The Nun and King

Chapter 26

I'm awakened hours later by someone clearing their throat. My eyes snap open to find Morgan peering inside of my tent, his eyepatch missing. It's a strategy of his in battle hoping that the shock of seeing eyes mangled eye socket will stun his opponent long enough for him to strike first. Apparently it has worked. Behind him I can make out the pale light of the sky as the sun begins to rise. "Apologizes Tom, but it's time to blow the horns."

Claire stirs next to me still asleep in the crook of my shoulder before slowly blinking her eyes as well. Looking back to Morgan I give a nod and he leaves to go wake the men.

"Good morning," I greet in a voice thick with sleep. I slip my arm out from under her head and sit up rubbing the sleep from my eyes. The hearth from last night is still lit providing light.

"Morning," Claire says in an off tone. I turn to her to find her staring at me. Words are not needed to express how she is feeling.

Leaning forward, I place a quick peck on her cheek and flip the covers over. Standing up I stretch and walk over to my chest of clothes to begin dressing. We stay silent as I wash my face and slip on a padded shirt before walking over to my armor. In the distance Morgan sounds the horn to wake the men, it bellows out deeply and already I feel adrenaline slowly seep into my veins.

Letting out a slow exhale, I start with the long sleeved chain mail shirt that falls to my upper thighs before moving onto my graves and cuisses. I then begin working on my vambraces intricately made of both leather and steel, my fingers move automatically as I tighten the cords. As I reach for my breastplate, Claire speaks up. "Would you like help?"

In truth, I've put my armor on more times than I can count and no longer struggle with the hard to each straps. But Claire has offered for a reason--perhaps one more reason to be close to me before I leave--and I hate to turn her down. "Sure, I always struggle with this part," I lie, wanting to make her feel needed. She smiles and quickly pads over to me and I turn around away from her. Breastplate in had, I slip my arms through and hold it to my chest up as Claire begins fiddling with the buckles behind me. It takes her longer than it would have me but I don't mind. "Is that good enough?" she asks me

I tug on the opening around my neck feeling for movement. "Aye. Snug as a bug," I reply. "Thank you."

She gives me a nod. "Anything else I can help you with? Your cloak"

At this I let out a chuckle and grab my sword, fastening it's sheath to my waist. "No, no cloak. A few years back a man grabbed Rory's and pulled him backwards while he was fighting another. He fell down and almost didn't have enough time to roll out of the way of the man's blade. Ever since, we've made sure to avoid such hazards."

Claire's eyebrows raise in surprise. "Well that wasn't very noble of him."

I nod my head agreeing and then reach for my two daggers, slipping one in my boot and the second in my waist. "We fight to win, not for nobility," I reply. "As ugly as it is to say it. A man's morals dissipate when fighting for all that he's love." They can turn into animals, I've seen it with my own eyes how they tear each other limb from limb all in the name of glory for their kingdom.

"And what is it that you love?" she asks, gazing up at me.

"You," I want to tell her, but is it only because in a few hours it's possible that I will be nothing but a corpse on a field? Or is it because that is how I truly feel? Not wanting to give an answer just yet, I lick my lips and lean forward and steal a kiss. "The way your lips taste on mine," I whisper as I pull back.

Her cheeks flush and she looks down in an attempt to conceal her smile. "How long until you all leave?" she asks me.

"I'd say we'll move out in an hour or two. It takes a while to ready the men and make the slow walk to the field." I answer, my mind automatically thinking of all the things I need to get started on.