Crimson Blood

Chapter 4

"Survival was my only hope, success my only revenge."
― Patricia Cornwell

Notes:

TW: mention of rape.

'It's done.' Hades said, coming inside the tent. 'The provisions were burned, apart from some I set aside earlier.'

'And what did you tell your soldiers?' Crow asked. She had spent the day in bed, eventually dozing off. After eating the soup, nobody came inside, this being the first time she saw Bennetti ever since they discussed the plan.

'Told them it was a casualty. A broken bottle and a sunny day in a dry place, it happens.' That was decent reasoning.

'Have you informed your superiors yet?'

'I'm not here to report to you, Burnham.' Both of them rolled their eyes. 'But yes, I did it as soon as the fire was contained. I asked for more supplies, but we're still to receive an answer.'

Sitting on the chair that was still by the bed's side. The man crossed his arms and rested his back against the wood.

'How's your body?' He asked the enemy.

'Not good. My chest hurts and it's turned pitch black. But besides feeling a lump on my head and not being able to move freely without the stitches ripping, I don't have much to complain about. Except, of course, I need a bath and new clothes.'

'Can you walk?'

'I can try.'

'Do your legs have enough strength in them to stand against a stream?'

'I thought there was a lake around here.' The woman had learned the map for this region by heart months ago. Otherwise, she wouldn't have addressed her hygiene. It was wartime and one didn't have such luxury as to bathe in clean water; she only did it when her period arrived and even then, it was hard to find time and a place.

'There is, but it's not on walkable distance for someone with a body in that state of yours.' Bennetti talked about Crow's condition, looking ravished, but if he didn't sleep for another day, again, he would be comparable to her.

The tent has only one small bed, and she occupied it. The ground was filthy, but sneaking peeks at it, the place seemed to call the captain for a nap.

'We'll go tomorrow by night then since I can't be left roaming your camp as I please, can I?' Hades sent her an unbothered look, not even indulging with her stupid question.

'I hardly think your body's gonna be good enough to walk tomorrow.'

'My body won't be good enough for a week, at least, but I won't wait that long to shower when I can do it as soon as possible.' She sighed, resting her head back on the pillow with a grimace. The doctor, Quenton, had given her once again the funky bittersweet medicine and the aftertaste was simply horrid. 'And, Bennetti, when you receive notice from your officer, let me know. As soon as your battalion is deactivated, we need to leave and I'll have to meet you somewhere for appearances.'

'To pose as my lover.'

'Indeed. I don't know how many men you'll bring back with you, but gathering as many aloof eyewitnesses as we can is a safety measure I will not let go of.' She had been firm. For the rest of the afternoon and the first part of the night, when she wasn't sleeping, Crow had been thinking about how they would explain themselves once they reached the capital and, the best way for them to not raise suspicion would be to lie as little as they could.

She didn't doubt Hades's skills for deceiving others, but the former captain decided not to take risks.

'How are you so sure my officers are going to follow accordingly to your plan and disband the unit?' The man asked.