Sharp Flowers

Part 25

Sebastian sighs in defeat and kisses my forehead. With a gentle hand, he brushes my hair back as his other hand slides down my back.

"Must you go?" Sebastian complains as he pulls me closer to his body.

"You know I belong on the battlefield," I remark, "You could come with?" I suggest with a longing look. However, the longing look in his eyes and the apologetic smile answer me first.

"It would be better if I remained here. The people have seen me fight too much," Sebastian admits, referring to the few times he let loose on the battlefield. I sigh, leaning against him before I have to go. I gear up, take my sword, and head for the front gates to meet with Peter and Felicity. We have a mission to lead while Volker and Elfie are currently leading another one. We're to meet up with them on the road, which hopefully, we'll be on a roll by then. Felicity greets me with squinting, knowing eyes and a sarcastic smirk spreading across her face. Though she's silent about it, her face says it all.

"You look well for someone that didn't sleep much," she greets me, and I jab her hard with my elbow. "Ow, well, good morning," Felicity remarks.

"Must you be so loud?" I complain, my face warming.

"Oh please, everyone knows," Felicity grumbles.

"Oh, quit it. We have a mission," I try to dismiss Felicity.

"Really now, I hadn't noticed," Felicity scoffs at me, shrugging me off, "We have all the time in the world before we get there," she reminds me, "What's the king's bed like?" she asks, and I elbowed her again. I sigh in defeat, unable to smile a little at the fresh memory. My body is still warm from his touch.

"He is amazing," I start, gosh where to start, "I already miss him," I giggle sheepishly.

"Your lovesick," Felicity gushes. We both stifle our giggling among the other Knights and Shields, trying to keep some air of professional focus, but she's right. I'm love-sick, and Felicity is gossip sick. Plus, it's nice to have an ear to listen to.

"I wonder though- I wonder if my father would have liked him? I begin to wonder.

"Really, what's not to like?" Felicity scoffs at my speculation. "I mean besides that," Felicity laughs, giving me an understanding look at the unspoken explanation between us. "I mean, he's a perfect gentleman of high status. He's educated, his family has an honorable history in the military...," Felicity drones on, "Plus, it puts your brother in a higher status, too," Felicity points out. I look to Peter, though standing close by, he hasn't said a word. He stares on ahead with a lazy look in his eyes that screams boredom.

"What about you, Felicity?" I inquire, trying to shift the attention off me.

"Oh, you know, I haven't anyone special in mind," Felicity tells me, gazing off into the sky, "The knights are fun to play with, though," she suggests.

"Just to play with?" I wonder, inspecting her closely.

"Hm, just a little bit. It wouldn't be any fun if it turned serious," Felicity shrugs, "The knights are all fun. They come off the field all worked up..." she adds, her voices trailing off as we head uphill through the woods off the trail.

"We shouldn't be that far from the place their caravan was last seen," Peter announces, "Everyone, prepare to engage soon," he warns us. We nod, our eyes focused again, and our independent chattering quiet. Felicity pauses, and we crouch low. There, just ahead, rolls one of Ryder's supply wagons. The wagon is covered by a large white sheet, hiding any supplies and soldiers within. From the outside, it looks like a simple market wagon on the way back to the farm. Felicity reaches around, grabs her bow and arrow, and takes aim. Felicity's eyes narrow when Peter raises a hand, finding a target to strike with slow and careful precision. She inhales sharply, lowering the arrow to watch as a larger party coming down the other end of the road joins them. Damn, our numbers are closely matched. I pray Volker's party is moving fast. "Be careful," Peter warns, softly and we nod with total understanding. My brother watches, his hazel eyes hard, unblinking pebbles watching their moves, but I hear the unspoken question. What do we do now? Peter frowns, wrinkling his face. He gestures for Felicity, the archer squad, and I to head in from behind them.