making sure no fur got into the wound.

"Where is... Sorrelle?" Kaeoryn gasped, as the needle went through the first time.

"She's outside getting fresh air. She wasn't injured all that badly." Miraj said.

Kaeoryn clenched his jaw and said, "I...need to...need to tell her I'm sorry."

Suddenly, Miraj heard a loud clatter behind her and she accidentally pricked herself with the needle in surprise. She turned around and saw Vaskin, sitting on the floor next to the bed he had been laying down in moments earlier.

"Miraj?" Vaskin said groggily.

"I'm busy. What do you need?" Miraj said, going back to stitching up Kaeoryn's wound.

"Manx is hurt. I left her in the room with the thingy." Vaskin said deliriously.

"Manx is fine. She's limping a little and sustained some minor bruises, but she's fine, You on the other hand, are not allowed to move." Miraj replied.