Blood Soldiers: The Second Army - Grishaverse Prequel

18 - Aleksander

They spent the next day marching, before stopping to camp in the cover of the trees about half a mile from the battlefield. Evening had fallen and the sounds of fighting had stopped, both sides withdrawing to see to their wounded and rest before the next day.

Dinner was being served near the large Fabrikator tent, the Grisha lined up in their brilliant keftas as they waited for their food. Funds seemed to be eternally low, but Yelena had sent out a hunting party with any willing Grisha, and they'd brought back a rather large array of rabbit, duck and other apparently edible creatures. Tonight's cooks had gone all out, making a large batch of stew with root vegetables, cabbage, and all the mystery meat they could find.

The soldiers didn't seem to mind though, chowing down on their hot food while sitting around the many campfires dotted throughout the camp. A small one had been set up outside his tent, where Yelena and the original Grisha camped, and they trickled in slowly, first Irina and Eryk who'd grown closer over their journey, then Marko and Pavel, Yeva, Sonya, Dima and Elitza.

He ate with them, listening to their ideas and thoughts about the battle for tomorrow. Marko suggested having all the Inferni and Squallers work together to create a massive firestorm that sent the Fjerdan's packing. Surprisingly, the others didn't think it was a horrible idea.

Finally, Yelena arrived, holding a steaming bowl and a flask, "Care for a drink anyone?"

Marko whooped and took it from her, taking a swig, before his eyes went wide, "Woah, is that brandy? You've been holding out on us Commander!"

Yeva rolled her eyes and took the flask, "You aren't even old enough to drink, how did you know it was brandy?"

Marko's only response was a mischievous grin. Yeva took a swig and handed it to Irina beside her. They went on, passing around the rich drink.

"No seriously, where did you get that?" Dima asked her once they'd all finished drinking.

"I don't share my secrets," was all she said as she continued eating.

They went on, taunting each other and teasing as the dinner wore on. Soon enough though, the reality of what they were going to do tomorrow sunk in, and silence fell.

Yelena spoke first, her eyes intense, "Tomorrow, they'll all be looking to us for guidance. You cannot fail them. Stay calm and focussed, the Fjerdan's don't know we're coming. Everyone knows the plan. We can do this."

They nodded, their own faces just as fierce and Aleksander almost felt sorry for the Fjerdan's. Almost.

Yelena looked back to the fire as she continued, "Tonight I want you to do rounds, talk to them, encourage them, help put them at ease. If you look confident, they will feel it too. And remind them to be in bed in an hour or there will be consequences. They need to be up and ready to move before dawn, I won't tolerate any tardiness. They need to have their tent's packed and be ready to march or they will be in trouble like never before." Her eyes met theirs, one by one. "I want the world to see us as an army, polished, refined, prepared, dangerous."

Satisfied that they'd got the message, she nodded, "Dismissed."

They stood as one, taking their dishes back to the centre of the camp where the kitchen shift was beginning to wash the dishes. The leftover stew would be kept for breakfast and they would all eat quickly before heading off. They planned to be on the move towards the battlefield at dawn, to give them time to talk with the First Army.

With the others gone, Aleksander allowed himself to truly take in the camp, the rows of armoured, water-proof tents, the soldiers in their coloured keftas milling around and excitedly chatting about tomorrow.