Chapter 5
"I don't understand," sighed Anaella. She was sitting in a tent in Dasian's camp. Waldo the baker's daughter, Rowena, was the only one present. She was cooking for the camp, and had only been allowed because General Zafar had spoken of her and her father highly. Otherwise, Dasian wouldn't have even considered the thought of a woman in his camp. She was a pretty young girl about 17, with shoulder length chestnut hair and soft brown eyes.
"Sir Loban himself said I had talent. Yet Captain Dasian hasn't spoken to me since the battle. He hasn't given any sign of letting me go on a mission."
"You know no one calls the Captain by his first name except for Gespian and Sir Loban," said Rowena teasingly, yet accusingly.
"He introduced himself to me as Dasian son of Riley and it wasn't till we were at Quari that he told me to call him Captain." Anaella looked at the girl for a second with amusement in her eyes, and then retorted, "Aye, well no one calls the prince by his first name except for the Captain and Sir Loban."
Rowena's cheeks grew pink and she glanced away. Then she turned back and changed the subject. "How was the battle? I hadn't heard about it."
"I don't know much myself..."
"But you were there. You said you saw it on the hill. You said you snuck away."
"That doesn't mean I know every little detail," snarled Anaella playfully. Then she said seriously, "We only lost forty men out of 700. They lost 400 men out of 1,000. We definitely creamed them. Felipe, I believe, was planning to do a surprise attack on us. Fortunately the other half of his army did not arrive and they were the ones surprised. The rest...all I can say is that it was... incredible."
"It was incredible to see 1,700 men killing each other?"
"Ye...well no, not in that sense. Just the sight of men using their strength was intriguing. You must remember this was my first time to see fighting. The closest fairies come to fighting is trapping each other in flowers, but even that is playful. This sight left me speechless. General Zafar and the Captain were doing marvelously. I've never even imagined the way a man wields a sword, and then uses his shield to stop a blow."
"Anaella, you are a strange girl aren't you?"
The golden haired girl raised an eyebrow. "Who said that?"
Rowena blushed again and murmured, "I heard Ges...the Prince talking to the Captain about you. They said you were strange for a fairy, yet fearless. The Captain also mentioned waiting a few months before letting you carry some unimportant messages here and there. You must understand that Dasian is not one to trust others straight away, he has had many traitors and is very cautious of everyone."
Anaella nodded briefly and glanced at the doorway of the tent. "Is Tnsaiu leaving on another mission, Rowena?" asked Anaella.
"Why do you think I would know a thing like that? Spying is way out of my business. That stuff is really secretive."
Anaella gave her a look that said, 'Your voice and words betray you, Rowena.'
Rowena sighed. "Yes, he is. Where to I don't know. I just know he was leaving tonight. But Anaella, you can't follow him. The Captain would kill you."
"He won't know," said Anaella simply. She began tying her cape around her shoulders and pulling her golden hair back.
"He might have already left."
Anaella looked up from fastening her belt on and looked Rowena in the eye. Her dark blue eyes sparkled as she said softly, "None of your words will stop me. I'm going with Tnsaiu."
Tnsaiu stopped his fast but stealthy pace through the dark woods and glanced around him. Someone was near, very near, and was watching him. He stepped softly behind a tree and waited. His dark eyes scanned the forest behind him thoroughly. The man was gone. He hesitated only a few moments, then continued to make his way towards the enemy camp that lay just twenty miles from Captain Dasian's own encampment.
The wizard went through his mission and plan once more through his mind. He was to enter Felipe's camp unseen and find out where the King slept. What kind of tent was it? Was it a common tent, to mislead the eye? Was it big and fancy for comfort? Or was he in the camp at all? That was all. Yet, Tnsaiu would have liked to add something to the mission. He would have liked to send someone there in the morning, as a false friend. One who would pretend to befriend the camp, yet at the same time send in all the information to the Captain, and the rebel army.
A soft breath halted the wizard immediately and he stood stalk still. It was that person again. He was still following him. His hand made a move for his sword. Suddenly Tnsaiu had the strangest impression that the follower was not a man. He turned his head every so slightly, and caught a glimpse of the figure. The person was definitely not a man. The body, though laden with a cloak, was slim and slender. One name riveted his mind, Anaella.
The fairy had followed him all this way! And yet Tnsaiu had not made out who it was till now when they were five miles out of camp. He turned and faced the girl, who had realized she had been seen.
"Anaella," whispered Tnsaiu, "Come here."
She did not hesitate but came almost meekly forward, like a naughty dog obeying its master. She stopped about two feet away from him and looked up, waiting for the tongue lashing and instructions to go back.
"A thing about spying to learn is this, don't hold your breath for so long a time that when you let it out, you make a noise loud enough for all to hear."
Anaella nodded partly in understanding and partly in relief.
"You may come with me the rest of the way. But into the actual camp, you cannot come. I will tell you in the morning what you are to do. But for now follow me and when we reach the camp, you may sleep. You must look fresh in the morning."
The sun was up and gleaming in the sky before Anaella knew fully what she was to do. Inside she felt like laughing and shouting for joy, but her complexion was calm and quiet. Her face showed no signs of revealing her feelings or thoughts, a perfect spy face. Tnsaiu had already left and Anaella was left alone to fulfill her task. She first brushed out the dirt and leaves from her hair, then hid her dagger in her boot. She would not get far into the enemy camp with a dagger hanging at her side. Her cape was folded into a knapsack and was hiding her pouches and herbs. She only wore her simple dark green dress and leather belt with nothing hanging from it. Her hair was tied into bun, the style she had seen so many peasant girls have.
At last she was ready and began to slowly walk toward the two guards standing before the large camp. As soon as they caught sight of the pretty golden haired girl, they lowered their weapons and grinned.
"I've come under the order of General Pancrazio," she said timidly. "He said King Felipe could use me as a washwoman. Have I come to the right place, good sirs?"
"Aye," grunted the first man, grinning, "You've come to the right place, dove. Tell me your name, pretty one, and we'll report you to the king."
Anaella forced herself to blush and glance away timidly. "I don't think a great king like Felipe would want to waste his time talking with me. I'm a peasant, you see. My father is a soldier for the king, yet my brother," she turned away and gave the first guard a sad look. "He has joined the rebel army and I don't know what has become of him."
The second soldier said, "Well, the king isn't here..."
Anaella looked up quickly, perhaps too quickly. "He isn't? Why then I must be at the wrong camp."
"Oh, no," assured the second soldier, "He was here, but he's just left last night. His son Jengo is here though."
The first guard sent his companion a warning glare then turned to Anaella, "Don't listen to this fellow, he knows nothing. Come, I will show you where you can be of some service to us."
Anaella smiled shyly at him at let herself be led away by him. Led, deep into the enemy camp.
Rowena's wet soapy hands stopped suddenly at the mention Anaella's name. She was washing dishes just outside the Captain's tent. She dipped her hands back into the dish filled tub and washed them quietly as she listened.
"I've left her at the camp as a positioned spy." Rowena had to think a bit before realizing it was Tnsaiu's voice that was speaking. The sight of the wizard had become common, but it was rare that anyone hear him speak. He continued, "She'll stay there until just before they begin to suspect."
If it had been anyone but Tnsaiu who had said this, Dasian would have gone into a fit. Instead he asked curtly, "Do you think that is wise? She could betray us! After all, she is just a fairy."
There was a pause, then in a voice Rowena could barely hear, Tnsaiu said, "I have great confidence Anaella will not betray us, sir. She is an extraordinary girl, and I'm sure you've noticed her face eyes are full of honesty."
The Captain did not reply for a minute, then he said grudgingly, "Fine, who will receive her messages?"
"Either I or Willy. We are both up to the job."
"Willy has agreed to this?"
"Yes. If you have noticed sir, he treats Anaella with great respect. I believe he feels it is his duty to protect her and keep her from coming to any harm."
Rowena's mind left the conversation abruptly when she saw someone riding up towards her. It was the prince himself! Rowena brought her eyes down respectfully and dared not look up at him. He swung off his horse and began to stride towards the tent. He stopped suddenly and turned to her.
"Are you Waldo the baker's daughter?"
"Yes your majesty, I am she."
"What is your name?"
"Rowena," she said not trying to hide the surprise in her voice.
Prince Gespian pulled two bags from his belt and took a step towards her, the bags out stretched. "This is for you and your father."
Rowena took the bags gingerly.
"One bag is poison. I had heard you ran out. The other...well it's for the good job you two have done."
"Thank-you, sir," murmured Rowena. The weight she felt in the second bag made her certain it was gold.
The prince nodded and smiled at her gently, then continued into the tent, leaving Rowena smiling and her heart pounding.
Anaella dropped the last piece of clothing into the basket and straightened. It was her second week in the enemy camp and she had already reported the number of men to Willy, who had come in the night two days ago. The only alarm or suspicion that had arisen was that she had known nothing of washing the clothes. The fairies never washed their clothing, but simply swam in the bathes of Hera and they were cleaned from head to toe and their clothes left shimmering. But she quickly learned and became one the best.
She ducked under the line of clothes, with a basket of clean uniforms under one arm, and ran to the center of the camp. She nearly collided with a man exiting a tent. She stepped back in surprise when she looked up into his face. His eyes were light brown as well as his hair. He had high cheek bones and he was tall, at least a head taller than she.
"Excuse me," she mumbled and walked past him, head down. Then she stopped and turned back to him. He was still looking at her in surprise. "Are you Prince Jengo?" she asked, almost hopefully.
He looked even more surprised. "Yes, yes, I am. Who are you?"
"I'm Ella. I'm your new washwoman. I heard you were here, but I didn't believe the rumors."
"I've never seen you before. Where do you live?"
"In a small village near here with my mother. My father is in one of your armies, sir. My brother is a rebel."
"I'm so sorry," murmured Jengo. "Do you talk to him often?"
"Not often. But recently he said the rebel army has a supply of new spies. Very good ones, too."
"He told you that?" cried Jengo, very surprised. It was very rare that a rebel would tell any of their friends or family members of the opposite side anything, especially this important.
"Yes. He thinks I'm a rebel as well. I haven't told him I'm working in the camp of Prince Jengo himself," at this Anaella let her face turn pink. "He knows father is a soldier but does not know mother and I feed and wash for the King's army."
Jengo grinned. This girl might become a very good source of information, just what he needed. "Does your brother know any of his General's plans or other important bits of information?"
Anaella shook her head. "He has not told me of any, for he is but a simple foot soldier. It has been quite a while."
"Tell me, Ella, do you know how to ride a horse?"
Anaella looked at Jengo with real surprise. She took a step back and stuttered, "Y-y-es, I do."
"Good. Do you know where your brother is?"
"Not for certain. But his camp is somewhere in that general direction." She pointed north, the opposite direction of Dasian's camp. "I've never been to it. But I can find it easily."
"You can?" This pleased Jengo greatly. He had been looking for the main base of Captain Dasian, (curse the man) for years. He knew the general place, but did not know for certain where it was. The young Captain had been very sneaky about this.
"Yes sir."
"Wonderful." He stepped forward and took Anaella's arm, causing a tingle to go through her. She had never had anyone touch her like that and the contact made her shiver. He led her inside the tent he had just come from and sat her down on a stool. The tent was lavishly decorated in pillows, chairs, tables, and rugs. It looked like a king's bedroom. Anaella thought briefly of Prince Gespian's tent and marveled at the extreme difference. His was like every other common soldier's. It was plain, with one wooden table and stools in the middle. A cot to one side and a chest was all he had.
Jengo was writing furiously at an elaborately carved table. He said, "I need you to take this to General Pancrazio in the south. Tell the rebel camps that you are seeing your brother, and try to get as much information out of him and any others as possible."
"You want me to spy on the rebel camp!" Anaella nearly choked. This was perfect! "Won't that be betraying my brother?" she whimpered in a pathetic tone. Instead of an imaginary brother in her mind, the faces of Sir Loban, Dasian, Willy, and Rowena came to mind.
Jengo's eyes narrowed and Anaella regretted her words. "If you are truly loyal to the King you would not hesitate."
Anaella breathed in relief and fell to her knees. "Forgive me, your majesty. My loyalty to my brother came to my mind and tongue rather than the loyalty to you. I shall not do it again."
Jengo smiled and took the girl's hand and lifted her up. She looked up and what he saw in her eyes was pure loyalty, and beauty. "This mission should only take you four days. Go, and spy for me."
She wanted to roll her eyes, but she only curtsied and gave him a bedazzling smile.
Darkness covered the camp of Captain Dasian once more. It crept into every corner of each tent. Over every sleeping man it went. But there was one place it did not go. In a single tent, a single candle glowed, lighting the room and destroying the darkness. Captain Dasian sat at his table, writing a letter to Prince Gespian. His eyebrows were furrowed deep in thought. With a final stroke of the feather pen, he laid it down and looked at the letter. He leaned back and rested his chin on his fist, in concentration. Finally he sighed and bent down to unlatch his heavy, dark boots.
Suddenly he straightened. His sharp ears had just told him someone was coming. He quickly stood and fastened his belt with his sword on. As he slipped out of the tent, he saw the rider coming towards him. The black horse stopped and the rider swung off.
"Captain Dasian."
Two things flashed through Dasian's mind that surprised him. The first was that the voice was a woman's, Anaella's. The second was that she had called him by his first name. He had thought he had made it clear that she was to call him Captain and nothing else.
"I have a message from Jengo to General Pancrazio."
"How did you come by it?" Dasian asked, clearly surprised as he took the rolled parchment.
"Jengo gave it to me," she answered simply. "He thinks I have a brother in the rebel army who will tell me their plans. He also thinks I am totally loyal to him. He wants me to be his spy and messenger."
"Talk about dumb men," grunted Dasian. He was skimming over the letter with a gleam in his eye. He looked up at Anaella and said, "Come into my tent." He went to his table again and studied the letter. Then he picked up the pen and began to write on a new paper, every now and then glancing at Jengo's letter.
"What are you doing?"
Dasian didn't even glance up as he answered, "I'm writing to General Pancrazio. Prince Jengo's writing is so fancy; I can not copy it without looking at it often. Why does he have to put all these little swirls and balls everywhere? They are totally useless. When I finish, I want you to take my letter to General Pancrazio. Do you need a fresh horse?"
"No, Captain," she took the letter and asked, "How long will it take me to get to Pancrazio's camp? Jengo is expecting me in four days."
"Pshaw," scoffed Dasian, who seemed to be in high spirits "He must be a lumbering slow fool if it takes him that long. For you, if you ride hard, you can reach it before noon tomorrow."