The General's Daughter

Chapter 4

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       "Give it your all men!" I screamed as we charged the enemy. I roared and charged with my sword as the enemy charged us as well. They were certainly surprised to see us but they recovered quickly and charged us. I thrust my sword into the first one I came in contact with and then used a dagger to slit the throat of another. As the battle raged i was keeping track of my kills as they would be braids once this was over.

             Hours later the battle finally finished. "Gather the wounded and treat them quickly! After gather the dead so they can be sent back home!" I called out as I removed my sword from an enemy corpse. We lost less in this battle than anticipated. I went and got my wounds treated. "How many did you kill General?" I was asked. "I got to 31 before the battle was over." I said and someone began braiding my hair. A bit later they stopped. "I only got to 25 General before I ran out of hair. The step after that is tattoos." She said. I nodded. "Do what must be done to honor my kills." I said and she nodded before coming back with ink and a needle attached to a stick and a small hammer type thing. 

      A couple hours passed and the tattoos were finished. She handed me a mirror and I seen the tattoos stretching across my forehead. "Good." I said and exited the tent. "Were any of the enemy captured alive?" I asked and my soldiers said one was. "Good. In a week we get new recruits. Treat the respectfully. They will not have seen what we have but they will see things. Do not belittle them. If I find you were I will personally end you." I said. "Get information on their next attack." I said and they nodded, my higher soldiers making their way to where we kept the prisoners. 

        A week passed quickly and the tattoos healed nicely. "Ma'am the new recruits are here." A soldier informed me. I put on my Father's cloak and felt the fur brush against my chin. "I'll be out to greet them." I said and the soldier nodded. A moment later I walked out of my tent and faced them. "This is your General! She will lead us to victory! We will fight together or We Will Die Together!" The Soldier introduced. I gazed into the face of the new recruits until my eyes landed on familiar Emerald ones. "Ryul what are you doing here?" I asked, walking up to him. "Lucille I am tired of you protecting me and I wanted to try and protect you for a change." He said and I felt my face heat up. "Get introduced to the other soldiers newbies! We are currently getting information from a captured enemy! I will tell all of you what we find out." I said. "You, go wait for me in my tent." I said and Ryul nodded. 

       I made my way to the prisoner. "What did we find out?" I asked. "Not much so far. Just that they plan on making an ambush attack. We don't know when." I was told. "I will be back." I said making my way to the camp. "Soldiers! We know they plan to ambush us, be alert at all times. Am I clear?" I asked. "Yes General!" They yelled out. Back in with the prisoner, I proceeded to torture him until he told me they would be ambushing in less than five minutes. I ran out and called out "Battle to begin in less than two minutes! Prepare for battle!" I yelled. Just as I finished yelling an arrow whirled past my face, cutting my cheek and then all hell broke loose. "Ryul! Come out and fight! I'll kill you myself if you die! Take charge men! Protect the wounded who cannot fight!" I yelled as I plunged a blade into an enemy. 

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         I emerged from the tent with my sword ready and instantly I was attacked. I quickly killed him, fear trying to grip me. I had just killed someone. Someone with a family. "Ryul! Behind you!" Lucille called and I turned and raised my sword, stopping theirs in midair. 

      Battle raged on around me and in front of me. I was locked in my fourth battle. I had killed three before. I had no clue how many Lucille had killed so far but I knew she had killed many more than I had. She was at my back, battling alongside me. With her there I knew I could come out of this alive, just for her. The cuts I had received were stinging as sweat dripped into them. 

       As the battle ended I helped Lucille into the medical tent where the healers were working and one came and quickly grabbed her from me. "How many this time Lucille?" The woman asked as she bandaged Lucille's wounds. "Only 23 this time. How many did you kill Ryul?" She asked. "I killed seven of them." I answered and she nodded. "Good. I'll have someone add the braids to your hair or I can do it later. For now Ash here is going to do my tattoos." She said and winced as Ash flicked her on the head. "You didn't tell me your childhood friend was going to be joining." She said to Lucille. "I hadn't known either." She said. 

       After Lucille's tattoos were done she had me sit in front of her. She gathered a thin lock of hair and braided it, It wasn't along my head like hers and she did this with six more pieces. "Why aren't mine along my head like yours?" I asked as she gathered my hair into a ponytail. "I don't think you would look right with this type of  braid. I have a thing in mind, don't worry." She said and wrapped her arms around my shoulders from behind. She placed her forehead on the top of my head and sighed. "I was worried today. Why did you have to join the army Ryul? Here I could protect home where you were and keep you safe that way. I cannot guarantee your safety on this battlefield." She said and clutched my shoulders. "I came to protect you the way you have always protected me. Lucille I cannot let you protect me all my life. I want to protect you too." I said and placed my hand over her arm, leaning my head back, so her forehead was resting on mine. "So many braids and tattoos." I said and clutched her arm. "I have killed many Ryul." She said.