Warrior's Heart

4

Jasmina glared at the midnight mane of her black charger, her mind in a turmoil.

The longer it took to reach the summer palace the longer that her Dove would be in danger. That was completely unacceptable. But it seemed that no matter how she ranted and raved the journey was still slow going.

Even more so as they traveled in a steady deluge that started earlier that afternoon.

"Scout a campsite Drakus, then make a shelter as best as you can. The Princess must be in better conditions than this dismal swampland." Jasmina glanced back at Xandria, who was hidden under a voluminous cloak, even as wet as she was Xandria still looked stunningly beautiful.

Drakus saluted before riding off with Kias in tow. That young whelp had been getting on Jasmina's last nerve for the past few days. He had been a good soldier before all of this had happened but now it was a different story. The boy was constantly showing off, had developed an arrogant attitude, and had repeatedly brushed off orders in front of her Princess. It was fairly obvious that he lusted after her Princess but the King himself would have to throw Jasmina in the palace dungeon to keep her away from Xandria. And to keep from killing Kias if he ever touched her beloved Dove.

Drey, a member of Jasmina's own clan, rode up. "I see the boy has gone with the old bear. You think he will survive?"

"If he's lucky." Jasmina glared, it seemed that her only expression now was a glowering scowl. "He's been a good soldier. But now I'm not so sure. There is the matter of his recent disobedience and new attitude."

Drey nodded. "Yes, he has been acting out lately. It is not befitting of a soldier."

"I am considering sending him back to training." Jasmina had been thinking this for a while now. She wasn't a strict General but her soldiers were so well trained it seemed as if she were. They knew their place and she knew hers. It seemed Kias had forgotten his place and he needed to be reminded of it.

"Perhaps it is best for the boy, he needs to learn more." Drey chewed on his lower lip thoughtfully. "Or place him under the old bear, Drakus will surely whip him into proper shape in no time at all."

Jasmina grunted but said nothing else on the matter. She really couldn't do much so far from her army and the barracks. But still, it ate at her, it commanded her attention and it annoyed her.

"We all know that the Princess is yours, she belongs to you." Drey said after a long while of riding in silence with the rain making a tinkling noise as it fell on their armor that was exposed. He looked Jasmina in the eye along with placing an open hand on his chest before touching two fingers to his lips; a gesture of truth. "No one will harm her now that we know this. And we will not allow anyone to touch what is yours. Rest easy teirafin."

Teirafin. The Elvish term for leader or lord. It was not used lightly as it was as binding as a Blood Oath or a coronation. In the Dragon Hunter Clan the head of the clan was named thus if they made it out of the coming of age tests alive. Most didn't, the one with the least injuries and quickest finish time was named teirafin. It was a new record when Jasmina completed the trials, the previous had been a record set by her own ancestor.

"Ferra voy, mèèrth." My thanks, brother. Jasmina felt as if a heavy weight was lifted from her. Now she needn't worry for her Dove's safety and wellbeing.

Drey saluted and headed back as Drakus was now returning with Kias, who was considerably muddier than when he had left. It looked as if he had crawled in a mud pit.

"A league more and we will be at the campsite." Drakus pointedly ignored Kias. It was quite possibly because Kias was pouting like an angry child. "The shelter is completed and ready. The Princess and you will be a bit cramped but it is serviceable."