A Flame in The Wind

Chapter 10 - Amber

"I expect this to be a joke. I mean this is absurd!" A voice yelled within the tent, "why did you not consult me about this?" The table and chairs before me were empty, but the sounds were coming from the room behind the desk. Likely a lounge room or bedroom for Helen.

"I thought it up on a whim and didn't think Ean would actually succeed in his ventures. The boy is talented no doubt, but one must always be ready for the worst. You said so yourself," another voice, Helen I presume, countered back along with the clinking of glasses.

"Indeed, I did, but nonetheless we should have discussed this. I have spies there already, why someone so inexperienced? Let alone who we are unsure of her loyalties. She would report us."

"Nothing is set in stone."

"And yet I know that your plan is already in motion. Don't think I didn't see the horses being prepared in the eastern stables or the letters on the table that I'm sure Brida was enthusiastic about falsifying. Where is this mistrust sprouting from?"

"Since you've stopped returning to our bed, since you've prioritized work over me. Ever since his death you've been avoiding me with every fiber in your body. I can't stand by and watch while you turn into a ghost," the was a pause and shuffling of fabric before Helen whispered her next words, "I didn't want you to add another thing to your worries. I am sorry I did not tell you, but I did what I thought was right for you, for us."

An even greater silence stretched, and I began to wonder I should have left a long time ago, "you lied to me nonetheless," there was a clattering of metal upon metal, and I realized the other person was leaving. In my direction, "I will be in my tent."

Before I had the time to make it out of the tent, the mystery person opened the flaps and rushed past me. I watched as General Verena whipped past me without an acknowledgement at all.

With a sigh, Helen walked through the fluttering flaps that led to the back room, "I'm sorry you had to see that."

"I didn't see anything. I only heard your conversation," I slowed my words as I realized what had exited my mouth.

"Clever girl. Have you thought over my suggestion?" she walked over to a stand in the corner of her tent and poured a glass of the amber liquid, alcohol no doubt.

When she saw me starring, she snorted, "Forgive me, did you want one?"

I'd never had alcohol before, but I'd heard it was a wonderful numbing agent, "in the morning?"

She gave me a laugh and sat down, "you'll understand in time. Now out with it before I lose my patience and time."

"I understand that your time is limited, but I'm afraid my mind is in many places at once. I neither accept nor decline your offer. I'm hoping you'll give me more time to think and give me aid to find my brother," I spat out, trying my hardest to sound like I knew what the hell I was talking about. Like a respectful lady would speak. One my mother would have been sure to heckle out of me.

There was a long pause, her gaze poring into me. My resolve and courage almost disappearing completely before she took another sip from her glass, "Very well, I grant you more time. As for the aid at finding your brother, I can only send out so many people to return with information. In any case, I will have word sent out on our departing voyagers on information of your brother."

"I thank you nonetheless."

"Well, if there's nothing you'd like to say or mention I must ask you to leave," she motioned to the flaps behind me, and I didn't hesitate to move out of the tent.

In the open air, I took a moment to settle my shaking nerves. I had never talked to someone as straightforward as I had there. Not even to my parents. I was glad that I had listened to the conversations James and my father had with visitors of business. I was able to replicate their tone of voice.

After I felt more of myself, I turned to walk back to the infirmary to find Danica with a relaxed and defensive stance posted next to the sentries by the entrance of the tent. Gone was the mud that had covered head to toe and was now clad in a sensible cloth ensemble.

"Danica," I gave an acknowledging head nod, "when did you get here?" I hadn't seen here anywhere near us when Ean had dropped me off, and the meeting with Helen must have taken only about a few minutes if at all.

"Unlike you princess, I know when and when not to enter a scene," was her only repyl before she started walking away from the tent. I wasn't sure if I was to follow so I stood there looking to my left and right for anyone else familiar, but the scene around me was bare safe for the sentries. "Princess! You lost or are you going to wake up and magically grow sense in your little brain."

Trying to contain myself, I took deep breaths and walked down the path where yet again Danica was continuing her path. We said nothing more to each other until we'd arrived to a new tent, and a small I had to admit that I wasn't sure someone could possibly enter comfortably.

"Welcome to your new mansion. Quite spacious for you I think." She opened the flap to show me the inside. Nothing laid within besides a very thin mattress with a blanket and pillow laid at its end. "While you stay at the camp though, and eat our food, you'll need to earn your keep. I thought that the latrines would be a good place for you start."

I couldn't believe this woman in front of me, the audacity of her to blatantly make my life miserable, "I have done nothing to offend you, so please tell me how I have wronged you."

"What I cannot stand as that people like you, princess, get whatever they want. And people like me have to struggle to get by every single day." Danica's words held back nothing as she held my stare, arms crossed.

"You think I haven't struggled? My parents were murdered, I was threatened with rape, and was sent to a rebel camp where I know no one trustworthy. I have nothing and no one and yet you act like it is a blessing for me. Whatever hell you have gone through, find another outlet because I will not stand by and take the brunt of it."

I could tell I'd hit a mark, as her lips pursed and her eyes had practically turned aflame, "ah, the little princess has finally grown some sense, if you had opened your sheltered eyes though you would have realized that everyday people have been fucked over like that for centuries already. Life is unfair and unkind; you should learn that now while you can. The war is getting worse by the hour and the likes of you will not be the last ones standing."

"You say I have no reason, yet I feel the same could be said for you. I do not know you, and you know nothing about me. So, before either of us does anything rash, I give you a truce. I will interact with you as little as possible as that seems to be what you enjoy best. You will remove all predispositions you have of me, and at least give me the courtesy of a decent occupation."

"I'd like to see you even try to touch me," she gave me a smile, but her eyes were anything but kind.

"Fine, I will find someone else that can help me with a much better attitude," I turned and began walking without glancing back at her.

"Princess! Ean's gone on another mission, and I doubt you'll be able to find anyone with the size of the camp."

"Watch me!" I yelled without turning back. I wasn't as pathetic as to not be able to find a willing person to aid me. I heard some faint muttering before Danica came into view and was walking beside me. She kept pace with me and didn't attempt to lead us anywhere in particular. So, I just kept us twisting around the camp, listening to the sounds of work taking a break for the commune of lunch.

"So, what can you do? If you're going to work at least it can be something you know how to do," her face was no less welcoming than before, but change in tone had me believing I'd gotten her to warm up to me. If only a little.

"I doubt that you will find any use in the skills I possess."

"Watch me," her face turned pleasant with the prospect of a challenge. 

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