"So first, we need to thoroughly check if the cloth used is clean. Otherwise a dirty cloth would cause infection and would soon result in an untimely death," I lifted up some clean cloth and showed it to everyone.
We are currently in a small home that is now turned into a medical facility. I am showing them my basic knowledge for first aid first while the other Maclean women are arranging the ingredients to share their knowledge about making some tonics out of the medicinal herbs.
"Now, when putting these cloth to the fresh wound, you need to be careful with the herbs that you are going to bind with it. Make sure if the wound is safe enough to put the herb directly, because some wounds can be fatal even if the surface doesn't look like it. In that case, several litres of warm water will also be prepared. So if you come across a wound like I have mentioned earlier, you can get some warm water and smash the herbs content there. Extract the water and press it gently to the wound. Another thing, always be gentle with the wound. Check how much pressure is needed, yet do not compromise the time. We do not attend to a single patient, the whole barracks is under our care."
I looked at everyone and they seemed to be extremely attentive to whatever I am saying. They give me a nod from time to time while others are really focusing on what I am showing to them. I gave them a basic demonstration using a scarecrow as an example of what to do during the war.
It has been hours since we started the lesson. Since this morning, we have been here at the facility all day. We had no contact of what's happening outside, especially with the men since none of us dared to go out while the session was happening.
The sun's rays are already poking at the windows of the facility. The golden beam reached the hem of my dress, indicating that the sun is about to set half an hour from now. I finished my discussion after a short while, and then called the two chosen Maclean women to teach the entire pack of women how to make tonic and the use of every herb.
Everyone is here, from the whole woman of Fergus' clan, up to the maidservants and the other women from the other parts of Scotland who volunteered to help. As per those who wished to be left behind, a secure place will also be given to them. Together with the children and pregnant women.
"Nana, please facilitate here first. I'll go check the training and other accounts that need attention," I whispered to Nana when I pulled her to the side when the Maclean women started teaching. She nodded at me and looked at the instructors in the front who also gave me a slight nod with a smile.
"It's fine. You go check on them. Attend everything you have to do, I'll look after them and make sure that they are properly taught. I'll also dismiss them at exactly the 18th hour of the day, just like what you instructed. Anyway, you already know everything that is taught here. So you go ahead first."
I smiled at her gratefully, and hugged her before going out of the facility. Indeed she is right. The Maclean women taught the tonics and herbs to me first last night before deciding to teach it today. I really hope that they can learn it fast so we can immediately proceed to another session.
I strode the path until I reached the far end of Duncan. Outside the walls of our manor, beyond the enormous gates of Duncan, there faced a huge plain. Fergus and I talked yesterday and planned that they use the plain field as a training ground. And then proceed to the northern barracks for an obstacle course. Nevertheless, teaching a lot of men does not require going over and over the obstacle course. Lachlan said they will be focusing on building up the stamina. Especially to those men who volunteered to join.
I was walking further as the light of the sun also started to dim. It was almost the end of sunset when I reached them. The high ranking soldiers are shouting, commanding everyone as Fergus also starts the command and shows them a demonstration first. Lachlan was serious there as he was leading the volunteers.
They are separated into three groups. Perhaps arranged as the volunteers, soldiers, and the forces from the other kingdoms. Yes, it has been days since the meeting and the other kingdoms immediately responded to our help. However, I also heard that some reinforcements may be delayed because they are still choosing the best to send as a backup.
I understand their dilemma. As this is not a joke, it is either all of us will be finished or our alliance will come off with a greater power. Britain is a prominent country. They also have many alliances on their.side, therefore I am extremely sure that if Scotland loses this battle, then all of our alliances will be invaded as well.
They were at the last demonstration when they saw me. Fergus immediately stood up, picked up a towel and went near me. I smiled at him as he stopped on his tracks a foot away from me. I inched closer to him and took his towel. I wiped the excess sweat from his hair up to his chin.
He smiled at me and faced the officials. "Sir, it is getting dark. I think we should stop from here. We have been training since half past four in the morning earlier. They are all too tired as well. We can work on their stamina again tomorrow. Thank you so much for the guidance." He dismissed as everyone walked past us.
Fegus finished wiping the sweat off his arms and body. He placed the towel on his shoulders and held my hand as he looked at Lachlan. I followed his gaze and saw Lachlan picking up some big ropes and placed it above the other ropes and unused tires. He saw me and gave me a huge smile and waved at me. I was about to wave back at him when we heard an explosion from afar.
"Take cover!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. Fergus knocked me down on the ground with my cheek directly touching the soil. He covered me as he lay on top of my back covering both of our heads with his large hand. He pressed his hand on my head firmly as several debris of trees, twigs, branches, and rocks were falling around because of the explosion.
We waited for a few more minutes before everything calmed down. Fergus quickly got off me and helped me get to my feet. He used his rough palm to wipe away the soil from my cheek. I looked at him only to see a few bruises and small cuts from his arm. Preferably from the explosion.
I looked around to check, everyone was also on their feet. Luckily, all they had was small cuts and bruises, no fatal injury was acquired. The women who was in the facility earlier also came out and quickly went towards us. Their faces screamed terror and shock. The facility is not that far, so they probably heard the loud explosion even from a distance.
"I'll go check what happened to that explosion," Fergus told me. As he turned his back on me, I immediately held his arm, making him stop. I looked at the burning part of the forest. The fire was not that big, but one can infer that someone intentionally threw something there to make jt fire. From this point, I am guessing that it was a small explosive given the small circumference of the trees that are burned. A small, yet loud explosive, a grenade!
"I'll be coming with you," I said seriously and looked at him directly in the eye. He must have sensed my seriousness and decided not to go against it when he saw that I have no plans of backing down. Lachlan and the two high ranking officials also went with us. As the other soldiers picked up some flashlights and cleared the way for us.
When we reached the centre of the fire, we found nothing. Like only a literal hole on the ground and a burning smell of wild grass can be seen and smelled. While Fergus and the rest of the guys are busy inspecting the damaged area, I told them that I will inspect the surrounding areas. Not waiting for a reply, I began roaming around in a circular path when I stepped onto something.
I picked it up only to see a safety pin. A silver circular object, which I am extremely familiar with. Back in the academy, I have been taught about different explosives and ammunitions, as well as firearms. Yet seeing this safety pin, it can be considered as a grenade, only that this is much more explosive than any common type of grenade.
I called out the men's attention and showed them what I found. I explained to them what that js. Not too soon, they began debating on whether what kind of grenade was used. "Gentlemen, if I may speak, this is no ordinary grenade. Therefore I can conclude that no one here knows what kind of grenade this is as this is made solely for a state. Or it is made exclusive to a private person. "
They all fell into a deep silence until one soldier shouted. We hurriedly went to his way when he lifted up a steel container. "I was roaming around, just like what her majesty djd. I was about to return to where you guys were when my flashlight suddenly hit something reflective. I thought it was only the reflection of the moon since it's already dark, but I realised that the forest is extremely dense to get the moonlight through. That is when I discovered this."
Fergus took it from him and led the way again to the centre of where the fire started, but right now, only ashes was left as the small fire died down and did not implicate other trees in the same area. We circled around him with the flashlights focusing on the box as he slowly opened it.
When it was opened, a small piece of paper was revealed to us. He was handed a flashlight so he could see the written letter in a better state. The paper was folded one too many times so it took a good few seconds before it was opened.
"This is just the first wave, your majesty." That was what was written on the paper. No one knows who it is directed to. It is either the king, the queen, me, or Fergus since he is part of the royalty now. Nevertheless, Fergus kept the letter inside the container and brought it with him.
Whoever was behind the explosive sure does know his or her way around. It is difficult to carry an explosive around, much more difficult to hover around the vicinity given the numerous guards we have patrolling over. Now I know that whoever that person is, he must be English. And sadly, my father must be the one to give him a blueprint around the house.
However, I am afraid. Just like a chess game, the white piece moves first. In this case, Britain was the white piece. By sending that message, they are indicating that the war I am fearing the most has begun.