Ok, here's Chapter 3, finally.  Thanks for reading! And thanks so much you guys for all your great reviews!  I really appreciate your support…. Chapter 3:  Preparing for Battle

The sun beat down on the two men as they dodged and feinted, parried and thrust.  Xavier's supple quickness was matched by Auron's precision and strength as the two danced around each other, weaving a deadly web of steel.  Xavier's sword licked through Auron's defense time and again, leaving slashes in his robes, but doing no harm to the black leather chest plate he wore underneath.  In return, Auron rained down blows that staggered the lighter man when he was unable to dodge and had to meet the strike with his sword instead.  It was one such blow that brought Xavier to his knees.  Auron pressed his advantage with a quick twist of his sword that stripped Xavier's weapon from his grasp. 

"Enough," the Crusader said, holding out his empty hands, "You win."

Auron lowered his sword and tucked an errant strand of hair behind his ear as he grinned down at his friend.  "Tired?" he asked, lightly, his breathing fast, but not labored.

Xavier just glared at him as he rose slowly to his feet.  "Who wouldn't be tired fending off attacks from a man with the strength of a behemoth?  I only last as long as I do against you because I'm faster, but you have better stamina and I can only dodge you for so long."  He shook his head.  "I'm glad you're on my side!" 

Before Auron could reply, his attention was caught by a young Crusader running up the road towards them.  He stopped a few feet from Xavier and saluted briskly.

"Captain Xavier," he said, "We have just received word from the General that a fresh wave of fiends has encroached on the areas around Luca and you are to return to your company immediately.  He has also asked the temple to send any warrior monks they can spare," he continued, turning to Auron. "High Priest Grevin has agreed and would like to speak to you at once."

"I will make all haste to see his reverence," Auron assured the messenger. 

The young Crusader saluted again.  "Then with your leave, Captain," he said to Xavier, "I will inform the General you are coming."  With that, he ran off. 

Xavier looked at Auron smiled, "Well, I didn't expect to be going back to Luca so soon, but at least it seems like you are coming with me."  His eyes lit up with mischief.  "And you can see Rissa!  Just wait until she hears about your engagement to Tashira…she'll be shocked that someone actually wants to marry you!"

"At least Rissa will have much better advice on how to deal with women than you do," Auron retorted. 

"That tomboy?  Don't bet on it!"  Xavier chuckled.  "But it will be nice for you to see her again."

Auron just nodded, well aware that he hadn't seen Rissa in over a year.  The young woman was the only female he could honestly call a friend.  They had grown up together and Xavier was right; she'd been quite a tomboy.  His first memory of her was a whirlwind of blond curls and flying fists as she assaulted him for saying she couldn't tag along with the boys.  He'd been just seven years old then, and she'd been six.  She'd gotten in a couple of good hits, too, before he could subdue her and his friends had laughed at the bloody nose she'd given him.  He tried ignoring her when she refused to leave, but she kept coming back day after day and her tenacity and determination finally won him over.  Over the years she had become like a little sister to him; at least, he admitted wryly to himself, until she started blossoming into a young woman.  She'd grown into a tall, poised blonde bombshell with lightning speed and deadly accuracy with any thrown weapon.  Coupled with her formidable skill in combat were a keen mind and a fierce loyalty to her friends.  Not for the first time Auron wondered what it would have happened between them if he had tried to take their friendship one step further.  He had never done so for fear of losing the relationship they already had, but now a part of him regretted lost chances, because now it did not matter.  He was no longer free to do as he wished.  Auron sighed inwardly…seeing Rissa again would be bittersweet.

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Auron's sword arched down and clove the Bunyip in two.  Satisfied the fiend was dead, he swung his attention to a hovering Simurgh just in time to see Xavier dart in and deal it a mortal blow. 

"That's how it's done!" his friend said smugly as he sheathed his sword.  Auron just snorted.  It was almost mid-day and they would be arriving at the army encampment soon.  Hiking his sword over his shoulder, he continued down Djose road, alert for more attacks.  Xavier hurried to catch up.

"I'm glad Grevin let you come," the Crusader said, casting a sideways glance at Auron. "But I must admit I find myself very nervous about your well-being.  If you do something stupid like get yourself killed, I am the only that is going to have to tell the High Priest he needs to find another son-in-law!"

Auron rolled his eyes.  "I'm sure the High Priest could find a replacement quick enough," he said wryly, "Maybe he'd even pick you!"

Xavier laughed, "Well, in that case I shall definitely endeavor to keep you alive and well!"

As they walked around a bend, the army encampment came into view.  Xavier was relieved to see the soldiers going about their routine tasks and he turned to Auron.

"Everything looks to be okay so far," he said, "I need to go check in at the command center and find out exactly what is going on.  While I do that, why don't you go get something to eat?  They should still be serving lunch.  I'll catch up with you later."

The warrior monk nodded and Xavier disappeared past a couple of large tents.  Auron surveyed the camp and quickly located the meal area.  Making his way over to where lunch was being served, he helped himself to some stew, a hunk of bread and a cup of water and found a place at the end of a sparsely occupied table to sit.  As he brought the cup of water to his lips, he felt someone's eyes staring at him.  He looked up sharply and scanned the dining area.  A tumbled mass of blond curls caught his attention and he found himself gazing into a pair of wide blue eyes.  An unexpected jolt went through him.  Rissa!

As soon as he looked at her, the young woman jumped up from where she sat and ran over to Auron, a huge smile on her face. 

"Auron!" she exclaimed in delight.  With blatant disregard for the cup of water he was holding she threw her arms around his neck.  He laughed softly and returned her embrace as well as he could one-handed.  Releasing him she bumped her hip into his side, indicating that he should scoot over on the bench so she could sit down next to him.  He obliged. 

"How are you doing?"  Rissa asked brightly, as soon as she was seated, stealing his piece of rye bread and taking a small bite.  She loved rye bread…the complex taste and textures were infinitely more satisfying than plain bread.  As she looked at the young man that sat next to her, a delicious thought insinuated itself into her mind that Auron was definitely complex, she'd love to taste him, and she was sure he'd be very satisfying.  She gave herself a mental shake to dislodge the enticing images she'd inadvertently conjured up.  Oh, she'd never think of rye bread the same again!  Her thoughts turned serious, though, as she noticed Auron hadn't answered her question, and actually looked troubled.  She cocked her head inquisitively.  "Something's wrong," she stated. 

"Not wrong, exactly." Auron looked down at the table and ran his finger around the rim of the cup he held. 

"But something big has happened." Rissa guessed. 

"Well, yes."  He knew she'd keep digging for answers if he didn't supply them, so Auron took a deep breath and grudgingly told her, "High Priest Grevin has honored me with Tashira's hand in marriage."

His gaze remained fixed on the cup in his hands so he missed the look of shock and pain that crossed Rissa's features.  She composed herself quickly, however.  Years of playing with boys had taught her never to show weakness.  Never give anyone a weapon they could use against you, even your friends.  If Auron knew how she felt about him it could destroy their friendship.  She had convinced herself of that because if she even thought there might be hope that he'd return her feelings, she'd tie herself in knots.

"Oh," she managed, "Are congratulations in order?"

He glanced up at her and his lips quirked up in a quick smile, "At least you don't automatically assume that I'm thrilled with the idea."

Her heart leaped. "You're not?"

"No!" Auron plopped the cup down on the table.  "I would refuse her if I could, but I can't."

Rissa just nodded sadly in understanding.  She knew Auron's sense of duty would not let him disgrace Tashira and dishonor the High Priest by his refusal.  He was quite neatly snared in this marriage net.

"Oh, Auron," she said softly, "I'm so sorry,"  More sorry than you can possibly know, she thought to herself. 

"Thanks, Rissa," Auron said taking her hand in his own and giving it a gentle squeeze.  "I knew you would understand." Releasing her hand he turned back to eating his stew.  "Xavier has convinced me to just make the best of it," he continued between mouthfuls.  "There isn't much else I can do, is there?"

Before Rissa could reply, a shadow fell across the table and the two looked up to see Xavier.

"I see Rissa has found you," Xavier grinned.  "I'm sure you guys have a lot to catch up on…"

"Yes, I suppose we do,"  Rissa said, standing up.  Giving Auron a brief enigmatic look, she continued, "But for now, I need to be at the armory to help hone weapons and mend armor for tomorrow's assault."  So saying she gave a small, forced smile to both men and left, leaving Auron to stare after her, an unreadable expression on his face.  Xavier caught his friend's look and raised an eyebrow. "I take it you told her the news," he said. 

Auron transferred his gaze to the Crusader.  "Yes," he replied shortly, his tone not inviting further conversation on that particular subject. 

Xavier decided it was prudent to change the topic.  "Well, we need to see about settling you in." he said brightly, clapping Auron on the shoulder.  "There's a tent with an extra cot that you can sleep in tonight." Xavier indicated that Auron should follow him.  "You'll need to get a good night's sleep because at dawn tomorrow we are marshaling our forces for a concentrated attack on the fiends.  I'll introduce you to your tent mates, but then you are on your own for the remainder of the day." 

Auron nodded, knowing that he would find himself looking for sparring partners this afternoon to take his mind off a certain pair of sapphire eyes and a haunted smile.

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Next chapter Rissa and Auron talk and…uh, you know!.  ^_^  I've already written over half of it, so I hope to upload it soon.  Thanks for reading!