Jza woke up with a start, clutching her locket painfully. Her dream was lost to her now but the feeling it invoked lingered. The panic and absolute terror left her trembling. She let her eyes remain closed as she composed herself. Her heartbeat soon reached a languid pace and she opened her brown eyes.
The first thing she noticed was her skirts had moved upwards leaving a patch of her calf bare. Cursing herself for deeming it too hot for stockings many hours ago she swiftly sat up and arranged her clothes back to where they belonged. She darted furtive glances around her to make sure no one was watching.
The position she had chosen was as further away from the camp as possible without it being dangerous. The men had not resisted the distance for they knew a lady of her breeding required privacy. She had snorted at the thought that they would be surprised to know where she had slept during her time in captivity.
Taqruin was the closest man to her, sitting only a feet or two away. He sat facing away from with his bandaged face resting on his knees. Jza suddenly realised the strategic way he sat hid her from view especially her lower half. She was mortified to imagine he had taken it upon himself to guard her modesty. The Princess wondered if during the times they had slept in the same room had he ever woken up to her in such a disheveled form.
"You are not alseep?" The brown haired girl asked her guard. His amber eyes were closed but his breathing was not as even and deep as she had grown used to listening in their shared room when he slept.
"I have better things to do than leave this camp under the care of these fools," Tarquin replied, gruffly. He gazed at the encampment with hooded eyes.
"They are not so helpless as you imagine them," Jza answered tartly as she rose from her bed roll.
"What can a gang of stable boys and gardeners do against an army?" The sharp amber eyes glanced at her briefly.
"And what can an injured man stabbed in multiple places do," Jza raised her eyebrow, "Allow me a look so I can replace your bandages."
"Not in front of them," Was the curt reply from the injured man.
"They already know you're injured," Jza rolled up her bed knowing she had no further use for it. The nightmare had dropped her desire for further sleep.
"They do not know the severity or where they lie. I do not wish to expose my weaknesses to my foe," Tarquin informed her leaving Jza surprised. Not by his hesitation to expose himself to his enemy but the willingness to share the reason with her. Was she no longer his foe?
"They are under my command. They will not harm you. I will not allow it, I vow it," The Princess unconsciously allowed the steel back in her voice. She was an indulgent and kind royal but she possessed an inate sense of command even she did not know she possessed. It was also what had convinced Tarquin that she was no scullery maid when they had met. Her stance, her voice, her words had all oozed a sweet sort of power entralling all those that came her way into doing her bidding.
"Forgive me for not misplacing my trust," Tarquin answered, looking up at his captor.
"You will let your wounds fester for pride?"
"No, I will let you look at them, privately. You can do with me whatever you please at your leisure," He gave her a quick grin which she ignored. She smoothed the wrinkles on her outfit instead and walked up to the bruised redhead who was sat at the edge clearly guarding both of them.
"I need fresh water to clean the prisoner's injuries. Is there any available?" Jza asked as the man stumbled to his feet. He clumsily bowed while she watched him impatiently.
"Your Highness, we have the skins available although it would be best if you follow the stream we camp next to. It's mountain water so cleaner than what we have," The man advised pointing in the direction of the water source.
Jza was about to walk away when the man spoke with more confidence then he had shown before.
"I kept a close eye in him while you slept and he never wavered his attention. He is covered head to toe in bandages but he would not rest until you woke. I am beginning to think his loyalty is not in question. He seems devoted," The redhead said in a low and measured voice.
"I would not know. He has never offered me a word of loyalty," Jza replied breezily. She knew what came next and mentally prepared herself for the questions all the men must be thinking off.
"Then how come he is in your company? How come you nurse him to good health?" The words were incredibly predictable.
"He saved my life and now I am saving his,"Jza explained. It was the truth after all as it rolled off her tongue, "He was my guardian when I was captured. He ensured no harm came to me."
"Ah, in these situations one does develop a bond," The man replied, understandingly.
"It's not as serious as you think," Jza calm mein faltered, thinking of how close the man's words were to the reality. She steadied herself and tried to keep herself centered, "Once we are safe I intend to let him go. Our debts will be payed."
"Is that wise, setting a Somerlian with dubious loyalty free? Besides in a span of a few hours he has shown more skill with daggers than we all possess combined. He could be useful."
"Unlike Lord Tarquin I have no intention of keeping prisoners for sport," She remarked. She intended to walk away but the young fair headed boy scampered their way holding something in a makeshift sack.
"Your Highness, we found a bunch of strawberries. Please do us the honour of taking all of them," Young Thomas offered the fruit to her like a young puppy greets their master.
"I thank you for the kindness bur I cannot be the only recipient. All of us must have our fill," She answered picking a few in her hands.
"Your Highness," The redhead tried to argue but even he knew it was a useless battle. Once she had declared something she meant it.
"I am of the gentler sex and we do not consume as much as strong young men such as yourself," Jza flattered her company and took her leave. She offered Tarquin the cargo in her hands who quickly took two. Jza then took him behind the bushes where the small stream lay.
...
"I knew one day you would become used to watching the delights of the male flesh," Tarquin's words broke the long silence of unraveling of his bandages.
She rolled her eyes at his unusual innuendo filled speech. She remembered when he had pressed her hand to his athletic chest and felt her ears redden. No, she had most certainly not gotten used to watching the delights of the male flesh. For a second she wondered if he would heal back to his previous fine form.
"Yes, your body has weakened my spitit," Jza answered deadpan without giving him the pleasure of her eyes meeting his.
"Bah, I could never weaken you. Just now you displayed such a saintly sight forgoing your own pleasures for your people. I am sickened by your nauseating sense of honour," Tarquin shuddered for effect.
"Don't be unkind. Perhaps I am watching my figure," Jza replied with a grin. She smoothed her hand down the bumps of the stiches making the man shiver.
"Please, I have seen you dig into clotted cream during breakfast. Gentler sex indeed!"
"I may have to find a husband one day. I need to take care of what I eat," The Princess replied remembering how her governess was consumed with making her marriageable.
"You're going nowhere when you're bound to me," Tarquin replied, darkly. His eyes lost all their earlier vibrancy.
"Indeed, you're right," She gave him baleful look as her touch gave him another shudder.
"Don't tell me you would forgo your men their pleasures," The Princess asked curiously. She was interested in understanding how he ruled his subjects.
"Well, I did keep them away from my harem..." Tarquin trailed off with a shurg.
"Not those kind of pleasures! Its the simpler kinds like.. strawberries. You would not share the loot or would you?" Jza was mortally offeneded by his subject choice.
"I would share if their performance was worthy. A reward is worthwhile to ensure optimal performance," The former Lord replied, wrinkling his nose at the idea of giving away even something small as strawberries.
"Then you cannot accuse me of being too nice. I am just following your conventions of ruling."
"How you rule and how I rule is not comparable. Your forces are loyal, your people content. I had to root out traitors at every turn. Ivan left behind too many loose ends that needed to be dealt with," The injured man replied as he raised his arms allowing her access.
"Eh, my mode of operation is irrelevant anyway It is only under the duration of our march till I need to order these men about. Afterwards I am free from this responsibility my father laid on my head," Jza replied gazing at her handiwork.
"You believe king Samuel will make his return soon," The amber eyed man asked although it seemed like he wanted to say something else.
"He would move heaven and earth to find his daughters. Do not underestimate that," The Princess replied with a snort.