Chapter 6

Without a moment's hesitation, I locked up the shop, slung my medical satchel over my shoulder, and made straight for the military encampment beyond the city walls.

The camp was a hive of urgent activity. The smell of blood and bitter herbs hung thick and heavy in the air.

Wounded soldiers lay in rows inside the tents, their agonised groans filling the space without pause.

The officer in charge of registering the volunteers shot me a sceptical look and frowned. "What business does a woman have here?

"There is no place for idle meddling. Go home. You do not belong…