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Aran's Gift
Living life with the Dawn Brigade is already better than life with the Begnion Occupational Army, and I haven't even been with them a full day. After escaping the prison with my assistance, Sothe suggested we set up camp for the night. It was surprising he already considered me a part of the Brigade so easily.
Everyone seemed prepared to spend the night on the forest floor, and this didn't bother me… much. I had reconnected with Laura today, delicate little Laura who had probably never missed a meal in her life. I couldn't fathom her sleeping on the ground. I know I had slept on worse, but Laura shouldn't have to.
Thankfully, Sothe disappeared for about an hour and came back with four large tents. It wasn't a wonder how he got them- I had seen his thieving skills firsthand. He, Nolan and I set up the tents quickly. I again noticed how strange it was that they seemed to trust me, though I still wore the armor of their enemies. Laura had insisted upon me staying, and I had helped them escape… but it was still a risk on their part. Maybe I just couldn't understand trust after being with the Occupational Army for so long. Every man there knew better to trust even the friendliest man... those were usually the most deadly ones.
Nolan looked at our work proudly, but Sothe seemed troubled. I approached him carefully, keeping my guard up. Maybe he trusted me… but I couldn't quite be at ease after seeing how gracefully he could kill someone, quicker than the blink of an eye. "Something wrong, commander?" I keep my tone respectful, but the green-haired man turned to me with a slight frown on his face. "Call me Sothe," was his short reply. "Er… yes. Is something wrong, Sothe…?"
"Not really. I'm actually relieved; we've really needed some extra muscle in our group. Nolan and I have a hard time keeping up with the girls and the kids… It's just that there are four tents, and seven of us." Was that what he thought of me as? Just 'extra muscle.' Well, it was better than the Army. Much better.
And was that the only issue? I had thought the troubled look he wore was about something more serious. Or maybe that was just how he always looked? "I have no problem sleeping on the ground, command- uh, Sothe. The Occupational Army has trained me for much worse conditions than these, so don't worry."
His eyes tighten at the mention of the Occupation Army, but he nods slowly. "Thank you for the offer, but I'm sure Micaiah would have my hide if I allowed our newest member to sleep in the dirt on his very first day."
"I certainly would."
We both turned in surprise as Micaiah approached us, a playful smile on her face. She walked over to me, placing a hand gently on my shoulder. I involuntarily winced at the contact- the Army had trained me too well. Every day our commander warned us about Micaiah- or, the "vile witch," as he called her.
After hearing tales of her evil works and eye-witness stories, I expected her to have fangs and red eyes.
But in reality, she was quite lovely. Long, silver hair and yellow eyes. Odd features, yes. But not hideous, as I'd heard her described. Her smile lit up her face, showing two deep dimples in her pink cheeks. Beautiful by most standards, but I was mostly indifferent. She was too deeply set in my mind as evil...
The only problem I had with how she looked was the obvious lie she had given me. She'd told me earlier that she was Sothe's sister. This couldn't be true- they looked nothing alike. But I would accept the lie if it meant I could stay with the Dawn Brigade, because I couldn't go back to the Occupational Army now.
"I could never allow you to sleep on the ground, Aran," Micaiah continued, either ignoring or not noticing my wince. "We'll simply have to… squeeze."
I sigh with relief as she removes her hand, but the relief doesn't last long. Something about the Silver-Haired Maiden's tone leaves me uneasy…
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