Chapter 3: Conversations and Threats

"The first ingredient in conversation is truth, the next good sense, the third good humor, and the fourth wit. "

William Temple

After crossing of the river, the pregrands took her to the horses, which had been waiting further in the forest. As soon as the men stepped on their land, Lucy noticed the change in the behavior. It was truly amazing how easily the General talked to his subordinates and how they treated him. When they had to decide who Lucy will ride with, the blond guard, whose name she found out was Sting, playfully asked her, while rising his eyebrows in what seemed to be a flirty gesture, „Madam, would you like to get on my horse? I can assure you that it will be the most pleasant ride you've ever had. "

He was obviously joking and nobody expected her to answer seriously. That was precisely why they got surprised, when she lifted her tied wrists and pointed at the dark haired guard.

"What the hell? Why Rogue?" Sting started blinking, confused by her choice.

Lucy smiled lightly in that cold manner, which had always managed to infuriate the King of Icenberg and which had frightened Jose earlier.

"Because I prefer quiet and well-mannered people than… hmmm..." she shrugged and casually stared at the trees as if she didn't just insult her capturers.

Ah. Crap. Her temper got the best of her again.

Usually Lucy tried to maintain a calm demeanor, tried to hold the leash on her emotions tightly as it was becoming for a priestess, a strategist and above all a high-class lady. But there were moments, when her hidden nasty behavior emerged on the surface and loved to make use of sarcasm and irony. She knew it was too childish to act this way, but that sudden shift of emotions always happened when someone had greatly annoyed her.

Though, now was definitely not the time for her pride to rise.

"Than who?" Sting angrily shook his head, silently demanding her to finish the sentence.

Gajeel, the guard with the long, wild hair, came closer to her and threateningly leaned over her head.

"Oi, dollface, did you also include me in Sting's group?"

Oh, gods. Someone needed to learn how to control his anger.

Beside her Rogue cleared his throat and the rest of them could see a growing smile, hidden behind his hand.

"Argh, bastard!"

"Traitor!"

There something naïve and sweet in their relations. Lucy understood that the guards were really good friends and for a moment they even seemed likable to her.

"Hey, the strategist," Natsu said, attracting the attention of the fighting men. Lucy tensed like a cord, ready to move. "Aren't you acting a little bit too comfortable for a person, who just got kidnapped?"

His eyes were serious; there wasn't even a hint of humor on his face. Maybe his question was meant to frighten her, to remind her that her live was in his hands and to feel the same emptiness in her stomach, which had ruled over her during her time with Jose. Instead she read in his eyes something else. Their brightness was different, it was more persistent and slightly curious, as if he was wondering what she would do in this kind of situation.

The General was challenging her.

Lucy felt the need to properly answer to his challenge. She truly wanted to do that.

However, she got easily carried away in stupid arguments. Right now she had to stay focused, well composed and to avoid all questions, no matter how insignificant they might look.

That was why she shifted her head and stared at the muzzle of the nearest horse, which was sweetly champing a blade of grass.

"You are going to ignore me, aren't you? Is that your magnificent plan?" his amused tone came back.

So, he was testing her, to see how she will react to the hidden threat in his words. That only confirmed her theory, which was - the smaller number of people knew her character, the better for her it would be.

"Just accept it, Natsu." Sting suddenly said. "You've never been good with women. "

"Sting, Sting, Sting…You wanna fight? Cause you know who's gonna win, so save yourself the defeat."

Both men continued to bandy perky words even after they had mounted the horses, and at times Gajeel also joined their quarrels. It was amazing how friendly acted the General with the others. Even though the men threw insults, swore, and threatened each other with fights, their words were still light and their intention was harmless. Maybe these men were Dragneel's most trusted men, his closest friends, who he took with himself to every battlefield or when he wanted to kidnap a maiden from the neighboring country. Lucy couldn't really know what the truth was until she saw how the General acted towards the other soldiers. It was essential to understand his relations with the army.

This was the best thing she could do in a situation like that. She could only analyze, to find and absorb every bit of information, which could be helpful in the future.

"Fucking trees!" barked Gajeel, when a pine branch suddenly bashed his face, while he was passing beside it.

The General turned his head back and burst out laughing.

"Gajeel," he said, while wiping tears from laughter "you looked as if you just had a quarrel with your Levy and she nicely punched you in the ugly face."

Lucy mentally noted the name of this unknown person. Whoever this Levy was, it was obvious by the reddened cheeks of Gajeel that she was an important person to him. His mouth opened and closed continuously like a fish in the open air. "Shut up, Salamander! She is not my Levy! And I'll fucking kick your ass!"

"Ha, you wish you could!"

They didn't stop anywhere for a rest and Lucy truly thought of herself as a hero, because she didn't complain even once to her kidnapers. Not only she had to stay on the back of a horse for hours when she was with Jose, but she had to do that again and this time she had to share the saddle with someone else. But on the other hand she was glad of her choice for a co-rider. Rogue, just as she had expected, didn't participate in stupid arguments, on the contrary actually, the only thing he made as a noise was his breathing. Although it was uncomfortable to have someone behind her, she was grateful for the warmth his body provided, because her clothes and hair were still wet from the jump in the river and the cold north wind didn't make her feel any better. But his body protected her back really well.

After some time the night started to change. The darkness gradually faded away, revealing more clearly the vegetation surrounding them. The small parts of sky, which Lucy could notice through the tangled branches above their heads, were lightening up.

A new day was coming.

That made her think about the time she spent away from Gray and her people. But also about the fact that she hadn't drank or eaten anything. Realizing this, her stomach fiercely growled, desperately trying to draw her attention. Her dry throat made its protests too. Lucy asked herself if she tried to open her mouth and say something, what kind of sound would come out. She got prepared to lay down her wishes to the men, when Sting lifted his arms and sighed happily.

"Fucking finally!"

The three men were just a couple of feet in front of Lucy and Rogue and were looking down at something, as if they were standing on the edge of a precipice. When Lucy and Rogue neared them, a frightening sight revealed before her. Hundreds, no, thousands of military tents were spread throughout an even field, at the end of which a high, stone tower was rising. Thin, gray jet of smoke was spiraling from the ground to the sky, proof for a burning fire.

So many warriors, so much blood would be spilled…

Lucy's eyebrows furrowed and she unconsciously bit her lips. She had to do something, had to find a way to warn Gray…

"For the great strategist of Isenberg to make that kind of worried face because of my army…" Dragneel interrupted her thoughts," it seems we have a high chance of crushing the north kingdom."

Lucy threw him an angry look and turned her head on the other side, though that didn't prevent her from hearing his loud laugh.

Going downhill from the mound took them quite a lot of time, but the horses were being faster than what it could have been if they were on foot. The sun was right above their heads, when they finally neared the beginning of the military camp. Soldiers, dressed in Pregrand armors, turned their faces to their General and his comrades. In their eyes Lucy could read pride and unreserved support.

"General! General! " screamed some of them with bright smiles. Most of the soldiers were young and middle-aged people and at first anyone would think that the adoration they all showed for their leader, was all because he was almost as old of them, but had already achieved so much. No. That wasn't the reason. Among the excited faces Lucy could also identify those, which time hadn't passed, with wrinkles and weak, but wiry figures, true war veterans. Their stares weren't filled with childish idolization as the rest, but their eyes were shining with pride and calmness, caused by the safety return of their trustworthy general.

Natsu Dragneel was considered reputable by all of his people. It was another reason, for which he was a dangerous enemy to Icenberg and to Gray.

Lucy knew that an army could be small, but if it was ready to give its heart and soul for its leader, then it became ten times more powerful. And Pregrande, with fear noticed Lucy, had the two ingredients, which made a mighty force – a large number of soldiers and an absolute fate in their general.

While passing through the tents, the soldiers didn't miss her out either. Some glanced at her curiously, others got even more excited when they saw her.

"General" they shouted "You captured the strategist!"

"But she is a woman!"

"She is nice for the eyes, isn't she?"

"General, who is the beauty?"

Some of them, realized Lucy, dropped their eyes most shamelessly down, focusing on her still wet and pressed to her body clothes, and she tensed. The almost incident with Jose from the previous night had left behind repulsive traces in her mind, and she guessed that the memories of his rude hands on her skin would hunt her for a long time. That was why, this attention, which she attracted to herself and which before yesterday would not have bothered her so much, made her grip the corners of Dragneel's mantle and to tuck it around her body even more, not caring that it was still pretty wet and that it brought her cold chills.

Suddenly her instincts called her and she raised her head only to see the General in front of her, half-turned and observing her. He immediately showed her the nape of his neck and kicking the horse lightly, he moved forward as if nothing had happened.

A little bit later, while they were still passing through the camp and soldiers kept throwing all kinds of comments at her, General Dragneel suddenly raised his voice.

"Oi, bastards!" his harsh tone cut the valley, probably reaching every part of the camp. "If you have so much free time that you keep circling around us like noisy hens, then I can quickly order youto do some work!"

At first his men froze and Lucy was sure that she would read many disgruntled faces, even if they followed the order. To her surprise their faces beamed with smiles as if they were used to the General and his whims. The warriors quickly scattered, each person with a different task on his mind, and neither of them looked at the General and his comrades again. Nobody seemed to care about Lucy too.

She squinted her eyes baffled by all this. Did he just save her from the uncomfortable thirsty stares of his men? That was strange, but also… kind of nice.

Lucy mentally shook her head. No! Dragneel again offered a suspicious gallant gesture, just like when he gave her his mantle. It was all just to predispose her. It must have been part of his wicked plan for worming out of her the secrets of Icenberg.

Even so, a tiny voice peeping in her mind, recollected all of the information she knew about the General, each fought battle, his strategies, his relations to the higher-ups, each detail, no matter if it was just a rumor or not. Lucy could easily draw a conclusion about the way he took decisions and on what basis he did it. She was certain that deceiving and fawning a captive was not his style.

The fire dragon. That's what they called him on the battlefield, because of his bellicosity and might, but also because of his rebellious spirit, his inability to hide the wildness and his instincts. He was a man of actions, not of the secret plans.

But still Lucy didn't want think twice about the reason he helped her. The only explanation, which she could give herself, was that maybe someone in the past had beaten into him gentlemanly manners, which were casually showing up from time to time. That was the most logical thing that came to her mind.

And even though he was displaying sympathy right now that didn't mean that a few hours later he wouldn't be pulling her nails out.

Whether it was because of the last thought, or because she hadn't eaten anything for almost two days that her stomach growled, she didn't know.

Soon they reached the tower, which she had previously seen from above. Now, while standing in the base, and above her head was the first terrace, the building looked even more striking and massive. Four terraces interrupted the stone walls of the tower and above each terrace a scarlet tiled roof with curved edges, rested directly on vertical structural beams and kept safe from rain and sun. The architecture style itself was somewhat similar to the one of Icenberg because of the curved roofs, but it was also more dynamic, more colorful and detailed, a magnificent work of art. And it was just a tower in the outlying parts of the Empire. Lucy truly admired the pregrand's craftsmen. They were after all for a reason one of the most wanted and talented people in the all Fiore.

The wooden door, through which they got in, was covered in beautiful ornaments, portraying different animals and plants. The first floor was a large chamber and even Lucy, who was used to the richness of the royal castle, was astonished by the luxury. The paneled dark wooden walls were being separated by golden strips. The ceiling was also wooden and different ornaments and figures, resembling the zodiac signs, were coming down from it. Richly decorated carpet was lying spilled on the floor and on top of it stood a small, wooden table and five armchairs. On the lacy tea cloth someone had left a bluish tea-pot.

When Lucy saw the armchairs, she almost cried. Although she controlled her body to behave better, she did make a few steps forward, which didn't go unnoticed.

"You must be very tired." Sting noted. "Let's just sit here, Natsu."

"No." He was immediately cut by the General, who was already climbing up the stairs.

Sting sighed and shrugged shoulders in defeat, glancing at her with pity.

"When Salamander sets his mind on something, nothing will ever convince him." remarked Gajeel and followed his general.

The second floor was a bedroom, also rich and colorful. From the huge windows a bright day light was coming through. The bed was similar to the one she had in the defence tower in Dränta, it was huge and at least three people could probably sleep on it. Fluffy, pink blankets were laid on top of the bed, which also had its own wooden sailing, and silky hangings were falling down from it. Next to the bed stood a huge wardrobe and in the front – a wooden sofa with feathery pillows, two armchairs, a tea table, all similar to the ones on the first floor.

Natsu Dragneel sat on one of the armchairs. The rest of them also took their places. When Lucy sat on the sofa, her body sinking in the softness of the pillows, her eyes swelled with tears and she almost cried in happiness. It felt like ages since the last time she was in the civilization. The pain in her back and waist loudly sighed in relief as Lucy got more comfortable.

"So," started Dragneel. "What do you think about this place?"

Lucy needed some time but she realized that he was asking her. She wondered if the question was even worth answering or if it was better to just keep her mouth shut. She was apparently too slow with the decision, because the General interrupted her thoughts.

"If I hadn't had heard you talking, I would have assumed you were mute. Have you decided not to talk with everyone, or am I just the black sheep, because you seem to dislike me in a way." His eyes twinkled with mischief.

Lucy saw the amused faces of the other men, who were openly laughing at their General for being ignored by her.

"Look, tell us your name for a start." The quiet voice of Rogue suggested.

Lucy couldn't wrap her head around the situation she was in. This was some kind of interrogation but without the torture and the threats, which was weird. This whole nice-guy behavior was creeping her out. She decided it was best to say something this time.

She pulled her shoulders back, lifted her chin and confidently looked Natsu Dragneel straight in the eyes.

"I am hungry."

A sudden silence fell for a moment. Natsu Dragneel and Sting shared a glance and then burst in laughter.

"You want food, girl?" Gajeel's eyebrows rose in disbelief.

"Aren't you scared?" asked Rogue, who was also blinking in surprise.

That question stirred something in her.

Lucy snorted without a drop of humor, which immediately stopped the loud laughter of the men.

"Of course I'm scared," her tone was low, too low. She hoped they would give up the trembling in her voice to fear and not to the actual thing it was - anger. "But I haven't eaten or drank anything in almost two days and no matter how many times I explain that I am not Icenberg's strategist, you just won't believe me. Until I've put some food in my mouth we can't have any kind of conversations."

That was too insolent, too risky and could cost her too much.

She had to play the role of a frightened maiden, acting high and mighty would not do her any good. She would now raise even more suspicions towards her.

Lucy knew all of that. But…

But she couldn't swallow her pride. Fear or not, in her chest there was a burning ball of anger, which wanted to blow everyone and everything. Those damned pregrands were sitting and chatting sweetly, they had kidnapped her, when there were more urgent matters for her. Gray could be in danger, her land was on the brink of a war and she… She was doing absolutely nothing.

No. It was actually worse than that. The Empire wanted to use Icenberg's own strategist against the north kingdom.

"Fine." Dragneel sighed, while getting up. "I understand. I have a pretty bad temper myself when I'm hungry. "

He smirked.

"So I'll do you a favor and play it nice by giving you food. After that it's your turn."

In the next hour two soldiers brought her a bowl of white rice and well roasted steak, and she polished off the whole dish, completely forgetting all about table manners. They had probably given her the same thing the soldiers got as food and it was definitely different from the rich and tasty receipts Icenberg's royal cook made for her in the palace, but nevertheless she ate as if her life depended on that. The priestess was filling her mouth with large bites and was quickly chewing like a hungry rabbit, wholly aware of Dragneel's surprised glare. He had stayed with her in the room, while the rest had gone out, probably to eat too.

"You must have lived with the army. I guess Icenberg doesn't really offer luxury even for their best strategist, huh." Dragneel stated, while nodding as if he was sure he had guessed it right.

Lucy was just licking the inner walls of the bowl, on which there was still some rice, when she lifted her head and squinted her eyes in annoyance. What did he expect her reaction to be exactly when she hadn't eaten anything for so long? To slowly swallow small bites as if she were in a royal banquet?

"So, I gave you food, I gave you water. Now it's your turn to do something for me."

He folded his arms and leaned back. His expression was cheerful, calm as if he was sure she would spill everything about Icenberg.

Lucy carefully put the bowl down and stared at him. The General seemed to have accepted that for an agreement, because he smiled widely.

"Well, I am pretty sure you know why you're here." His eyebrows lifted. "You do know why you're here, right?"

Lucy wrinkled her nose. Was he serious?

"I have no idea. As I said before, I am just an ordinary lady, serving to the priestess."

Natsu clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"Oh, no. We already went through this and agreed you are exactly the person I need. I am asking if you know why you are in this gorgeous room and not tied to a tree somewhere in the forest and held as a real hostage."

Lucy took a sharp breath. She almost shifted her eyes off him because of his wolfish smile.

"Look, I don't have interest in threatening helpless women, so please do me this favor and just tell me the number of soldiers Icenberg has."

"I can tell you the number of ladies, serving the priestess."

The General pursed his lips, which made her shudder. She felt a slight fear coursing through her veins.

"Why are you complicating your life so much?" he asked, slightly moving his shoulders, suddenly looking uncomfortable, as if he had understood her fright and somehow that made him uneasy.

"The gods have already planned my destiny. I am left at their mercy. I am only their humble follower."

Lucy answered almost mechanically, the heaviness in her chest tightening even more. She had been repeating this sentence so many times in her life that is seemed like a prayer, not so much as something, read in one of her secular books.

The blazing fire in his eyes shocked her.

"People decide what path their destiny will take." His voice was firm, unyielding. He wasn't saying it just to make her talk. Oh, no. A deep emotion flashed in his stare. There was no doubt that he believed in his words, truly. "Your life doesn't depend on some god's power. It is in your hands and only yours alone."

That, Lucy figured, was probably his own version of a prayer, sent not to the heavens, but to him himself.

"I can neither convince you to believe in my religion, nor in my words. But I can assure you I haven't lied to you about a single thing."

Natsu Dragneel weighed her up with a lazy smile.

"So, you want to play the cat and the mouse game, huh?" He murmured.

Lucy blinked. What nonsense was he sprouting now?

The General suddenly stood up and a few steps later he was right in front of her. Lucy pulled back, with rising panic. Her back was leaning on the sofa, leaving her body between the man and the pillows.

"Let me share something with you." His head lowered so much that she could actually see the green threads in his irises. His confident smile now seemed scary. "I love playing games. A lot, actually. Unfortunately for you, I am also pretty good at them."

His eyes became emerald slits, expressing amusement but also excitement.

"I hate losing and it doesn't happen often." He got silent for a second, carefully watching her reaction. "In this game you started, there is absolutely no chance of you winning. So, tell me what I want to know."

Lucy felt paralyzed; she didn't dare move with an inch. Some distant, animalistic instinct of self-preservation was blocking her nerves and its voice was whispering cowardly words to her ear. Do not move, the voice said, you've been marked down by a predator, whose teeth are only a one bite away from your neck. Where did that surge of energy, which had taken down Jose, go? Where did the hunger for fight disappear?

It was all replaced with the thirst for survival.

However… However she didn't take her eyes off his, she didn't lowered her head in defeat.

"You haven't…you haven't stood against me before. I won't lose either." Her voice as shaky, but her eyes were shining with a new wave of adamant will.

Dragneel raised one eyebrow in surprise and then moved back as fast as he had invaded her personal space. As soon as his heavily built body moved away, it felt as if someone pushed in all the air in her lungs. Lucy couldn't believe how just this action brought down the tension in her veins. What kind of demon magic had Pregrande's General used against her?!

The fear, which had controlled her body wasn't the same as the pure terror caused by Jose. It was something totally different, something, which made her fighting instinct freeze. It was as if she didn't have any control over her body, over her actions.

Natsu Dragneel circled round his armchair, obviously in deep thought. Suddenly he stopped, his eyes contacting hers, and Lucy understood that he had reached a decision.

"Tell me everything you know about Icenberg's defence force." He blurted out.

Lucy dogged her nails in her skin. "I know nothing and even if I did I would never tell you!"

The General just nodded like he had already known her answer.

"Look around this room really well and notice the comfort it gives you, the luxury. Because I'm a good person I will give you one day to happily stay in it. Use this time to think about the situation you are in and carefully, and I mean really carefully think about your choice because your life depends on it. Tomorrow morning I expect to hear if you are going to talk or not."

Natsu Dragneel turned his back on her and with confident steps left the room, leaving the priestess alone with her chaotic thoughts.

Chapter three is FINALLY DONE after such a long time!

I know, I know. I am slow.

I am truly sorry for that but I can't really bring myselft to write when I don't have inspiration. But I am still confident that I will finish the story, I won't abandon it!

Huge thanks to everyone who has liked and commented on the story! You are the actual BEST and the reason I keep holding onto this multi-chapter fic!

Please review and tell me your thoughts on the new chapter!

Until next time,

xoxoxo

elssiie