Butterflies of Blood

Chapter 2

Aias tossed a heap of cloth at their feet, Shahromyes and Kaecilia stared.

"What?" Kaecilia asked, dumbfounded.

Aias looked them up and down, "Get changed."

Suddenly they realised they were still in their night gowns, made of a light material and white, however the edges were now caked in mud and there was a tear in Shahromyes'.

Kaecilia blushed and hurriedly snatched up the clothes. Aias had given them each a rough grey cloak, plain shirt and thick boots, then for Kaecilia a heavy skirt and lighter pants and for Shahromyes a pair of heavy pants. They disappeared out of sight and when they returned both had changed. Although Kaecilia kept tugging at the unfamiliar garments and Shahromyes look as though he wanted to avoid touching the material.

"Suits you," Aias smirked. "Welcome to commoner status or better yet criminals."

"We are not criminals!" Kaecilia exclaimed indignantly.

"Really?" Aias arched an eyebrow. "The heirs to a conquered nation, can you guess who's the number one most wanted person in Amaria and Lyeron?" Aias said mockingly. "Come on, we need to go."

The sun was just rising over the horizon as the three mounted. Aias tugged gently on the reins to turn Jokarmun's head to the North, however Shahromyes and Kaecilia sat frozen in their saddles their eyes fixed on the east.

Aias sighed, "Come on."

Riding out of the rising sun was an army. Too far to away to make out distinct figures but an undeniably Lyerion flag flew proud above them and it was plain for all to see that the army was massive.

"We have to go back," Kaecilia whisper.

Aias shrugged, "You'd be riding to your death but I won't stop you."

"Aren't you supposed to keep us alive?!" Shahromyes yelled.

"Mm, I am,"

"Then why?" He asked.

"I'm no babysitter, if you want to ride back to your useless King and die with him, be my guest. Take the easy way out," there was no hint of Aias's usual mocking tone just a deadly calm.

"Easy way?" Kaecilia echoed. "Returning to my father and fighting for my kingdom is the easy way?!" Her voice grew louder until she was yelling.

"Shut up." Aias glared coldly at them both. "Yes it is the easy way out, you wouldn't have to live with yourself knowing that you'd left everyone you were supposed to care about alone, unaware of what was coming. You wouldn't bear the responsibility of the thousands of deaths that war, no matter how short, entails, the kitchen girls, stable boys everyone with the misfortune to be loyal to the King of Amaria. Most likely many will be given the chance to swear new loyalty and many will. But soldiers feel like they're on top of the world during battle and they love nothing more than to slash and hack at anything that screams."

They sat in dead silence for a few long moments before Aias continued, "So you have to live, live with all that and find a way to prevent it from happening again, find a purpose and devote yourself to it. If you want to make up for all that you left behind live and take what is yours." Aias glared for a moment longer then said, "I'm leaving, come or stay."

"We wish to accompany you," Shahromyes whispered and Kaecilia nodded.

As they turned to leave a strange noise started emanating from Jokarmun.

*****

"Rawf, rawf," A muffled bark came from Jokarmun's saddle bags and something appeared to be pushing at the flap.