1 #2
I look up into the sky, it’s almost midnight, I’ve gotten too distracted. I need to get this over with, the sooner I can find the tent I’m looking for, the better. I scan the soldiers around to see if there’s anyone that looks important as I stroll carefully through the camp.
There’s a small group of soldiers a few metres ahead of me going into a tent together. It’s much bigger and the soldiers have patches on the shoulders of their dark grey uniform. Three diagonal lines close together, this usually shows that they’re high ranking.
Though I’ve never understood why they do that, my commanders wanted me to wear a patch and a uniform.
But I hate the maroon uniform that Hidale’s soldiers wear and I don’t much like showing people my rank either, it just makes you more of a target.
I know that I’m in the army now but I still don't feel like a soldier or want to be one, so I’d rather not dress the same.
I tend to just stick to my all black clothes and armoured corset that I bought when I was in the Agency.
I quickly run up behind the soldiers entering the tent, while trying to be soft on my feet. My heavy boots and mud are still not helping but they don’t notice me. I slip into the tent behind them as they open it and look around.
This is definitely the right place, the tent is lit up by more candles and lanterns than we have on our entire base.
There’s a beautiful red patterned rug laid out in the middle and a semi circle of chairs surrounding the rug.
Lining the inside of the tent, are a heap of storage cupboards, crates and tables, plenty of places to store valuables or even the artifact.
As I’m looking around the tent, more soldiers start to filter in, there’s seven in here now. It’s no use looking through all the drawers and crates while everyone is here. I’m going to have to lay low while they have this meeting and find the artifact after.
I watch as all the soldiers find their seats and start to quiet down. Then suddenly the tent opens again but it’s not a soldier that’s walking through.
This person is definitely a palace guard.
His attire is much nicer than war uniform, still wearing the grey but he has golden buttons and a beautiful sword strapped to his back.
His clothes are notably much cleaner as well.
He’s travelled here recently and I would bet all the money I have that he won’t have any part in the battle at the front lines.
The man rears off to the side and holds the tent open. I feel the tension rise as a tall man steps in from the dark. I note that he has to duck to get through the opening. As he looks up I recognise his face instantly.
My eyes go wide and I have to fight to hold in a gasp.
It’s the King of Erador.
I’m certain I would be killed in a heartbeat if they knew I was here.
This meeting must be insanely important for the King to make an appearance, it’s too dangerous for him to be this close to the front lines.
I honestly can’t even think back to a time when the King of Hidale was anywhere near the war.
When the King walks through I get a good look at him for the first time in my life.
I had only ever seen sketches of him prior, warnings of an evil king plastered all around our town, propaganda mostly.
Though it’s lessened over the years since the conscription, as it was mainly to get fae to volunteer and that’s long gone.
The King is much younger than he looks in the sketches and a lot taller but I suppose that’s hard to tell in drawings and the posters weren’t exactly listing off his features.
I also hate to admit it but he is much more handsome in person as well, with his tanned skin, light blue eyes and messy dark brown hair. He is quite possibly the most beautiful man I have ever seen. But it takes a little more than that to let my guard down, especially these days.
As he walks towards his chair, he radiates power.
All the soldiers are showing their respect but there’s a sense of fear in their eyes.
This isn’t uncommon, I’ve seen our King walk into rooms before and cast a similar effect on most people but I suppose that comes down to the conscription more than anything.
It’s less fear and more disgust and hatred for the King of Hidale.
But for this King, his soldiers look like they admire and fear him at the same time.
The man in the fancier uniform, who I assume to be the commander, walks to the King’s left but stands back slightly.
The commander looks just as deadly but his face is slightly less chiseled and hair is a lighter brown, making him look just a little more youthful in a way and just a fraction less fearsome.
The commander is slightly shorter than the king but looks just as able and much stronger than the soldiers surrounding.
I wonder if he has any powers? Not every fae manifests a power, in fact it’s getting rarer and rarer as the years progress.
For the most part, fae are just generally stronger and have better senses than hybrids or other animals.
But some, like myself, get to manifest extra magic.
In this case, one can only assume the commander would have a power, most fae in the higher ranks do.
I try to lighten my breathing as they take a seat in front of me. I start scanning the room for another spot with a better exit point. Now that the King’s here, I need an efficient escape route for if things go wrong.
I creep slowly around the edges, careful not to touch any chairs and crouch down next to the exit.
Once they leave, I’ll be able to run over and search for the artifact but if I need to get out of here sooner, at least it’s much easier from this position.
“I assume you are all aware of why we’re here today?” The King states with a powerful commanding voice.
The soldiers nod in unison.
“Then you all must know how crucial it is, that we find the man responsible for selling the information to our enemies about where our centaur children were being kept.”
What the–
I look around the room, no one is flinching, or showing any signs that this information is new.
“The coward that sold this information, is solely responsible for the children’s deaths and the imprisonment of our centaurs.” The King continues, sending a lethal stare around the room as he does.
Oh my gods. I struggle to hold my gasp and put my hand over my mouth. Is the King saying that our army murdered innocent children? But why, what would be the point?
My loyalties have never lied wholly with our army and I’ve never agreed with half the things they’re doing, but this?
This is much, much worse than I could have imagined.
To actually target children—
I can’t even begin to understand why.
If I had to guess, I would assume it gains them an advantage in the war or even more land.
That seems to be their motive for everything.