The Fire Burning Within

Chapter 7

I walk up to the camp, rolling my eyes at the whistles and cat calls I get from several of the men. "Looking especially 'beautiful' this morning, Lady Amara," Jim snickers as I pass.

"Oh, you are so kind, Jim! Thanks for the compliment, asshat." He bursts out laughing, patting me on the back. I reach my tent to discover it has already been dismantled. Malik hands me a canvass bag, and says, "I am sorry if I made things uncomfortable for you, ma'am. I like to tease, but Isaac definitely was not pleased with my theatrics earlier." I smile, accepting the bag, and putting my clothes inside. 

"Don't worry about it. Where I come from, it is pretty common to tease someone about things like this." I raise my voice, "Just don't let it happen again, or I'll have to kick your wrinkly, old ass!"

The men around us turn and stare wide-eyed. I wink at Malik as he begins to guffaw next to me, and he yells, "If one of you idiots doesn't marry this woman, I will!"

"Somebody? Anybody? Please don't leave me alone with this weirdo!" I tease, and laugh, as Malik ruffles a hand in my hair. A tall, muscular man, with golden hair and bright green eyes runs up and scoops me into his arms.

"I'll rescue you, m'lady!" Giggling, I wave toward Malik. "Farewell, foul beast! I have found a suitor!" Laughing, the man carries me across the clearing, and straight into Isaac.

"Put. Her. Down." The man complies quickly as Isaac continues, "If you children are done, we have a long journey to Redmond. Move out." I grab at Isaac's arm, imploring, "Don't take it out on them, I encouraged it."

"Yes, I'm well aware," he answered stiffly before stalking off toward the front of the group. Well, damn, what's gotten into him?

                             ***

We walk for nearly two hours before taking a break to rest. "Would you like some water, my lady?" I glance up to see the young man from before. "I am Brannon. We haven't had a chance to meet, other than me sweeping you off your feet earlier." I laugh, mock glaring at him when he wiggles his eyebrows at me.

"Oh, you are quite cocky aren't you?" Leaning towards me he says, "I'm not cocky," then he gives a smirk, eyeing me up and down before finishing, "just very sure of what I want." I feel a blush spread across my cheeks as my mouth hangs open. Well, hello Mr. Confidence! "Don't worry about the Commander. He can be a hard ass, but he's a good man. Just let me know if you need anything." He smiles and stands, drifting off to join another group. Isaac approaches, glancing between myself and Brannon.

"You should avoid fraternization with the soldiers. I need my men to concentrate and be ready for danger, not distracted by the one woman within several miles."

I feel my face burning, my anger boiling over, and I try to contain it but fail. I jump up, going face to face with Isaac. "Excuse the fuck out of me?!" Most of the men nearby have stopped their conversations and turned back toward Isaac and I. Isaac himself has the nerve to look shocked, and I can't help but continue. "I do not belong to you or anyone else, in this world, or any other world. I will do what I please, and I will speak with who I want to speak with. You accuse me of distracting your soldiers, but oddly enough, he was just telling me that you were a good man and not to take your words personally. So, excuse me, but I won't be trailing behind the 'big strong men' with my head bowed down like an obedient little woman. So, you can go to hell!" With that, I spin on my heel, yank my pack up onto my shoulder, and stomp to the front of the group.

"What the bloody hell did you do this time?" Malik approaches Isaac, eyes wide. "Things seemed to be going quite well this morning."
Isaac groans in frustration before I hear him speak behind me. "Forget it, let's just get moving." Instructing the soldiers to begin marching again, he notices me walking next to Brannon, glaring again. He couldn't just control his jealousy, and after everything I've told him, he's already betrayed me.

                             ***

As we walk, Brannon asks about my home, and as I begin talking more soldiers gather to listen. I can tell Brannon is a little put off when I begin answering questions from the others, drawing some of his attention away, so after answering one more question I turn back to him.

"Brannon, tell me more about this world. I know of Redmond but very little else. I've noticed your deer are different than those in our world so I was curious about the animals here too."

He visibly brightens at my attention, launching into a story about how Redmond was created, and about a few other places; Fireden is a tropical land across the sea, Salenia is the land of elves in a forest on the other side of Redmond, and Eleisa is a kingdom that no one really knows much about,  as it houses some of the most powerful witches and wizards in this world, and they cloak their location.

I am riveted and so eager to learn more, but I'm exhausted by the time we set up camp. I set up my tent and eat my dinner as quickly as I can before throwing myself into my cot.  I've always been in great shape, but my feet are blistered and my muscles ache. After a few moments,  I fall into a deep sleep.