She was grateful they didn't take separate carriage rides. There had been something gnawing at her since the previous night, telling her that something was wrong. For this reason, she wanted to remain within a close distance of him. She couldn't still the feeling that, if they were apart even for a minute, she would never see him again.
At one point, her hand swept across his and rested upon it for a moment. She turned to him, giving him a bittersweet look as he met her gaze. It didn't last for long, and his eyes gradually lowered, eventually resulting in him turning away.
Apple brought her hand back and occasionally glanced at Shu, while he only remained silent. It was like this for the rest of the ride.
---
Apple walked with Shu as the army marched toward the Highland border. As if to assure the young woman that her worst fear would not be realized, a sort of chant ran through her mind.
Almost there...almost there...
When the battle began, she would make sure to remain close to his group. Her plan, however, was thwarted when she found herself faced with an unexpected command.
"Go with them..."
She wanted to protest, but the words never found their way out of her mouth. Instead, she complied unconditionally, as she usually did with the man's orders. There was reluctance in her steps, however.
Turn back, she silently told herself. If you leave, you'll never see him again...
No...I don't want that...
She tried to turn around for one last glance, but the troops marching behind her inadvertently forced her to continue forward.
"Don't worry, Miss Apple!" one of the soldiers said. "We're all here, and we're ready!"
Another soldier came up beside him, throwing an arm around his comrade. "That's right! Come on! Let's kick some Highland ass!"
Despite her fears, she could not bring herself to put a damper on their soaring morale. Instead, she gave them a smile and nodded. "Let's go."
---
She couldn't see him anywhere. Their army was split in two, and he was not in either group.
The Highland Army had made no move either. On the one hand, it was a relief, if only temporarily, but on the other...
I don't like it, thought Apple, unintentionally fiddling with the cuff of her sleeve. What is the enemy thinking?
As if to answer her question, the company that had been standing still took off on horseback. Led by the Highland strategist, Leon Silverberg, they were galloping toward a small forest in the distance.
The move had not been expected, and Apple didn't fully realize the importance of it. After all, she had only been given one conditional set of instructions in dealing with the enemy army. Face them head-on if they attack, and our second group will come up behind in a pincer attack. But if the others are attacked first, then strike the enemy from the rear.
The Highland Army disappeared into the wooded area, and a moment later, there was a flash in the distance. A blaze immediately followed, charging forth like a wave as it circled around the patch of trees. The chain of flames seemed to spread into the inside as well, little explosions randomly spouting from the treetops. There were the sounds of shocked cries and loud whinnying as the enemy attempted to flee the forest. Most of the men escaping had caught on fire and were frantically rolling across the green grass. Horses bucked violently, consequently knocking their masters off. The animals galloped away but did not make it far before they, too, stumbled to the ground, squirming and writhing in agony.
Apple's mouth remained open, as she was alarmed at this horrifying turn of events. Certainly Leon hadn't led his army into a suicide attack; there had to be some other explanation.
It was then she realized why Shu had told her to go on ahead, and why she hadn't seen him in quite a while.
No, she thought as a strong fear gripped her heart. This was all Shu's doing...
It was he who planned to perish from the start...