What Enchantment Hides - Book 1

Chapter 12

         Calya watched Fallon sparring with one of the older commanders in the field outside the western gate while the other forest angels practiced and exercised in groups or by themselves. Raimor stood beside her and watched her bodyguard. “He has a great level of skill and strength for someone his age.”
         The princess nodded. “Yes, he does.”
         “Mercenary training will do that to anyone if they make it through alive.”
         Shocked, she looked up at him. “How did you know?”
         He shook his head, chuckling sadly. “As much as he tries to keep his brand hidden, there is only so much he can do to hide the mangled flesh that shows his prior loyalty. He is a good man and a good guard for you, I’m sure. Do you plan to keep him in your service, milady?”
         “Yes. I do. I would rather not be without him if given the option.”
         “If I may be so bold, your highness.”
         She laughed and shook her head. “If you have to ask permission to be bold, then are you never bold when your mouth is shut?”
         He looked as if he had no idea how to respond to her comment. Then he smiled. “He would make a good king. And I’m not the only one who thinks so.” With a respectful nod, he walked away to join his men in their training.
         Calya sat in the grass and watched Fallon swing his sword around in circles in his left hand as he prepared for another sparring match. Raimor put a hand on the shoulder of the older forest angel and they spoke for a minute or so before the other walked off to join a group of younger warriors and Raimor drew his blade to spar with her bodyguard. She watched Fallon’s muscles ripple beneath his sweaty skin that glistened in the sun. His tunic lay a few feet from her in the grass. They dueled for a few minutes and then backed off. Fallon looked over at her and met her eyes. She smiled shyly and to her surprise, he smiled back. He actually looked happy. This was his element. This was where he was supposed to be - with other men like him, other warriors that could be good companions and possibly even friends. Raimor took him by the shoulder and pointed in her direction and spoke something into his ear, laughing. Fallon listened and then laughed as well and shook his head. She liked to see him smile. He was handsome when he smiled. He wasn’t a mercenary at that moment. He was a man. A skilled swordsman, surrounded by other swordsmen who understood what it was like to go into battle and come out again. A sad joy came over her. Sadness because it couldn’t last. All of these forest angels would return to Ynhilay when she succeeded in her quest. But then joy. Joy because he genuinely looked happy. He smiled and laughed and had a real sense of camaraderie. Nobody was afraid of him. He wasn’t constantly guarding himself. He fit in here. And the commanders approved and liked him alot. She wished she could see this side of his tortured mind more often. She could even see herself falling for a man like this. If this was the type of man he was all the time. She came out of her thoughts to see him sparring with one of the younger angels. He disarmed him and the ring of soldiers surrounding them whooped and hollered, some cheered and others jeered and booed in good fun. She saw Fallon hold up his hand and they all quieted. He said something she could not quite understand and the group burst out in laughter, the young soldier included. Then he laid out some instructions, speaking with his hands, and they took their positions again. It was a miraculous scene and she enjoyed every moment of it. She heard horses coming up behind her. The sound was almost overlooked because of the noise of the men in front of her. She turned to see one horse round the city wall, and then another couple horses, and then more. They continued to come around the bend in the wall. Raimor turned and saw the horsemen and let out a shout to silence the men, holding up his hand.
         Calya jumped to her feet with a shout of elation. There sat Cornelius and Gammir in front of a seemingly endless parade of armed men on horseback. “Cornelius! Gammir!”
         The men dismounted and knelt before her and the horsemen behind them bowed their heads in reverence. “May your highness’ reign never cease,” Cornelius said loudly.
         “Please, stand. Both of you. How many have you brought with you?” Gammir smiled over at Cornelius and shouted behind him. The rest of the horsemen crowded to the front with their steeds.
         “We have come with one hundred thirty-two in all, milady,” He replied.

         Gammir gestured to some of the men who had moved forward. “Half of the men in Tant came with us. Traff is too fragile to handle the work of real men.” The group from Tant laughed heartily along with Cornelius and Calya. “The rest of the men we have picked up from smaller settlements. Some of the older men served in Kezna while king Trayzer and queen Etrias reigned. And some of these men were leaving the Highlands to move as far from Kezna as possible because of the war that has now begun between the steward and the prince of Hundertel. The two cities were the two biggest allies of each other until Orin decided to partner with the kings of the Lowlands and allowed his greed and lust for power take him over. Prince Ferut will not allow him to continue in his efforts to destroy the small cities with his pacts with the mercenary fortress and be a dictator over the people of Kezna and eventually the rest of the Highlands.”
         “I never expected so many to come with you. Thank you so much,” Calya said, truly grateful.

         By this time, Fallon had overheard the entire conversation and had pulled his tunic over his head and walked up behind the princess, sheathing his weapon. “That makes three hundred eighty-two, highness. That is a good size force to make an appearance with.”

         Cornelius eyed the young man with suspicion. “And who might this be? He is not a forest angel and he has not been properly introduced. I feel that someone who speaks with you so casually at a time like this definitely deserves a proper introduction, milady.”

         Fallon tensed up and the prophet saw instantly. He knew he had been figured out by the old man. He saw Cornelius’ jaw set firm as if expecting a confrontation. The young man extended his hand. “I am Fallon a-”

         “My bodyguard,” the princess interrupted as she looked over both men, hoping to avoid any problems. “He has traveled with me for quite awhile now and has been more than efficient at protecting and teaching me.”

         Cornelius noticed the longsword, bow, quiver and throwing knives that she carried. She was indeed different from the last time he had seen her. He bowed his head in mock concession. Fallon recognized the gesture. “I apologize that Kikarii was unable to offer his blade in your service as well,” he said solemnly, keeping his gaze fixed on Fallon, studying his reaction. He saw a fleeting expression pass over the man’s features and then vanish. “He has not been able to completely physically recover from the unfortunate circumstances of his captivity.” He definitely knew and he wanted Fallon to know that he knew. He saw her bodyguard’s jaw tighten and his eyes grow dark.

         Calya instantly understood and felt the tension, as did every other person present. They may not have understood what had happened, but they all felt the gravity of the statement. The atmosphere was thick, almost suffocating in the few yards surrounding the two men who stood, glaring at each other, unblinking and unmoving. The princess spoke. “Well, that is unfortunate, my friend. I hope he is well soon enough to see the fruits of his labor in bloom. It is however a joyous turn of events that I am fully prepared to finish what I started those months ago. Is it not?” Her tone was stern and challenging.

         Cornelius held Fallon’s eyes a moment longer before looking to the princess and nodding, a strained smile turning his lips. “Yes, yes it is indeed. That is why we have all gathered here.”

         Raimor had picked up what the issue was right away and came to Fallon’s aid. He raised his arms high and greeted the arriving comrades. “Ah! Brothers, welcome! Would we be here if not for those who have kept the queen safe up until this point? Come, let us train together for the day. The queen's bodyguard has definitely been an indispensable asset to our forces with our training and we can all learn more skill in defense of the freedom of our lands, can we not?”

         The men grunted and hollered their agreements as they dismounted. The forest angels shouted and cheered in response. Cornelius stepped around Fallon, brushing his shoulder and whispering, “I am watching you, mercenary,” as he continued on to greet the leader of the watchers and the army of Ynhilay.

         Fallon glanced over at Calya to see her silently seething, her eyes bore into the back of the prophet’s head as if she could cut it off. Their color flickering between a flaming red and their bright orange as she fought to control her temper and her gift. She took a shaky, rage filled breath and turned to confront him. Fallon grabbed her arm with a solid grip. “It is not worth it, Cal. They have come for you. Not me. Their distrust in me does not matter.” Her anger dissipated at that name. Cal. She could not decide if she preferred highness, milady or Cal from him. Cal made her uncomfortable but very comfortable at the same time and she didn’t like it. But then again… she loved it.

         The sun was setting over the sparring warriors spread out across the field when Calya decided it was time to speak as the rightful ruler she was. She looked around for a place to stand since she was not tall enough to be seen by the entire army. Fallon sat in the grass beside her. “Fallon, I need a place to stand to address the men. I’m too short.”

         He smiled slyly. “Would my shoulders work?” She gave him a stern, yet humored grin in response. “Over here, highness.” He walked over to a boulder. She stared at him and then at the rock and then back at him and simply pointed. He chuckled and took a few steps back. With a running start, he leaped, ran a few steps up the city wall, and launched himself off to the top of the boulder.

         “Of course you would,” she muttered under her breath as she rolled her eyes. He laid down and reached his hand down for her to take hold of. She could just reach up to his wrist and close her fingers around it. He lifted her with one arm as she scrambled with her feet on the smooth surface of the stone. She clambered onto the top and turned around to face the training armies. “Hear me!” she yelled. No one could hear her above the rowdy noise of men hollering, metal clanging, cheers erupting and boos echoing. She looked at Fallon, frustrated.

         He took a deep breath and stepped forward. “Soldiers! Your eyes here!” His voice was low and booming. Every man lowered their weapon and turned to look at them. He inclined his head and took a step back, gesturing towards the crowd with his hand.

         She thanked him and raised her voice again. “Comrades,” she began. “The years have proven to us that a wrongful wielding of power cannot be allowed to continue. Dictators are not to be given leave to have their way and the innocent that live in the borders where those dictators reign must be liberated by righteous and proper leadership. This is even more true when the dictator has discarded his own king like an annoying insect and done everything within his power to ensure his unchallenged reign. However, I have come to challenge this dictator! We are here to make sure that this tyrant, who oppresses and destroys the free and the peaceful, will be thrown down and given his proper justice due him!” The men all cheered and raised their swords. She waited a moment for the noise to die down before continuing. “We will make a straight path for Kezna from this city. We will skirt the boundaries of Dorsha. We will meet the armies of prince Ferut in the heat of battle and we will assist them with all the strength we can give. However, some of us will not join in that fight. It will be an intimidation tactic. It is the only chance we have for a break in focus for the forces under Orin. I will choose a small battalion from the army of Ynhilay to assist me in getting into the city unharmed. If possible they will accompany me and my bodyguard to the great hall itself. We will take back the throne for the people! And you will not shy away from death, suffering or pain, because today you are the queen’s army!” There was a thunderous roar among the men and a clatter of metal. Fists were raised with swords and bows and the shout of, “May Calya’s reign never cease” resounded off the walls of the city. The people of the city watched the speech from the walls and the gate. Some of them cheered as well.

         “Gammir! To me!” she yelled.

         He hurried to stand before the stone on which she stood. “Yes, your highness.”

         “When will your men be ready to ride out? It would be counterproductive to have them worn out before we even arrive.”

         He nodded his agreement. “Not to be concerned, milady. We rested all the men and the animals the past few days. Our goal was to be ready to march out when we arrived.”

         A confident smile pulled at the corners of her mouth as she raised her voice once more. “We ride at dawn!”

         Fallon made his way back to the inn to settle up with the innkeeper. The woman grabbed his hand before he left to keep him a moment longer. He turned to look her in the face. “Is it true?” she asked, sounding antsy. “Is Calya really alive and marching on Kezna?”

         He gave her a solemn, yet reassuring, smile. “She is.”

         “Oh!” she squealed. “Praise the gods! I hope she is successful! Guard her well, soldier.” She let go of his hand and nodded her head in respect. The woman’s son went to the back and brought out the two horses. The saddle bags were filled with choice foods from the tavern, a blanket was rolled up and secured to the back of each saddle and the horses were newly shod and their coats were brushed out.

         “Our businesses that are not supported by Dorsha have suffered since Kezna shut us out of their trade routes. We gave everything we could. Please accept our gifts. I apologize that it is not much.”

         Fallon took the reins and noticed that the horses’ tack had been washed and polished. He nodded and thanked the young man and led the horses out of the alley to the western gate.

         Cornelius stopped him just before he reached the gate. He put his hand on the young man’s chest. “You think you can deceive these men?”

         “I never said anything to deceive them.” He stared into the prophet’s eyes with such confident intensity, the older man’s anger grew.

         “You did not have to say anything. You just allowed them to think you are this good, honorable warrior, guarding the queen when you are the one who burned most of their towns. You’ve killed many of their family members and friends. You’ve slaughtered their children and spouses. And you think they should pay any heed to you at all?”
         Fallon agreed quietly. “I give no defense for my past actions. But that is not what is at hand. What is at hand is larger than any of us. You know this.”
         “Then leave. Let her alone. She is quite protected now. She will have no worry, even if you are gone. But do not stand by her side and compromise her authority or her honor by your putrid presence.”
         The young man’s rage burned in his eyes and boiled just below the surface, threatening to erupt at any moment. But he was saved an instant later. “Is there a problem, Cornelius?” a woman’s voice asked from the gate.
         “A word, your highness,” the man replied respectfully.
         The young woman clicked her tongue. “Interesting. Do you allow my guard a word before you have your say?” Cornelius remained silent, unhappily forced to bite his tongue in the presence of his ruler. She knew the answer already. “Fallon.” She inclined her head to the fields beyond the gate. “Please bring the horses outside the gate and tie them and unbridle them so they can graze. They will be closing the gate soon.
         “Of course, C- milady.” He lowered his head and pushed past the old man, leading the two steeds through the city gate.
         Calya watched him leave and turned her orange eyes back to the man still before her. “Now why don’t we have a talk? But you will listen to me and I do not care if you agree with me or not. It is not my obligation to incline to every opinion I am told. You understand?”
         He nodded. How did she become this confident, undaunted, confrontational woman in mere months? He was amazed as well as frustrated. “Go on.”
         “I understand you have a quarrel with Fallon. And I understand that it is legitimate and well founded. However, without him, I would never have made it this far. He is the reason I made it out of Harta. He is the reason I am a competent bowman and swordsman. He is the only reason we are here now. If you do not like it, that is fine. I am not asking you to approve of any of it. But I am telling you that you will not start an issue with my bodyguard because of things that happened before this point. You had better get to know him before we get to Kezna because once I take back my kingdom, he will be in command at my right hand, and you will have to listen to him. You can do it begrudgingly, or you can do it willingly. It really does not matter to me. But you will do it.”
         Cornelius just stared at her, unsure of how to respond. Who was this woman he was looking at? It could not be the same girl he purchased from the auction in Dorsha. Or the same girl who had no concept of herself or handling responsibility, could it? “How did you do it?”

         “How did I do what?” she asked, curiously.
         He rephrased his question. “How did you become what you are? When I sent you out with Kikarii those months ago, you were timid, somewhat clueless, anxious and naive. How did you become a queen?”
         She smirked mischievously. “If you get to know Fallon, you’ll find out, my friend.”

         The sun was just cresting over the horizon when the army was saddled and ready to head out. The tavern had provided their meals, free of charge. Raimor and his soldiers were ready to fly over them and scout ahead for any danger or obstacles. He stood in front of his men, ready to set off. Calya sat astride her mount, and with her rode Fallon to her right and Cornelius and Gammir to her left. The last man mounted up onto his horse and the princess turned her steed to face her armies. “Last night you became one army. Today you are brothers. You are responsible for your brother just as I am responsible for all of you.” She nodded at Fallon.
         He lifted his fist and bellowed loudly, “Move out!” The forest angels all shot into the air as one unit and the horses jumped forward in anticipation for what lay ahead. The people on the walls and in the fields behind them cheered and a small number of the men capable of wielding weapons tagged on to the back of the army.

         It would take ten or so days to move this army to Kezna as long as they did not run into any obstacles along the way. However, they would take two days to rest and recuperate at the boundary to Kezna before they came within sight of the city or the battle. The watchers were in charge of scouting out ahead and dealing with any potential hold ups or problems they had yet to encounter and then fly back and report what they saw.

         The landscape was dotted with small campfires surrounded by groups of soldiers. Fallon made his rounds and checked on the men, getting at least somewhat acquainted with as many as possible since he was going to be a main leader of their forces in the upcoming days.
         Calya waved him over as he returned to their campfire. Cornelius, Gammir and Calya sat in the ring of light. He walked over to her and sat on the cool grass. “Fallon, I need you to pick out a small group of soldiers, both horsemen and forest angels, as our guard to get us into the city and courtyard. Take Gammir with you. We only have a couple days left until we reach the borders of Kezna. We need to solidify the details of our plan with the group that will be getting us in safely.”

         Fallon put his hand to his forehead in deep thought. “I do not think we can breach the walls during an already started war. It will be too dangerous. Our best bet may be to stretch out our forces and combine with the prince and force a surrender.”
         Cornelius leaned forward. “Have you considered, young mercenary, that some of your past comrades might be included in this war as well?"

         Calya shot him a look, but the young man responded coolly. “I have. It is not unexpected, but that is to be left up to me to handle if we come across it.” He gestured to Gammir with his hand. “Gammir, I’ll need you to stay by us at least until we reach the courtyard. Come with me and choose the most immovable men you know who can hold the line once we enter, if we indeed succeed in making it that far.”
         “I appreciate everyone’s confidence in me. However, I do think it is only fair to point out that while I am apparently considered a leader in this effort, I have not killed more than a buck in years. What little battle tested skill I possessed rusted out years ago.”

         “I doubt that,” the princess said, her voice both confident and gentle. “Now go. Choose your men.”
         The two got up and walked toward the small gatherings of men. They passed by some and stopped at others. She watched them converse with Raimor and saw as he pointed to a couple different circles of his warriors and nodded.

         “You don’t see him for what he is, do you?”
         Cornelius’ voice broke into her thoughts. “What do you mean?”

         He looked toward Fallon and Gammir. “Fallon. You don’t see him for what he is, do you?”
         “I see him for what he is becoming, but not what he was.”

         The old man tilted his head in curiosity. “How do you feel about the man?”
         Calya sighed in frustration. “I don’t know how I feel. I’m not swooning over him, but I don’t hate being around him constantly. Something about him is so different. And being around these men is the most comfortable I have seen him since Harta. He is in his element without the killing, the destruction and the bloodshed.” She paused to consider her own words and thoughts for a brief moment. “I saw him smile the other day. Like actually smile. A genuine, happy smile. I didn’t even think it was possible. It was while he was sparring with some of Raimor’s men before your group arrived. He is so at home. I worry for him when this is over. I’m afraid he won’t be able to handle it.”

         Understanding came over the prophet and he leaned back to study the stars. A few minutes later, Gammir and Fallon returned. The mercenary sat down while Gammir excused himself. Cornelius slowly stood and nodded to the young man. “I think you two should be left to talk for a while.” With that, he turned and wandered aimlessly away in no particular direction.
         The bodyguard looked confused. “What was that about?”

         The princess chuckled softly. “I am not entirely sure. But there is something I have been curious about for a long time now. And you’ve never given me a real answer.”
         Fallon looked uneasy. “You know, I think Gammir and I missed a couple men, I’m going to go talk to him about it.”

         She glared at him. “Don’t you dare stand up, Fallon.”
         He laughed and held up his hands in mock concession. “Alright, what is it? If I didn’t answer you, there was probably a reason.”

         The young woman cleared her throat as if she was unsure if she really wanted to ask. “Why did you take me out of Harta?”
         A strange look came into the young man’s eyes and he turned them away. “That is a question for another time, highness. But not tonight.”

         “Do you even know yourself?” she pressed.
         His frustration became evident. “Why can’t you just accept that I might answer you later?”

         Her defenses came up in an instant. “What are you so afraid of, Fallon? Why can’t you just give me an answer?”
         He stood and glared down at her. “I cannot stand you, Cal.”

         “Really? You can’t stand me? Then leave! I’ve given you the option before. Why don’t you finally take it?”

         The young man looked angry and sad at the same time. “Do you really want me to? Will you be happy if I just turn and walk away right now?” He was trying not to yell at her, but it was almost impossible for him to keep his voice at a reasonable volume.

         The princess stood up in front of him and made a sound of intense aggravation. “This has never been about me. It has always been about you and what makes you happy. We both know that. If leaving makes you happy then do it. If you’re happy then I’m happy.”

         He turned and walked a few steps and then spun back around. “And what if I’m not happy?”

         “Then you have to figure that out, Fallon, because I can’t help you there.”

         Fallon looked across the field to see many of the men staring silently at them. Apparently they had been louder than he thought. His anger flared again and he turned on his heel and stalked off into the darkness.

         Cornelius found Fallon sitting in the grass with his back against the trunk of a tree, his eyes to the sky. “It doesn’t look like that conversation went well,” he said in a matter of fact way.

         “Did you wait until I was happily alone and comfortable before you came to scold me, old man?” Fallon scoffed, not looking at the prophet.

         The older man settled down in the dirt with the other and put his forearms on his knees looking up at the sky himself. “You know, Calya is one of those people that needs an answer to her questions. According to what she has told me, you are much different than when you took her hostage. You have traveled with her all of this time and have given her no real explanation while expecting her to trust your judgment. She has done so because she had no choice. She has one now. And so do you. Choose wisely, my friend.”

         He sat there a few minutes in silence before getting up to leave and Fallon stared after him. How do I tell him that if I tell Calya why I took her away, it wouldn’t make any sense to her? How do I tell Calya that I can’t stand being with her and I can’t stand being without her? How can I tell her that I hate so much that I don’t hate her? Fallon rubbed his eyes with his fingers and sighed. He was never going to leave and he knew it; and yet his pride kept him from telling her that she unnerved him. He stood up, aggravated. Looking around, he started walking. There wasn’t a large area for him to walk around where he could keep out of sight, but he paced. Then he stood, thinking, before pacing again.

         An hour of that passed before he returned to the camp. Calya sat, awake, poking at the fire as she always did. He stared at her, annoyance evident in his expression. “Why are you still awake?” he asked as he came nearer.

         She continued watching the flames and poking her stick at the burning wood. “I took the first watch, along with some of the men around our camp. Why else would I be up?”

         He turned his back on her and took a few steps and then spun and came back. “Do you really want to know why I took you out of Harta?”

         Somewhat surprised, she finally looked up at him. “What do you think? Do I?”

         Queen or not, he would have slapped her sarcasm right out of her mouth if she hadn’t already spat it at him. He let out an annoyed growl before finally sitting down beside her. “I didn’t rescue you for you.”

         She nodded her head. “What a shock.”

         This woman was really grating on his nerves. “Will you stop with the attitude? I’m answering your question.” His anger was brewing again.

         “You’re right. I’m sorry. Go ahead. Answer the question you have continuously punished me for asking with your tantrums and your fits. I’m listening.” Her sarcastic irritation poured from every word. She had come to the end of her tolerance for his moods and his stubbornness. Looking back at the fire and her stick she waited.

         If he wouldn’t have been killed on the spot by an entire army for strangling her, he would have considered it. Unfortunately for him, that wasn’t an option. “You’re lucky you have an army behind you.” She gave him a dark look. He knew he was reaching the end of her good nature and laid back persona. “Ugh! How do you always start a fight with me!” Calya rolled her eyes, half out of disgust and half out of pity for the fact that he couldn’t see himself as the issue. But she remained silent, waiting for the answer he said he was here to give. “I took you out of Harta so Hannon could no longer use you as leverage. Not that I cared. However, I took his prisoner out of spite. He could no longer control me. I wanted my freedom. My plan was to leave you once I got far enough away where he would care more about retrieving you than finding me.”

         “So you said multiple times to me.” She dropped her stick, that was now aflame, into the fire and turned to look at him again. “You threatened to leave me alone many times. That’s what I don’t understand. You only took me to anger Hannon. So why are you still here?”

         Fallon stood in irritation and held out his hands. “Are you blind, your highness?” Cornelius stirred on the other side of the campfire and rolled over. He quieted a little. “You have no idea why I am here?”

         Calya’s face softened as she found another stick in the dirt and continued poking at the fire. Even that annoyed him at the moment. “I can take a guess. But you haven’t told me why you stayed early on. Don’t avoid the question.”

         He returned to sitting on the ground in a huff, his mood sour and his brain spelling out all sorts of obscenities towards her. “Because I hated you.”

         The princess bobbed her head, mockingly. “Oh, that makes plenty of sense. I choose to travel with people I hate all the time. It’s my new pastime when I’m not saving the world.”

         And this is why he couldn’t leave her. This very thing. She was a confident, courageously bullheaded woman that he held absolutely no sway over. It drove him crazy to the point where he was intrigued by and drawn to her. “Before I even left Harta with you, something changed in you. You lost a lot of your fear and your timidity and gained defiant dignity. I hated it.”

         “It made you uncomfortable, didn’t it?” she said, finishing his thought. He nodded, his pride whooping his butt as it crawled away with its tail between its legs. He knew what the next question was going to be. “So what about now?”

         “Don’t ask me that, Cal. That is one question I won’t answer.” Not to you or anyone else. Ever. She shrugged nonchalantly, but he saw a slow, girlish smile spread across her mouth in the flickering light. “I didn’t answer it," he reminded her.

         “No. I didn’t say you did.”

         It was his turn to roll his eyes. He didn’t even care that she was a princess, in charge of an entire army, and was taking the first watch of the night. She was a big girl. She could handle herself. He wasn’t worried about her in the least. “Well, I’m going to sleep,” he said, half to himself, as he moved a couple feet away and laid down. He turned his back to her and closed his eyes. Some final hardness broke in him and seemed to melt away. He would never be that perfect gentleman or that calm, gentle friend type. But he wasn’t angry at her anymore. He wasn’t so afraid of her anymore. He didn’t need to understand her.

         The next morning, Fallon woke up Calya before going to train with the men. He nudged her with his boot until she stirred. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw the hard leather against her cheek. “Really, Fallon? Can you not be a decent human being for two seconds of your life?”

         He let out a loud laugh before answering her. “Good morning to you, too, milady.” And that was all he said before turning and walking away. A couple yards away, he approached a small group of three men, two angels and one man. They cheered dramatically when he came up to them, raising their hands in whimsical celebration.

         The princess laughed as she went to grab some food. She was genuinely happy to see him meld so well with a group of soldiers so opposite of him in nearly every way. One of the soldiers came up to her. He kneeled, his head bowed in reverence. “Please stand up," she said gently.

         “Yes, your highness.” He stood up somewhat awkwardly. It was obvious that he had never been in the presence of any royalty in his life.

         “I’m not queen yet, so please speak freely and grab some food with me if you want.”

         He hesitated as if her statement may have been a trap. She nodded down to the food she was unwrapping and handed him a roll and an apple. The man took it gratefully with another quick bow of his head. “What did you do to that man, milady?”

         The princess glanced curiously in his direction. “I don’t know what you mean.”

         He gestured with the hand holding the bread roll and tried not to spit out the apple in his mouth while he spoke. “The mercenary. I’ve seen him. He was leading the band of murderers who burned my town. He was the most heartless killer you could ever find. He tortured his victims for fun. Never takes a hostage. He laughed at the dead bodies of the children and women in the streets. But this…” He pointed to Fallon. “This is incredible. He hasn’t killed a single person here. What did you do to him, your highness?”

         Calya wanted to burst into laughter. She wanted to make a sarcastic comment about his statement saying that Fallon hadn’t killed any of her army yet. But then she looked at the man. He was truly fascinated. Could she blame him? She would have been too if the change hadn’t come so gradual over the course of the last year. “I made him hate me,” she said.

         He cocked his head, confused. He obviously didn’t expect that as an answer. She let out another laugh and waved her hand. “It’s a long story.” He seemed satisfied and bowed his head a third time before walking away toward the group that Fallon was now showing off his sword to. They oohed and aahed in mock amazement while he tried to explain why using a broadsword was actually more difficult than their smaller blades. She could see that he was getting nowhere and he knew it.

         “Ah, forget it,” she heard him say as the others started laughing and pushing him around playfully. He sheathed his sword and walked away. He wasn’t mad or even a little upset. These were his type of men and he appreciated them all. He walked back over to her and leaned against a tree nearby. “We should head out soon."

         The young woman nodded her agreement. “Make the announcement. We will stop for two days when we reach Kezna and then it’s war.”

         Fallon turned and grabbed a low hanging branch. He swung himself up into the tree and stood, putting his hand to his mouth. “Alright men! Let’s pack up and move out!” He looked down at Calya, his excitement evident. This was his forte. But privately, she started to wonder what would happen when his job became killing again.