Chapter 7: Military Camps

Throughout the next couple of weeks all Thom did was chop wood and Tia order men around, all because the Tyrans haven't attacked yet and the Tortallans were wary of a trap. Tia herself had received several letters from the Tyran King Maen the third asking if she would either spy for him or be a general in his army, Tia had refused both yet the letters came each offering more than the last, the letters stopped short of making Tia part of the Royal family.

Things for Thom weren't going as smoothly, already people were calling him names each one making Thom madder and madder at this stupid war which was keeping him away from his beloved Tia, as a result he had made no new friends among the lumberjacks and had developed a hacking cough that often turned into curses.

Alanna who had been kept at the palace for a while due to plans for the war and incoming news via spies, had been frustrated that she wasn't at the border hacking at stupid Tyrans was pacing to and fro thinking how best to tell the king that one of his war plans wasn't going to work. When Jonathan came out Alanna began "Jonathan one of your-" but was interrupted by Jon "-I know! I know! The stupid plan! It not going to work, Alanna I need you at the border by tomorrow, can you do that?" "-Yes, but-" "Excellent! Pack your things and take this with you." Jonathan handed Alanna a scroll and told her "Give this to Raoul and he'll tell you where to go, goodbye Alanna!" King Jonathan walked away leaving Alanna stunned, oh well at least I'll be there tomorrow, hacking away at all the Tyrans if they can bear to break their self imposed silence.

Alanna walked away to her rooms

Thom was so happy because today was the day that he got to see Tia...alone, and he was going to make sure that Tia never forgot what he was planning to do.

Thom clutched the scroll in his hand tighter, this scroll was the only reason he got to see Tia alone. He rode between the camps looking for the 'miniature' fortress that Tia, with the help of her men built, he was heading south-west like his commander ordered but still couldn't see it, or though he saw lots of other forts, then when he rode over the last visible hill, he saw it standing above all others: it was constructed of wood and stone where Tia got the stone from remained a mystery, the massive fortress was surrounded by wooden stakes sharpen to a point and tips burnt to help keep the sharpness, some were coated with steel. It had a moat and bailey; the moat had sharp stones and more stakes in it along with oil at the bottom with bits of wood, the bailey man operated.

Thom called out to the fort and was answered by a soldier "Who goes there?"

"Thom, Squire, bearing a messages for Tia the Shang-" Thom called back but was interrupted "-I know who she is! Very well come through."

As the moat came down Thom was impressed by the amount of work done in a few short weeks: the wall of the fort was at least 6 inches thick, he noticed as he rode past, the building inside was a bit of a let down having not being completed yet but from what was finished: the barracks, latrines, cooking shed including vegetable gardens, blacksmith, stables all of which was attached or connected in some form and the 7 foot high archery platforms against the walls of the fort it was well worth the effort.

Tia the Shang Pegasus was standing outside the building directing giant stone blocks to the upper wall of the fort and as soon as she noticed Thom, her reaction was one a friend or brother might hope for after a long trip somewhere, Thom was not in the least impressed and Tia's reaction only enforced his belief that what he was going to do was right. He walked up to Tia and said very formally since there was a lot of people watching some knew of the scandal the rest didn't "I bear a message from the commander of the western fort: Grey Wolf, directed to Tia the Shang Pegasus." If anyone noticed the slight twitch on Thom's face as he saw a tall, fair handsome man stand very close to Tia, no one took notice.

Deep within Thom's conscious a little voice said you're too late, a handsome man has replaced you. You should have known that your 'romance' was too good to be true. Now you have to wallow in your own self-pity. Thom stubbornly pushed that voice and thoughts away.

"Um...perhaps we should discuss the contents of the message somewhere private?" Tia asked Thom, trying to ignore the man beside her who was doing his best attempts to get Tia's attention. Thom couldn't have asked the question better himself, he solemnly agreed and followed Tia to somewhere 'private'.

The place that Tia chose appeared to be her office; Thom couldn't stop himself any longer and asked, "Who was that guy?"

Tia appeared thoughtful for a moment the said a bit too cautiously "That was Justin he's my work assistant." Thom could tell Tia was leaving out something important and wanted to know what it was. "Is he your new lover?" both Tia and Thom cringed at the question.

Tia replied almost instantly "Justin? He's-" Tia stopped as she was struck by idea: perhaps I can say Justin is my lover and hopefully Thom will leave me his half-sister alone. But that will hurt his feelings. Another voice argued. Feelings he's not suppose have! The first voice argued back.

Tia decided to let Thom imagination do its work and asked Thom for the scroll he handed it over she then broke the seal and began to read.

Dear Tia,

It has come to my attention that you have been receiving letters from Tyra asking you if you'll spy for them, you have rejected all of them. Still question of your loyalty comes up often at social events and nobles' letters panicking that you'll turn on them as soon as the Tyrans can deliver 'the goods'. Also to my disadvantage I can offer them no evidence that you are truly on the Tortallan side. As a securing condition to my nobles if you are found in any way in a Tyran-Tortallan conspiracy the consequences of that particular action will vary. However this I can tell you if anyone of lower or higher status offers any evidence including supporting evidence such as witnesses you will be hanged. I have total faith in you do not disappoint me.

Signed King Jonathan.

Tia was totally shocked and didn't know what to do, the King of Tortall suspected her.

Thom was just standing there watching Tia's face and how it changed from interested to shock almost instantly, he was starting to think that Tia's work assistant was her new lover but rejected it as stupid and the belief that she wouldn't do that.

Tia closed the scroll with a thud and noticed Thom jump as she had done so, he had been thinking about what Tia wondered.

"Is that all?" Tia asked.

Thom was shocked by the question and quickly replied "Yes." He was thinking quickly now was the time to put his plan in action.

"Tia umm. How do I say this? Why-why are you upset with me?" Thom inquired cautiously.

Tia was shocked by the question and couldn't respond fast enough as Thom threw himself at her once again shocking her with a kiss.

Tia couldn't help herself and began to release herself to Thom's desire and clearly her own, her last thought as she settled into almost eternal bliss was I can't believe I'm doing this to my own brother.

A/n- I want you all to know that I'm going somewhere with this, so bear with me.