CHAPTER THREE

THE SWIFT BRIGADE

Everyone knew who Evelyn was, she could just tell by their expressions. Hordes of eyes followed her every movement as not so silent whispers filled the air; she felt like she was back in court where she was paraded like a prized horse through the crowds of nobles and judged based on her posture and appearance. Maybe everyone was like that? After all, the Princess had never truly left the castle and had little experience of the outside world, the only socialising she had made was with her family and the servants that worked in the castle. So perhaps her expectations had been a bit adventurous as she thought they would have been entirely different from the sort of people she had grown up with.

Sighing Evelyn mentally chastised herself, she was just being paranoid, of course people stared directly at her after all she had just walked into one of the most isolated fortress' in the country, the soldiers probably hadn't even seen another person from the outside in longer than six months! Although even as the Princess accepted the explanation, there was still that paranoid little voice in the back of her mind that told her "they knew".

When Walter and Evelyn had entered the small cozy office of Major Swift, leaving Samson outside, she had immediately taken off her mask and hat to let her golden hair tumble free and reveal her face, to greet the shocked Major properly. It had taken the poor man a few minutes to comprehend that the missing Princess, whom the King had sent a search party for, was standing merely an arm away. Turning the Major gave a dark gaze towards the Princess' mentor.

"Have you gone mad? Why did you take her out of the palace?!" Swift exclaimed in low tones, after all it was only a thin plank of wood that created the door if anyone was in close range they could easily hear the conversation that was taking place.

"Action had to be taken, Evelyn's life was in danger," Walter retorted his eyes never leaving Swift's, pleading for some form of understanding. "Our worst fear has been confirmed and Logan has definitely spiraled into madness, he's becoming a tyrant!"

"Walter, I'm sure there's a perfect reason why..."

"You haven't been there Swift, you haven't seen what I've seen," Walter interrupted, his voice taking a harder edge and steel glint shining in his eyes. "Daily mass executions, famish and poverty have riddled our streets an all the while Logan stands in his war room and does nothing," he emphasised his last point with a sweep cutting movement with his hand as he paused to take a breath from and calm his rising voice. "We've known this day was coming old friend and we have tried to just sit back and watch but I can no longer do so as innocent people suffer."

Swift stood and watched his friend with a perplexed expression, he didn't say anything but placed the tip of his pipe into his mouth, retrieved a match and lit the tobacco that was nested inside. Smoke swirled around the small enclosed room as the Major took deep, long puffs. The offending smell invaded Evelyn's nose causing her eyes to water and the strong urge to cough was over-whelming however she resisted as she didn't want to offend the already conflicted Major. A heavy pregnant silence fell across the room, with tension sparking in the air as Swift watched the pair with calculating eyes, every now and again his cheeks would hollow as he took a long drag from his pipe.
Besides her, Evelyn could feel the frustration roll off Walter in waves. The man usually had the patience of a saint; after all she of had firsthand experience as when she had messed up slightly in the train room, Walter would merely gently correct her mistake, but the pair had had a long journey and both were no doubt tired and hungry; not to mention the encounter they had had with a swarm of Hobbes in the monorail had riled Walter up. Her mentor wasn't particularly fond of enclosed spaces and the experience had clearly rattled his nerves. Worrying about the impending outcome and Walter, Evelyn took a step forward towards Swift whilst trying to ignore the cloud of smoke that shrouded him, immediately the Major's attention purely focused on the Princess before him.

"Major all that Walter has said is true, my brother he's... he simply hasn't been himself and not only do I fear for his well being but also the safety of my subjects," Evelyn began her voice soft as she stared directly at Swift. "On the day of my escape he had demanded I choose to spare the lives of a group of civilians or the life of my betrothed, whatever decision I made the other rejected party would be have been executed. That was all because I signed a petition for Logan to realise how far Bowerstone had sunk into poverty," she heard the intake of breath of shock but didn't let it faze her; the Major needed to know the harsh reality. "Walter is right, things need to change for the good of the people, and for the sake of all of Albion but to do that my brother must be stopped." All through her plea, a tight knot had taken a form inside her stomach, a fist had clasped her heart; she hadn't anticipated the staggering emotion she felt as the truth left her lips. Suddenly everything felt so real, Elliot's death and that she really was set out to over-throw Logan.

Silence once again returned in the small room causing Evelyn to feel her cheeks to slightly burn from embarrassment from her sudden outburst, but then if she was set to take the throne than she needed to connect with people, to make them understand that she was just looking out for everyone's best interest. If only Logan had let her out of the castle, maybe she wouldn't have such a difficult time figuring out the way people thought. Eventually Swift grasped his pipe and let out a weary sigh.

"You do realise that civil war will be inevitable," Swift stated with hard eyes that were the colour of onyx. Walter simply nodded as he took a step towards his friend with a sympathetic look, one that rarely appeared on the old soldier's face. Sighing again Swift stared at Walter for a moment before turning slowly to the Princess. Evelyn watched as the Major's long willowy frame dipped elegantly into a bow. "Your Highness, you have the support of the Swift brigade. Whatever your demand is we will carry, whether we perish we will do so in your name. We will help you over throw your brother so peace will return to the land."

Once again a surprising amount of emotion bloomed through Evelyn's body as she heard the sincere words leave Swift's mouth, she'd only just met this man and in a mere hour of meeting he had pledged his loyalty to her, not just his though but the whole of his regiment. Humbled Evelyn placed her gloved hand upon his red tailored uniform and told him to rise.

"Thank you Major, your pledge means a great deal, it is good to know that we are to be working alongside capable hands," she smiled gently before an involuntary yawn escaped he lips. Her hand flew to her mouth and a fierce blush blazed her cheeks at her sudden rudeness. "I do beg your pardon Major, I...I don't know what came over me," her spluttered apology came slightly muffled due to her hand, however both Walter and Swift chuckled in response, small smiles forming on their faces.

"I understand it's been a long journey your Highness, why don't you get some sleep and we'll discuss business further in the morning," Swift offered kindly before his dark brows gathered and met in the middle and the corners of his mouth turned downwards. "Although I'm afraid I can't offer you the sort of bed you're probably accustomed to."

"Of course Major, I came fully aware of the conditions here so I don't expect a king sized four poster bed with crimson silk sheets. As long as I have some where to rest my head I would be eternally grateful," Evelyn replied with a small smile of her own before once more her hand covered her mouth as another blasted yawn left her pink lips.

"I'll call Captain Finn to escort you to one of the empty cots, you can stay in Lieutenant Simmons quarter as it's hidden in a small alcove away from the other soldiers so you can have some privacy," Swift stated before striding towards the door and bellowing out the Captain's name. As efficiently as she could Evelyn placed her hat upon the top-knot wound on top of her head and pulled her mask up before she followed the Major to the door. Once closing the door, the Princess was greeted by a barking Samson who nudged her hand until stroked and the smiling face of Benjamin Finn.
Evelyn wasn't naive enough to notice that the man standing in front of her was clearly handsome; a strong jaw, straight nose and high cheekbones defined his profile while his hair was the colour of burnished gold which was the same colour as the light stubble that dusted his jaw and chin. But the most captivating element of the man was his sparkling eyes which were a striking shade of blue that mimicked a clear sky; and right now those penetrating eyes were gazing directly at her.

"Ben could you please escort out new friend here to Simmon's cot, both he and Walter have had a long journey and I think it wise they get some sleep before they keel over," Swift asked Ben with a small smile. A responding smile settled onto the Captain's face, revealing two rows of perfect white teeth and at that moment Evelyn knew that women must have chased the Captain with their skirts up to their waists.

"Righto Swifty, what about Walter?"

"I think I'll stay up a bit longer and talk with the Major, catch up for old time sakes," Walter piped up. "I think I saw a bottle of Box Wine on your desk if I'm not mistaken."

Swift laughed in reply and agreed as he clasped Walter on the shoulder in a firm grip. Both men said their goodnights to the Captain and Princess before heading off back in the direction of Swift's office. Evelyn's emerald gaze lingered on the shut door, before turning towards her guide, who to her surprise was staring intently at her however smiled when she turned and faced him.

"If you'll follow me I'll take you to your bunk," Ben offered with a gesturing hand. Nodding her head in thanks, Evelyn followed the soldier through the clearing and again she could feel the burning weight of her fellow comrades' eyes on her. The pair walked in something that was breeching an uncomfortable silence however not wanting to say anything that was considered strange or that could possibly reveal herself, Evelyn remained quiet. The sun had begun to set casting brilliant red and orange wisps in the sky, the wind had started to pick up and even though they were protected by the ancient high walls of the fort, the groans of wood mingled with the sounds of work from the soldiers. Evelyn was gazing casually around the courtyard when Ben motioned for them to climb up a set of rickety stairs.

"So where you from then Charlie?" asked the Captain, breaking the eternal silence that had stretched between them. Evelyn was both grateful and horrified by the question as it was not the sort she could clearly nod or shake her head to answer but instead have to speak her response.

"Bowerstone," she replied in an accent in which she mimicked from many of the servants at the castle. She winced as she tried to deepen her voice but failed as she sounded like a boy who had just reached puberty. Glancing over at the Captain from the corner of her eye, she saw that he was looking straight at her with a smile. Evelyn's breath caught in her throat, did he know?

"Ah a capital man I see, actually I spend most of my leave up there, although the last time I was up there was little under a year ago I think," Ben smiled as - to what Evelyn can guess – memories came to the his mind. And as she watched his face she became fascinated with the small indentation of dimple that appeared on his left cheek. She was so engrossed on studying the small area that she completely blanked out on what the man was saying to her.

"Sorry what?" she spluttered as she tore her gaze from his face and stared directly head on. Ben's golden brows furrowed slightly at her sudden strange behavior but took no deeper thought as he dismissed the issue with a shrug of his shoulders.

"I said is the Cock in the Crown still there?" he repeated as they ducked under a wooden diagonal beam that supported one of the forts walls that created the structure.

"The what?!" Evelyn exclaimed at the name, before hastily clearing her throat as she realised that her voice had taken on a higher pitch. The Captain's smirk widened.

"Ah industrial lad huh? It's the tavern in the market, serves the best ale I've ever tried and the barmaids aren't a bad sight either," he said as he gave Evelyn a wink, causing the Princess to nearly roll her eyes. Yep definitely a ladies' man, she thought. "So how come you and Wally came to visit a wasteland in the middle of nowhere, I can't even remember the last time anyone came to visit."

"Walter had a proposition for the Major," was all that Evelyn replied as she couldn't think of a suitable cover and telling the truth was out of the question; it was probably better if he heard from Swift or Walter as she had only just met the Captain. In response, Ben merely raised an eyebrow.

"What and that's it? No further explanation?" Ben sighed when Evelyn didn't expand further on the subject. "Must be important if not even the apprentice doesn't fess up on the situation," he sighed as they stopped in front of a door that was similar to Swifts. Turning Ben looked at Evelyn and smiled. "Well this is your stop, if you need anything I'm just down there," he pointed a long finger down a small turning which lead to what seemed to be the rest of the regiment's sleeping quarters. "Hensley serves breakfast about 6 till about 10, so if you want I can come wake you o you don't miss out."
Both people stared at each other, Evelyn trying to think of something to say in thanks and Ben still trying to decipher her identity. Finally as the silence just became uncomfortable, the Princess cleared her throat and placed her hand on the wooden door knob.

"Thank you Captain, I shall see you in the morning," she whispered as she watched Ben's hand drift towards Samson's head and scratch him behind his ear. The Captain straightened up and did a mock salute.

"That's what I'm here for, shooting undead zombies and showing the new recruits around," he joked then before then finally saying, "Goodnight Charlie." Smiling for the first time but cursed the mask that concealed it, Evelyn lowered her head in appreciation.

"Goodnight Captain," was her last words before she and Samson entered the room and left Ben.

The door made a squeak as it shut to a close, Evelyn immediately dropped her pack to the floor and discarded her mask and hat, causing her to breathe out in relief. Her attire got quite stuffy after wearing it for a certain amount of time and she was glad for Swift's decision for a closed off room where she could finally be herself.
The room was small but had a comfortable feel to it, unlike Swift's room where it housed a bookcase, desk and a bed, Evelyn's room simply held a bed, wardrobe and nightstand in which, perched on top sat an old rusty black iron candlestick holder; its flickering flame was the rooms only source of light and amber colours danced sensually along the four wooden walls.
Slowly and methodically the Princess stripped herself off her weapons and placed her brown leather holster with her pistol on one of the bed poles, then hid her cutlass underneath the bed with her pack. Lastly she stripped herself of her clothing, sighing in relief as she let down her hair and removed the bandages that were wrapped tightly around her breasts. Neatly folding her clothing she put them besides her bed, but left on Walter's oversized shirt. Samson had already jumped onto the bed and watched with his head on top of his paws as his mistress climbed into bed. Giving her beloved companion a scratch on the head, Evelyn stretched before pulling the blanket over her and laying her head upon the pillow, to which she fell into a deep sleep.

A/N: Don't forget reviews are my friends! :)