So the last chapter I did didn't do as bad as I thought it would, but nonetheless, this chapter won't be taking place in the next mission, YET, that'll be chapter 5. But this will be a bit more off the beaten path, like chapter 2. But chapter will be the big turn of events.
(Ashfield)
"Day fifteen. I'm starting to get questions; I know Tristan is too. When Holden answers them finally, I just get more questions. It's starting to only add up to my suspicions. Such as, who is our Warlord? Do the Blackstones even follow Iron Legion orders? Everywhere we go, we've abandoned our people. I've seen abandoned garrisons and scout towers. Stone said our force is approaching an Iron Legion fortress, the main Blackstone army is close. It'll be one hell of a sight to see. A little over nine thousand men and women flying the Blackstone flag...but where have the Iron Legions gone? I have yet to see any other legion besides our own and Stone's remnants of a legion."
"I think their soldiers are starting to learn we're suspicious, or at least Tristan. Soldiers have looked to us over their own shoulders from afar. Or whispering secrets behind their backs. None are bold enough to say anything in our proximity, but that doesn't mean they don't suspect anything about us-"
"Jacklyn!" the voice of Holden Cross came from out her tent, she jumped to see a group of Blackstones outside.
"Uh-oh." she sighed, she wasn't even in her armor; all she wore was a simple linen shirt and cloth pants along with her boots she wore only when not in armor.
She stepped out the tent, Cross and Stone stood in front of several grim, faced soldiers. Tristan stood defensively in front of their tent and her.
"I hate to intrude upon your off-time, but...there's been some talk among the troops. They've been saying you and Tristan have been...challenging our leader's authority…and there have also been reports of Tristan have been conspiring against the Blackstone legion." the soldiers behind them had a light air of conversations.
"Is this true Jacklyn? Tristan's already made his point clear. But I want to hear it from both of you." Cross didn't want lies from his soldiers.
"I...I do not question our warlord, Holden…and believe me when I say this, neither Tristan or myself have ever conspired against the Blackstones."she spoke as calm as she could. Holden's features softened a bit.
"Alright then, back to your tents or stations; resume your duties. This conflict is resolved." he sighed, the large man strode off, his heavy armor clanking as he walked.
A mercenary in armor identical to a warden's walked to attention in front of Tristan and Jacklyn. He looked at her through his helmet. The only differences in his armor were the leather pauldrons, the helmet was more flat and square than theirs, and had a small set of spikes along the middle of the helm.
"You may have Cross's ears and trust...but believe me, wardens...we cannot wait for the single night that either you are not around for me to cut Tristan's throat...or the night he's not around to protect you." he chuckled wickedly a bit, aiming his sword at her. She took a step back, feeling seriously naked without her armor at the moment.
Tristan's sword collided with the other knight's blade. "You'd be dead before a single finger is laid on her." he growled, challenging the knight.
"SOLDIERS!" the voice of Stone thundered, "COMPOSE YOURSELVES! This is a legion! NOT, a rabble!" the conqueror roared. The mercenary knight slowly backed down, before finally turning around and striding off.
Stone sighed as he came close to the two wardens.
"Sometimes I think you wanna start a brawl, Tristan." he almost chuckled if he wasn't serious.
"I wouldn't have the need to, if this force of mercenaries was disciplined enough to keep their mouths shut. The only real damn soldiers here are the ones you brought." he looked at Stone finally.
"Well...I guess the warlord of the Blackstone legion couldn't send their disciplined section of the army to only complete a few missions." Stone sighed, knowing Tristan was right.
"What he said...about one of us not being around at night to protect each other..." Jacklyn slurred off, Stone stepped in now.
"Won't happen. I'm placing my two most disciplined and loyal conquerors' next to your tent." he smirked, Jacklyn had never seen Stone without his helmet til now. His grim features, a small shadow of hair growing on his face and was almost bald, only a thin sheet of hair on his head.
"You have our thanks, Stone." Jacklyn bowed graciously, he chuckled a bit.
"Well, can't have our two best soldiers being attacked in the night. Besides, it's the least I can do after you both saved my life." he bowed his head before turning around to return to his tent.
"Oh-!" Stone turned back to them for a moment.
"If either of you need it, there's a calm stream of warm water running down to the river. It's only warm around this time of the day so now's the time to go." he turned and took his leave finally.
Tristan's eyes widened, he had a coat of sweat and exhaustion on him. He instantly took this as his chance to bathe. He walked to their tent, removing his armor and only wearing a simple pair of clothes along with his dagger. He grabbed one of the towels Stone had given them.
"I'll be back in a while Jacklyn." she nodded as he walked out of the tent.
…
Tristan sighed in relief as he lowered himself into the warm water, he smiled to himself as he felt completely relaxed in the water.
He had laid his belongings not too far behind him. Tristan ducked under the water, he rose back up and felt refreshed; all the remnants of sweat and battle washing off of his body.
He took this moment to think about current events; that knight, threatening Jacklyn.
"Idiot. I'd kill him before he could come close to her." He growled inwardly.
Then his thoughts strayed to his friend. Jacklyn was usually on his thoughts; but more now than usual. He didn't know what he was feeling right now.
He needed to clear his mind; he dove back underwater, this time for almost a minute. The only real reason he came back to the surface was because he heard someone else dive in to the water.
He came back up, a quick stance ready, the warden's brain yelled at him to grab his dagger, but his gut was saying it was a false alarm.
He was utterly speechless when Jacklyn appeared on the surface, he realized one thing.
She, like him, had not a single piece of clothing on.
"Gah!" he jumped, covering his vision. He didn't want to be caught staring at her naked body.
His gut was telling him to look but everything else said to not even open his eyes.
"Oops! I-I thought you had returned to the camp by now." he heard her speak.
"It-it's fine. Just...let me find my way out and I'll be headed back." he turned to climb out, but heard her lightly chuckle.
"It's perfectly fine Tristan; I mean, you've seen me separate a man's head from his shoulders, yet you're afraid of seeing me bathe?" he shook his head, trying to remain level headed.
"Trust me, Jacklyn, this is a bit more uncomfortable than I had hoped. I-I'm heading back as soon as I redress." he sighed, grabbing the towel he had brought and began drying himself.
In a matter of minutes he was fully dressed; he quickly looked back to see her washing herself before making his way back to the camp.
...
When he returned, he took the time to put his armor back on, the day was still young and he was still on duty as a warden. One of Stone's conquerors met him outside their tent.
"Commander Tristan, where is Jacklyn?" he asked him; a concerned look grew on Tristan's face.
"Down at the stream, why?" he asked.
"We saw another knight headed there. He was fully armored and had his sword with him." the conqueror's response shocked Tristan.
"What? When?!" he growled, the other man shrugged.
"Less than an hour ago." the man spoke calmly, but Tristan instantly placed grabbed his sword, not bothering to equip his helmet.
...
Jacklyn sighed as she went to grab her towel and begin drying off; as she finally put on her under-clothes, when she turned to grab her clothes, standing there, was the knight who had threatened her and Tristan; specifically her.
"Finally." he growled, his sword already in hand.
"No! Get back!" she growled, feeling extremely naked mentally AND physically, knowing she was both missing her armor and sword AND that she was almost completely naked.
He advanced on her slowly, she knew she was backing herself into a corner. She was by no means however, small compared to him, she was a woman yes, but that didn't mean her body wasn't muscular from marching in heavy plated armor and wielding a longsword. Her combat instincts drove her to send a punch directly into his unprotected gut. He stumbled back as he felt winded; the mercenary growled as he used his plated gauntlet to backhand her. She fell back, but had no time to react before he grabbed her by the throat.
He pushed her against a tree, she tried to break free, but his grip around her neck tightened. He leaned close to her.
"It's too bad I have to off you tonight. Can't have people like you snooping around our plans; I know you Iron legionnaires...the moment you find out ANYTHING, you'll take it to the other legions...that can't happen. But it's too bad...such a finely crafted, young woman...a warden too..." he growled.
"Please…sto-stop!" she gasped for air. He raised his sword, the tip of the blade pointed at her.
Out of nowhere, another sword swung upward, half the arm that was holding his own blade flew off. He roared in agony as blood sprayed from the wound. He had no time to react before the sword was buried into his chest. He coughed, releasing her before falling to his knees, revealing Tristan; he removed his sword and spun around, beheading the mercenary.
The body crumpled to the ground, she sighed quickly with relief.
He gasped as she winded him by quickly pulling him into a hug.
"Thank you…!" she hugged him tightly.
"I wasn't about to let him hurt you." he sighed.
He could only return it as she wasn't releasing him any time soon. He heard a break in the sound of the clattering of armor; he looked back to see Holden Cross and Stone running their way.
"Tristan! Wha-!..." he stopped as he saw the body of one of his knights.
"What is this?!" Cross was shocked, Stone wasn't taking this much differently.
Tristan was about to explain, but Jacklyn, as she stood behind him, spoke up.
"He attacked me, Tristan saved me...he was planning to kill me. He must have not been kidding when he threatened to kill one of us when we were alone..." she sighed, Stone growled.
"A man who would attack a woman who's defenseless and at their mercy...not a man in my book..." he growled.
"The men will most likely take this the wrong way. So...Stone, try to find a way to either burn or hide the remnants, this man never existed as far as we're concerned." stone nodded, agreeing with him.
(Hours later)
The two wardens were trying to sleep, but neither could as they had so many questions on their mind.
"Tristan, you awake?" she whispered.
"...Yeah...you alright?" he asked.
"Yeah...it's just that…well...I'm still worried." she sighed.
"About what?" he asked.
"...If it happened now...what's stopping it from happening again?" she asked him, she heard him sigh as he tried to get comfortable on his bedroll.
"Well...you've got me. AND, next time, I'll make sure you don't leave the camp without at least a dagger on you." she had to admit, this DID help her.
"So...we're joining the main army tomorrow?" she asked.
"Yes. Nine thousand men and women under the Blackstone banner...why does that not sound promising to me…?" he asked, she couldn't answer, but felt the same.
"I still wonder...who does this legion serve?" she asked.
"Guess we won't know til' tomorrow." he sighed.
She began relaxing as the heat from the fire outside relaxed her senses; her eyelids became heavier.
"Night, Jacklyn..." he rolled over and tried to get some sleep.
"...Night..." she whispered, feeling sleep take her away.
SO!...I hope this chapter does well, if not, I may just delete it OR change it...A LOT. I don't know how I did with that scene towards the end? I need feedback before I do anything. So, ya know the drill, R&R so I know what needs to be done. Thanks a ton!