Our second world- Book two: War is coming

Chapter 13

~Elise~

I was reviewing reports in my study while eating breakfast when Rose burst through the door looking extremely out of breath.
"What is it Rose?" I asked, looking up from my papers," Is there a problem?"
"See for yourself, your Highness," She puffed, handing me an unsealed scroll.
I took it silently and quickly skimmed it. As I did, a frown formed on my face.
"What is this?" I demanded, slamming the paper down on the desk.
"According to the report, Mydra is moving troops across the border. Currently their force numbers 120,000 and it continues to grow," Rose explained," What do we do?"
"Something I've been putting off for a while now," I sighed," Call the council. They need to hear this."
"At once, my lady." Rose bowed and disappeared down the hall as I made my way to the council room in the opposite direction.
Not five minutes later, the council was gathered. Nervously waiting for my announcement.
"I have received word of a force of Mydra soldiers advancing into the disputed territory. They number 120,000 and are growing in number," I paused to allow time for the information to sink in," Therefore, I have come to a decision."
"Princess, you don't mean!"
"Yes." Silently, Rose handed me her dagger and I raised it to my neck," With this council as my witness, I, first princess of Croanade: Elisia Vergana Croanade hereby declare war on the attacking country of Mydra." Rose hid her face as I pulled the dagger through and cut off my hair under where it was tied with a ribbon. I handed back her dagger and also gave her the hair I had just cut.
"Your decree will be sent to Mydra, my lady," Rose bowed, her hair covering her face, and the tears she shed for what I'd just done.
"My council, I feel that I must move myself to fight along side my soldiers in the front lines. Can I trust you all to take care of thins here?" I addressed the six of them seated in front of me.
"Yes, your highness. We will do all in our power to protect the people in this city. You can count on us!" The council members chimed together.
"Thank you, my friends. I leave tomorrow."

~The next morning~

I stood staring at my reflection in my hanging wall mirror. It was customary for a ruler to cut their hair along with a declaration of war as I had done, and now my, once waist length locks, barely brushed my shoulders. My cut had been crude and uneven, so one of my hand maids had straightened it out and it was cut shorter than I had originally cut it. If I was smaller I'd probably be mistaken for a boy.
"My lady?" I turned to face Rose, who stood in the doorway, wearing the same army uniform I was. A dark gray button down shirt, black skirt and boots, and gray leggings.
"Yes, it's time to go now," I said, tightening the laces of my boots before following her down the hall and outside to a single horse wagon that waited to take us to the disputed territory base.
We were silent while we rode out of town and stayed that way until we reached the forest road outside the outer wall of the city. None of the people of the capital recognized me or Rose, who had chosen to cut her hair to the same length as mine.
"Rose?" I glanced at her sitting opposite me," Do you think I made the right decision?"
"You want my honest opinion?" I nodded," Yes, my lady. I believe you were right in your choice. After thinking about all the option for a month, you made the choice that would be best for your people."
"Thank you, Rose."

When we stopped for the night, we set up two small tents around the wagon. Rose and I were to sleep in one, and the soldiers in the other. There were only two soldiers with us. One was the driver, and the other was for safety. They each took turns taking watch through the night.
The tents were small; Rose and I were so close together we were almost touching.
It was late now. Silent except for the soft breath of Rose beside me, and the crackle of the wood on the fire a few feet away.
Strange. There were numerous soldiers preparing to advance into the first official battle of the war, but laying in the tent surrounded by nothing but peaceful quiet made all that seem like a dream.

~One week later~

After almost an entire week of constant riding as fast as we could go with only two nights of rest, we were finally approaching the wall of the base. Like most other bases, there were two soldiers guarding the base. As our wagon got closer to the gate, I could see that the guards were in the process of switching shifts.
After showing our I.D cards to the new guard, they let us in.
As we were unpacking the few belongings we'd brought with us, I spotted a familiar red-head with a silver haired woman walking inside from one of the training grounds.
"Rose?"
"I'll handle this," She nodded," Go ahead, I'll meet up with you."
"Thanks," I handed my bag off to her and ran to catch up with the two.
I jumped on Haren from behind and covered his eyes with my hands.
"Surprise!" I giggled, wrapping my legs around his waist," Guess who!"
"What the— Elise? What are you doing here? And what happened to your hair?" Haren exclaimed when I jumped off him.
"Hmph. I could say the same to you," I answered, noticing the ends of his hair were silver," As for why I'm here, it's because I'm joining this base starting today."
"Well then, I look forward to winning this war with you," He said, letting me climb back on his shoulders.
"Excuse me," The silver haired woman spoke up," Haren, who is this woman?" She asked," You speak as if you know each other."
"Oh right. You wouldn't know her. Artemis, this is the future queen of Croanade, Elise," Haren said, messing up my hair after setting me down.
"Nice to meet you," She bowed," My name is Artemis."
"Please don't bow," I blushed," Here I'm just another soldier. There's no need to treat me like royalty."
"Does that apply to me, as well?" Haren asked, a mischievous smile forming on his face.
Before I could say anything, He'd thrown me over his shoulder like a sack of flour and started walking down the hall.
"Hey!" I laughed, trying to push away.
He was too strong so I gave up and went rag doll limp on him. Basically becoming a very light dead weight. I barely weighed a hundred pounds, but I was surprised that he could support me with only his right arm.
"Oh well," I sighed to myself," It feels good to be back with friends again."