Araman

~ 17 ~

   "We rest here for the night." Dergen said and pulled everyone to a halt. They had reached the edge of the woods and stopped in a clearing surrounded by trees. A slow flowing river ran through the centre where the horses were let off to graze. Canah forest was on the far side of the river, and Verxia woods to the rear; the sun low over the trees of the Canah making the long shadows of their branches, a dark pathway into the forest.

It had taken them all day to reach the edge of the Canah and once across the river, there would be no path to travel by.

Their company quickly unpacked saddlebags and soon had a fire started in the centre of the circle of tents. There were only a few people on the hunt other than Dergen, Kassen, Raliena and Derio. A cook had been sent with them as well as three armed guards and an additional two attendants to help pitch the tents and keep watch for attackers through the night.

"A most heartfelt goodbye between you and the King, Sa Raliena." Dergen was stood behind Raliena while she pitched her tent after refusing help from the servants.

"I did not think you knew what that was, Dergen." She retorted and walked away towards the river to refill her water.

Once at the river bank she washed her face and arms and thought about how even though she could heal herself of the fatigue of riding all day, she could not rid herself of the grime that came with it.

Raliena relaxed back on her hands and listened to the steady rhythm of eddies in the water, in harmony to the bird song through the trees; the tilting of their branches orchestrating the melody of rustling leaves. Her peace was interrupted when she heard footsteps behind her and saw a figure dive into the river off a rock by the water's edge.

She held up an arm reflectively against the splash it caused and looked accusingly at the culprit.

Kassen surfaced and swam to shallower waters where he could stand chest deep. Raliena averted her eyes at him being shirtless and tried to hide her blush. Kassen grinned like a boy at her prudishness.

"It's not like you haven't seen me shirtless before."

"You best be wearing something on your lower half." Raliena replied sternly.

Kassen gave her a mischievous look. "Why don't you join me and find out?"

"That would be highly inappropriate considering the circumstances." They both jumped at the appearance of Dergen, who had crept up on them silently. "Raliena knows better."

"Then I do not need you watching me." Raliena retorted, standing up to face him.

"Clearly you do, Sa Raliena." He said, grinding his teeth.

"I meant no harm." Kassen piped in, making his way out of the water. "I have learnt of your customs."

"Then you would do well to remember your place, General." Dergen sneered as Kassen stepped out of the water towards him.

"As you should remember yours, Advisor." They squared up to each other on the bank. Dergen stood just an inch taller than Kassen, but with his sculptured chest still bare, it was clear that Kassen's meticulously defined muscles surpassed Dergen in natural strength.

"And as a higher rank than both of you!" Raliena said, coming to stand next to the men, though she made less of an impression. "I order you to continue your duties and leave me to worry about how I wish to conduct myself."

The two men continued their staring match as they replied.

"As you wish, Araman." Dergen said bitterly, glancing at her and strolling away back to camp.