SIX

A few days have passed since I came to the camp and nothing special took place. I did my work meticulously, trying my best to keep away from trouble and my masters. I was almost achieving that, but trouble always found me. The servants and reliever no longer scurry away when I was around, I guess they were used to me by now, but they didn't associate with me either. The war was beginning, Master Ehis and The Commander were always absent, they were always at the war front, and it gave me little time for myself. I was able to wash my dirty clothes and trim the dress I won from Lady Claire because it was too long for me. I cut it to my size and had enough time to even comb and plait my hair in French knots.

My masters seem to have no time for me, and I liked it, I did everything and had my meal earlier than I did when I came newly. The girls I shared the tent with still didn't let me inside, so I found a new place that I could call my own. It was the root of a large tree on the verge of the forest. It was quiet and cool and a branch on the tree served as my bed, while the root was my room, where I kept my belongings and had my bath. Since the other servants didn't let me in, I wake up very early in the morning, before anyone else, and take my bath. Although no one was around the forest, I liked taking precautionary measures. Tibians didn't take nakedness as seriously as humans did, but it didn't stop me from covering myself. It gets so cold some nights, but my skin has mastered the art of survival, so I survived through it.

My daily tasks were becoming simpler for me each day. I wasn't feeling as weary as before, except that the trays of the masters' food were always heavy, but I still managed to carry them. I didn't have a friend, so I always talked to my signet ring. To me, it was the man I save seven years ago. I told the ring about my day and how I truly felt. Sometimes, I get so overwhelmed by curiosity that I wondered if the man was around me. Some nights, I tried to imagine which warrior was my man. They all had the same build—maybe not the same, but I couldn't picture the man without full armor. The warriors here were mostly on leather skins and furs, so it was difficult knowing whom I saved exactly.

Not that I was allowed to look beyond their knees. I have served two masters for several days now, but I couldn't tell what their faces looked like. I only get a view of their profile when I am far away from them and stealing a glance, but I have never seen their eyes.

Today was like every other day, I was in The Commander's room mopping the floor as I should be doing. I was always fascinated by his room. I have never seen so many war weapons in my entire life, sometimes, I take some of the swords and try to practice fighting. No one enters The Commander's room without permission or without being his servant, so no one ever sees me misbehave in there. The swords were heavy for me, but I get to carry them and practice. I took out the smallest one I always use and started practicing.

"I will cut off your head and paint the town red with your blood," I said pointing toward the entrance and narrowing my eyes. "How does it feel to be a female warrior?" I asked myself and withdrew the sword.

Since Tibian didn't want my communication, I guess I can communicate by myself and still enjoy it. I laugh at my own jokes and laugh at some awkward memories of myself, when I fidget in the presence of The Commander, how I avoid him, and how I sometimes end up stumbling while avoiding him. They kept me happy when I am alone.

I narrowed my eyes again and smirked. Now, it's time to challenge The Commander to a fight. I could imagine what his face would be like if a female warrior challenged him to fight. I started to practice it. I turned my back to the entrance and held the sword.

"Commander of..." What was he again? "Commander of men, whatever your name is, I heard you are a terror to the people of this land, that is why I have trained for many years to defeat you in a fight, therefore, I Warrior Princess Alina Adalbert challenge you to a fight!"

I spun and pointed towards the entrance of the tent as usual, but the sword clattered to the floor at the sight in front of me. My spirit left my body as I stood face to face with The Commander, staring blankly at me. In my shock, I forgot that I wasn't supposed to meet his gaze. His eyes were the color of stormy skies, furious stormy skies. His strength showed in his high, broad forehead, his pronounced cheekbones, and his strong jaw. His eyebrows were thick, almost bristling, yet well-formed, his beards were long with tiny knots at the tip, and his hair was a dark mane that cascaded to his back with a single plait by the side. He was dangerously handsome and was going to send me to the afterlife.

Tears of agony streamed down my eyes as I sympathized with myself. When did he enter here? How was he here by this time? How long has he listened to me? It was so unfortunate that I wasn't going to get the answers to those questions before my death. I not only disrespected him by touching his equipment in his absence and making fun of him, but I also broke the sacred rule of servants not meeting their masters' eyes. I was indeed doomed, there was no saving grace for me. But I could at least do the only thing I was capable of doing. Apologize.

"I am so sorry," I said genuinely, but it didn't matter. He won't care if I was genuine or not. "I never meant..." I rushed toward the sword on the floor but slipped on the water on the floor, where I was mopping.

I fell back, my hands flying up and my eyes shut. But instead of falling to the ground with a thud and breaking my neck, I fell into a large arm that circled me like boulders. I opened my eyes, fiery grey eyes stared into mine. I squirmed in his arms, but they pinned me to a place. I shut my eyes tightly. Someone, please wake me up, I must be in a nightmare, I want to wake up, please!

"You are a walking catastrophe, Alina." a booming voice sounded in my ears and my eyes snapped open. I might have awoken from my nightmare.

The Commander straightened and steadied me before he took a few steps back, away from me and giving me the space to gulp in large air into my lungs. He walked away from me, ignoring me as if nothing happened. But my head was still screaming.

Did The Commander just call me by name?!

I stood still until I heard his footsteps fade into the inner tent. This was my cue to run away and never come back to work for him. I will wail and walk with my head for Madam Zak to change me from working in his tent. I quickly dashed for the sword, hung it back where I took it from, grabbed my bucket and my rag, and almost made it out of the tenth when his baritone voice jolted my whole being.

"Alina!" He didn't scream, but it sounded so loud to me.

Okay, he has finally thought of the punishment to give me. Calling me a walking catastrophe wasn't even a punishment. What was I thinking? I dropped the bucket but didn't turn to look at him.

"Yes, Commander."

"Here, I am slashed, and the healer is occupied. Apply this herb to my wound."

I nodded and went into the tent with my back. I was scared of turning, least I meet his eyes again. He might have forgiven me for holding his gaze at first, but he won't forgive another mistake. The squeaking sound behind me told me he was lying on his bed. Arriving by the bedside, I stretched my hand to get the herb he wanted me to rub on his back.

"Little human, will you mend my wound with your back to me?" his voice asked again.

"No," I replied tersely and spun making sure I avoided his face and his gaze, but a yelp tore through my throat at the sight before me.

The Commander was stark naked, lying on his stomach. A deep cut ran almost across his back. My hands quivered as I dipped my fingers into the pot of herbs to start rubbing them on the wound.

"Why are you screaming? Not to worry, the wound is not deep, it will heal, but I want it to heal faster with the help of the herb mixture, I need to get out there and continue the fight."

The Commander thought I screamed because of his wound, not knowing that his very naked body unnerved me. I nodded twice, even though he couldn't see me. Since I learned a lot of healing techniques from my mother, I didn't apply the herbs first, I had to clean the wound up to get it free of infection before I applied the herbs to it. I set down the pot at the foot of the bed and hurried away to get warm water to clean up the wounds.