Dangerous Tides

The three suns danced their way across the blindingly blue sky, their rays blistering.

Pri wiped away a fresh layer of sweat from his brow. The muscle-bound man scanned the horizon watching, always watching for the return of their general with word from the Queen. Shyana seemed more focused on this secret mission than he had seen her in quite some time, which was a feat in and of itself.

"Any sight of her, captain?" A gruff voice broke Pri's focus.

A fellow guard he couldn't quite place shadowed his face with a hand that was missing two fingers.

An uncommon sight since Xhaians usually didn't fight close range, preferring more sophistication in their weapons than the Thurucalns, who were said to resort to clawing and biting like animals.

Ever since General Makea took over the army, they started to appear more Thurucaln than Xhaian, in his opinion. Her unapologetic approach of being immersed in the battlefield came with a price.

Pri shook his head. "Not yet."

There was unrest among the soldiers of Xhaia when their general was away.

Shyana's presence wasn't easily replaced, as if the warmth was missing from the fires which continued to burn since the victory harvest.

Pri stretched his arms over his head and sighed. While he was pleased she left him in charge, she should have given him more information, before flying off the way she did. Such erratic behavior was unbefitting of a leader in her position.

A warm wind circled around the camp, releasing the smell of blood and carnage, which had managed to be cleaned, but never truly lost, no matter what they tried. There were times when Pri wondered if the odor would never leave them, even when the time came for their army to permanently sheath their swords and rest their armor.

"Captain, would you mind giving me a moment?" A sultry voice inquired and sent a fresh wave of tingles down his spine.

Pri's gaze broke away from the horizon and rested on the surprising voluptuous figure of a woman he'd fallen for the second she saddled beside him.

Hinike smiled up at him, her dazzling blue eyes catching the light, as she waited for him to shimmy down the makeshift perch.

"Yes, my Lady. How may I assist you?" Pri bowed, struggling to keep his eyes on her face, instead of letting them lower to her other more flattering attributes.

Hinike had joined the Xhaian army as one of Xera's best medics, though Pri knew with absolute certainty. that she could wield a blade better than some of the men, if she were pushed to defend herself.

Those hypnotic eyes met his and she smiled sweetly. "I've tended to all the men who were injured in the last battle, and yet I seem to be missing one very important patient. One who should have come in to be examined days ago. Any ideas?"

Pri straightened his back, making a show of flexing his muscles, which he was very aware of at all times. "I have matters to deal with. I simply haven't had the time to be examined. Especially, when I'm certain nothing is wrong with me."

Hinike raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I'm so pleased you've taken up medicine with your other talents. Please enlighten me, who taught you? Last I knew, I was this platoon's chief medic, not you, Captain. Now to the tent with you lest my patience wears further."

Captain Pri took in her delicate frame with quiet amusement, as she stood at least two heads shorter than himself, but decided not to test her feistiness further. "Very well…. for your sake, I shall."

The graceful woman smiled, thoroughly pleased at getting her way, while Pri followed her to the infirmary tent.

Inside, there were a few Xhaian soldiers resting away their injuries. They hadn't seemed to lose very many this time, which was a good sign of the Thurucalns growing weakness.

He passed by one injured man, no older than twenty-two winters, but by the deep gash across his gently rising chest, Pri wondered if he would live to see another battle.

Placing a hand on his leg, Pri squeezed gently, thanking him for his service, before following Hinike to a spare bed in the back corner of the long tent.

She ordered his shirt off, which Pri didn't resist, as it meant that very soon her elegant fingers would be examining his bare chest.

She scanned his toned body for any abrasions or wounds that required attention. Though she had no doubt Pri was an exceptional warrior, Hinike also knew that he would put his duty before his health if she didn't force him to be examined.

It wasn't long before she noticed the long laceration which marred the rigid lines of his right side. "What happened there?"

Pri looked down, as if he were surprised by the wound. "Oh, it was nothing. An arrow grazed me, that's all."

Hinike was quick at work, choosing a careful mixture from her pack and preparing a scolding for his not coming in earlier. "Honestly, you are as bad as General Makea. I can never get her to settle down long enough to treat her wounds either."

The mention of their absent leader made his muscles tense, an action which didn't go unnoticed by the perceptive nurse. Her soft lips curved into a thoughtful smile. "And when do we expect her to return from the mission which was too secretive to tell her own men?"

Pri's eyes widened at her tone, but he shrugged nonchalantly. "I have no way of knowing. The general has our best interests in mind; she will take as long as she needs."

Hinike gently applied the foul-smelling ointment, smoothing it around the scabbing skin to prevent infection. "Now there's no reason to give me that rehearsed answer, Pri. I want to know what you really think. Isn't it enough that I've shared your bed that I feel you could share your honest opinion with me?"

The captain looked about the tent quickly, ensuring no one had heard her admittance of their past affections.

While it wasn't illegal for them to be in a relationship, it was certainly frowned upon for a captain to show favor, even if she were just a medic. This meant that it was a very rare occasion they shared full intimacy, which was why she hadn't seen his wound earlier.

"Hini, please keep your voice down," he pleaded, eliciting a trill of pleased giggles from the mischievous woman.

Hinike kneeled down and placed her hands on either side wound, warming it with her touch. "No one is around to spy on us. They're securing the perimeter as per your request. You know, I think you need a personal examination tonight, when the second moon has entered the sky. I do believe I have secured some extra Leup, for medical purposes of course."

Captain Pri smiled, forgiving her slip-up and allowing his eyes to wander up and down her distinctly feminine frame. "I think that could be arranged. It's vitally important I keep up my strength. After all, I am the second in command."

She nodded as he kissed the top of her head and left the tent.

Hinike reached into her belt and produced the decree she had intercepted from a scout earlier that day. The order that General Makea had fled the castle and was going to be put to trial sent a wave of chills down her spine.

She smiled. "For now…"