Icouldn’t stand it.Iwas only getting in the way.Iwasn’t a warrior or a soldier.Ihad read my fair share of literature, histories, and battle strategies, but even that fled my mind as the troops sharpened weapons and helped each other don their armor.Theymoved fluidly and in sync, despite the frantic energy, like a hive of bees, except for me.Iwas the invader who disrupted the lines of communication and flow.
Ifinally fled to the front of the ship, hiding just inside the railing on the prow.Iwatched as the bow cut through the waves like a sword.Upahead, the early morning sun was still caught in the mist over the ocean.Thewhole boat swerved to the side violently, andIwas flung against the railing.AfterIrecovered,Isaw a huge rock island in the mist where our boat had been headed.Avlynwouldn’t have been able to see it, but nowIunderstood that sight wasn’t the only thing they used to guide them on the sea.
Afterhours curled up, my legs grew stiff, andIwas drenched from the mist and sea spray.Thecold clung to me, andIneeded to move or risk freezing to the front of the ship.Ihobbled through the throngs of soldiers, and they moved around me like the water at the front of the boat.Imade it to the stairs that led to the deck, whereAvlyngripped the massive steering wheel.
Ilooked up, and our eyes locked beforeIcould avert my gaze.Halfof me wished they would ignore me, and the other half longed for them to come down.Iwasn’t sure which was winning that fight.Amoment later,Iheard them shout, and their boots clattered down the stairs.Mystomach did a little flip, and the creature in my gut seemed to give a satisfied and smug purr.
“Areyou alright, my lady?”Thecommander leaned down to look deeply into my face, andIcould feel the blush rising.Mycreature purred louder.
“I’mfine, just got a bit chilled.”Theynodded and reached out for my shoulder before pulling back abruptly.
“Nowonder!You’resoaking wet.Here.”Theypulled a small cloth out of their belt.Theygently pushed the long bangs that clung to my cheeks behind my ear.Theygathered my hair and wrung out the mass with the cloth before draping it over my shoulders and gently wiping my face with a corner.
Theygave a soft smile. “Iknow inside the hull is rank from all the bodies, but it will be warmer and drier.”
Theirhand lingered on my face as we talked.Itwas so warm, so inviting, and that creature in my stomach seemed to have taken over my mind.
“I’drather just have someone to help keep me warm.Ido recall you were quite good at it.”IgaveAvlynmy own soft smile.
Ifelt their hand twitch, and a moment of insecuritypassed over their face before that smile returned, no longer warm but hot.
“Ilive to serve my lady.Anytimeyou need a warm body,Iam always available.”
“Youdidn’t seem interested before.”Thatsmile faded again, and the creature inside me hissed,Stoppushing them away!Buthow couldI?Whenthey looked at me likeImight be worth something…
Iwent to move, butAvlyn’sfingers gripped my cheek tighter, not letting me. “Thatwas beforeIsaw you… beforeIsaw you attack aNykurthat had frozen an orc stiff.”
“Well,Raulawasn’t really frozen; she was actually caught in theNykur’senchantment.It’san old magic that calls on a victim’s greatest desire, similar to the nauthiz glyph used by fae magus.Itmakes what a person desires most appear right in front of them.”Therewas that look again.Avlyn’seyes wouldn’t let me go, andIwanted to sink right into them.
“Ilove it when you get all academic.Itmakes me almost wishIhadn’t skipped my history lessons.”
“Maybeyou just needed a better teacher?”
“Nah…Ihad good teachers.Ijust didn’t want to sit and listen to them.It’snot the same with you.Icould listen to you all day.”Theirhand flexed the smallest amount, and the ship under us swayed.Ourfaces were getting closer, just a little bit more…
“Commander!”Avoice from the upper deck broke the spell.IsawAvlyngrit their teeth and turn to the soldier. “Landin sight, and it’s not looking good.”
Avlyngave me one more long glance before bolting up the stairs.Iheard them curse under their breath, andIran back to the railing of the ship.
Thedark beach ofXyrwas in sight, but smoke rose over the city above.Wewere too far to see anything else, butIswore thewind carried cries of anguish out to me.Igripped the railing until the wood cut into my palms.
Wenearly reached the dock whenIfelt a firm hand on my shoulder again. “Nearlythere, my lady.I’mgoing to hide you in the lighthouse until the fighting concludes.”Ihad never seenAvlynlook so serious.
“Andwhat if it shouldconcludein a loss for theDragonArmy?”Iasked.
Theirface grew even more stern. “Thereis a ladder down the back of the tower.Ifyou see the enemy approach, take it and head into the countryside.Thereis a small settlement a two-day walk to the southeast.It’sso small that it hasn’t been mapped.Itwill probably be spared.”
“Whycan’tIjust stay on the boat?”
“Theywill burn them as soon as they reach the docks.”Itwas said so matter-of-factly, with no emotion.Asoldier’s truth, a commander’s truth.
“Takeme with you,”Irequested.
Avlyn’sface finally softened. “Pallas, this is war.Iwon’t be able to watch over you.Ineed to lead.Ineed to fight.”
“Idon’t expect you to babysit me.Just…”WhatdidIexpect?Ofcourse,Icouldn’t go with them.
Theysqueezed my shoulder again. “Thisis the safest placeIcan put you.”
