Our second world- Book two: War is coming

Chapter 31

~ Mary ~

I was up a little earlier than Haren, but still later than everyone else. With a yawn, I stretched my arms and legs; stiff and sore from sleeping on the cold ground. As I was just finishing getting ready, Haren stirred beside me and sat up with a yawn.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" I asked.

"Fine. Why do you ask?" He replied, shifting over to help me tie my ponytail since I was struggling to do it myself.

"Just wondering," I shrugged," I was a little sore this morning."

"As I said: I'm fine," He answered.

The two of us finished getting ready and packed away our tent before joining the others for breakfast before we leave.

The weird green haired girl that joined us yesterday was sitting next to Elise, talking excitedly. She had her hood up again. When everyone was done eating, those who hadn't yet packed their tents did, and we kept moving.

While we walked, I noticed that the green haired girl practically clung to Elise. She was so bouncy and excited compared to the sleepy soldiers still waking up. As the sun rose higher in the sky the air got warmer and many of the soldiers tugged off their heavy winter coats to adjust to the change in temperature. I was comfortable with how I was.

When we stopped for a break, I noticed that August was still avoiding Haren. It hurt me to see them doing this, but there wasn't anything I could do. I wasn't even sure what caused the sudden change in behavior, and no-one would tell me when I asked. It seemed that the only ones who knew what happened were Haren and August themselves.

"I hate how useless I am to them." I squeezed my skirt in my hands and flexed my grip on the wads of fabric. Even through the thick fabric, I could feel my nails digging into my palms.

When the call came to keep going, I stood up and tried to smooth out the creases my warm palms had made in the fabric. Small white crescents were beginning to turn pink where my nails had been. I hid my hands in my pockets and hurried to catch up with everyone.

Haren eyed me when I ran past him, but nodded when I jerked my head in August's direction. I ran ahead. Jumping up on August's back when I got close enough, he caught me by the legs. Probably more of a reflex than he was expecting me to jump on him.

"Hey little girl," He said, turning his head to look at me," what are you doing?"

"I came to say hi," I answered with a grin, throwing my arms over his shoulders.

"Who is this?" the green-haired woman asked. moving from the princess to us.

"My name is Marylyn," I said," and you're Titanya of envy."

The woman seemed a little surprised that I knew her title, "I'm sorry, I haven't seen you before."

"Well, I am pretty short for my age, so don't feel bad; I get that a lot." I grinned, jumping to the ground with a thump before shifting to grab on to August's hand. I guess I grew a little; I came up past his waist now.

"Wow! You're so cute!" a grin spread over Titanya's face," wait... how old are you?"

"Nine."

"That old!?" she exclaimed," You don't look any older than a five-year-old! and they let you join the military."

"Hey! I may be small, but I'm just as capable as any other soldier and more experienced than most." I stuck my tongue out at her.

"Well, you certainly are more mature than most of the soldiers I know." Titanya chuckled.