The Liberian

Chapter 48

Halle took a few deep breaths, reminding herself she had no reason to be angry. Derek was likely busy, and he was talking to Elecia last night. He mentioned it and asked her for a favor, Halle explained away in her head. She should be happy, excited even, to train with Derek. But the woman’s words echoed in her mind: See you later. Did that mean Elecia was going to be there, too? Or was it just a colloquial saying? Why was she even talking so casually to Derek in the first place?

Halle waited in line at the cart to return the tent poles. The sun had almost come up—scaring away the storm clouds in the process—and the host was likely to begin their march soon.

“Thanks,” she mumbled to the man loading the cart. Halle turned and bumped into a large man with light brown hair. “Sorry,” she muttered, keeping her face down. Halle stepped around him to head back to her section of camp when a large hand clasped down on her shoulder.

“Well, don’t you think you’re special, White armor?” he sneered, yanking her back.

Halle stumbled. “I said I was sorry.” She looked up at the man in annoyance; this was not the morning to test her patience.

“Really? I didn’t hear you.” He leaned down.

“I’m sorry,” she forced through grit teeth, not wanting to make a scene before the small crowd gathering.

“It’s bad enough we have to deal with the White Legion at all,” the man grumbled. “Now I’ve to take sass from little girls?”

Halle frowned.

An armored arm slung itself around her shoulder, and Halle blinked in surprise. “Now, now, don’t take it personally, Halle. Grun here hasn’t eaten yet, and he’s really grumpy in the morning,” Daniel said with a grin.

“Come on, Grun,” Craig came up on the other side of the man. “Let’s get some food in that giant gut of yours.”

She hadn’t seen the two soldiers since her trial. They’d been her guards when she was in holding, the good ones. Daniel was an Easterner like her, yellow-tinted tan skin and full-bodied dark brown hair. Craig’s wavy blonde hair and paler complexion marked him as a Southerner. She’d immediately liked both of them, and this morning was one more reason to add to that growing list.

“Eat with us, Halle?” Daniel asked.

“I’m not sure if that’s such a good idea.” She glanced over at the large man Craig was escorting away.

“Nonsense!” Craig called, and soon she was being led toward the front of the host.

“What are you two doing here?” she asked Daniel as he removed his arm from her shoulders. Craig took the behemoth a far distance ahead before rejoining them.

“We’re soldiers.” Daniel chuckled, the movement tossing his nearly shoulder-length hair. “I’d say we belong here more than you, Miss Windwalker.”

“You’re not palace guards?” she asked with genuine surprise.

He shook his head and raised up his arm. One of his gauntlets was plated in gold, the metal on his forearm catching the glint of the morning’s light. “We’re Golden Guard,” he explained.

Halle had heard of Prince Baldair’s personal squadron before; they were rumored to be the best of the best with only the finest lords and ladies serving among them.

As she focused on his arm he focused on her. “I like your hair; you clean up rather nice.”

She raised a hand to the frayed ends of her hair that barely touched the chainmail hood of her armor. Her hair was awful. Halle scowled as a hunk of cold meat was shoved into her palm. It was a little charred on one side and the natural fats had coagulated into a jelly-like film that she scraped off onto the ground as they sat around the still-smoldering remains of a fire.

“I don’t think people like that I’m here.” Other soldiers gave her looks, but none were brave enough to approach with two members of Prince Baldair’s highest order at her sides.

“Don’t you think that’s half the fun?” Craig asked with a small grin.

She shook her head.

“Plus, we look so exotic with our White Legion friend.” Daniel took a large bite of his meat.

“Where are you both from?” Halle asked, picking at her own food.

“The capital,” Craig said, unsurprisingly.

“Cyven,” Daniel announced.

“Where in Cyven?” She was sincerely interested in anyone from the East.

“Most people don’t know it. It’s a small town.” Daniel laughed when he saw the squint she was giving him and proceeded, “It’s called Paca.”

“Paca!” she gasped.

“You know it?” He raised his eyebrows.

“I’m from Leoul.”

“No.” He seemed as excited as she felt.

“Yes! Yes! I went to the Festival of the Sun in Paca every year with my mum and papa.” Halle felt the sweet pang of nostalgia.

“With the old lady who sells the candied nuts?” he asked in disbelief.

“And the man who never stopped singing?” Halle affirmed.

“Oh Paaaaaaaca, don’t you go astray!” Daniel put his hand to his chest and belted before they both collapsed into a fit of laughter. “You really do know!” He flashed her a dazzling smile that was too infectious not to return.

“Oh, how adorable. You finally have someone who understands your love of farm animals.” Craig’s tease was ignored.

Daniel’s focus was only on Halle.

“My family’s farm is about a half day’s ride to the Hot Pot Inn. We’d stay there for the festival,” she explained.

“I knew the family who owned the inn. I’d work there sometimes when Dad didn’t need a hand in the fields. I wonder if we ever met.” Daniel gave the matter serious thought.

“Who knows?” Halle shrugged and occupied her mouth with a strip of meat. She didn’t remember any young boys in particular, but she didn’t want to discourage Daniel. It was nice to have a connection to home.

“Get ready to move out,” Prince Baldair boomed as he strolled through the ranks.

“I should go.” She stood, passing her mostly untouched breakfast to an eager Craig.

“Ride with us today?” Daniel invited.

“I don’t think I can,” Halle said uncertainly.

“They’re only strict about the formation for show. They won’t care now.” Craig was already halfway through her portionHalle opened her mouth to answer as she felt footsteps thunder over the ground behind her.

“You’re far from home.”

“My prince.” Halle turned, giving Prince Baldair a bow. She found his presence uncomfortable. First he’d been nothing more to her than the Heartbreaker Prince, a man straight from the lore of servants. A man she’d only briefly met in the library by chance. Then, he’d been Derek’s brother, and her conspirator in sneaking her into the gala at the end of the last Festival of the Sun. That had also been the Night of Fire and Wind. The last time she’d seen Prince Baldair he’d been tending to her wounds at Derek’s command. What did he think of her now? “I was just about to return.”

“Baldair.” Daniel stood, wiping his palms on his pants, surprisingly relaxed in the presence of his prince and commander. “Would it be trouble if Halle rode with us today?”

“You well know it’ll be trouble from the other soldiers if she is around.” Baldair laughed as if the idea was more amusing than off-putting. “But I don’t mind, if her superiors don’t take issue.” The prince gave Halle a grin as he paused over the word superiors.

“We’ll see ...” Halle avoided his presumptuous gaze.

“One of you two walk her back? I don’t want trouble one day out,” the prince demanded, smartly aware of the tensions surrounding her presence.

“I will,” Daniel volunteered first.

“Excellent.” Prince Baldair gave a nod and left.

“Shall we?” Daniel took a step toward the White Legion.

“See you later, Miss Windwalker,” Craig bid her farewell with a smile.

“Take care, Craig.” Halle waved and fell in step with Daniel.

The camp was almost completely broken down as they walked back. Remnants of fires were doused, and people were beginning to mount their horses. The short walk was filled with talk of how his family grew potatoes and hers wheat, and the processes for each. Despite the circumstances under which they met, Halle felt an instant connection with her fellow Easterner.

When they came upon the White Legion she noticed Derek’s tent had almost been completely loaded up into the cart with the rest of the Imperial items, but she didn’t see the man anywhere.

“Don’t let the other soldiers bother you,” Daniel said, coming to a stop. “They’re not bad people, they’re just—” he paused, looking to the heavens for inspiration, “—a little stupid.”

Halle grinned.

“Vhal!” Fritz ran over. “We were looking for you.” He practically skidded to a halt to give her escort a full assessment.

“Fritz, this is Daniel. Daniel, Fritz,” she introduced.

Daniel extended his palm in greeting.

“You best be nice to our Vhal!” Fritz said, ignoring Daniel’s hand and pointing in his face.

“My, you didn’t warn me you had bodyguards,” Daniel chuckled, taking Fritz’s hand from his face and shaking it. “You have my word, only kindness and care from me.” The low draw of a horn echoed through the forest and the last soldiers fell into place like a great migration. “Oops, must get back. Come up and ride with us if you can!” Daniel called, already hurrying to the front.

“He’s cute,” Fritz swooned.

“Fritz!” Halle scolded.

“What? Don’t tell me you didn’t notice.” Fritz rolled his eyes.

In truth, Halle hadn’t. She ran back over to Lightning to find Hardy already on horseback, waiting along with Fritz’s mount. “Sorry,” she apologized.

“Yet again, Halle, you have nothing to be sorry for.” Hardy’s smiled brightly. “You seem to be in better spirits.”

Halle mounted Lightning with a nod, concealing a guilty smile. She had enjoyed herself.

It turned out to be just as Craig and Daniel had said. The host was a slightly structured mass today compared to the neat rows and careful placement of the day before. But she, Fritz, and Hardy gravitated to the same place in line. The two were instantly involved in some heated debate that carried over from breakfast and Halle drifted in and out of the conversation, thinking about Daniel’s and Craig’s offer.

It wasn’t until Derek shifted in his saddle that she even realized he was there.

Halle turned and her mouth dropped agape. “Your ... hair.” It was a thought that escaped as sound. His raven hair was limp, falling perfectly straight around his face. The prince had long bangs that tapered in front, falling below his eyebrows, and messy cut layers throughout. They were elements of an Derek that Halle had no idea even existed, so different from how he usually wore his hair in the palace.

He glanced at her, momentary annoyance furrowing his brow. “You did not really think I would take time to fix my hair while at war, did you?” Derek’s low tones betrayed his amusement, and it instantly placed her under a spell.

“Well, I may like it,” Halle mused. His coy smirk encouraged boldness.

Derek paused briefly, his lips parted. She caught his ebony eyes and Derek looked forward quickly, as if unable to handle being the sole recipient of her consideration. “I trust Elecia got my message to you?”

Halle sobered quickly at the other woman’s name. “She did. Training?”

“Major Gales said she had begun to work with you, but you still have a ways to go. I would rather oversee your progress personally.”

Had he said those words to anyone else they likely would have inspired dread. But for Halle, they had an odd comfort.

“Of course, my puppet master.” She had meant to reference her old fears lightly, so it surprised Halle to see Derek staring at her with a deep intensity.