The Price of Blood

Chapter 28: In the Shadows

 "Rowdy bunch, those witches," Auguste chuckled as he glanced over his shoulder at Victoria's campfire. Giselle shook her head as they watched the raucous group of soldiers sing their songs. They were bumping into each other this way and that, sloshing ale as they swung their pints about. Klenden was even in on the festivities, arm in arm with Victoria as she led them all in song. Standing around the outskirts of her campfire were her ten new guards, watching the festivities stoically. Victoria was pounding the rhythm with her boot and a fist on her knee. Almost half the camp had joined them, and not all were Halaani soldiers.

"I wonder what they're singing about?" Jean said.

"Trust me, you're better off not knowing, Your Grace. Never in my life did I think my ears would hear my queen sing such a nasty old pub song." Captain Zhovda said. Despite her insistence that she not partake in drinking and celebrating with her charges, Giselle had seen her drumming a hand quietly on her thigh as she watched from a distance.

The whole trip north had been one continuous party for the Halaani soldiers, with Victoria as the guest of honor. It was clear that Victoria was loving every minute with her new charges. There had been only a few brief moments where she hadn't been surrounded by her entourage, testing strength or swapping stories while on the march or doing work around camp. Giselle had only had what felt like a few fleeting words with her over the last week.

"Are you sure I can't join them?" Jean asked.

"Completely sure," Giselle laughed. They'd drink him under the table if they didn't accidentally crush him first in their boisterous dancing and wrestling. "Besides, you're on first watch tonight, remember?"

"No, it was my turn last night. Tonight it's your turn," Jean said. He took a pinch of herbs from the pouch at his hip and tucked it in his cheek—an old herbal mixture to induce sleep. "That being said, I'm going to bed if I can't be part of the fun. Wake me when it's my turn."

"Goodnight," Everyone called after him as he got up to walk to his tent.

"I think it's high time I regained control of my charges. I've let this carry on for long enough." Captain Zhovda groaned as she pushed herself up to a standing position. Giselle and Auguste bade her goodnight. She made her way over to Victoria's group slowly, shaking her head as she pushed her way into the thick of things. The men all groaned as she barked out her orders for the men to either take up watch positions or retire to their tents for curfew. Slowly, the crowd dispersed, and a blissful silence finally crept over the camp.

"I think I will join Master Jean for the night. I'll see you in the morning, Your Grace," Auguste said.

"See you in the morning," Giselle replied.

Alone at last, she blew out a sigh and rubbed her face as she turned and looked out into the forest beyond the camp sight. It was another two days ride until they reached Garignon. Baroness Odessa had all but depleted the resources the empress had been sending in and was on the cusp of hysterics, judging by the last letter the empress had received. The people were desperate, and there were whispers of famine and revolt.

The consistency and organization of the onslaught was far too calculated to be a coincidence. No vampires had been reported in the forests of Gwardenveld, but that didn't mean they weren't a major threat to the north. It wouldn't surprise her in the slightest if Lucaese was behind the madness. A divided imperial army was essentially crippled. And if Halaafin had fallen so easily to his might, what hope did Guillamar stand?

"I thought it was Jean's turn for watch tonight," Victoria said as she took a seat beside her.

Giselle jumped in surprise. She hadn't heard her approach. "Alone at last?"