Chapter 6

Willy strapped his belt around his skinny waist and looked up at Dasian. The young Captain was standing in the doorway of his tent, his arms folded. His eyebrows were furrowed in thought and concentration, a usual pose for this Captain who had so much responsibility on his sturdy shoulders.

"Captain, just why did Pancrazio pack up his army and head back to the castle? This was exactly what we wanted him to do so we could attack Jengo's camp, wasn't it?"

"Yes, 'tis exactly what we wanted him to do. Why he did it, well that doesn't matter. Come, I believe the men are ready."

"Captain," murmured Willy, his voice low, "If we are going to attack Jengo's camp, Anaella will be in danger."

Dasian turned ever so slightly to look at the dwarf. His face for once was serious and concerned. Tnsaiu was right, Willy was worried about Anaella. "What would you have me do?" asked Dasian soundly a little exasperated. "Desert my men and take her here in the middle of the battle so she'll be safe, and then go back? Jengo's men would be sure and see that and then know she is a foe. No, we shan't do anything about the fairy. She has magic and can fend for herself. I don't want you helping her either. You and I and our men don't know the fairy. She is part of Jengo's camp. Let's keep it that way for now."

Willy nodded, and followed his Captain outside.

Anaella threw her cape around her shoulders and took hold of Eldane's halter. Anytime now she was sure Dasian's army would come charging into the camp. She did not want to be in the middle of it. It wasn't that she was afraid of being caught in the middle of an arrow launch. She was afraid she might see Willy, or Dasian in trouble and perhaps either run to them, call out a warning, our yell their name. One simple act like that would ruin everything. She suddenly chided herself. Dasian would not be in danger; she did not need to worry about him...or Willy. Both were capable of caring for themselves.

"Hello, Ella!"

Anaella turned to see one of the soldiers smiling and waving at her. She gave him a brief smile and waved back. In his eyes he saw 'Ella' leading an old donkey laden with a couple baskets of clothing. But in Anaella's eyes she saw only her dear pure white shinning unicorn with nothing but the breeze on his back. She sent a mirage of herself and the donkey heading towards the river, as she slipped away into the woods.

It wasn't till she had gone half a mile away from the camp that Anaella stopped. She knew she would still be able to hear the shouts and the clanging of swords and whiz of arrows. But at least she was not there to witness it.

Dasian watched as his men swarmed into the camp of Jengo. His plan was being carried out perfectly. The men in Jengo's camp were taken completely by surprise and had no time to reach their arms before the rebels fell on them. The whole of Jengo's camp had 2,000 men, according to the fairy. Dasian only had 800. Though many thought them to be crazy for such a small number to attack such a large force, Dasian knew what he was doing. There was a large difference in numbers yes, but also in valor. Felipe's men were being paid with false promises. Most of them were lazy noblemen who only held a sword for show during paintings. Dasian's men were skilled farmers and mountain men whose swords were often used in protecting their property. Dasian had personally trained each one, and they all learned to trust and love their young harsh Captain.

An arrow whizzed past Dasian's head, causing him to leap back, but in the process he twisted his foot and fell to the ground. As he did, he saw Tnsaiu making his way slowly towards him. He seemed calm and unruffled about the fighting around him. The quiet wizard stretched a hand out to the Captain and lifted him up. As Dasian tried to continue instructing his men, he realized his foot was sprained.

"Captain, I found this," murmured Tnsaiu handing him a piece of paper.

"Where?" he asked taking the paper and grimacing slightly as the pain in his foot grew.

"In a laundry basket, sir."

"Then the fairy is still here," he stuffed the paper into his belt and said, "Did you find Jengo?"

The wizard shook his head. "He has already fled, sir. He took off alone as soon as we arrived."

Dasian swore softly under his breath, partly because of the loss and partly because the twist in his foot was worse and swelling. He limped back to his horse and began shouting orders to his men.

Not long after Anaella had settled down under a tree, to await the end of the massacre, did she hear someone coming. She stood up wearily, just as a horse reared up in front of her. She cried out in alarm, but not because of sudden approach of the horse, but because who the rider was. It was Jengo, looking just as surprised as she was.

"Ella!" he cried. "What are you doing here?"

Anaella wanted to shout the same question at him. He was supposed to be dead! He wasn't supposed to be here in the middle of the forest when his men were dying right behind him. Dasian or Tnsaiu was supposed to have killed him not let him go and find her. However she immediately recovered her shock and composure and said innocently yet in fear, "I came to gather an herb. Jengo, what's going on over there? What has happened?"

"The rebels attacked us," said Jengo fearfully. "Come, get on my horse, I'm going to the castle."

Anaella didn't want to go and was about to tell him so, but then a second thought flashed in her mind: The castle? What a perfect place for information! She didn't protest as Jengo helped her up behind him. They began galloping furiously away from Jengo's now burning camp, away from the rebel's quiet camp, away from Captain Dasian.

"Captain, why are you limping?"

Dasian didn't even glance up as he painfully walked into his tent. "Just a sprain, Willy, nothing more. Did you get the numbers of losses?"

"Yes sir, we lost 20 men and Jengo lost 900 men. 600 were wounded and 40 of ours were wounded. Most of his men ran away, but we've taken 50 captive. That was some massacre."

Dasian grunted as he settled onto his cot. He took his boot off to examine his sore foot. It had swelled alright and light brush over it made Dasian wince in pain. "They deserved it. If we hadn't made the first move, they would have, and the bad numbers would have been ours."

"What are we going to do with the captives?"

"Question them, kill a few to make others talk, teach a few, and hold the leaders for ransom." He lay across his cot and closed his eyes, putting his hands behind his head. He gave sigh and asked, "Did I forget anything?"

"Anaella wasn't there during the fight."

Dasian opened an eye and glanced at Willy. Then he closed them and said, "Willy, she knew we were going to attack and left the scene. Really, what is up with you worrying about that fairy?"

"I don't know." Willy's face was scrunched up in confusion. "I have this feeling that if something bad happens to her, something worse will happen to us."

Dasian sat up and looked at his small friend through one squinted eye. "You're serious aren't you?"

"Aye, I am!"

"Well." said Dasian, slowly slipping his boot back on. "Then I suppose if you are really serious then I'll tell you this, Anaella can take care of herself. I've actually come to learn that. She's been living in Jengo's camp for three weeks now and has helped us tremendously. Yet has not been caught or even suspected. I didn't think she could do it," he said last part softly and muttered more to himself than to Willy, "I believe I am beginning to trust her." He turned sharply back to Wily and said with grin in his eyes, "Admit it friend, if anyone needs help or protection, it's you." He patted a forlorn yet scowling Willy, then stood up and limped out the door.