Whisper Of The Free

Chapter 23 Our Adventure Awaits

Olivette 

Just as the Sergeant instructed we were up early in the morning to polish our armor and begin our next adventure. I had never left the providence I was born into. The human lands retained four different providences, each ruled by one of the four lords. I wondered if it was like that in the wizard world too. We again took a wagon, this time one that was much longer and held room for each of us to sleep comfortably. We again had Koa and Rita pulling the wagon as well as having Eve and Cayden be their riders. Elio and Tarian again were subjected to the wagon.

Not much was spoken about on the first day of riding. Eve stayed watch for the first night. The next morning she slept as she rode Rita. The second day we crossed into the next providence. The air was warmer and did not hold that breeze of cool our providence of the north gave us.

I never forgot how Eve sobbed that night however, every so often I'd strike up conversation, she held a perfect mask. A mask to cover the fear and tears. I saw the cracks though, and she knew. Even then her mask had been plastered and fixed. You would have never known she'd been terrified for her life.

We stopped by a clearing of trees for the night. Elio offered to take the night shift and nobody objected. Chet had found a nearby stream that ran to a small pool. We hadn't bathed in two days and I knew Eve felt gross as did I. Tarian called first dibs to bathe. He was already stripping as he ran into the trees.

"Barbarian." Cayden mumbled as he shook his head. Eve released a small giggle. "More like a toddler with a big head." I stated earning a laugh from everyone. Even a muffled laugh and the shake of a head from Sergeant Moores.

Tarian returned looking refreshed, he even put his red locks in a horrible braid that reached his shoulders. Elio went next and I offered to fix Tarians hair, with a huff he obliged. His hair was long but not as long as Eve's and mine. It was a beautiful carrot color, I didn't dare say that aloud in fear of provoking one of his tantrums again.

"There all done." I tied off the hair tie I had and removed my hands from his wiry hair. He felt it with his hand. I did a few small dutch braids before braiding his hair all together. "Do you have a mirror?" he asked and I looked around before snatching the one Eve had from her bag. "Here."

He took the mirror and gazed at his hair before giving a satisfactory smile. "Thanks." I nodded and smiled, "Any time. Let me know if you want me to do your hair again." He scoffed, "Yeah, yeah whatever."

"Hey Olivette!" Eve came running over just as Tarian was leaving. "Yeah Eve?" I spoke with a questioning tone. "You wanna bath together? The boys are getting annoyed that it's taking too long to go one by one. So Sergeant Moores suggested we go in pairs and well, I would rather go with you than one of the boys." She rubbed the back of her neck, hoping I would say yes to the offer. "Sure, why not." Then we went off and bathed when Elio got back from his bath.

Once we returned we lounged in the grass as Sergeant and Tarian were trying to make a fire. Elio was getting more wood for the fire. The air was definitely warmer compared to the air on base. Then again autumn was rapidly approaching and behind it was winter that I was sure would prove to be cruel. I pondered what kind of exercises and training methods Sergeant may implement due to the snow that casually littered our village every year.

We rested and returned to traveling once we awoke. We traveled through a few small villages, it seemed some word had spread of the village we had defended because everyone cheered at our arrival and would try to give us water, food, and various other gifts. We all declined due to seeing the children and families in such frail light. However, their kind words stuck to us. I was sure each of us would take them to battle and use them as a driving force for us to keep going, keep fighting, keep killing.

Traveling soon grew to be tiresome and rather taxing, especially having to deal with Tarians stubborn nature and inability to say that someone might be a bit better at him. I wouldn't be surprised if he challenged Sergeant Moores to a duel and lost, only to say he had been going easy on him.

Cayden's foot had finally healed up nicely, however the bruise remained and had only begun to turn a yellow hue yesterday. Tarian,was still having hissy fits about his 'precious' nose. Although, our medic did say he only had to wear it for a week or so with the medical lotions that had also been implemented with healing magic.

She apologized for not being able to do more, even though what she had done for us these past weeks have been more than enough. She fed us home cooked meals right when many of our mothers were murdered. She stepped in not only as a medic but also as a motherly figure for us broken children. She even asked what we liked and didn't like and made sure not to put it on our plates. Yet she never told us her name, only asked that we call her 'ma'am' or 'Ms.'.

We rested once more. Tarian, finally pulling his weight, said he'd take the night shift. Sergeant again made a fire and this time I ventured out to get firewood. I hummed as I went further and further into the forest. It took me five minutes to realize I was humming the song my grandmother would sing to me, the one I danced to as Caspian played on his violin. My heart clenched in my chest. Tears even dared to well in my eyes.

I fumbled with my leather pouch and removed the mirror. I looked around to make sure none of my comrades were near. I hadn't told any of them about Caspian or the mirror. Not even Chet dared to utter his name, in fear of him showing up to beat him again.

"Show me Caspian." The mirror swirled and again showed a blurred picture. My face scrunched as I tried not to allow the tears to fall. "Show me Caspian Hart!" The mirror became less blurry but still I could only make out a figure that wore green, and had silvery blonde hair. Tears fell, not of sadness but of disappointment. Disappointment that I still wanted him, and wanted to kiss his lips and have him hold me in bed. I wiped the stay tears from my eyes before forcing down any thought I had of Caspian down, until only the screams remained.

Kill him! Kill your enemies! Kill those who have done you wrong!

I shook my head and continued forth to fetch some firewood. I found a lengthy branch and dragged that along with a few small sticks in hand back to our camp. I saw the smoke from a small fire before I saw the light of it. I hoped my tears did not remain. I hoped no one would suspect even the slightest deterrent in my mood.

I dropped the branch by the fire where most were gathered. "Jeez you think you got enough?" Chet joked. Tarian was next to speak, "More like how the fuck did you manage to grab that by yourself." I rolled my eyes at both of them and began to break it apart to put in the fire.

Tomorrow we'd be one step closer to the battlefield. I'm sure there will be better, more experienced warriors down there, and we'd fight along with them. Survival was uncertain. However, I knew I would fight until my final breath.