Ivan was startled awake by the feeling of someone pushing on him, and he opened his eyes to find it was none other than Major Dimitriev. "Ivan, it's time to get up," he said as the young Grand Duke rubbed his eyes and peered outside to find it the sun had barely risen over the horizon. Seeing he was awake, the Major then stood up and left.
Shaking away his sleepiness, Ivan stood up and got dressed, frowning at how his uniform was beginning to collect visible amounts of sand. He fastened his belt and sash, placing his shako on his head before following after the Major, who had stayed outside his tent. Then Dimitriev led him to where the other officers of his unit were waiting. "Ah, good. We've waited long enough," said Colonel Alexeev as he turned to regard him. Ivan saluted his superior as the man did likewise before turning to the assembled members of the regimental band. "Alright, Sergei, it is time to wake the regiment to prepare for the sabbath."
With that, the band leader saluted before he turned to his subordinates and gestured to the trumpeters, who began relaying the Colonel's orders with their instruments. Then, the other regiments played the same familiar tune while men began stirring from their slumbers. Soon enough, soldiers came streaming from the camp before getting into formation with their respective regiments, which was made all the easier by the army sleeping divided by division. However, he hadn't realized this until this morning, which wasn't surprising, as he'd spent much of the previous day away from his unit. Nonetheless, in roughly twenty minutes, every soldier had formed up before their officers and NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) started performing their standard drills, drawing the units up in columns before stopping, leaving the men to stand at order arms as they awaited further instructions for Sunday service while the women of the support staff came to join them. However, as Ivan glanced behind him, he noted something was missing. "Now, where are the field kitchens? They should have brought them already," he whispered with a frown until he saw many cooks arrive from the encampment carrying what appeared to be large mobile ovens while others walked with long folding tables.
Once in place, they began setting up while Alexeev called out to the assembled soldiers. "Now, brothers and sisters, allow the bishopric and our other leaders to step forward!" he commanded as several men made their way forward, accompanied by a nurse and a washerwoman from the Regimental support staff. "Zlachny Life Guards, commence the service!" the soldiers quietly lowered their weapons and sat on the sand while the women did the same and the men removed their caps. Afterward, most other officers sat down in the places left by those who'd walked to the front while Ivan and eighteen other younger men walked over and sat near the field kitchens.
Azula had woken up several hours early due to sleeping too much the previous day. At first, she'd tried to write a letter informing her father of the situation. However, after growing frustrated, she instead used the time to practice her firebending, going through most of her forms, though she tried not to be too conspicuous, made easier by the moon weakening her bending. However, just as the sun rose, she suddenly heard the familiar distant hum of trumpets. Curious, she made her way to the other side of the walled settlement that served as the headquarters for the entire 1st Army Group, looking down from the hill to find the Ruskians forming up in formation much as they had the previous morning. Do they always awaken so early? She pondered. "Well, if they are awake, perhaps visiting Ivan might be refreshing?" Azula blushed as she realized what she'd just said before shaking her head. However, now that she considered it, it wasn't a bad idea. Besides, despite her not knowing the young man that well, Azula could at least appreciate the respect he and his father showed her.
After all, when had she ever reviewed a parade before? In fact, when was the last time she'd experienced anything like she had yesterday? After all, she had only been allowed to set foot inside the drill after her father had issued Qin a direct order, and the same was true of her being with the 1st Army headquarters. The more she thought about it, the more she began to think of these men more positively than she had many others in her nation, except her father, General Xang (who had so far acted kindly towards her and respected her command, though he was rather weak-willed and hot-headed) and, lastly, General Tiang, who had fought under her uncle and had been a good friend of her cousin, who perished in the original six-hundred-day siege of Ba Sing Se. Of course, as far as Azula was concerned, it could also be a front, as the Princess recalled how Ivan had dismissed the idea of female soldiers. After all, she was perhaps the greatest fire bender in the world, a prodigy they had called her, with a mind sharp enough to cut through stone if it had been a physical object and a body honed to the point where she was as flexible as an acrobat, and that was no understatement as her sparring partners well knew. So, as far as she was concerned, why should someone with skills like her's not be allowed to fight? Although, now that I think about it, I suppose it is because they have no benders, which is at least a better excuse than the other nations.
She put aside her concerns and shook her head, realizing that if she wanted to see him alone, it was best to leave immediately before her friends awoke. So, walking back into the fortified settlement, she made her way to the stable holding her mongoose lizards. When she approached, the two guards watching over them stood up and hastily bowed to her in typical Fire Nation fashion. "Y-Your Highness, we weren't expecting you," said one with a shaky tone.
In response, she folded her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes. "Rise," she commanded, and the two firebenders stood up. "Now, if you would be so kind as to fetch me my mount, I will be on my way."
The other guard, who hadn't spoken, nodded and opened the gate to the cage while turning his head to his comrade before doing as Azula had ordered. Soon, the man returned, leading the reptile by the reins before handing them off to Azula. "Here, Your Highness," he said as she took them, as her eyes briefly flickered to the man, and she saw the soldier quaking while standing at attention, though she couldn't see his expression because of his helmet. But she ignored him as the Sargent turned back to her. "Will that be all, Your Highness?" he asked.
"Yes, Sargent," she began before turning to the man, whose shaking visibly increased under the Princess's scrutinizing gaze. "And as for you, Private, I would suggest you learn to keep yourself together while in the presence of your betters," she said before again facing the Sargent. "Sargent, see to it that he does."
The man nodded, and with that, she mounted the lizard and rode out of the gates of the encampment before making her way toward the Ruskians, whose voices she could hear sounding over the barren landscape. However, when she spotted two mounted Ruskian soldiers heading toward her, she slowed down and allowed them to approach her. "Здравствуйте, ваше королевское высочество. Вам нужен эскорт?" asked one as he gestured for her to follow. Since she roughly understood the meaning of his gesture, she nodded, and the two turned and led her back toward their camp. However, as they did, she noted the soldiers occasionally glancing cautiously at her lizard. To her slight amusement, it seemed their mounts shared a similar mind, as they would subtly wander or speed away from the mongoose lizard as they shared the same nervous gaze as their riders.
As they drew closer, the singing stopped, and Azula momentarily found herself concerned as she gazed upon the masses of Ruskians sitting in organized rows, as she was unsure where she would find Ivan. However, as she turned about, she spotted the rather distinctive flag of his regiment. "Excuse me, I demand to see the Grand Duke!" she shouted, catching the attention of her escorts and gesturing to Ivan's unit.
Her escorts nodded at her gesture and brought her to the Life Guards before nodding again and departing. However, as she approached after dismounting, she caught the most unusual sight. At first, she could hardly believe it, yet, after blinking and shaking her head, she realized it was only too real. Amongst the seated rows of soldiers and female staff walked over a dozen young men carrying metal trays with what appeared like torn bread. While on its own, this would be an unusual sight: she also noted how not one said a word as each took only a single piece before the men with the trays would carry on. However, this all paled in comparison to the realization that one of these young men wore an officer's uniform: As she focused her gaze, catching sight of the young teen's perfect nose, sunken blue eyes, curly brown hair (as everyone, save the women, wore no head covering) and overall composure, she knew it could be none other than Ivan. At first, she couldn't believe it, a man of his standing serving those beneath him food!? But then she recalled his interaction with the soldier who fainted yesterday. Even still, her mind raced, attempting to find an answer to this strange practice. Deciding to question him personally, she walked right up behind him, uncaring of the surprised looks the others around gave her, and tapped him on the shoulder.
Ivan turned around quickly but froze when he turned to her, his eyes wide as she snatched a piece of bread from the tray and popped it into her mouth. "Azula? What are you doing here?" he whispered once he recovered and she finished.
"Isn't it obvious? I came to see you," she stated as she attempted to reach for another piece, but Ivan pulled the tray away. "Though, I must ask, why is someone of your standing doing... Whatever this is?" she asked as she cocked a brow and folded one arm while gesturing at the tray with the other.
The young Grand Duke paused for a moment before shaking his head. "I'll explain after. But for now, I need to get back to this, alright?" he asked as she looked at him, puzzled by his strange behaviour.
"Fine, I suppose I can wait. Besides, your bread tasted bland anyway," Azula replied as she turned and walked toward the edge of the group.
Ivan merely shrugged and continued serving his bread, and once he and the others with trays finished, they marched toward the front, where three men sat behind a table. Then, after taking a single piece of bread for themselves and a quick prayer which then was repeated, presumably because the man saying it made a mistake, they came back around with tiny metal cups, with a full five minutes before Ivan came up to her and presented his tray. Sighing, she begrudgingly took a cup and drank its contents before placing it back onto the tray, slightly disappointed that it was only plain water. Once he served her, he left and joined the other young men as they repeated heading to the table, took a single cup from the other's trays, and then placed them on the table. Then, the young men sat down before a tall man sitting in a chair attired in familiar soldier's garb spoke loudly, and those serving stood and dispersed into the crowd, with Ivan walking up to her. "Well?" she asked with a cocked brow.
In response, the young Grand Duke shook his head. "I honestly don't know where to begin," he replied.
"Perhaps you can start by telling me why you can only take a single piece of bread? Honestly, how is anyone supposed to be satisfied," she huffed as she noticed a man walking up to the front out of the corner of her eye, and he began speaking.
Ivan sighed as his brow furrowed in thought. "Okay, let's start with this: Do you know of the Lord?"
Azula cocked a brow. "Don't you mean Agni?"
"Alright, now who is this Agni to you?" he asked, mirroring her gaze.
She pondered this before deciding that it would be more interesting to question him before giving her answer. "Well, then, who is this "Lord" to you? You answer my question, and I answer yours. Sound fair?"
It seemed he was about to retort before shaking his head and smiling slightly. "Very well then, I agree to your terms," he began before taking a deep inhale and exhaling slowly. "Well, we believe the Lord, Deus, God, or whatever other name he is known by, is the creator of all existence. And, as for what I was doing, I was serving Tainstva, or communion in your tongue.
Which is a sacred ordinance to reaffirm our covenants," Ivan said as Azula tuned him out, feeling more confused than she'd have liked. It was as though he was speaking an entirely different language, which, of course, she knew he could and did, but that was beside the point. Either way, she felt this was a perfect waste of her time when she could be doing more productive things, like firebending.
However, despite her growing disinterest in the subject, she did not allow it to show on her face. After all, this was the only time she'd felt bored speaking with the young Grand Duke thus far, which was higher praise than she could say for most young men at court or even some of the older men she knew. "You know what, as interesting as this all sounds, I'm afraid I forgot I needed to write a letter to my father," she lied, as she had no intention of doing that, at least for the moment.
At this, Ivan paused, putting a hand to his chin before a strange look adorned his features, and he turned back to her. "I don't mean to intrude. But would it be possible for me to go with you?"
Azula folded her arms and gave him a questioning glare. "Certainly. But why?" she asked as she cocked a brow.
Ivan merely copied her posture. "Well, you did say you wished to see me. And if I go with you, you won't feel confused, and I won't have to bore you by explaining everything."
Azula scoffed, and she turned away while side-eyeing him. "What do you mean confused? I'm not confused!" she said, feeling vulnerable as she felt her cheeks heat up. After all, over these last couple of days, she'd felt more bewildered than at any point she could remember in her fourteen years of life, and he'd just called her out on it! The nerve!
In response, he shook his head and chuckled lightly as the Princess attempted to calm herself, which was not helped by his chortle as her cheeks burned up again. Though strange, the sound was not unwelcome. "That said, your Highness. I wish to know more about your nation and yourself. And I think it's only fair, as we've already shown you some of what we are," he explained.
In response, she turned and gave him a scrutinizing gaze. He wanted to know more about her. Really? That was a surprise, especially considering how frightened he'd looked yesterday and how he had overtly avoided conversation. However, she also recalled that strange look in his eye as he stared at her for who knows how long, not to mention how animated he became afterwards. So, after finding not a hint of dishonesty, she decided to jog his memory and see what his reaction would be once he was away from his camp: If Azula planned to demonstrate her firebending, she would do it away from people who might think her a threat, which she was, but she didn't need them to fear her, yet. "Well, if that is what you wish, then come," the Fire Princess said as she turned and gestured for him to follow, unconsciously swaying her hips more than usual as he quickly caught up beside her.
"So, how are we getting there exactly? Surely you don't plan on walking," he said, still keeping up while she partially wished he'd remained behind her.
In response, a cruel smirk emerged on her features. "Indeed I do not. But what if I decided you get to walk?" she asked, allowing her typical self out of the shadows for the first time since she'd met Ivan. After all, he did say he wished to get to know her better. So why not start by showing him what she was really like? If he couldn't deal with that, then he was no different than all the spineless fools at court.
However, it seemed to have the desired effect as he reacted by sighing. "Well, if that's the case, I'm certain I can borrow someone else's mount for the time being," he said as they continued.
Azula couldn't help but chuckle at his expense. "You know I didn't mean that, right?" she asked as he seemed taken aback for a moment before shaking his head.
"Ah, I've never been good with sarcasm," he replied as the two arrived where she'd left her mount. "We aren't riding that, are we?"
"Why yes, yes we are," Azula replied as Ivan frowned at her. "Oh, don't look so glum. He won't bite," she assured with a Cheshire grin.
"If you say so," Ivan replied before both mounted its back, with Azula steering. "What even is this thing?"
"He's a Mongoose Lizard," she replied as she squeezed her legs to the lizard's side, causing him to move extremely quickly, with Ivan nearly falling off the saddle.
"Вау! Предупреди-" he shouted as he steadied himself, holding tightly to her waist. "Warn me next time!"
Azula merely laughed in response. However, there was something different about this, though she couldn't place what it was. All she knew was that it made her feel good. "And where's the fun in that!" she shouted as she again pressed her legs, forcing the beast to run even faster. Feeling so good, Azula didn't even mind the fact that Ivan was holding onto her in such an improper way. No, she relished it as they rode toward her headquarters while thinking of how to keep him interested in her.
I know this chapter is a bit shorter, but I wanted to get another chapter out before the end of spring. Also, please tell me what you think.