Uh......Cow?

"Yeah, he should be fine when we get him back on his feet. He's been wounded about seven times. He never really gives up though." The doctor checked the pulse and smiled, "He's strong. Used to be married, he had a baby son and a wife. They were both killed about a month ago."

Alick was surprised at the news and looked at Rafael again. "That must have been a horrible blow. How were they killed?" she asked, feeling a little guilt for trying to pry into his life, but she shook the feeling off quickly.

"The house was set on fire when the battle got into his village. Apparently his wife went back for the baby when no one else would and the house crashed down." The doctor replied.

It was almost no wonder Rafael had pushed himself to the limit, it was as though he were trying to forget his past and worked hard so he wouldn't have to think about it.

"No wonder he's fighting so hard in the war...." Alick said queitly. This war has destroyed so many families....will it go on until nothing's left? she wondered, cleanching her fist. She sighed slightly as she stood up, crossing her arms against her chest, wondering what she was feeling at the news.

Rafael opened his eyes slowly, "Dang it." He muttered, "I'm too young to retire..." He mumbled to himself. He was at the age of twenty-four, he looked younger than that, in shape and face.

The doctor sighed, "You should retire."

"I'd rather die on the battle field than be a quitter."

Alick looked down at him and hesitated for a moment. "Well, as long as you can keep up, stay. If you're going to start slowing down missions, leave," she said, her voice cold as she pushed away all emotions. This is war, no time for any emotions except for hate, she thought, turning away.

Rafael felt like he'd been stabbed. All he ever did was work hard for everyone, all he ever did was fight and keep the enemy away from the camps. Was that not enough?

"I'll have to try harder. Apparently it's not good enough." He stood shakily.

"Rafael, you're already pushing your limits."

"Apparently not hard enough. Give me a potion."

The doctor frowned, "B-But..."

"Just do it! I have to get back on the battle field, I'm going to keep fighting as hard as I can, even if it kills me!"

Alick felt guilt as she watched his reaction, but she refused to let it show. "In this condition? You should rest before you actually go out there," she muttered, but started to walk away, not wanting to let her guilt get the best of her.

"No! All I ever do is help everyone! I won't rest!" Rafael left, he was going to fight again and fight harder than ever. If anything he would win the war for his people.

Alick went after him, but stopped, letting out a sigh. I'm an idiot, she thought bitterly, punching a tree out of anger at herself. She ignored the pain the throbbed through her hand, and leaned against the tree, as exhaustion overcame her and she fell asleep right there.

For the next few days Rafael would walk past her and ignore her as though she had some sort of awful disease. And then one day, when the battle seemed to be done Rafael was there, receiving medals. His face was so expressionless, he seemed awfully distant and didn't seem to pay anyone mind. Just as things were getting easier an ambush happened.

Alick was watching him from a distance, guilt filling her as she watched him. She was about to turn away when the ambush happened. They were caught by surprise and most of the soldiers were easy targets while a few were able to get there swords oout to defend themselves. Alick's sword was leaning against a tree several feet away from her. As several enemy soldiers started to head for her, she nearly dived to try and get to her sword, but an enemy previously unseen got to her first, blocking her way to the sword. He slashed deep into her unprotected thigh and she let out a loud yelp involuntarily. She glared at her attacker as he laughed and as another soldier grabbed her from behind, holding his sword to her throat as she struggled.

"Let him go!" A loud strong voice called, it was none other than Rafael, after all that had happened no one would have guessed he'd go and save her life. He shot two arrows hitting the man that was holding her right in the heart. Who was he to abandon one of his own?

Alick was surprised by his actions, but didn't waste time and quickly dived for her sword while the man who had slashed her thigh was distracted. She unsheated his sword just as he turned back to attack her. The enemy slashed his sword, only to be quickly blocked by her. Their swords were locked, but through brute force he managed to push her sword down and his into her shoulderblade. She winced slightly as she felt the cold blade digging into her. She disengaged her sword and quickly slit his throat before he had time to react. The man slumped to the ground, blood pouring from his throat as he bled out.

"Hey!" Rafael called as he dashed over to her, "Are you alright? SOMEONE GET A MEDIC!" He shouted as loud as his lungs would let him.