The man in the shabby green shirt was hiding behind a randu tree. His face, dripping with sweat, appeared every now and then. Observing some of the enemy troops that passed not far from where he stood.
Matias was holding a leaf that he had recently picked on the edge of the river. After the situation around him was safe, then he resumed his steps towards the tent belonging to the defense soldiers.
With his swift steps, he hurriedly entered the green tent. Approaching a soldier sitting beside a stretcher.
"Here are the leaves, sir!"
The stern-faced man accepted what Matias handed him. "That's right! This is the leaf I'm talking about! Hold your pain for a while, Daniel! I've found the leaf." he said to the man whimpering on his horn.
The soldier's two hands went to work tearing the leaf, he also squeezed the leaves until the juice came out. He again mixed the pieces of the leaf with the juice. Then returned to the two men waiting there.
"You will scream when I place this leaf on your wound. Please bear with it if you want to get better soon."
Daniel could only nod, the man would immediately cover the wound on his with the leaves he had mixed earlier. Matias faithfully accompanied his friend.
And sure enough, Daniel began to scream when little by little the leaf concoction seeped into the wound. The arrow wound he got when chasing enemy troops who wanted to attack the huts in the interior.
"Close your eyes Daniel! Try to get some sleep! A short rest will affect the healing of your wound."
"Hmm! Thank you sir." he said hoarsely.
"I'll be back on guard. Hurry up and recover so we can work together again!" said Matias before leaving the tent.
"Mr. Matias!" the head soldier called out to him.
"Yes sir!" Matias hurried. Running a little towards the man.
"It seems that things are getting better. You also know that many enemy troops have fallen. With good cooperation, the soldiers and defense forces have repelled the remaining enemy troops. Although not all of them, at least the number of enemy troops hiding in the countryside can still be overcome by our soldiers. So... go home! Return to the city with the rest of the defense forces tonight."
"Do you mean it, sir?"
"Yes! We really appreciate your help and cooperation over the past four years. It is time for you to return."
Two hours later, the rest of the defense forces had gathered, they were surprised and delighted when Matias announced that tonight they would be sent back to the city. Daniel, who had not long woke up from his sleep, immediately laughed happily when he heard it. Until he forgot about the painful wound on his left arm.
They were getting impatient for nightfall. The rest of the time they had was spent tidying up all the equipment and their belongings.
"How's your wound, Daniel?"
"Huh! It doesn't even feel like I was shot by an arrow, after hearing the decision of them chief warrior."
"I'm not kidding, Daniel! Has the leaf done its job perfectly your wound?" he asked as he looked down at the wound.
"Yes! It really worked, Matias! After waking up earlier, my arm felt lighter to move."
"We should pick these leaves to take home."
"What did you say, to treat me there? I can see a doctor for....."
"Not to treat you! But, to treat the wound in my girl's heart which I left behind for too long."
"What? Are you crazy Matias?"
"Yes! With this leaf, her heart wound will dry up quickly."
"Hahaha. Indeed, we should go home soon, so that you don't go crazy."
"Don't you miss my sister?"
"Huh? I don't think I need to answer that stupid question!"
***
Martha had just arrived at her house this evening. A servant came up to her as she was walking to her room.
"Miss Martha! Wait, Miss."
Martha turned around and stopped.
"I have a letter for you." as he thrust a rectangular white envelope into Martha's hand.
Martha accepted it with a faint smile and skimmed the sender's name. "Thank you Rob."
The waiter bowed respectfully, then left. Carrying the letter, Martha resumed her walk to her room. She sat down on her dressing table chair and carefully opened the envelope's head with a thin knife.
"Hello Martha! Thank you for your letter the other day. I was quite surprised to find out that it was you who wrote me back. Please forgive me for only able to reply to your letter at this time. In fact, this letter may only reach your hands one month after I wrote this reply. I really regret how slow the system of sending letters between countries is nowadays.
Thank you for your congratulations, Martha! I also didn't expect that my painting would win an award. I really hope Matias and Daniel come back soon, in good condition. If I had been there at the time, I would have... fought with them.
Don't be sad my sister, Martha! Your Daniel will come back!
Three months ago, I was married to a native girl from of this country. But at the moment, there's no sign that we'll be having children soon. And you know what? This country is so beautiful, even though I really miss my country, but... I don't know when I'll go back there. But for sure, someday I'll take my wife and son to visit the land of my birth. Take care of yourself, Matha! If you had been here when I got married I would have asked you to arrange many flowers for my bride."
Greetings your friend,
Rodrigues.
Martha had tears in her eyes after closing and folding the letter. She was deeply moved, realizing that time and distance can change everything.
And if only there had never been any chaos at the border, she might have married Daniel by now.
The first time Rodrigues sent word, he wrote to Matias. However, since Matias wasn't at his residence, their servant passed the letter into Martha's hands.
Once she knew who the sender was, Martha decided to open and read it. For she didn't know when her brother would return. After reading it, Martha felt bad if she didn't reply to the letter. The girl thought that in the distance, Rodrigues must be waiting for a reply to his letter from Matias. So Martha decided to write a letter back to Rodrigues. And the letter that she had recently received, was a reply to Martha's previous letter last letter.
Martha wiped her tears with the back of her hand, then got up from her chair. Now she had to clean herself up, after being at her flower stall for almost a whole day. She also had to get ready for dinner tonight, with Count Antonio and Countess Victoria.