Chapter 137 - Frostbite

Running along with the Platoon on their morning run, Woldemir was always sure to not miss being a part of the run.

The difference between a man yelling at the platoon to run while himself sitting down and sipping tea compared to a man running along with the Platoon as a unity, as one, motivating the weak and the strong to never give up even if your life depended on it, is very big. Anyone would be inspired.

It doesn't just increase the overall morale of the Platoon, it increases the motivation for progress, to get stronger. With the right mindset, these people will understand that now they all have the chance to become Grand Masters at Swordsmanship. and seeing a 42 year old man being completely capable to outrun them, their motivation just increases. Be it ego, envy or l.u.s.t for progress, they all want to outmatch Woldemir some day. They want to be the pride of the Platoon.

For Isabel however, this training schedule is a breeze compared to the 12 hour long daily training schedule they had in Lan Zhe which knocked out cold any 10 foot tall Calidum Lutum when they went to sleep. It is even a breeze for the two considerably good and the one considered bad compared to the rest of the Calidum Lutum Guards. When they chose to remain here, aiding the Electus and aiming to do more with their lives was their first goal, witnessing many people who can't match their skillset, just inspired them to stay and do more. Even the weakest of the four is stronger than any of the 100 Guards.

Due to the Calidum Lutum being naturally faster, able to outrun a horse, they had to slow down their running, double the amount in order for the other troops of the Platoon to catch up or not feel worthless and weak, to act as a unit. But of course that only made the training easier for the 4.

However what Woldemir just witnessed, is something he never expected from a strong, capable, independent, 8 foot tall woman. He never predicted it, never thought of it. Isabel, tripped and fell down when she was running. Well she didn't exactly trip, she more of lost feelings on her feet. Her feet felt completely numb and a burn as if a dagger was constantly being bashed on her toes occurred which made her lose balance.

"What happened! What's wrong?" Yelled Woldemir as he ran towards Isabel with his heart feeling like it sank down. Seeing the Platoon's most powerful warrior simply fall on the ground. He feared for the worst.

"She fell Guard Commander Sir!" Exclaimed one of the Guards, not knowing what to do. How can he handle an 8 foot tall woman who is the pride of the Platoon? What experience he possibly had would help in this case?

"I can see that Beginner. I want to know why she fell down! People don't drop down because they are well and Healthy!"

Yelled Woldemir trying to hold down his stress and not letting it turn into anger. No one deserves to be yelled at in this platoon after all, they are just confused. Even Woldemir is confused.

"Check if she got shot anywhere!" He knew that a simple Arrow can't bring her down. 10 could, but one no. Even if its on the head. Especially because she is wearing a helmet. Even a crossbow bolt can't simply do it, apart from all of that, who would have the guts to sneak in  and single handedly face a platoon? There was no opposing army in sight!

But since she isn't wearing her full body armour, he had to check. Wearing a full body armour through an 8 hour long training schedule will slow them down greatly, the only metal she was wearing was her Helmet and boots. So Woldemir had to sew a 5 foot long fur coat for her and 4-5 foot long fur leggings. A bit to long, the fur coat reached almost halfway down her knees but like an overprotective father, he had to make sure she is warm and cozy and a longer coat didn't fail to do that. But above from all of that, Isabel looked adorable in a fur coat. Imagine an 8 foot tall moody looking woman, with her lips covered by the neck area of the fur coat, and the fur coat failing to sleep with her body but hanging wide and somewhere lumpy. It was nothing but adorable. He didn't insist for her to be dressed in front of him either, so don't worry about that. Luckily he isn't at all perverted. But considering that she isn't wearing armour, checking for wounds is his one and best idea.

A second before the Guards were about to examine her wounds, she crouched into a ball, gently tapping her feet, trying to point out what's wrong with her current health. She doesn't know any language but Calidum Lutum, so hand gestures are her best option. Even if she spoke in her language to the 3 other Calidum Lutum, it wouldn't bring any information towards Woldemir because there wasn't anyone around to translate.

"I think she hurt her feet!" Swiftly said another Guard when he saw her pointed at her own feet.

He didn't spare a second and quickly removed her left Iron boot and witnessed a foot long...well. foot. He instantly noticed the problem the second he witnessed the inside of the boot. It was all made of Iron, no fur. no leather. nothing. Not only this would be torturously uncomfortable for the feet due to it being all iron, but it doesn't provide warmth. It makes the feet even colder at Winter and even hotter in summer. Of course a Calidum Lutum's natural endurance has little trouble battling the uncomfortability, but these people are used around the warmth of the Volcano. Cold isn't for them even though Woldemir Sewed fur coats and leggings for all four of them.

"By the 8 sources. this is not good! This is frostbite. If she doesn't get warm soon, she will lose a toe or two!" Grief overwhelming his heart, he yelled out an order to the Calidum Lutum while doing hand gestures to make as much sense as possible! "You two. Lift her up and take her to my house!" Then he pointed to an ill.u.s.tratian Guard and said "You! Stand in front of them and show them the way to my house. They need to know where they are going." After they lifted her, one holding her from one side and one from the other by grabbing her underneath the arms, they made sure that her feet aren't touching the ground at all.

Woldemir took off his shirt and turned it inside out, seeing it being the only piece of warm cloth available for the moment, he had to act quick. I mean no other person would take their shirt off in this cold weather. He removed both iron boots from her feet, pushed her feet near each other and tied them up with the shirt gently without ripping the shirt. Since the shirt is inside out, Woldemir's body heat will prove useful to warm her feet up. At least enough for her to not lose a finger while they get her feet near a FirePlace. Afterwards he turned his head around and while holding her feet with one hand, he pointed at the remaining Calidum Lutum and with a hand gesture and a Command he said

"Follow us!" Afterwards he turned to an Ignite Guard and told him to continue the training. they already know the schedule so they should do fine.

The two Calidum lutum Guards didn't waste a second transporting her to Woldemir's house. It only took almost a minute for them to reach it. They placed her near the FirePlace who was burning hot, hot air blowing on their face as soon as they entered the house. Woldemir left the house barely an hour ago, so the fire is burning bright.

After setting her down to sit on a warm pile of fur near the Fireplace shaped and stacked to be perfect to sit on. With her feet half a foot away from the fire, he went ahead and threw 10 fist like coal chunks and 2 thick pieces of dried out wood, he started getting a closer look at her feet. And noticed something he didn't expect to see. Her toes have turned from pitch black to boiling red. Pointing out that the frostbite was only halfway there from making her lose a toe or two. He sighed in relief when he saw that this damage is easily reversible. 20 minutes near the fireplace and she will be alright.

"Sir. Put your shirt on. We don't need our leader getting sick." Handed the ill.u.s.tratian Guard the shirt to Woldemir, noticing that the reason behind Isabel getting red, wasn't only because of the Fire burning near her.

Butterflies invaded her stomach as she witnessed Woldemir putting on his thick leather shirt on. Covering his large chest and 8 pack abs. His waist looks like it can endure arrows without a scratch. She didn't bother to turn her head to see but managed to get a few short glances.

"You 3. Get those iron boots off and put your feet near the Fireplace. I can't believe I was shortsighted enough to not check if your boots are warm and comfortable." He said as he tried his best with countless hand gestures to explain what he meant, even taking his shoes off to show what he means. "I need to start making appropriate shoes for your comforts and sizes."