Third Company rode towards Scanra until nightfall, when Raoul called for a
halt to set up camp. He assigned Dom and his squad to build a campfire,
Volorin's squad to cook, and various other individuals to dig latrines.
Alanna called Kel over.
"Time to dig the ladies' latrine." Alanna grinned, and handed her a shovel
like her own. They found a nice spot behind some bushes far away from the
stream. As they dug, Alanna said, "You know I didn't have a choice, right?
About your probation?"
"Yes, Lioness. I heard all about it from Neal. Including, if you don't mind
me saying so, the rage you presented the king." Alanna grinned at that.
"Jon is my best friend and ex-lover. He knows I will say what I want to him
despite his royalty. I'm not supposed to even be near you. But it's
alright. It's because of those conservatives. Can't even have a
conversation with you without one of those idiots claiming I've magicked
you to succeed. Never mind that though, you are doing well with Raoul. If
Jon wants to keep you away, he's going to have to get by me first." Kel
laughed. Alanna was very fiery despite her size.
It was dark, and all that could be seen was the large fire and the Own sitting around it telling jokes and stories as their supper cooked. Kel didn't feel like joining in the socialization and decided to sit on her bedroll and think, instead of joining the others. I hope we get to the border by tomorrow. She thought. Concentrating on battle will keep my mind off Cleon. I don't think I ever truly loved him. Still, we were thinking of getting married and raising children, while he was secretly bedding that Ermelian girl. And yet I feel bad for her. She probably doesn't even know he was cheating on her too.
And with her thoughts the girl sat staring out at the forest that was quickly darkening. Neal found her minutes later and sat down across from her. "Come on, Kel. You should eat. It's really good." He said. "I'm not hungry." She lied. Neal looked at her skeptically. "You're lying, I know. Let's go. A hungry fighter is one that is half beaten, and you need to eat." He grasped her hands in his and helped her up, and, still holding her hand, drug her over to the campfire. There were cheers and whistling as Neal sat beside her on the log bemch ot make sure she ate before sneaking off to her bedroll. Kel ignored the whistling and cat-calls, and listened to the tall tales Dom and Raoul had to tell. Kel liked the story about the giantess that fell in love with Raoul. Alanna caught her eye and mouthed, "I'm sorry." Growing up around boys, she knew Kel would appreciate distraction from the men's teasing.
Kel slipped away after eating and laid down in her bedroll. She listened to the talk of men around the fire, just resting. The Own stayed up for another hour after that, and the last of them left for their bedrolls. Neal's was next to Kel's, and he layed down to sleep without any words.
Kel laid awake for hours, desperately trying to sleep. The moon was just too bright that night. Kel, wanting to be rested in the morning, decided to take a walk. I'll be able to sleep after that.
Quietly, she slipped out of her bedroll, put on her boots, and entered the dark woods.
It was dark, and all that could be seen was the large fire and the Own sitting around it telling jokes and stories as their supper cooked. Kel didn't feel like joining in the socialization and decided to sit on her bedroll and think, instead of joining the others. I hope we get to the border by tomorrow. She thought. Concentrating on battle will keep my mind off Cleon. I don't think I ever truly loved him. Still, we were thinking of getting married and raising children, while he was secretly bedding that Ermelian girl. And yet I feel bad for her. She probably doesn't even know he was cheating on her too.
And with her thoughts the girl sat staring out at the forest that was quickly darkening. Neal found her minutes later and sat down across from her. "Come on, Kel. You should eat. It's really good." He said. "I'm not hungry." She lied. Neal looked at her skeptically. "You're lying, I know. Let's go. A hungry fighter is one that is half beaten, and you need to eat." He grasped her hands in his and helped her up, and, still holding her hand, drug her over to the campfire. There were cheers and whistling as Neal sat beside her on the log bemch ot make sure she ate before sneaking off to her bedroll. Kel ignored the whistling and cat-calls, and listened to the tall tales Dom and Raoul had to tell. Kel liked the story about the giantess that fell in love with Raoul. Alanna caught her eye and mouthed, "I'm sorry." Growing up around boys, she knew Kel would appreciate distraction from the men's teasing.
Kel slipped away after eating and laid down in her bedroll. She listened to the talk of men around the fire, just resting. The Own stayed up for another hour after that, and the last of them left for their bedrolls. Neal's was next to Kel's, and he layed down to sleep without any words.
Kel laid awake for hours, desperately trying to sleep. The moon was just too bright that night. Kel, wanting to be rested in the morning, decided to take a walk. I'll be able to sleep after that.
Quietly, she slipped out of her bedroll, put on her boots, and entered the dark woods.