The Female Soldier [EDITING]

Chapter 28.3

Eurielle woke up with the sun the following morning, she got to preparing breakfast which sadly wasn't as much as she'd hoped it would be, stale bread and frozen cheese. She heaved a long sigh, wondering if she was going to survive the next few days. Before slipping back into the tent to wake Alexander, who was snoring soundly inside. She couldn't help but think he was cute while he slept, but nonetheless dropped his bag on him to wake the poor boy up. Alexander awoke immediately with a wheeze, gasping for breath and shoving the heavy bag off of his body. Eurielle gave him a minute to catch his breath before giving him a cheery, "Morning," and grinning. Alexander only held up his hand in a silent greeting.

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"Your hair is getting quite long..." Alexander commented as the two scouts were packing their things away in their bags. Eurielle stopped for a moment to raise a hand at it. Sure enough it was beginning to grow past her ears. "Yes it is..." she murmured, pushing away her growing bangs from her eyes. Alexander reached out to grab a strand, causing Eurielle to flinch at the contact. He saw this and pulled away quickly, "s-sorry...I just..." he looked away. "Do you...want to cut it...?" He asked gently. Eurielle knew what he was just trying to make conversation with her. Since she hasn't been that responsive the last few weeks, and shook her head. "As much as I would like to, I think it would take up too much time," she zipped her bag shut, lifted it up on her shoulder. "Besides, I sort of like it like this." She turned to give him a grin. Alexander gave her a small smile in return. "Just let me know whenever it bothers you, alright?" Eurielle ran her nimble fingers through her choppy locks. "Of course."

The two scouts resumed walking, following the main road this time. There was a comfortable silence between them as they made their way through the snow that was now beginning to build up. Tear drops of ice now hung on naked tree branches threatening to drop on some unsuspecting victims at any moment. It was a muggy day, the sun covered by angry grey clouds, the cold winter air whipping at the two scouts' faces. Their winter clothes doing nothing to block the winter chill that was now seeping into their bones.

Even with the blistering cold Eurielle looked at the winter in awe. The cloudiness reminding her of her home in, The Mist. However she could do without the chill working it's way against her bundled up body. At the thought of, The Mist her heart began to ache for her home, for her father and the familiar orange lights of their tavern. But most of all, she really needed her mother. More than anything, Eurielle wanted to hear her mother's pleasant voice tell her it was okay. To feel her arms wrap around her, holding her tightly in a warm embrace. But her mother was gone now, buried six feet under beneath the flowers.

Eurielle didn't notice Alexander's worried look when she let out a heavy sigh. He didn't say anything though not wanting to pressure her into saying anything to him for a while. Alexander knew she needed space to think, his words from the other night had hit home, he knew she needed plenty of time to process it. So for now, he would leave her be unless she spoke up.

They walked for hours, Alexander estimated they should be back to the camp before nightfall the next day, or the morning after. But that was only if they kept going without resting. Upon hearing this Eurielle bit her lip, would they make it in time? She didn't know, and she didn't want to sacrifice their health any longer. She was beginning to fidget a lot. Playing with her fingers, wringing them, tapping them against her arms when she crossed them. Anxiety creeping it's way into her body. The closer they got to the camp, the worse she seemed to get.

Eurielle didn't want to get to the camp and see bodies to bury, she wanted to see her friends alive and well. At least one more time before the inevitable. Eurielle looked up at the cloudy sky, sending a prayer to the gods to be merciful for once, and let the people she had grown to care about be well. She knew she'd do anything to achieve that, even trade her own life for it. Even if it meant never seeing her father again.

Eurielle's eyes watered slightly, but she quickly wiped them away before Alexander could see them. She would not cry anymore, she will get her warning to the camp before Leandra soldiers got there. She will save them, albeit some may lose their lives. But if the majority could live, including her friends, she was okay with that. She prayed to the gods her selfish wish. Offering up any price she would be willing to pay.

Alexander noticed her anxiety, and put a gentle hand to her head. "Focus," he whispered, "they're going to be okay, I know it." Eurielle felt her breath leave her body, not realizing she had been holding it. She was still fidgeting, but it was less now compared to earlier. She took another deep breath, filling her lungs with cold air before breathing it out again. "Do you feel better?" He asked removing his hand from her head.

Eurielle nodded, her hand reaching up to grasp at the strap of her bag. She looked ahead towards the horizon, cursing the sun that began to set. It seemed as if there weren't enough hours in the day to keep them moving any further. And continuing into the night meant giving up their health in the process. It wouldn't do any of them good if both scouts turned up sick and dying.

Eurielle dropped her bag, motioning for Alexander to do the same. "We set up camp for the night, and head out again at dawn, if we set a rigorous pace we can make it before dusk...hopefully" she murmured beginning to unpack. "Are you sure? We can continue for a bit and-" he snapped his mouth shut at the piercing look Eurielle gave him. They unpacked quietly, setting up their tent, and unpacking what little food was left.

Eurielle was done crying, for now she had to focus on what was at stake. She looked at the sun as it set, making up her mind completely. She will save everyone, even if it cost her, her life.

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I'm sorry I haven't been updating! I got hit with some major writers block, and writing this chapter was a serious chore. But I finished it! Regular updates will continue on schedule, so I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

Also, I'm entering this story into the 2019 Watty's, so wish me luck all of you! And thank you, because if it wasn't for my readers I wouldn't be here.

Don't forget to vote and comment! Also recommend to anyone who would probably be interested in this story. Until next time readers!