A War Of Traitors( ARTK, Book 2)

Chapter 133

Seggos 10th, 3329 A.G

Maude adjusted her greaves, noticing how much tighter they'd gotten. She disliked the way they felt, but if the last battle had taught her anything- it was that the torso piece wouldn't always be enough. The dagger and sword sheath were a tight fit too, but she made it work.

Like many others she'd grown up on the story of how nearly all the world's armor was destroyed- and it was a tale of caution that stuck as she grew. Never leave something valuable within reach of something dangerous- the books had taught her. Yet here they were, preparing an attack after an entire day.

She'd never seen someone's eyes widen as quickly as Andre's when she showed him what she could do, nor did she understand it herself- but he'd nodded after that initial shock wore off.

"How?" He asked. Maude shrugged. She hadn't been sure it would work that first time back in Sharean, but when they listened despite ignoring all others Nara tried to teach- she was left with more questions. She hadn't tried again since then, but it seemed like an appropriate time.

  "I... don't know." She'd said. "But this can help us. I'll worry about how it's possible....later."

  Andre stood outside of her tent then, watching as she checked again to make sure the greaves would allow movement. Most of the army was prepared, but in that moment it was only her who mattered. If she could not do it again, many of their people would be lost- their hearts skewered by arrows from replacement archers on the Whittaker's walls. "Ready?"

  Maude said nothing. She was a warrior now, but it was so different from what she'd imagined growing up- and she were still a child. Other warriors looked to her as an example; but she'd never wanted that. She'd only wanted the history books to remember her  as something more than a bastard, but now that she had that.....

Maude stood, walking side by side with Andre to where most of the army faced- some of the shorter men and women on the backs of others to get a better look at the giants. Being so close to the walls and barely out of range, the Whittaker men would be able to tell something was up- but it no longer mattered.

  Soon, this pathetic excuse for a siege would be over.

  Whispers followed her as she walked through the camp and approached Ceaw first, but she ignored them.

  Maude took a deep breath, ignoring the stares.

  "Ceaw....." She started, thinking of the simpler words she'd taught herself from that stolen book so many years ago. After the battle, the ones she'd whispered were barely audible to even her own ears. Somehow though, the beasts had still heard and listened. Now she spoke loud enough for the entire, silent camp to hear. "Ceaw..... eookuoq."

Ceaw sat. Whispers filled the silence.

  Whispers asking how it was possible, others of how much easier this would make things or how much easier a battle would be with two commanding the beasts. Internally, Maude groaned. It would only get confusing- if not for the giants, for them. Three of the eight looked almost exactly alike- and it the height of a battle, they wouldn't have time to take a long look. Naming all would help- but there were other things to be worried about.

  And so what if she could communicate with them too? That did not make her their commander- and never would.

  Maude looked towards Andre and nodded. They both turned around, facing the soldiers. It was Andre who spoke then- for once sounding a little like his old self. His face was still blank as he gestured to Maude, but his tone was that of a leader. "She is not your queen. I certainly do not command all of you in her name when she is not here. That title belongs to Tuyon- but we all share one thing: loyalty. All great leaders have.... what some would call a failure or two at some point in their lives. That doesn't make them any less of a leader- if anything it should only remind their people that they are, in fact- human too. And so now, this is up to us. We are the best trained army in the world. Eventually, we will become the largest in the world. So do not think of those you've lost now. Grieve them tomorrow if you must, but today- we have just one purpose: to get our queen the fuck out of there, and harm no civilian while doing so."