Cinderella vs. Happily Ever After

Chapter 39

Once Faal and Rish were settled on either side, Valerie and her entourage entered the biggest tent in the camp. It was at least twenty feet long and the same wide. It was the pale green of the Armithian tents, raised high with tent poles while the country’s flag, a green frog wearing a crown of fire on a black background, snapped overhead in the wind.

            Inside, the place was lit with lamps since the grey day made it hard for sunlight to get through the canvas. A large table sat in the centre, surrounded by chairs and covered with papers. Some of the papers were obviously maps while others looked to be reports of various sorts. Near the walls several chests were lined up, all of the same plain wood as the tables and chairs. The whole impression Valerie got was of utilitarian simplicity. Amorrt and Konah led her to the head of the table where she balked at sitting there alone. She dragged chairs over and all but shoved Isaac and Miette into them. “If I have to sit and be a spectacle, you two are joining me. Besides, without you two I’d have been up shit creek.”

            Isaac dropped into his chair without a word but Miette hesitated. “It is not proper.”

            “You’ve helped fight bandits, run across the countryside, and ridden a dragon. We’re getting ready to fight a war to save our stupid men. I think we passed the point of propriety a long time ago,” Valerie replied, hands on hips.

            Miette looked down at her skirt which was covered with dried mud, a handful of bloodstains and torn in several places. Almost all of her hair had fallen out of her braid and now hung in clumps around her face, the almost pink colour catching the lamplight. She could feel the scratches and bruises on her arms and legs and the blisters on her feet.

She looked at Valerie who was in almost the same shape though because her hair had been tightly pinned to her scalp, more of it was still wrapped around her head. She had scratches and bruises and a slight limp that betrayed blisters. The cut on her bottom lip stood out, just like the pink handprint that was still visible on her right cheek. “I think I will be asking for…pants before we go into battle. I believe that skirts will be a hindrance,” she said as she sat.

Val’s smile was triumphant. “I’ve got some extras we can cut down to fit you. They’re made for girls so they should be more comfortable than getting something off the men.”

The tent flap opened, letting in the weak sunlight and a line of men. Valerie, Isaac, and Miette stood as the group of, mostly, strangers lined up at the back. The first to step forward was one of the few Val recognized. He was the man who’d assumed command of the other men who’d been rocks. He bowed deeply to her, arms crossed over his chest and his black hair mixing with his short beard. “My lady, it is an honour to again be in your presence. I am Prince Raeed of Igo. I have heard the atrocities my countrymen have committed and I promise you that I will see them stopped and those responsible punished. I have assumed command of those men you freed from enchantment. Most are knights sent in search of me so it is far easier for me to take charge than for the others. You have our eternal gratitude for saving us.”

Isaac’s whisper of, “Not bad, I’d consider charming that one into my bed,” made her kick him.

She curtsied in return. “No, you have my thanks for joining us. We are horribly outnumbered and I can’t promise that any of you will make it through this.”

Raeed bowed again as the next man, a dark blond, stepped forward and saluted. “We are not so badly off as we were before your allies arrived, my lady. I’m Captain Eneric and I’m currently in charge of the recruits. As I’m certain you are aware, our commander was caught in the palace when it was sealed and when I arrived, there were three lieutenants trying to lead nearly a thousand recruits. I’ve taken command as the highest ranking officer. I hope my lady approves.”

She smiled, doing her best to ignore the faint purring noise Isaac was making. “Better you than me. My knowledge of armies wouldn’t fill a page.”

The next to step forward was wearing the yellow uniform of the Ifelians. He saluted her, his boots almost audibly clicking together. “Lady Ruby, I am Brigadier Carel. His majesty has put my company and myself under your command.”

“The only I can give you right now is to help us win. I’m sure you know better than I do what to do.”

The man who moved forward this time bowed to her and Miette. “My ladies, I am Captain Galorn. I have been sent by Count Ranier to aid the Armithian forces and to ensure the safety of Lady Miette.”

“I refuse to leave without Lyel,” she replied, puffing herself up.

“As my lady wishes,” he said, before bowing again.

This time a pair of men stepped up. They bowed awkwardly. She recognized one as Harmin and the other man was obviously another member of the militia in his green jacket. “Well you know me Miss Ash-I mean Lady Ruby,” Harmin said. “This is Ellard. We’re speaking for the militias cause I’ve met you before so I know what you’re like and I was the only one to volunteer after meeting you. Everyone picked Ellard as the other leader cause not much scares him.”

She laughed. “You’d think I was going to eat you guys. Relax. It’s good to see you here. We’re going to need everyone we can get.”

The last to step forward was a man in a uniform of navy blue and gold. He bowed deeply, arms flat to his sides. “I am Colonel Davyn of the Vavayan forces. Our godmother sent us to support our ally Armith. I have put myself and my men under your command, my lady.”

She smiled and curtsied. “It’s a pleasure to meet you and your support is truly appreciated. I will have to thank your godmother personally as well. Now, everyone, please sit.”

In the rustle and sounds of chairs being dragged around, Isaac leaned in to whisper “It’s a pity that Amorrt is such a little scrapper. Konah is definitely the cream of the crop here. Do you think I should go for Galorn or Eneric?”

Smiling and not looking at him she hissed back “If you don’t shut up and stop saying things to make me blush or laugh I am going to hurt you. Don’t forget, I’m still wearing my sword.”

Isaac only laughed.