AN: Thanks for reading! I love everyone's feedback so far, it really helps me keep writing :D

Silver Blaze: Thanks! I agree with you, the generals have been pretty soft, but the way I envision it is that they try to act more cordial around their allies so they seem more likable. But don't worry! We'll see plenty of evil from the boys ;)

Snow: Thank you so much for reading this whole time, and I'm sorry I didn't update sooner. Life's been a lemon lately. But hopefully I'll be able to update more frequently!

Haria-4-ever: I'm so glad you feel that way! I'm always a little nervous that people won't like my OCs, but I'm glad you think it fits so far. In response to your concerns about her powers, I wouldn't be too perturbed. See, with Oria, I think she influences the narration. She thinks herself amazingly talented with a sword, but the only thing she can compare it to (since she's never seen real combat) is how many times she beats the other sword fighters. But I'm so glad you're enjoying it! I hope you continue to find it satisfactory!

Chapter 7:

Oria looked at Serpine and suppressed a shiver as she approached him. He was an impressive figure. His hair was slicked back and under the stormy sky, traces of grey were barely visible in his hair. His cold eyes glittered in the watery sunlight, and his black coat was so heavy that not even the wind could lift it.

To Oria, he was one of the most beautiful men she had ever seen.

As she drew nearer, a warm smile crept onto his face, "Oria," He said in a low voice, pulling her against his clean and warm body, "I've missed you."

She smiled, and drew back. She knew she must seem so mangy compared to him; she was covered in mud and was chilled to the bone. Vile had refused to provide her with any sort of protection from the rain, and under the evening sky, Oria felt extremely aware of her poor hygienic state.

Serpine laced his deadly but gloved hand with hers and led her towards the castle. Oria allowed the tall, intimidating man to pull her along. She glanced back at Vile, who was standing on the edge of the bridge, watching as she followed him.

"I've got something to show you," Serpine said, and Oria looked away from the quickly shrinking Vile,

"In honor of your return of course." Serpine said in a crisp and professional tone.

Oria frowned, "What is it?" She asked as she stumbled after him. She clutched her arms against the cold as he kept walking.

He glanced back at her and raised an eyebrow, "Do you really think I'd tell you? It's called a surprised Oria." He drawled; amusement dripping from his voice.

Oria suppressed the urge to punch him in the arm. He should be wrapping his coat around her shoulders and waiting on her hand and foot. Isn't that what people did when they were in love? Worship one another?

She pushed those doubtful thoughts to the back of her mind as they stepped into the cold, stone building. He led her down the familiar corridor and they entered his large room. She shivered and looked around; nothing had changed, but Oria felt different. She was dirty and covered in mere rags. She felt… small.

Serpine swept across the darkened room and threw the window shutters open before turning to her. The light from the window casted her into a blue light as she looked up at the dark figure standing above her.

"What is it?" Oria asked again, this time her voice on edge. Maybe it was just from being in the woods for so long, but something felt wrong. She felt like he was looking for signs of weakness in her.

Serpine's glittering eyes glanced to the far end of the room that was shrouded in darkness, "Over there."

Oria looked at him for a moment before warily walking towards the opposite side of the room.

She barely managed to dodge various items of furniture, but she could make something out on the old couch he had.

Oria stopped in front of the couch and looked at the gorgeous dress. She was almost afraid to touch it. It didn't seem like something she'd wear- surely Serpine didn't think she'd wear it-

"I purchased it for you." Serpine said, a prideful arrogance in his voice, "I was hoping you'd wear it to the ball being held in honor of our recent victories."

Oria turned to look at him and smiled. The dress was completely made of black silk, with red trimming.

Oria despised the color red.

"I'd be honored to attend the ball by your side," She said politely, and a smug smirk grew on his face.

He crossed the distance between them and looked at her, "I'm glad to hear that. I was afraid you'd already been snatched up by some other dashing young man." Serpine said in a low voice that made Oria's heart thud quickly.

She laughed, "No one would 'snatch me up'."

Serpine wrapped his arm around her waist and Oria looked up at him with surprise and a bit of fear as excitement coursed through her heart.

"I did." He said possessively, his cold smirk widening.

"And I still don't know why," Oria breathed, placing a hand on his chest and allowing a small smile to creep onto her face. She couldn't feel his heartbeat through the thick wool of his cloak, but she knew it was there.

He leaned forward and his lips brushed her cheek. She felt as if someone had burnt her there, and her breath snagged as she leaned in as well, her lips parting to meet his-

"Excuse me sir," A cold voice interrupted and Serpine stiffened, his face contorting into an expression of rage,

Oria peeked over Serpine's shoulder and her cheeks turned bright red as she saw Kane standing in the light and looking at the two of them emotionlessly,

"Lord Mevolent sent me to fetch Mistress Crimson." He said, looking at her pointedly.

Serpine's head dipped with acknowledgement and he looked at her with irritation, "You'd better hurry then. Your father is rarely patient."

She quickly slipped past him and practically ran out of the room.

Kane followed her, "Miss, I should escort you… You don't even know where you're going."

Oria nodded and took a deep breath as he took the lead.

"I'm sorry." Oria said softly.

"There's nothing to be sorry about Mistress." He said coldly, "I imagine you must be quite… distracted."

Oria scowled at the floor as her ears burned.

"Besides, it's not proper for a Lady such as yourself to apologize to men such as I."

Oria rolled her eyes, "I thought I told you to call me Oria."

Kane didn't answer.

"Was it something I said?" Oria demanded, boring a hole into the back of his head with a scowl, "Are you jealous?"

Kane let out a cold laugh and whipped around. His polite mask was gone, and in his eyes was a bright fire, "Jealous? Of what? You?" He scoffed and crossed his arms, drawing himself to his full height, "Maybe you don't realize it yet, but the world does not revolve around you!"

Oria's jaw dropped and he looked at her testily, "Your father's in the next room down." He snarled before marching past her.

Oria stood there for a moment before she let out a shuddering breath. Why- why had he said that? What was wrong with him?

She walked glumly to the door and knocked hesitantly.

"Come in." Mevolent's clear voice sounded through the door.

She slipped in, and looked around. It was a writing station; probably where Mevolent wrote his addresses. It wasn't particularly fancy, but it was still elegant. The walls were bare flagstone and a simple chandelier illuminated the circular room. A large window overlooked the castle grounds, and a desk faced a single portrait mounted on the wall. It was Oria's mother.

This picture of her was much more grand then Oria's bedside portrait. The artist had obviously been a master, and everything about her looked perfect from her bright copper hair to her delicate and gentle hand.

"She helps me make decisions." Her father's raspy but deep voice said from behind her.

Oria turned and looked at him. His face was hard to read as he gazed at the stunning woman captured in the colors.

"You summoned me?" Oria said politely, adverting her gaze and staring at the darkening courtyard.

"Yes…" He said, and she looked into his sharp eyes, "Vile has kept me updated about your progress. He says you're making rapid improvement."

Oria smiled politely at the praise, "Thank you sir."

"But," He said, ignoring her, "He has concerns. He told me about your...difficulties when killing the enemy."

Oria looked away, "I- I just panicked-"

"You cannot hope to be a general if you can't make personal sacrifices." Mevolent said in a sharp voice, "You cannot be a general if you have compassion for the enemy." He yelled, his voice raising.

Oria winced, "I'm sorry!" She cried, shrinking back, "It won't happen again! I promise!" She pleaded, "Please! I want to be a general-"

"Begging won't save you," He snarled and turned away, "I'm sending you to the battlefield."

Oria froze, her face a mask of horror, "What?" She gasped, looking at him.

He looked at her, "What did you think generals did? Attend feasts and balls? You will have to experience war firsthand."

"But-" She said, her eyes wide.

"You will be going with Vile and Serpine to our outpost in Ireland next week. They will show you what being a general means." He said, looking at her coldly.

She opened her mouth to speak, but he scowled and snarled, "Now get out."

Oria turned and scurried from the room, trying to hide the hot tears running down her face as she walked quickly to her room.

She collapsed onto her bed and stayed there, full of misery. The man's screams echoed in her ears as she buried her face in her silken pillow. His wild and desperate eyes were seared into her brain. He had begged for mercy; he had asked her to spare him.

She had killed a human.

Oria choked and let out a wail that was muffled by the pillow's embrace. How could she do that again? She already had one too many deaths on her hands.