'Till Death We Will Fight

Chapter XV

The march to Greta has started, I am in at the head with Jay, Julius, Zena, and Father. I'm still not really sure why Father is joining us, when I asked him he simply said that I would understand once I become Zerina. "Zena, we have been marching for 14 hours. The men are tired and hungry, we must set up camp."

She turns to me with a slight sigh, "We should get there by the full moon."

"We will get there in time, we just need to slow the pace a little so our men don't exhaust themselves."

She turns to the group of men and women, "HAULT. START SETTING UP CAMP."

They all disperse to start setting up the tents and the kitchen."I'll take first guard shift."

"Are you sure?"

I smile and nod, "I'm taking the shift with her." Father walks forward, "We only need two guards at each camp entrance."

Zena nods in agreement before Jay speaks up, "In that case Julius and I will take the other entrance."

"Oh...okay." We all take off to help set up the perimeter.

About an hour later the sun had set, the the kitchen was abuzz, and the first watch had started. Julius and I expand our minds gently touching everything within several miles just enough so that we knew what they were but they didn't feel us. "V?"

I quickly reel my mind in and glance at my father, "Yes?"

"Do you want to marry Jarrencenzes?"

My eyes widen in shock, "Father! This is not the time or place to be asking these types of questions!"

"Centielsten and I were talking and we need to know if you are even slightly attracted to him emotionally because he seems to be falling for you pretty hard and if you aren't we need him to know as soon as possible, before he gets his hopes up too high."

I close my eyes and rub my temples, "I...I don't know quite yet...." I feel something...human approaching us. I jerk my head to see a speck approaching quickly. I can sense Father reaching for his dagger, "He isn't hostile, he even feels familiar."

"Are you sure?"

"If he becomes hostile I will not hesitate to react, you know this." He nods and I walk out to meet the man, "State your name and business."

"It's Murtauge, I lost you when you left and found your army marching this way. I wish to lend my arms in battle."

"Follow me." I begin walking, not waiting for him to answer, knowing he'd follow. "Do you have any weapons on you? Know that if you lie to me I will find out."

"I do have a few weapons on me."

I stuck out my hand, "Hand them over, you will get them back when you either join or leave this camp." He hands me three daggers and a sword, I walk past my father and gesture for him to stay where he is. I walk to the main tent in the center of the camp, where Zena is to be staying. "Zena, I ask for entrance there is someone here to speak with you."

"Come in."

I hold open the tent flap gesturing for Murtauge to enter, he ducks in and I follow behind. "This is Murtauge."

She turns to look at us, "How can I help you?"

He bows in respect, "I wish to bear arms with Vernocessespreza and yourself."

"Where do you hail from?"

"I low farming family."

"That's not what this sword says." I eye the sign of the human king on the hilt, "He's one of the knights for the human king."

"That was my father's blade."

He looks at the ground, "Does he tell the truth?"

I examine the blade, "This sword has seen many battle through many more years than this man has been alive, I do believe he speaks the truth. If you are not convinced I can enter his mind to find the truth."

"No, I believe we can trust him." She doesn't know the lies of man, how sweet. "So you wish to bear arms with us?" He nods his head keeping silent, "Very well, I'm putting you under Vernocesses." I feel my eyes open wide and my mouth drop open as I try to get out a protest, "She is far more worthy than I to train and deal with a new comer."

She pointedly looks at me and I return to my stone face, "Very well, Zena." I bow my head before walking out of the tent.

"Thank you miss." I hear Murtauge rush after me, "Well it looks like I'm under your care."

"So it seems. Know that anything you do will reflect me, I suggest you keep yourself in line and do not step a centimeter out."

"Yes, Vernocessespreza. What are your restrictions?"

Closing my eyes I take a deep breath before continuing, "I would prefer you not to drink, absolutely no starting conflict, no sleeping around, talk to everyone with the respect you are giving me, and only take your orders from me or Zena."

"Yes, Vernocessespreza." I take a deep breath, I'm going to punch him if he doesn't stop that.

I stop at a small tent that was supposed to be for me, "You can use this tent, I do believe the kitchen is still serving."

"Thank you, Vernocessespreza."

I nod and swiftly walk back to my post, "Who was that?"

"That would be the newest member of this happy little army family we have here." I let out a sigh and run a hand through my hair, "Zena put him under me....Nothing happened did it?" Father shakes his head, this is going to be a long night.

Four hours later and our shift is over, I walk with Father to his tent before making my way to the kitchen. Julius walks through on his way back to his tent but stops when he sees me, "Why aren't you in your tent? I know you're tired."

"I may have given it to our newest member." I let out a small chuckle, "I would rather all of our men have a place to stay than have a place to stay and one of our men sleep out in the cold." He nods and takes hold of my hand, "What are you doing?"

"You are going to sleep in my tent."

"Only if you stay in there, I'm not going to kick you out of your own tent."

He smiles and pulls me towards his tent, "Okay but that just means we are sharing a bed and how scandalous would that be if someone found out?"

He questions, teasing me, "We are partners, it wouldn't mean a thing to anyone else, that is unless you make it mean something." I smile as his face turns bright red, "That's what I thought."

"You are rotten." He laughs and pulls me into the tent. That night I slept in his arms and for once I was able to sleep peacefully, I don't know why but he makes me feel safe.