Zaira moved quickly down the rocky slopes toward the grassy clearing behind Galka War headquarters. Rows of white medical tents stood beside the pine trees, and healers in green robes hurried out when they saw the giant serpent approaching.
Zaira lowered her massive head to the ground. Several healers brought a stretcher forward as Sagiri climbed down from her back, carrying Lira carefully in his arms. He placed her on the stretcher and turned to the old healer waiting beside it.
"Her internal bleeding has stopped, but she needs rest and proper medicine," Sagiri said.
"She will be safe with us, supreme chief," the healer replied with a bow.
The new about him saving the Supreme Mandra must have spread because there was no hostility when the healers looked at him, and neither did the warriors react.
Sagiri gently took Lira's hand.
