The next day did not start with good news, nor did it progress with any.

Abbott and his deputy were dead, as were many others who were exposed to the poison. Only three of the sixteen archers survived the coma, with the doctors reporting that the survivors’ ability to make a full recovery remained uncertain, thus they were under strict monitoring. Hazel survived, but her condition remained under supervision as well. And she was awake for not more than four hours a day, as were the three archers. Even during their short hours awake, they weren’t completely lucid enough to recall the events from the other day.

The next Chief...