War Incarnated

Dea POV:

I walk to my escorts, as one they surround me and we walk to the forest. No sound is made from any of the men in my company, the only noise made once we entered the tree line was the steps of our feet and the rustle of our weapons.

After we walked over five miles from my home, I take the time to observe my new companions. All six of them are taller than I, it seems that they are all over six feet tall, the tallest among them is the one I caught staring at me earlier in the center of town.

The tallest one has shoulder length blonde hair so fair it looks to be silver, dark skin, broad shoulders with lean hips and strong legs. At looking at his face closely I see that he has green eyes, so green they look like a forest with so many shades. He has a straight nose, with a slight bump from which it looks like it has been broken before but reset, a strong sharp cut jaw, dark black eyebrows that contrast his eyes and hair. In essence he's very attractive, in a rough rugged way. He walks with a trained and experienced warriors disposition, confident in all his movements, poised to strike at any time.

All the men around me seem to have the same disposition except the tall one seems to be more experienced in comparison by his movements. As I look at each man, their hair, skin, and eyes all vary in shade and color, the only thing they all have in common is that they are all good looking men.

One of them which is the shortest but still much taller than I, has a more classical look of attractiveness to him. He has brown hair, blue eyes so electric it is like a storm, light pale skin, square jaw with a small dimple in the middle of his chin. He seems to have kind eyes as well, as if he isn't as haunted as some of the other men.

I decide to talk to him first, I turn to him as he is walking to my right. "What is your name?" I ask him.

He turns his head to me with a smile that shows a small dimple in his left cheek. "I am Zale my lady."

I can't help the laughter that escapes me at being called Lady, as if I was from a high born family. After a moment I calm down with a smile on my face I see that I have caught the attention from all the men in my party.

"I am no lady, that I can promise you. How much do any of you know about the Erylean territory?" I ask them with a smile.

They all just look at me with confusion, and I do understand why. My territory is a brutal harsh territory in comparison to all others, yet we stay private as well, we are not like any other territory.

After a couple minutes I realize none of them are going to admit not knowing anything, so I feed their curiosity, "In Elyrea we do not give the seat to just high born, anyone can fight for the seat including: bastards, servants, and low ranking solders."

All men have stopped walking and openly stare at me now, all with wonder in their eyes. The silver haired man is the least dumb struck it seems, he has a glint in his eye that I can't decipher.

The silver haired man is the first to speak, "So are you and your grandmother high born or low born?" he shows very little emotion when he speaks, yet he has a deep voice with a slight timbre.

"My grandmother was born a peasant that became a soldier and worked her way through the ranks. She became Warlady within four years of her service at the age of seventeen, she gave birth to my mother and uncle after she was Warlady for five years. My uncle was Warlord after he served under my grandmother, after he was killed my mother who was his second became Warlady, when my father and her died my grandmother took back her seat until I was sixteen. I have been Warlady for eleven years, my brother is my second, so to answer your question, we are neither. We are warriors, we care not for our rank at birth." I say it all with pride in my voice.

"You became Warlady at sixteen? My God why would your people allow a woman that young to lead!" A man with dark curly auburn hair, freckles, and pale skin practically yells at me.

My demeanor changes drastically and all the men see it instantly, a couple of them stepping back in response.

"My people do not have the luxury that the capital and other territories do." I say as I take a step closer to the man that yelled. "I watched my parents be slaughter when I was ten, from an invasion from the Wastes, the Capital refused aid that we requested for weeks prior. We never got that aid even after I lost my parents. We are lead by those of us that are strong, cunning, and can be cruel when needed, my family has ruled this territory for over forty years now, no other before us could stay on the seat for more than four years. Let me make myself perfectly clear. No matter the age, all are trained to kill in my territory, rich and poor alike. All serve. All risk their lives and if necessary die for this territory and the people in it, age does not matter for the seat as long as it can be held by your strength and your wits." The longer I spoke the colder and more bite my words took.

The man in front of me saw a side few see, and he has the sense to look afraid. Good. I want them to fear me, I earned my place on the seat and I will be damned if they will ridicule me for being a young woman when I took it.

I turned and began walking, I walked through all the men, leading the now company of men behind me. No one spoke not for the rest of the day.