Chapter 7: Fractures and Reconciliations

The healer's tent was dimly lit, the thick fabric walls filtering out the orange glow of the setting sun. The sharp scent of herbs hung in the air, mingling with the faint, metallic tang of blood. Kael stood just inside the entrance, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.

Frenna lay on a cot near the back of the tent, her large frame looking uncharacteristically small beneath a thin blanket. Her skin was pale, her breaths shallow but steady. The blood-soaked bandages around her side had been replaced with fresh ones, but the sight still made Kael's stomach churn.

"She's stable for now," the healer said, her voice soft but firm. She was an older woman with sharp eyes and hands that moved with practiced precision as she adjusted Frenna's bandages. "But she lost a lot of blood. We'll know more by morning."

Kael nodded, his throat tight. He had hoped for better news, but the healer's calm demeanor gave him a sliver of hope.

"She's strong," the healer added, glancing at him. "If anyone can pull through this, it's her."

Kael swallowed hard. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

The healer gave him a brief nod before turning her attention back to Frenna. Kael lingered for a moment longer, his gaze fixed on her pale face.

"This is my fault," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.

The healer didn't look up. "If you want to help her, don't waste time blaming yourself. She needs strength around her, not regret."

Kael hesitated, then turned and left the tent, the healer's words echoing in his mind.

Outside, the camp was alive with activity. Fires crackled, casting flickering light across the rows of tents. Warriors moved in clusters, their voices low but urgent. Word of the failed hunt had already spread, and Kael could feel the weight of their stares as he walked through the camp.

He found Tayo sitting by a small fire near their tent, his bow resting across his knees. The tension between them had been palpable since their return, and Kael wasn't sure he was ready to face it. But as he approached, Tayo glanced up, his expression softening.

"Kael," Tayo said, standing as Kael reached the fire. "I... I'm sorry."

Kael blinked, the words catching him off guard.

"I shouldn't have said what I did," Tayo continued, his voice steady but laced with guilt. "In the canyon. I was angry, scared. But it wasn't all your fault. We all had a part in what happened. We all failed."

Kael shook his head, his jaw tightening. "No, Tayo. I was leading. It's on me."

"Kael—"

"It's my responsibility," Kael interrupted, his voice firm. "When you lead, the mistakes are yours to own. Frenna..." His voice faltered, and he looked away, the image of her bloodied body flashing in his mind. "She got hurt because I rushed in. Because I couldn't keep my head. That's on me, no one else."

Tayo frowned, his brow furrowing. "Kael, you're sixteen. None of us should have been in that canyon without better preparation. The tribes—"

Kael's head snapped up. "Don't blame the tribes," he said sharply. "I failed. Me. No one else."

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the crackle of the fire the only sound between them.

Finally, Tayo sighed and placed a hand on Kael's shoulder. "Then if you're going to take the blame, don't let it crush you. Learn from it. Frenna would want you to."

Kael looked down, his throat tight. "I just... I wanted to prove I could do it. That I could lead."

"You will," Tayo said firmly. "But not like this. Next time, we do it together."

Kael nodded, his chest heavy with a mixture of guilt and gratitude.

As the evening deepened, Kael wandered through the camp, his mind racing. He needed to clear his head, to think about what he could do to make things right. But as he turned a corner near the central fire, he froze.

A group of Ember Tribe warriors stood nearby, their voices low but heated. Ryn was with them, his face twisted into a scowl as he gestured animatedly. Kael couldn't hear every word, but he didn't need to.

"—reckless boy nearly got them all killed!" one of the warriors growled, his voice sharp with anger.

Another warrior, a woman with graying hair and a stern expression, nodded. "The Sun Tribe needs to rein him in before someone else pays the price for his incompetence."

Kael's stomach churned, a familiar heat rising in his chest. He stepped forward before he could stop himself.

"I'm right here," he said, his voice cutting through their conversation like a blade.

The warriors turned, their expressions darkening as they saw him.

"You've got a lot of nerve showing your face, boy," the first warrior said, his tone cold. "Do you have any idea what your actions cost?"

Kael clenched his fists. "I know," he said evenly. "And I'll take responsibility for it."

"Responsibility?" the woman scoffed. "Responsibility doesn't undo the damage you've done. Frenna's life is hanging by a thread because of you."

Kael's chest tightened, but he held his ground.

"What would you have done differently?" he asked, his voice sharp. "Or would you rather have someone else lead next time?"

The warrior opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"That's enough."

Talar stepped into the circle of firelight, his staff tapping against the ground with quiet authority. His expression was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to his voice.

"This isn't the time for blame," Talar said, his gaze sweeping over the warriors. "The hunt failed. We need to focus on healing and preparing for what comes next, not tearing each other apart."

The warriors exchanged glances, their expressions hard but uncertain. Finally, the woman sighed and gestured to Ryn. "Come on. Let's go."

Ryn hesitated, his glare lingering on Kael before he turned and followed the warriors away.

Kael stood stiffly, his jaw clenched as he watched them go.

"You didn't have to do that," he said quietly, turning to Talar.

Talar raised an eyebrow. "Do what?"

"Fight my battles," Kael said, his voice tinged with frustration. "I don't need you stepping in every time someone's angry with me."

Talar studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he nodded. "If that's how you feel, I'll step back."

Kael's chest tightened, but he didn't reply. Instead, he turned and walked away, the sound of Talar's staff fading behind him.

As he reached the edge of the camp, he stopped and looked up at the sky. The stars were just beginning to appear, their faint light flickering against the vast darkness.

Kael closed his eyes, the weight of the day pressing down on him like a storm. He had wanted to prove himself. Instead, he had failed—again.

But I can't stop now.

Taking a deep breath, Kael opened his eyes and turned back toward the camp. There was still so much to do.