Chapter 10:

I was in Aric's tent and we were still talking. Well I was talking, and he was flirting a little bit. He was a charmer, but he was a busy man, a worker, suddenly taking on a serious side. But I had absolutely positively no problem with that, since he was really… cool. Well, gorgeous. I was sitting down at a table, and Aric was taking off his armor and sharpening his sword.

After he took off his armor, I had a perfect view of his huge arms that was covered in a thing layer of sweat. His skin was a little tan, but no too tan. There was also some scars on his arms. War wounds. He was about 6 foot 3 and was absolutely huge, he was total movie star material! He could be the next Rambo.

"As I was saying, General, I'm on the run. A mad lunatic psycho kidnapped me from the village and I ended up here. I have no idea where I am or how I'm suppose to get back. And I can help you and your men, yea, but I need my bag and the supplies in it. Or else… I can't do anything."

"I understand, ocean healer… Is the land you came from in the South?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, I see. May I ask, ocean healer, were you in servitude with the King? King Romptus and his son, Marcus? I'm very positive with one with your abilities, you would catch his attention…"

"Yea I did. And I sorta worked for them, guess. You know them?"

Aric paused.

"We…are at war with them. What you know, I need to know. Everything we must know is a great importance. If you are to stay with us for the time being, you might as well know why we are here," Aric gathered his breathe and began the story.

"Our King Atalo had not always agreed on his share of land with King Romptus… A long time ago, when our people were still drawing maps of these newly discovered lands, the two kings decided to split the land and have each as their own kingdom. To have it as a fair share, to declare themselves as equals. However, there was two rivers, and between those rivers was land… Dividing us…

Between the two rivers was an unshared land that was rich in soil, water and game. Without the thought of war or battle, the two men decided to settle this properly. In a game of fair swordplay, King Romptus won the wager with a haughty grin. King Atalo, with honesty and honor, stepped down to listen to the victor's decision. King Romptus decided that the rivers would not be owned, all except for the land within. A fair deal. King Atalo agreed, but he was too trusting and considerate…. Naïve.

King Romptus thought otherwise to his decision, leading him to deception and betrayal. So over the years he claimed both rivers, using it to his own benefits. Greedy and bragging his mighty ownership.

From the resources of the river, such as precious stones and fish and game, he did not share anything. The land was his to do whatever he wanted, not considering our own kin. The people of Atalo began to riot, and soon our King became angry. When Atalo was discussing the truce with King Romptus not long after, Romptus had declared he heard of no such truce…"

"Wow… That asshole…"

"So, now you know why we are here…"

"Can't believe I was going to…" I trailed off, thinking about his son Marcus, who suppose to be married to me by now.

"Our hopes are high, and tomorrow we will come with a plan to overthrow the King. Our spies have informed us that his son, Prince Marcus, will be out in the countryside … Ordered by his father to recite his royal vows, because he is soon to be married. This is the perfect chance to interrogate and negotiate. If King Romptus is a bigger fool than we imagined, the…. war will officially… be declared."

"Whose Marcus getting married to?" I asked. He sure

"We don't know yet…"

"Oh, ok…." I whispered. That was fast… And I was gone no more than 5 days and Marcus is getting married again. Poor thing.

"What say you, ocean healer?"

"You can just call me Evey. But there's something you don't know… Romptus is sick and dying, that's why he's so hasty to have his son marry someone. That's why everyone so miserable, because the King is giving all his effort and time to his son alone. That's why everyone's starving and doing all kinds of crazy stuff like rioting. I have medicine. So maybe we can make a deal with him…"

Aric gave me a hard look, unsure of what to think. I knew it wasn't in my place to tell an officer what to do, but I had to take a chance.

"I will take your suggestion into consideration. Perhaps when all other plans do not come into play, you will lead. You will win this war for us…"

"Well, I don't think that I can win this war… but uh-"

"Evey, you are an ocean healer. Healing is a great gift. Even you, you, are a gift from the gods themselves. You…are a person that everyone looks up to. Who…they should worship. Who…they should would worship on their knees. Who…they should love most ardently. You…are a woman kings fight over for."

I was totally hypnotized by his lusty voice. What sort of disappointed me was that he didn't move from his seat to come closer to me and tell me more of how awesome I was. I was surprised he didn't because his eyes were really intense, as if he was going to look into my soul. But there was bigger fish to fry.

"So what are you going to do tomorrow?"

"We leave before dawn, go to the country side, capture his son and…interrogate."

"Ok, and when you do. I need to talk to Marcus myself…"

"But why? He will be our prisoner. What use would he be to you?"

"I just need to talk to him about medicine and his father. Just give me 10 minutes with him. You won't be sorry…"

For a moment, a flash of jealousy flashed in his eyes. He nodded his head firmly, getting up from his seat and walked towards his tent entrance, but pausing to look back at me. He grabbed his armor and sword again.

"Just remember, Evey, Prince Marcus is only a prisoner and nothing more than that to you…" he tucked in his sword at his hip," Prince or not, if he gets out of line when he is near you. I will declare war myself. Sleep, Evey, my men will take watch into the hours of the night, until dawn breaks. As will I, ocean healer. To protect you…"