Chapter Sixty

Yue pretty much hated Devona from the first moment they met.

To be fair, it wasn't anything the Captain-Designate had done specifically. In fact, the warrior's initial reaction to Yue's arrival was amiable and accepting, just as Coran had predicted.

But Captain Devona was also attractive, confident, and very much Ascalonian, traits that Yue found a bit threatening, as it made for a very lovely combination that her slight frame and passive tendencies did not measure favorably to in her mind.

Hey, it wasn't easy being flat chested, foreign, and insecure in a society of busty, trim, tone, and pale skinned effortless beauties. And yes, even military officers thought about things like that.

Then again, as Captain Langmar put it, Yue did seem to have a prince in her corner.

Coran had apparently made double time back from his trip to the Shiverpeaks, as the herald outside the Royal Barracks announced his arrival the afternoon that the first of the combat simulation tests was due to start. It was an announcement that was met with some considerable surprise, as the youngest son of the king was not known for appearing at military events.

As Yue's training regiment was announced, and they passed the grand royal box, Yue watched and allowed herself a slight smile as the prince waved towards her. She obviously couldn't return the gesture and break attention (Captain Devona on the other hand afforded herself a respectful salute and hail), but the assassin hoped he understood.

He did, from what happened that evening. Captain Devona stepped into their assigned barracks, a large box in her arms. "It appears we have an admirer in the stands, ladies and gentlemen."

She dropped the box, which sound rather heavy from the way it thudded against the floorboards, then pulled a sheet of folded parchment that she had tucked in the pocket of her (very ample, Yue noted jealously) chest. "To the first Training Regiment, and the finest officer in whole Ascalon Army; be sure to share this with your unit, as I understand the rations and supplies granted by the army can be somewhat meager. Prince Coran of Ascalon."

Devona winked, and ripped open the top of the box. "Well, surely we can't refuse an order of royalty, now can we?"

As high quality jerky, blankets, pillows, and other creature comforts were passed out to each of the officer designates, Yue had to admit that the captain was right, even as she was annoyed that Devona had taken a liberty that Yue did not think was meant for her.

That sting only amplified as Devona handed Yue the assassin's "share" of the bounty with a smile and a pat on the shoulder.

* * * * *

The second day of trials and training had passed without incident, and bolstering the assassin's pride was the rankings from the Warmasters that placed her regiment first among all the training regiments, and her scout team with the highest marks among all in her discipline.

Yue had to acknowledge a great deal of that came from the men and women under her command. One ranger, a rather experienced individual named Aiden, had been very helpful, making observations that Yue had missed and helping the assassin on more than one occasion make the right choices and what was important to report back to Captain Devona. She had learned more from the ranger in two days than she had from then Lieutenant Janice in two years.

So, it was with emboldened spirits that the assassin retired for the night, spirits that received an ever greater hope after night fell upon the city of Rin and the Royal Army Barracks. Never known to be a heavy sleeper, she was awoken by the mumbling of two men talking, one of them a voice that Yue recognized as Coran's.

Stealthily slipping out of the barracks, she moved along the outer wall of the longhouse, back to where the men were speaking. They were sitting at a campfire just outside where Yue had been trying to sleep; Coran, Rurik (astonishingly... as the two brothers were rather infamous for not being the best of friends), Armsmaster Saberlin, and Warmaster Tydus. Quite a collection of high officers and nobility.

And she arrived within clear earshot just in time, as the conversation turned to something that interested her greatly.

"So, your highess..." Saberlin began, "I mean... your other highness," he added when Rurik turned his head in the armsmaster's direction, "You're not one to usually be present for the war games. I'm curious what brings you to this one."

"Yes, Coran... tell him." Rurik teased, jabbing the younger prince in the side with what Yue assumed was meant to be a gentle elbow that nonetheless jerked Coran quite noticeably.

Tydus joined the ribbing, this time in the metaphorical sense, "Rumor has it that an officer in the First Training Regiment has caught his eye."

"Oh really? Rumor told you that?" Coran answered, his voice nonchalant even as he grinned like a crazed Melandru's Stalker. "I wonder who your informant was." The younger prince then cast a playful glare at his older brother.

"Well, is it true? Has some military woman really caught the scholar prince's attention?"

With a dismissive shake of his head, he acknowledged, "Yes."

The three other men laughed heartily, "Is it serious?"

This time, Coran answered without hesistation and with considerable conviction, "I do believe I am love with the girl, yes, and I'm fairly certain she feels the same way."

Saberlin noted, "That won't be a problem, will it? I don't think she's noble born, is she?"

"Our father fully approves of the relationship." Rurik assured, "Duke Barradin has also approved of such a pairing. I don't see the dukes and lords having any considerable complaint."

"It's not like I'm in line for the throne anyway." Coran said with a shrug. "That offers me a bit more freedom in my choice for a mate."

At that point, Yue had backed away. Could Coran be talking about... no... that can't be. She shook her head, trying to banish the thought. That was silly... there was no way the prince could be at all interested in a slight, girlish looking, Canthan woman like herself.

But as she slipped back into the barracks, her heart started to make its argument. She was an officer in the First Training Regiment, and certainly wasn't a noblewoman (well, at least, not a Tyrian noblewoman, her family was supposedly once a minor house in Kaineng City...), and she had to admit, he spent a lot of time with her... he was always so encouraging... so caring... he went out of his way to send her a gift for her birthday and Wintersday... that one time his hand brushed hers by accident... maybe it wasn't an accident after all?

As slumber took over again, Yue couldn't help but think that maybe... just maybe... her life was about to change again...

* * * * *

And change it did... although not in the way she hoped.

The final test had been completed... every officer of the First Training Regiment had received the highest marks... Yue even had the pleasure of watching the panel of masters have to admit that a Canthan immigrant had performed every task, jumped through every hoop, and did so in exemplary fashion, and acknowledge there was no reason she should not receive an officer's commendation.

She had heard that Coran was actually in the barracks itself, and Yue allowed herself to dare the unthinkable. This wasn't coincidence... everything she had experienced... he really cared about her!

Hastily making herself as presentable as possible, she nearly sprinted to the entry, only to pull short at the door as Captain Devona flung herself into Coran's arms...

… and Yue's dreams shattered like glass...