A/N: Add Lullaby by Nickelback and With or without you by U2 to the playlist, dear!
10. Lost to the cause
Emie sat up in her bed. It was early, and still, she could sense something was going on.
Beside her bed, Henry was still peacefully sleeping. She silently got on her feet and head for the bathroom.
Her hair was a mess, as always. This time, she decided to let it loose on her shoulders. She grimaced. They had taken some length during her time in that timeline. She hated to have long hair.
She swiftly put her whole new work dress on, a light blue, as favoured by Henry apparently, and went out of the small barrack.
Many soldiers were already up, but most of the camp was still sleeping.
She decided to head for the horses' paddock.
Joey had been put next to Topthorn. And apparently, the two horses were having a harsh time together. It reminded her of some other men in here having to fight over another kind of gift than saddles and riders.
She patted Topthorn's cheek and turned to Joey, slowly putting her hand before his nose so he could acknowledge her scent.
"Be careful. He has bitten some others less pretty than you."
Emie smiled before turning around.
She nearly forgot to breathe.
James was standing in a very unusual dark blue outfit, and was currently putting white gloves on his graceful hands.
"Good morning, James."
He smiled. "Good morning, Emie."
They gazed at each other for a moment, until Joey, by a very well placed kick of the head on Emie's arm, reminded them of the place and time they were currently in.
James chuckled. "Alright, Joey. We are going, don't worry." He walked in front of Emie, looking at her playfully, and opened the paddock to take his horse by the moors, making him walk towards the stables to take his saddle.
Emie followed them slowly, taking her time to gather her thoughts.
"Have you ever ridden, Emie?"
James was perched on Joey's back, looking like a god or something close to it.
She gaped and then chuckled. "Me? Oh no! I must be such a pain for the poor horse! And besides, I'm afraid of heights."
He looked at her, very amused. "You know, a horse is barely standing two meters above the ground."
"Two meters' a lot, Captain."
He huffed and got down Joey's back. He looked around them, making sure no one was looking.
He took her face in his two gloved hands and kissed her lightly.
She looked into his insanely blue eyes, and stared.
He smiled again, before climbing once again on his horse's saddle. "I will teach you when I come back. Make sure you don't have another half dead man to take care of when I come for you."
She chuckled. "Wow, Captain, what have you eaten today?"
He smiled before kicking Joey's side. "Nothing. I just realised I was a man, that's all!"
Emie laughed into the silence left after his departure.
She caressed her lips and turned around to get back to her barrack.
"Miss Tate." Emie jumped, startled by the Major's low voice coming from just behind her.
He had fetched Topthorn, whom he was holding by the reins.
"Major Stewart. Good day to you."
He bowed. "I just wanted to inform you of a practise charge this morning. You should prepare yourselves for minor injuries, in case. Some of our men are still stuttering on horses."
She nodded. "I will pass the message to Dr Lennings. Thank you, Major."
She repressed the urge to tell him, no, to yell at him, about how stupid this whole "cavalry against guns" was. But he got it in her eyes.
"I will do my best to bring back as many men as possible. Miss Tate." He bowed again and walked away, Topthorn pulling on the reins, impatient as he was to show Joey how much he was worth.
Emie shook her head is disdain, and climbed the short stairs to get back in.
What a horrible day to come.
Short one, this one. Sorry about that, but...you know me. I'm so willing to make James as cute as possible I forget the main plots and everything. ^^
Review please!