The Seven Deadly Kingdoms

Chapter 30

      The base was buzzing with anticipation. The accumulating army had been camped out for four days, and the soldiers time training was beginning to show merit. Mira had quickly taken charge of the troops, perfecting their forms and teaching them more efficient ways to disable their opponents. Adelaide held back laughter every time she saw Mira's petite frame taking on the brawny men, and always managing to win the fight.

Caspian seemed to have taken a liking to Mira in her brief stay at the camp, and Adelaide wasn't the least bit surprised. There was a certain lopsided smile that would make it's way onto his stern features every time Mira yelled at her subordinates or helped a younger soldier correct his form. It was adorable, really, the unassuming relationship that had blossomed between them. Adelaide fond it amusing how oblivious Mira was to Caspian's obvious admiration for her. Often times during their dinners, Mira would rant about how uncultered her soldiers were, how she was concerned by the lack of common sense some of her strongest men had, stubborn 'old wenches' that didn't find Mira worthy of respect, etc. All the while Caspian would sit quietly, listening to every word, eyes gleaming with amusement.

Henry had somewhat taken on the role of counselor in his stay at the camp. Knowing he was Adelaide's older brother, angry soldiers would take up their complaints with Henry, too afraid to address Adelaide directly. This confused Henry, but he was content with his task. In the hours that he wasn't discussing the grumbles of the troops, Henry would work on the land. Chopping wood, putting up tents, helping to prepare food, etc.. He had certainly become a man of the people, Adelaide thought. Every time she would come across Henry making peace between fights and passing out fresh bowls of soup, the only thing Adelaide could think about was how good of a king he would be. It was a wild thought, but one that brought a smile to Adelaide's face nonetheless. Henry had always been a lover, not a fighter. Aside from Adelaide, that is. He had always been a fighter for her.

"Preparing for the journey?"

Aragons voice snapped Adelaide out of her thoughts. Tonight was the night that she and nine other men, including Caspian, would travel to Avartia. The night that Adelaide would attempt to steal from a king, and somehow not get killed in the process.

Adelaide had been hiding in the old cabin she and Caspian had stumbled upon two weeks before for nearly two hours. For the better part of it, she stared at the empty pack lying on her cot, waiting for her to fill it. She hadn't the slightest clue what she would need to bring on a journey like this. She assumed she should pack lightly, in the very least. At one point in her staring, she thought a lockpick might come in handy. That is, until she remembered she didnt know how to use one. She made a mental note to get Mira to teach her how to use one when she got back.

Aragon cleared his throat and Adelaide realized she still handn't responded to him. She pinched the bridge of her nose, shaking her head at her scattered thoughts. After a moment, she turned to him, smiling softly. He had arrived yesterday morning, along with two dozen men. He had been a tremendous help in the two days at the camp, helping Adelaide and Caspian prepare for their journey to Avartia. He had brought his own journal, filled with detailed descriptions of the kingdoms he had visited. Adelaide didn't want to admit it, but there would have been little chance of her mission being successful without him.

"Trying," She said as she gestured to the nearly empty pack. Aragons lip twitched briefly before putting a fist to his chin, staring at the pack as if it were a puzzle he couldn't solve.

"Well, this certainly won't do. So much to pack, and so little time. How do you manage all of this stress, Adelaide? I really don't understand it."

Adelaide rolled her eyes at Aragon's sarcastic tone, crossing her arms. "Hey, I've never packed for something like this, ok? I'm still.. New. To all of it."