Dearest Evelyn

-chapter 11-

I was taking a leisurely stroll with Terrin. We were walking alongside the nearby river. It was a bit colder here, which I should’ve prepared for better- knowing full-well we were going to a mountain.

He sighed and I looked to him.

He seemed worried.

“What troubles you, Terrin?” I asked.

He shrugged and after another moment, answered. “It’s just the fact that we’ve headed south when our enemies range from the west. Gwindire’s father suggests we take them from surprise, sideways, that is, instead of meeting them head-on.

“I think this is a terrible idea, for it leaves the direction of the castle open and defenseless.”

“But the king has forces there, just in case.” I noted, remembering listening to Gwindire’s speech a few nights ago. “He figures this will try and confuse the enemy’s sense of direction.”

Terrin’s mouth tugged into a frown.

“I suppose you think otherwise?” I asked.

He nodded. We came to a pause beside the river. “I’d just hate to see what happens if they know better. They’ve been infamous for their tactics when it comes to outsmarting enemies.”

“And I think you and our other brave men can outsmart them doubly.”

“Evelyn, you’re too optimistic.”

“Is there something wrong with that?”

“You don’t understand.” He shook his head.

I hid my scowl for a slight second. My forced a blank face to keep him from getting offended. How dare he say I knew nothing of war!

He sighed again, and we stood staring at the whirling eddies on the river.

I remained silent, still holding lightly onto his arm out of etiquette. Terrin, of all men, would keep proper and polite etiquette even in the middle of a battle field when it came to me- in the sense of a lady.

“Well . . .” He broke the silence. “I suppose we should return to camp before it is too dark.”

I agreed and we headed back, trying to make idle chatter.

Hector came running up to us as soon as we returned.

“Hey!” He leaned onto his knees, apparently exhausted. “Look, Terrin, we’ve got a meeting. I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

Terrin straightened up immediately. His arm dropped and he followed Hector. He looked at me back over his shoulder.

“Sorry, Eve. Stay out of trouble, okay?”

I didn’t respond. I waited til they were out of sight and I went to find Joanna. she was waiting for me at our tent.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” she asked.

I nodded. “We can’t let anyone see us.”

We headed off towards where the boys went. When we came upon the group, we stayed hidden back and snuck around to the darker lit area behind the large group of soldiers. We peeked from behind a large oak tree. We had slight higher ground, so we could see over everyone’s backs at Gwindire and his father. King Harold stood beside them.

“I can’t let him see me here at camp. He’d kill me.” Joanna whispered. She was referring to King Harold.

“I thought you were going to tell him of our arrival.” I whispered back.

“Then I thought better of it.”

I shrugged and turned my attention back to the group. I scanned the crowd until I caught sight of Hector and Terrin, sitting considerably close to where Gwindire was standing.

The king and Sir William took turns speaking, Gwindire paying close attention to his father’s words. I tried to focus as much as I could, but I was somehow distracted. Either that or what they had to say was too boring to register in my mind. It was something about tactics.

“Terrin was right.” Joanna whispered to herself.

I cast her a glance but she was still staring at the speaking general.

For a fleeting moment I thought Gwindire was staring directly at me with a look of dismay. I nearly gave our position away trying to duck behind the trunk. Joanna cast me a warning glance then turned back around.

I peeked around the trunk, to see that Gwindire’s attention was turned back to his father. I did believe Joanna had the upper hand in camouflage; her black hair blended into the shadows cast by the night around us. The flickering fire in the center of the group only made my strawberry blonde stand out.

I let my mind wander- for I couldn’t concentrate a second more on their small talk. After what seemed like an hour, Joanna shook my arm lightly. I followed her back to our tent to try and make a fast supper for the boys. It was amazing that none of them had starved yet, for the cooks had stayed home.

When the three came in, we acted nonchalant as relayed the messages. Gwindire didn’t mention anything about seeing me eavesdropping. Or did he even see me? I tried not to stare at him as he ate.

“No one is questioning your whereabouts away from your normal posts?” Joanna asked.

“Nope.” Hector managed through a mouthful of stew. “Men around here move all the time. So long as we show up for the head counts-“

“No one cares.” Terrin finished his sentence with a laugh.

“Ha.” Joanna added lightly. “So you boys are really up for a battle, huh.”

“My great-grandfather died for it, my grandfather died for it, my father wills to die for it, and so should I.” Gwindire exclaimed proudly.

“Gwin!” I chided. “You can’t die!”

He cast me a sly grin.

“Well, looks like someone is looking after Mr. Knight-in-shining-armor.” Hector snickered.

“Shutup!” I snapped to him.

“I won’t die. Besides my grandfather died of old age. But he lived for battle.” Gwindire explained.

“If war is in a man’s blood, the only sway he might have is over a faltering loyalty. Not even a woman’s swooning heart can change that.” Joanna said, almost inaudibly.

“Women.” Terrin scoffed.

I cast him a glare.

“I was joking! We wouldn’t be alive if you hadn’t taken us under your wing, Eve.” He held up his hands.

“Yeah and we’d be stuck eating gruel.” Hector added.

“We’d be bored with no pretty faces to look at.” Gwindire finished.

Joanna rolled her eyes and a small smile slipped through my lips. I knew they were joking, but it was still nice to hear sometimes. But then again . . . if they were being serious, and something in the back of my mind told me they were, would it really change anything if we weren’t friends? Sure they might be nice, but would they have been sincere?